Bandanas BBQ=Vegetarian Friendly!

Being a vegetarian and having meat eater friends who created a blog to review Barbeque restaurants in the Kansas City Metro area would make one think that one friend would be left out in the dining experience. As a former meat-eater, as many of us vegetarians are, our mouths still water when we smell our former favorite meats being cooked. For me, anytime I drive by a Gates BBQ, I remember the days of Burnt Ends on Bun, or when I was trying to be health conscience, Turkey on Bun.  These days, if I go to Gates, I'm relegated to eating ONLY french fries. If I liked cole slaw I would eat that. Generally, if I go to Gates, I end up dipping bread and fries into the Sweet n Tangy sauce.


Today I looked up Bandana's website and this is what I was confronted with, "Bandana's is a barbeque restaurant, that is what we are all about, and consistency is the key.  You will not find hamburgers, fish or pasta entrees on our menu.  What you will find is the best Southern Style smoked barbeque pork, beef, chicken, ribs, turkey and sausage you have ever tasted." 


Gasp! One of my favorite BBQ restaurants in KC is Jackstack because they have salmon. Fish is about the only meat I eat these days and if barbeque is the destination, I pray and hope for at least salmon. 


Luckily, I went blindly into Bandana's last night with my friends, otherwise I would have missed out on their vegetarian options. However, all those options are found on the Sides Menu. And here is what you can eat:


1. Hot Boiled Peanuts: I remember driving from Boca Raton, Florida to Alabama for my great-uncle's 90th birthday 5 years ago. Upon entering Georgia and Alabama there were signs all along the back roads for Boiled Peanuts. It just didn't seem right, but after last night, it is definitely RIGHT!  You would never expect peanuts boiled to softness in salt water would taste so good. We ordered only one bowl to divide between seven adults, I could have eaten that by myself, but there was much more on the menu to choose from.
2. Fried Corn on the Cob: didn't eat it, but it sounds good. I like to fry frozen corn when I make Tacos, so I'm sure this probably tastes similar. However, I think a deep fryer may be involved in this process.
3. Coleslaw, Potato Salad, Fries... no need for explanation. I'm not a fan really of any of those sides.
4. Baked Potato: a potato with cheese and sour cream is meal enough. I had this and added the Barbeque sauce and I was SA-TIS-FIED! 
5. And now for my favorite: Fried Okra. Of all southern foods, I love Okra most of all. They make the perfect dipper and yes, I tried EVERY barbeque sauce with that okra. Not only did I eat mine, but I finished up John's as well. 
6. There are other items on the sides menu, but they all contain meat... so I didn't try any of those.


But the star of the show of any barbeque restaurant is the BBQ sauce. Bandanas for the most part boasts their dry-rub meats that are smoked for 14 hours. The meat comes out without any sauce on them, but each table has four to choose from: Sweet and Smoky, Chicago style, Kansas City style and Spicy. 


Most everyone enjoyed the Spicy the most, but I thought it was kind of bland with the typical mustard base flavor. And it wasn't really spicy either. Chicago and Kansas City lacked any real oomph (oh my goodness, my mac says that's actually a word). When it comes to food, I enjoy things that are highly flavorful. That's why my favorite foods are generally ethnic, especially Indian, Ethiopian and Vietnamese. The undertones in certain foods also capture my attention, the only way I can describe it, is "musky." I like foods that kind of have an aged taste. So, my favorite was by far the sweet and smoky. First of all there is the punch of the sweet followed by the undertone of the smoke.  For me it was BBQ perfection. I like it when food, or in this case sauce, can keep my palette dancin'! 


Luckily I didn't have to deal with tough meat or fatty pieces and enjoyed my visit to Bandana's immensely. I also think the company of my friends made my evening one of the best I've had in a long time. So for the vegetarians in the world who enjoy Barbeque as much as I do, I recommend this restaurant. You don't have to feel awkward in a sea of meat-eaters. You can enjoy it just as much and probably more. You don't walk away with that heavy feeling that often accompanies devouring animal flesh!


Bon apetit mes amis! I can't wait to eat some more BBQ.


Oh my goodness, I almost forgot to mention the hot donut holes served fresh from the fryer. Deep fried goodness sprinkled with powdered sugar to complete the meal. I ran out of the place so as to not eat more!