Beyond the Taps

But beyond bar offerings and vibrant ambience lies an impressive food menu. Yard House’s exhibition kitchen creates more than 100 scratch-made items daily, infused with quality ingredients and globally-inspired flavors. The menu features shareable plates and appetizers, grilled burgers, steaks, seafood and more. “We do have some seasonal menu items and sometimes revamp other items,” says General Manager, J.W. Fisher.

Snacks include Truffle Fries, Guacamole & Chips with pico de gallo and feta; and several edamame offerings. Candied bacon, spicy tomato sauce, sweet chile, and chives create a different take on classic Deviled Eggs, while maple bacon cream dip served alongside Sweet Potato Fries makes them downright decadent.

Among appetizers, lobster and crab raise the gourmet factor in four-cheese artichoke dip, and calamari is offered two different ways. In addition to several versions of chicken wings, Crispy Duck Wings arrive with herb salad, maple soy glaze, sesame seeds, red onions and Serrano chiles. Asian flavors infuse California rolls, Shrimp Lettuce Wraps, Spicy Tuna Roll, and Grilled Korean BBQ Beef – served with spinach, daikon radish and green onions – to name a few.

Sold individually, from $3.95, Yard House Street Tacos are a customer favorite. Health-conscious visitors will also appreciate menu items featuring Gardein™, a chicken substitute made from soy, wheat, pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains. Fried ‘chicken’ strips, mac + cheese and Blackened Chicken Torta are several Gardein™-based options.

Soups and chowder are plentiful on this menu. So are entrée salads ($9.95-17.95) such as Shrimp Kale Caesar, and several versions of Cobb salad. Sandwiches reflect multiple cultures, from Banh Mi and Cuban Roast Pork Dip to New York Steak Sandwich or Blackened Chicken Torta. Big, juicy burgers are topped with everything from lobster or black truffle to pastrami and béarnaise sauce.

Kids receive their own menus too, and Crayons keep them occupied while waiting for tacos, pizza, spaghetti and meatballs, and more. Yard House also knows how to tantalize a sweet tooth. Caramel figures prominently in Salted Caramel Butterscotch Pudding ($5.95), a gooey delight topped with whipped cream, chocolate cookie crumble and Maldon sea salt. Caramel, raspberry sauce, and whipped cream complement Macadamia Nut Cheesecake, and caramel ice cream tops Mini Peach Apple Cobbler. Other mini desserts include lemon or chocolate soufflé cake and crème brȗlée.

Available from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., lunch specials at Yard House Kansas City include half sandwiches, pizzas, or soups and salads. “We also offer a wonderful happy hour and a late night happy hour,” Fisher says. Generous hours are Monday-Friday, from 3-6 p.m.; Sunday-Thursday, 9 p.m. – close, and Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. – close.

There are terrific deals on select appetizers (from $5), along with beer, West coast and imported wines, and craft cocktails. This is a great time and place to wind down after work, with reduced prices on plates of Moo Shu Egg Rolls, Vampire Tacos, pizza and boneless wings, while sipping a $3 martini or discounted draft beers.

A new Weekend Lineup menu, with brunch-inspired items, began in August 2015. Inventive cocktails include Sparkling Blood Orange and Strawberry Bourbonade. ‘EATS’ options range from Pig Candy & Beef Jerky to a Pastrami Benedict Burger or Skirt Steak and Cheddar Cheese Eggs. 

“[It’s] this season’s playbook of eats and drinks,” Fisher says. “[Overall], we have the world’s largest selection of draft beer, and menus that cater to a wide variety of palates.”

Sponsored by Yard House at the Power & Light District, 1300 Main St., Kansas City, Mo., 816-527-0952 (also at 1863 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.)