If you get to the Kansas City, the area around Southwest Boulevard on the very edge of downtown Kansas City, MO really has quite a bit to offer. There are many businesses from coffee to a brewery to restaurants to weed stores and many others. I will mention a few of those places that might be interesting to my readers. I have included links for these points of interest.

I do want to say this is not a new or fancy area. Southwest Boulevard is in dire need of maintenance and it gets worse heading NE. It’s an old area with “character” and even though there are a few businesses in new buildings, most buildings are old and some dilapidated. It’s not an area I would walk around much at night.

The SW end of “The Boulevard” is where it meets up with I-35 and there are many old businesses – some open and some are cool old empty buildings.

You’ll see the multi-story Strasser Hardware on the left. Strasser’s is a long-time KC business. I have never been in this store but they are supposed to have most everything you need.

On the right side a little farther is Dagwood’s, an old school cafe. It’s on my list of places to try just for the history. It looks to be a blue-collar worker kind of place so my bet is lunchtime is busy.

As we proceed, on the left is the one and only Rosedale BBQ. I was there for lunch today – the first time in nearly a year. As I looked out the window while enjoying my beef/ham combo sandwich and fries I looked across the street and up the hill.

Through the bare trees I saw the Rosedale Arch. I have seen it several times but had never been to it. It’s really the whole reason behind this post – getting out and exploring even while out for a few hours not far from home having lunch.

It was daytime and I decided to go across the street, follow the signs for a couple of blocks and go check it out. It is a sharp right turn through the gate on the way up the hill and is easy to miss. It sits up on a hill with some good views. It was a cool day and breezy so I made it a quick look. I also wasn’t sure about the car I parked next to.

A quick note about safety: I am not opposed to getting out of my comfort zone and seeing or doing things in places I don’t know, but I am also smart about it and analyze any situation like that. The world isn’t all unicorns and rainbows, but it does not stop me from exploring the world around me – even as a solo traveler.

You will find few fast food places along here (I can think of only one), but you will find other types of restaurants – mostly Southwest menus. It is a predominantly Hispanic area.

Continuing on across the 7th Street intersection you’ll find more businesses than food. One place on the right I found could possibly be a political party HQ. I just figured with the orange sign and the name that is what it is.

A few blocks past this you’ll see a QuikTrip at 31st St. Taking a right on this street and going west a couple miles gets you in the area of Browne’s Irish Marketplace.

If you keep going NE on Southwest Boulevard toward downtown KC MO you will cross the state line. Across the border on the left is From The Earth cannabis dispensary. DO keep in mind weed is legal in MO and NOT in KS so if you stop to make a purchase be sure you stay in MO. And pay no attention to the out-of-state license plates.

A few doors down is Ponak’s, a long-time KC favorite for good Mexican food. Across the street and continuing on you will see an old airplane overhead at The Roasterie Coffee Co. Yeah I’m a coffee nerd but I have not had their coffee.

Just up the street (and a block or two east) on the same side is Boulevard Brewing Co. They have been around for quite a while. I am a diehard Guinness drinker, but Boulevard’s Unfiltered Wheat is a really nice wheat beer and I will definitely enjoy a few on a hot summer day.

From here the road gets much worse, especially under the railroad overpass. But, when you come out the other side you have a good choice of a few authentic Mexican restaurants; these are for real and not Tex-Mex. And, on the right, is the legendary Royal Liquors. This place has been here forever. They got your booze…they got your vapes…they even have lubricants and oils (not sure if it for a car or a passionate night).

To close out this tour, after the dispensary you will want to head over to our final stop(s) – Town Topic – and get some awesome diner-style food for those raging munchies. There are two locations in this area just a couple blocks apart. They are just a block or so north of Southwest Boulevard after the curve past Royal Liquors.

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So, there you have it. A quick little trip for some real BBQ turned into a tour of the area. Plus, I hope it helps people see that there’s a lot to see if you only look.

Until next time…

Shawn