KC Sipps: Food trucks pop-up this weekend, plus free BBQ

Art by Cassondra Jones

Looking for delicious plans? Whether you want to impress a date, show your fam the best of KC, or just get out of the house, we’ve got you covered… all while supporting (mostly) local. 

Here is your weekly roundup of the best food and drink offerings around Kansas City. Cheers!

Something new

Caramelo: Not far off of Mass Street in Lawrence, KS, Caramelo makes Sonoran-style flour tortillas with three varieties of fats. You may have already had Caramelo tortillas if you’ve dined at Fox & Pear, Red Kitchen Cien Por Ciento Mexicana, Barbacoa, and more. Now, Caramelo has opened its production facility to the public. Shoppers can stop by during weekdays to purchase fresh tortillas, totopos, merch, and goods from Caramelo partners. And while this next phase is experimental, stop by on Saturday afternoons when it turns into a taqueria serving wood-fired carne asada. 

May 16

Up-Down: Starting at 8 p.m., Up-Down arcade and bar in Crossroads is throwing it back to 1985. Ages 21+ can come to game, drink, or just hang out on the multi-level patio for a themed night all about The Breakfast Club. Don’t youuuu forget about it.

May 17

PathLight Brewing: Taste of Bengal will be at PathLight Brewing in Shawnee. From 4 – 8 p.m., the South Asian pop-up will serve their family recipe Butter Chicken, plus Masala Fries, Kati Rolls, and Samosas. 

Pierpont’s: At your choice of time between 5 – 6:45 p.m., Pierpont’s in Union Station is hosting a Wines of Spain tasting. Each $35 ticket includes five tastings of wines from across Spain, a snack plate, and a $15 voucher for dinner at Pierpont’s.

May 18

Irvzilla’s Hawaiian Grill: Irvzilla’s Hawaiian Grill, a food truck that I tried for the first time at the AANHPI Identity festival last weekend, will be at Café Cà Phê from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Stop by the Columbus Park cafe for a sweet drink, and take advantage of the food truck for lunch. I recommend the fried shrimp!

Turkey Creek Festival: Merriam Marketplace is hosting the annual family-friendly Turkey Creek Festival. The free festival features a pancake breakfast ($5), a pie-eating contest, live music, concessions, and food trucks.

Diametric Brewing: In Lee’s Summit, Diametric Brewing is hosting GoChew food truck from 12 – 10 p.m. Choose between the GOCHEW Burger or Spicy Pork Sandwich, or just load up on fries! I recently enjoyed Diametric’s Ruby on Rails–an American red pale ale. It was smooth with a hint of feistiness. 

Social: Waldo’s Social has invited BlaqOut for a Fusion happy hour from 6 – 10 p.m. Sponsored by KC’s Kin Seltzer, BlaqOut promotes safe and inclusive nightlife for KC’s Black LGBTQ+ community. 

The Brick: In East Crossroads, The Brick is playing host to KC Air Guitar Championships starting at 9 p.m. Tickets for viewing and competing are required for entry ($10+). The kitchen will stay open until 10 p.m. but the bar will remain open later.

Plan ahead

Cliff’s Taphouse: First, congrats on three years in business, Cliff’s Taphouse team! At 6 p.m. on May 20, Cliff’s is putting on a Vegan Wine Dinner. Tickets are $75 and include a five-course dinner with wine pairings–all fully vegan. Dishes like focaccia, spring rolls, mushroom scallops, and more are thoughtfully paired with wines from around the world. 

KC Bier Co.: On May 21, Waldo’s KC Bier Co. is hosting a tie-dye night. Tickets start at $30 and include your choice of t-shirt or hoodie, dye supplies, one beer, and 25% off your food order. 

Slap’s BBQ: To celebrate both National Barbecue Month and Small Business Month, Slap’s in KCK is partnering with Verizon for a community event that almost sounds too good to be true. The first 100 customers at Slap’s from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. on May 22 will receive a free plate of BBQ–no purchase necessary.

The Campground: The Campground in West Bottoms is hosting Chef Hera of Bacaro Primo, Antler Room, and Rye for a special dinner. Gone Campin’ with Chef Hera will feature a dinner of chicken liver, rigatoni, Icelandic cod, and more. Tickets start at $75 for the May 23 event.