Hops and Chops

Happy Saturday everyone whats everyone up to today?

This brewing company has a strong urban vibe that fits perfectly with its location inside a historic district and an old concrete building. The space feels raw in the best way—high ceilings, industrial textures, and a design that leans into the building’s history instead of covering it up. With both a downstairs bar and an upstairs bar, the layout gives the place a fun, multi-level energy that makes it easy to explore and find your own spot to settle in.

One of the biggest highlights is how much there is to do in one visit. Guests can enjoy flights, which makes it easy to sample a range of beers without committing to just one style. The outdoor patio adds another layer of experience, offering a laid-back space to enjoy drinks in the open air. The brewery also connects seamlessly to an attached restaurant that serves chicken-inspired dishes, with familiar comfort sides like mac and cheese, fries, and coleslaw that pair well with just about anything on tap.

What really sets this place apart is its significance as the first Black-owned brewery in the state, which adds real meaning behind the experience without feeling forced or performative. It’s a spot that blends history, culture, and community with solid beer and approachable food. Between the layered layout, the food options, and the welcoming atmosphere, it manages to feel both energetic and comfortable—an easy place to spend an afternoon or night out.

Based on my experience at Vine Street Brewing CO this place gets a 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺out of 5 beers this is due to the fact they offer flights, food, have an outdoor space, staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and that they are wecloming to people of all cultures. Their chicken restaurant which is in the same building so you can order food and stay for more drinks is a bonus as well.

Based on my experience at Vine Street Chicken CO this place gets a 🍗🍗🍗🍗🍗 out of 5 chicken tenders this is due to the fact they offer various sizes of chicken tender meals, sides, pieces of chicken, add on flavorings to the tenders themsleves, side sauces and the fact that you could just order their food to go or order it and eat it there without needing to visit the brewery for people who don't drink and want to check out a good restaurant.

Overall this places gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Vine Street Brewing CO
2010 vine street KC MO

This modern brewery delivers a clean, contemporary experience that feels both intentional and relaxed. The open layout immediately stands out, with brewing equipment fully visible throughout the space, giving guests a direct look at the process behind their drinks. Instead of hiding production in the background, the design makes it part of the atmosphere, adding a sense of transparency and authenticity without feeling overly industrial or sterile.

The beer program keeps things simple but flexible. Rather than offering flights, the brewery focuses on small 10oz, medium 13oz, and large 16oz pours, which is unique considering most breweries either offer full pours, half pours or 5oz flight sizes. It also offers to-go beer options, making it easy to take favorites home without needing a full sit-down experience. This approach feels streamlined and practical, especially for people who already know their preferences or want to stock up after a visit.

The overall layout is thoughtful and easy to navigate, including two sets of bathrooms placed on opposite sides of the space, which helps keep traffic flowing even when it’s busy. The design choices prioritize convenience and comfort without sacrificing style. Combined with the visible brewing setup and straightforward ordering system, the brewery feels fun in a low-effort, high-comfort way—ideal for casual meetups, quick stops, or longer stays where the environment doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the beer.

Based on my experience at 39th street brewery this place gets a 🍺🍺🍺🍺 beers this is due to the fact that when I walked in the beertender asked if it was my first time which I assumed is because I didn't look like one of his regulars as it was I said yes and thern he offered me a beer menu and that was it. I placed an order as I wasnt offered any suggestions or asked what I do or don't like. This place doesn't serve food either and you already know my stance on this; they also only take cards and no cash which I don't like as I prefer to leave cash tips and i'm also trying to keep the dollar bill alive but also there are a lot of people who like to have 1 beer and done and pay in cash.

At the time i Visited it was pretty dead meaning not many people or no people other than me were there; with this in mind you would think the beertender would want to chat me up especially since I am a first timer but nope it wasn't until I started the interactions with the beertender when he acknowledged me. I could have brought my steam deck and played on it at the bar and I feel like they wouldn't have cared. Other than this the beers were good the selection was good as they didn't lean towards one certain beer style over the other. I would go back and have some other beers.

