Morsels

(based on a complete meal for one,

excluding alcoholic beverages):

$: Inexpensive, up to $10

$$: Moderate, $10-$20

$$$: Expensive, $20-$30

$$$$: Very expensive, $30 and up

Downtown Midtown Plaza/Brookside South:south of 75th Street on the Missouri side.

North Johnson County: north of 95th Street.

South Johnson County: south of 95th Street.

West: west of State Line Road, between 47th Street and the Missouri River.

North: north of the Missouri River.

East: east of Prospect Avenue, between 75th Street and the Missouri River.

The following restaurants are offered as recommendations by the PitchWeekly reviewer:

Downtown

Arthur Bryant's Barbecue 1727 Brooklyn, KCMO, 816-231-1123. The oldest and most famous barbecue joint in Kansas City isn't fancy. In fact, it looks pretty much like it did in 1946. But it's not the atmosphere that brings visitors to Arthur Bryant's; it's the tender beef brisket sandwiches, still served on soft white supermarket bread; ribs; and crispy, lard-fried potatoes. There's nothing quite like it, especially when that sandwich is drenched in Bryant's signature tangy, cayenne-color sauce and topped with vinegary pickle slices. For barbecue fans, this is a mouthful of heaven. $

Big Daddy's Cajun Kitchen and Blues House 112 E. Missouri Ave., KCMO, 816-471-3339. One of the more recent additions to the KC Cajun scene, Big Daddy's exudes gaiety. There's no skimping on ingredients here; the crawfish etoufees are plentiful, the crab cakes with jalapeno cream are pleasant, and the Sammy's Seafood Gumbo is made with a tasty tomato base. $$

La Bodega 703 Southwest Blvd., KCMO, 816-472-8272. La Bodega, also known as "that place on Southwest Boulevard that serves all those Spanish-style appetizers (tapas)" offers a lot more than appetizers. Cozy and inviting, La Bodega serves more than 20 tapas items that are great to share with a group, but if you make it past the tapas, try the Ensalada Mixta, the Pollo Glaseado, or one of the daily pasta or fish specials. $$

Cascone's Grill City Market 20 E. Fifth St., KCMO, 816-471-1018. One of the busiest spots in the city for a Saturday morning breakfast of eggs with spicy Italian sausage, toast, and marinara sauce, regulars love Cascone's with a passion and will stand in line for as long as it takes to get a booth or a seat at the counter. The family-owned diner serves up the basics at both breakfast and lunch in a fast and friendly manner, whether it be fluffy pancakes or a hearty sausage sandwich. $

d'Bronx Crown Center, KCMO, 816-842-2211. Even New Yorkers feel at home at this traditional neighborhood deli. There's hustle and bustle; runners yell orders while they try desperately to locate guests who eagerly await their food. It's difficult to choose from the 50 sandwiches, but the vegetarian and the Italian meatball are standouts. The thin pizzas take a little longer but are worth the wait. $

Le Fou Frog 400 E. Fifth St., KCMO, 816-474-6060. Le Fou Frog brings the taste and flavor of old coastal Marseilles to downtown Kansas City. Chef-owner Mano Rafael, a native of Marseilles, oversees the kitchen, ensuring that the staff provides fine French fare for a cast of devoted regulars and first-time adventurers to enjoy in the cozy, lively (and sometimes raucous) dining room. Dinner choices include Steak Au Poivre, sole layered with salmon in a marsala peppercorn sauce, and a T-bone of veal, all to be finished off with a creamy Marquis Au Chocolat. $$-$$$

Fritz's Railroad Restaurant Crown Center, KCMO, 816-474-4004. The burgers, hot dogs, chili, tenderloins, and shakes at Fritz's are served at both locations by the "Skat Kat" system: Patrons order by phone and a toy train carting the order travels out of the kitchen and around the ceiling of the restaurant until it arrives above the correct table, where a hydraulic lift lowers it. The original Kansas City, Kan., location is a little shabbier and funkier than the new, sleek Crown Center version, but both serve up cooked-to-order burgers, such as the Gen Dare (topped with hash browns, grilled onions, and cheese) or a big tenderloin with hot sauce and pickles. Polish it off with a root beer float. $

Gates Barbecue 1221 Brooklyn, KCMO, 816-483-3880. With locations throughout the city on both sides of the state line, Gates has become a Kansas City tradition. Servers behind the counter welcome diners to the line with shouts of, "Hi! May I help you?" before taking orders for some of the best ribs and meatiest beans in town, along with smoky, flavorful chicken and monster beef, ham, and turkey sandwiches. But as for the true test of a local barbecue joint: The lines at Gates are particularly long before Chiefs home games. $

Hereford House 20th and Main, KCMO, 816-842-1080. Kansas City's downtown landscape has changed dramatically since this no-nonsense steakhouse first opened its doors in 1957. The Hereford House has spruced up a bit since Rod Anderson bought the place in the 1980s, but some of the servers have been schlepping steaks since the place opened. Even today the establishment packs in customers for generous platters of the same solid fare that has always been its calling card: tender steaks (including three cuts of filet mignon) cooked as requested, a juicy prime rib, baby back pork ribs, and fried fish. The Leawood location (see South Johnson County) is, not surprisingly, cleaner and more artfully decorated, but the menu is pretty much the same. $$