The Flavors of Central Tour is planned for Saturday, May 1, in the Central Avenue area of Kansas City, Kansas.
A four-hour self-guided tour through restaurants and establishments in the area, the tour is through the Central Area Betterment Association in partnership with La Placita Market at the Park.
The tour will explore street-taco stalls to local markets, Caribbean and Latino family restaurants, and contemporary Kansas City barbecue to Chinese desserts.
Led by CABA, a community organization and creative generator of community pride, the tour gives guests the chance to tap into the city’s vibrant rhythm by sampling dishes in the places that have shaped the culture.
“So much of our local Mexican cuisine is inspired by what’s happening in the old country, but in the little eateries tucked into this and that corner of our community,” said Edgar Galicia, CABA’s executive director “The flavors from other latitudes including the locals, are going strong, but unless you know where to look, many of them are invisible.”
For added safety, this is a social-distanced tour where visitors can opt to walk, ride their bicycles, or drive the map starting at 10 a.m. Saturday and going strong for at least three to four hours. Masks will be required, and hand sanitizer will be offered at all locations. Registration starts at 10 a.m. Saturday at Bethany Park.
The morning outing begins at 10 a.m. in Bethany Park, 1120 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kansas, with a taste of popular eats such as street-tacos, fruit cocktails, tamales, enchiladas, a hearty portion of grilled pollo, the now-famous local barbecue, Cuban sandwich, and for the sweet tooth a nice portion of flan or strawberry cheesecake rangoon from a local Chinese restaurant, leaving for the end a side of guac next to a margarita or paloma. Several drinking establishments will be offering their distinct concoctions.
The $45 ticket to the Flavors of Central Tour comes with access to more than 25 eateries and drinking establishments, a security bracelet, the event map, and all information about each offered dish. Bring food containers to take lots of food home.
As a local nonprofit, CABA invests all its funding into community programming such as La Placita business incubator, Free Wheels for Kids, summer youth mentoring programs and cultural events like the Central Avenue Dotteversity Parade or the Day of the Dead Celebration.
More information, including a list of the restaurants participating, and tickets are available at www.theflavorsofcentraltour.com.