39th ST Brewery
1320 W 39th KC MO

This restaurant is a standout spot for anyone who enjoys bold, smoky flavors and hearty comfort food. The menu focuses heavily on smoked burgers and sandwiches, each layered with rich, slow-cooked depth that sets them apart from typical fast-casual options. The burgers which come in every form from beef and chicken to lamb in particular are juicy and flavorful, with a noticeable wood-smoke character that doesn’t overwhelm but instead enhances the meat. Even the sandwich offerings carry that same attention to detail, balancing textures and seasoning in a way that feels both indulgent and carefully crafted.

Beyond the mains, the chicken dishes are another highlight, often coming out tender with a well-developed smoky crust or glaze that gives each bite a satisfying kick. The appetizer section leans more toward what you might expect as side dishes elsewhere—items like tater tots, onion rings and fries. These sides aren’t just fillers; they’re flavorful enough to stand on their own and are perfect for sharing across the table while waiting for the main dishes.

What is surpsing about this place is that it's owned and operated ny Indians; with a name like KC smoke burgers and where it's located you woulnd't think this place was owned an operated by Indians which just so happens to work in their flavor(favor).

Based on my experience at KC Smoke Burger this place gets a 🍔🍔🍔🍔 out of burgers this is due to the fact that when I walked in there was no sign stating wether it was seat yourself or wait to be seated. When I walked up to the counter the lady asked if it was for here or to go and I told her for here and she handed me a menu; so I just found a seat and sat myself. A few minutes later she came over and took my order; then after getting my food she neevr came back to check on me. so I don't know if they are supposed to be wait staff or not but definitely was a weird experience for sure for a new customer. Other than that the food was good and I would eat there again.

KC Smoke Burger
1610 W 39th ST KC MO

Here's a fun and simple review:

Some pizza places feel like trendy hotspots. This one feels like the family restaurant where everyone knows someone at the next table. After 30 years in business, it still keeps things simple on the outside. No flashy gimmicks, no deep Italian family history hanging on the walls, just a comfortable spot that lets the pizza do all the talking.

And talk it does. These pies are the real stars of the show. The crust, the sauce, the toppings, everything comes together like a standing ovation in pizza form. Every slice reminds you that great pizza isn't about where your family came from. It's about what comes out of the oven. This place has mastered that art and keeps people coming back year after year.

At this point, it's more than a pizza joint. It's a city institution. Generations have celebrated birthdays, post-game victories, and Friday nights around these tables. What started as a neighborhood restaurant has become a local legend, proving that sometimes world-class pizza can come from the most unexpected places.

Based on my experience at Tim's pizza this place gets a 🍕🍕🍕🍕🍕 out 5 pizzas this is due to the fact that the pizza is the star of the show. The other things this place offers like the sandwiches, beer and atmosphere are just a bonus. I ordered a small which was a 10 inch and I couldn't eat all of it which would make it a good choice for a party of 2.
This was my review for

Tim's Pizza
17201 East 40 Highway Independence MO

This local cafe has been around for generations, and stepping inside feels like opening a time capsule. Connected to an antique store, every corner is filled with vintage charm, from old signs and collectibles to nostalgic decor that tells stories from decades past. It's the kind of place where you can spend as much time looking around as you do looking at the menu.

Speaking of the menu, it is just the right size for the space it occupies. Burgers, sandwiches, crispy sides, random menu specials and classic ice cream malts give it that old-fashioned diner feel. The malts are a fun throwback and pair perfectly with the cafe's retro atmosphere. On paper, it sounds like a recipe for a memorable meal.

Unfortunately, while the cafe does an excellent job preserving the flavors of the past in its decor, the food doesn't quite follow along. The burgers and sandwiches are filling but lack the seasoning and personality you'd hope for leaving the sides to try and make up for it in turn leaving the vintage atmosphere to do most of the heavy lifting. It's still worth a visit for the unique setting and nostalgic experience, but your taste buds may end up browsing the antiques looking for something a little more exciting. Now this is the first restaurant/cafe I have seen that had it's own arcade cabinet with some game called rich and rich's but unfortunately it wasn't working at the time I visited.

