Stroud's

The family and I ate at Stroud's last night and as I walked away in a fried chicken-and-mashed potatoes coma, I thought I should write about this establishment as our "dive of the week." But, this place isn't really a dive--it's an institution.

Stroud's began in 1933 at a roadhouse location at 85th and Troost. It was at this south Kansas City location that fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cinnamon rolls and a variety of other down-home favorites were served to diners who would wait patiently at the bar and outside for a table. (Stroud's did not and does not take reservations.) Over time, the weathered roadhouse location became a must-dine spot for Kansas Citians and visitors to the city who had heard of this restaurant where "we choke our own chickens."

There are now two locations in Kansas City--one in northtown and the new location in Fairway. (The original establishment closed in 2005.) And, while the Fairway location doesn't have quite the same charm and ambience of the original, it still serves up the same piping hot, incredibly good variety of comfort food. The meals are served family style by many of the same wait staff who worked at the original location. And, yes, the piano player still plays familiar tunes to entertain diners.

The restaurant has been recognized nationally (James Beard Award of Excellence) and locally (Zagat Survey.) And, it's been written up in publications as diverse as the Wall Street Journal, Playboy, The New York Times, Gourmet and Esquire.

Stroud's, home of pan-fried chicken--this week's dive...ahem, institution...of the week. Check it out.