| Jaime Warren |
It's almost criminal not to love cinnamon rolls, especially great cinnamon rolls. There are certain qualifications that set the perfect rolls apart from the plastic-wrapped supermarket variety: not too dry; moist, but not gummy; lightly brushed with a sugary glaze -- too much icing can turn a breakfast roll into a cupcake.
KCUR-FM's Walt Bodine loves cinnamon rolls (he particularly misses the ones at the long-defunct Putsch's Cafeteria) and every so often devotes an entire segment of his talk show to the subject. The phone calls generated by this topic speak volumes to Kansas City's love for this buttery spiral pastry.
These are the cinnamon rolls that I would elevate to the Top Ten offered in the city, from the sticky to the sublime:
10) Stroud's. These aren't really cinnamon rolls in the traditional sense, they're biscuit dough slathered with cinnamon and sugar. But when they first come out of the oven, they're extraordinary. Not so great served cold the following morning.
9) Napoleon Bakery, 706 Westport Rd. The new owner of this venerable establishment, pastry chef James Holmes, knows how to rock a roll.
8) Mama's 39th Street Diner, 3906 Waddell. If you haven't tasted Ira Aurbach's fried cinnamon roll slathered with butter, you haven't lived.
7) Granny's Chicken Ranch, 1340 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kansas, This restaurant serves hot biscuits and first-class cinnamon rolls. It's the only way to truly enjoy a fried chicken dinner.
6) You Say Tomato, 2801 Holmes. Co-owner and baker Mark Wingard puts a lot of love into his rolls.
5) Le Monde Bakery, 308 Armour Road. In a word: divine.
4) The Sweet Guy, 7439 Broadway (photo, below) serves an excellent roll -- not too small, not too big -- sinfully flaky and excellent with a hot cup of coffee.
3) Wheatfield's Bakery & Cafe, 904 Vermont Street, Lawrence. Not, this bakery isn't in Kansas City proper, but the sweet rolls and baked goods are so extraordinary here that it's worth hopping out of bed on a Saturday morning and driving 40 minutes or so just to enjoy one of the cinnamon rolls baked here. 2) The Classic Cookie, 409 W. Gregory. (see photo at very top). An excellent, flaky and gorgeously moist pastry.
1) Chacko's Bakery, 6001 Johnson Drive, Mission. If the sensual and lusty qualities of sex could be reproduced in flour, butter, sugar and milk -- this bakery's roll would be the result.
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Obviously you haven't tried the Corner Cafe in Riverside Mo. (Remember Pres. Bush ate there) Best Cinnamon roll you will ever eat! Made fresh daily, and the size of a dinner plate, easily enough for 4, unless you don't feel like sharing! Highly recommend you try it, Best Pecan Sticky bun you will ever eat as well.
Tried Napolean's this morning, it is more like iced cake, somewhat bland, doesn't taste much different than store bought.
BIG MOMMAS is so amazing. We drive 25 min. to Crown Center to get one.
Our second favorite if Dulche Bakery in Prairie Village.
My husband and I like to think of ourselves as Cinnamon Roll connoisseurs.
Corner Cafe makes some pretty wonderful cinnamon rolls but they're way too big to eat as a dessert or snack...
Another good place for cinnamon rolls is Leona Yarbrough's - they include one with every bread plate. They're much smaller than most - you can only get a couple of bites from each one - but they're freshly made and totally yummy. They do have one other potential drawback for some people in that they're not iced.
I have to say that Neighbors in Lees Summit has the best cinnamon rolls. They are very moist and melt in your mouth. I drive out of my way to get them. I do love Strouds cinnamon rolls also.
OK, I guess I've "lived" now since I tried "Ira Aurbach's fried cinnamon roll slathered with butter" yesterday morning, but I have to admit to being less than impressed.
Don't get me wrong - it was okay. But one of the top ten? Not in my book. I considered it a novelty item that reminded me of nothing so much as an apple fritter minus the apple. Split one with someone else if you must try it, because you probably won't finish the whole thing. (more from boredom than from the size)
Oops - just saw they open at 7 am on Sat/Sun.
FWIW, I really like the roll in this cinnamon roll - the pastry is richer than I was used to. Topping is nice, but it's the roll that knocks me out.
Try a few kolache while you're there - great Czech style pastry. I can vouch for their apricot, cream cheese and sausage varieties. What a concept, sweet and savory fillings in rich dough. Those bohemians know how to live.
We've got awesome Povaticia AND Kolache, great steaks, great beer, awesome BBQ. Is this a great city, or what?
Charles, 'Barb's Kolache Bakery' opens early, 6 am. Here's a little write-up from the Shawnee Dispatch in '07:
http://www.shawneedispatch.com...
No doubt about it - Big Momma's is THE BEST cinnamon roll I have had. It ranks right up there with my own recipe (and certainly a lot less time consuming). The rolls come in three sizes: the big momma is plate size, the mini momma is bite size and the little momma is just right. If you don't like lots of icing, ask Jackie, Joyce or Jill to make you one with a pastry drizzle.
When you go, tell them we already miss them in Raytown!?!
Darin: OK, I'll see you in line on Wednesday. If you recognize me (I'll be in the Michael Jackson T-shirt and the sequinned glove), I'll buy your roll...
Charles,
That roll from Big Mamma's will have to wait till next week. I checked their website and the they are closed this week as they are moving to their new Crown Center location. It says they'll open Wednesday at Crown Center.
Way out in the weeds, where Shawnee Mission Parkway meets K-7 highway, hiding behind an Arby's drive-thru is a Kolache bakery. Great kolache, and they turn out my favorite cinnamon rolls in the city. Worth the drive (they close early, and sell out even earlier many days). Take some back for Walt...take 3 times as many as you expect to actually deliver.
Charles,
I had a feeling you might not have tasted a roll from Big Mama's. It took me a while to get out there as well, but I'm sure glad I did.
Keep up the great work!
for my obesity I blame Charles F. and Owen M. Your blog should come with its own free gym membership
Darin: I couldn't put Big Mamma's on this list because (he said, with some shame and sorrow) I haven't tasted one of this famous venue's rolls yet, although I promise you I will not let this week end without driving out to Raytown and eating one (or two or three). And then, if you're correct, I'll write a mea culpa blog!
Listen, I'm sure I'm leaving a few fantastic rolls off the list, but one of the great things about the comments from bloggers is how much I learn from people like you!
Charles,
I love your work, but not having a roll from Big Mamma's on the list is jaw dropping. I can't argue with any of the rolls on your list, but Big Mamma's makes the best cinnamon roll I've ever had in this city. I hear they are moving into crown center from Raytown sometime this summer.
A previous coworker of mine used to talk about Chacko's (his sister apparently owns it), and I've been meaning to try it but haven't gotten up there. He told me that they make low-fat versions that are to die for as well. Now that you gave their cinnamon rolls the #1 spot on your list, I absolutely MUST get my ass in there. Saturday morning, I'm on it!!!
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