Based on my experience at Tara's cafe it gets a 🥪🥪 out of 5 sandwiches; this is due to the fact that the turkey burger I ordered looked a little pale and the patty had no flavor; the fries and other sides were good. The staff consisted of kids who should have been in grade school to everyone's favorite grandma, Now don't get me wrong the service was good and staff was friendly but definitely could have used some youth and pizazz.

Tara's Cafe
401 Main ST Belton MO

Despite the Exterior this brewery feels like the kind of place where time slows down and good conversations take center stage. The relaxed atmosphere and warm lighting create a cozy setting that invites you to settle in, grab a pint, and stay awhile. Whether you're catching up with friends or enjoying a quiet evening, the space feels welcoming from the moment you walk through the door with couches and a variety of seating options spread out through the place.

The food menu may be small, but it's thoughtfully crafted; Every item feels intentional offering just enough variety from cold sandwiches to hot sandwiches, soups and even some salads without overwhelming you with choices. It's the kind of menu that complements the experience rather than competing with it, making it easy to focus on great drinks and even better company.

This brewery aims to bring its celebration of creativity and camaraderie. From the membership club that rewards loyal patrons to the sense of community that fills the room, there's a genuine feeling that everyone belongs. It's more than a brewery, it's a gathering place where ideas, friendships, and great beer come together under one roof; they also are family friendly.

Based on my brief experience at Up North Brewery KC which was a truly unique one which was due to luck on my part. They day and time i chose to visit; when I walked in there was 3 people in there and 1 beertender but no one else. As it it turns out within the first 5 minutes of me being there I found out the beertender was the co-owner of the place and the other 3 people in the brewery happened to be the co-owners mother, grandma and grandpa. Now this clearly turned out to be an embarrassment for the co-owner and a great time for me as I got some great stories; which I will not be talking about here you will need to become a member of my onlyhops for those. Also the grandpa did try his best to get me to order a specific beer which I did not so I could keep this review as un-influenced as all my other reviews. Eventually another beertender showed up and took over for the co-owner. It was also very interesting to hear that the co-owner is under the age of 26 and as we all know with the state of the beer industry with younger generations of people it was good to know that the younger generation still enjoys craft beer.

The food gets a 🥪🥪🥪🥪 out of 5 sandwiches this is due to the fact that the main side dish for sandwiches is pre bagged zapps chips. You can get a side salad or cup of soup instead of chips as a side I would have liked to see more options as a side dish for people who do not order a salad or soup. but the sandwich I ate was good and flavorful. But I also can't be to critical as I have been to plenty of breweries that don't even offer food of any kind.

The beer gets a 🍺🍺🍺🍺🍺 out 5 beers this is due to the fact that they offer a variety of styles of beer, the quality of the beer, and the fact they offer flights

Overall this place gets a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 this is mainly due to the prices and as you know that's one thing I don't really talk about in my reviews but this one was shocking enough I just felt the need to point it out and I didn't even ask how much a pint was ,I over heard the beertender tell another patron when they asked. Now obviously had I known before the price of a pint I still would have came here and checked it out. A pint of beer costs $8 and this wasn't for a barrel aged or imperial beer this was for just a pale ale. And considering the price of most bars or breweries near me and Missouri doesn't have dumb laws like KS which is why breweries in KS charge more for a pint; the entry fee here is a little much and maybe that's where the membership comes into play to help with those higher entry fees. Now the food I thought was fairly priced; but overall from the staff, owner, family members, atmosphere and food I had a great experience and would come back.
This was my review for

UUp North Brewery NKC
216 E 9th Ave North KC MO

Happy Saturday everyone out collecting again

Good morning from the farmers market plenty of local businesse here from bread vendors to fresh meat suppliers.

I bought some flowers from the local florist and bought some salsa and tamales.

Market on main every Saturday
Blue springs MO