Sunday, May 17, 2009

Just Roll Me Out on a Stretcher Please



Kim was our host for the latest gathering. It was a Friday evening in April and we gathered at her house for our predinner drinks. If you recall, the last time Kim hosted we had to divert our plans to sit out a tornado warning. Fortunately, the weather cooperated this go around so we were able to catch up and hang with Kim's ginourmous cats before heading to the restaurant.

Kim chose a Kansas City comfort food institution: Stroud's. Their newest location is off of Shawnee Mission Parkway and just minutes from Kim's house.

We were anticipating a long wait which is typical of the original Stroud's locations where you can expect an hour long wait. Immediate seating was available but we opted for a cocktail in the bar before being seated. The Royals were playing that night and the staff thought this explained why it was a slow evening. I hope so.

As expected the service was great and food was exceptional. The meals are served family-style. We ordered up a bowl of real mashed potatoes, thick cream gravy, green beans, cottage fried potatoes, chicken fried steak and of course, pan fried chicken. Oh, and dinner was topped off with warm from the oven cinnamon rolls. We were crammed around a corner booth. When our meal was served, there was barely room for our drinks on the table. However, given our priorities we found the space.

The fried chicken and chicken fried steak are crusty not bready. The mashed potatoes are pure buttery dense potatoes. We did notice the spuds could use a dose of salt but with the shaker handy everyone could salt to their own satisfaction. The bacon infused green beans are soft and mushy so if you like your beans al dente they aren't for you. You cannot go wrong with Stroud's but you must leave your calorie counter in the car. This isn't for the "no carb" crowd nor would we recommend following dinner with a night of dancing. You must go directly to the nearest couch.

Frankly, the too delectable to stop inhaling food was so heavy and coma inducing that we all agreed that it simply cannot be on your weekly (or monthly) rotation. Save it for special occasions and out of town guests or start training for a marathon. We left stuffed and miserable but in a good way.