Taste of Home

I grew up in Kansas City, MO. That will always be my hometown. Last week, we had the chance to return for a visit. The main purpose of our trip was to attend the wedding of my niece, Mandy. It was very special to be part of this wonderful occasion. I saw old friends and family. During the week, I was able to help my grandmother celebrate her 95th birthday!

While we were there, we stopped by the World War I museum that opened a few months ago. It is very well done, interesting and informative. One thing that impressed me was a glass walkway over a field of poppy flowers inside the building. There were 9,000 flowers, each representing 1,000 lives lost in WWI. It was an amazing sight; it was interesting to walk on the glass and see several feet below.

Kansas City is rich in history. They are known for many things, including barbecue and jazz. My sister and brother-in-law were anxious to share a barbeque place they have discovered. It's called Oklahoma Joe's. The restaurant is located at a gas station! So, you don't go there for the atmosphere!! But the food was great!

This place had their own special barbeque sauce, as many places do. And, fitting to the area, they serve Kansas City style bbq sauce, which typically has a molasses and tomato base, along with great seasoning, resulting in a tangy, slightly sweet sauce.

I grew up around that style of bbq sauce so it is definitely what I am used to. I have been amazed, though, over the last few years, by the huge differences in bbq sauces around the country. Some places have a vinegar based bbq sauce, some have mustard based sauce and some sauces I've sampled are hard to identify and seem very strange! I'm not sure what barbeque sauce is typically like in PA.

The people who live where the sauce is mustard based think that is the way to go! Folks used to the vinegar based sauces think that's the way it should be!!

It's all a matter of it being a taste of home, whatever it is you are used to. That is what seems normal and best. Sometimes it isn't about one being right and one being wrong, but it is about being different.