County Road Ice House — Restaurant in Kansas City

Working as a server at County Road Ice House was an eye-opening experience, and not in the positive sense. Under the helm of the current restaurant manager, Josh Wilson, their was never communication, integrity, respect, accountability, true ethics, authenticity, or the space to grow as an employee without being directly acknowledged.

Manager was allergic to staff meetings or, for that matter, any form of coherent communication, rather he'd repeat the same concepts that were never "about you" or anyone at the meeting, HENCE no accountability with oneself or team. Why bring up issues without ever addressing the person/situation, but continue to repeat it, every day/ every other day? There was no clear direction or guidance, leaving the servers & utility to walk on eggshells during their shift. Simple questions go unanswered, and attempts to seek clarification are met with a dismissive attitude.

But perhaps the most demoralizing aspect was the lack of support and understanding. A leader who doesn't stand by their team in public & private is no leader at all. Leadership isn't about pointing fingers; it's about holding oneself accountable and guiding others to do the same.

Problem-solving is another sore spot. Instead of addressing issues head-on, the manager seems to adopt an ostrich approach—waiting until he couldn't micromanage or have control of the problem, to address an issue in his own matter. Example, removing one from certain shifts, withholding hours from servers/utility with no direct explanation. This lack of direct communication becomes a puzzle-solving exercise, where one is left to interpret intentions, motivations, and decisions through the lens of observed behaviors from the manager.

In conclusion, being a server at County Road Ice House is a lesson in patience and perseverance, thanks to the lackluster management. Until there's a change in leadership, I don't plan on returning to this establishment, keep in mind my uncle Jose was also a manager & server, where I witnessed a lot of manipulation and unrealistic expectations set for him and some other servers/utility members. Surprised the owners have yet to address this issue and the financial issues at hand that won't be addressed in...

Edit: I have since returned to County Road Ice House at least a dozen times since opening. While the "opening weekend" left much to be desired, I've been pleasantly surprised since. You can order most Oklahoma Joes/ Joes KC BBQ even if it's not directly listed on the menu (they'll make a brisket Z-man for you, for example). This is a real perk.

If you stick with BBQ, you won't be disappointed. Drinks can be pricey, but not unexpected given its location in P&L. This also causes it to have extreme swings in busyness. Most Friday/ Saturday nights include a wait, especially if there's activity at P&L.

Definitely the best BBQ you can get downtown.

ORIGINAL REVIEW:

I had high hopes since I love OK Joe's, but this was a disappointment. First off, they've got a limited menu this week for the Big 12 tourney which includes limited BBQ, no coleslaw, no burgers, no "torpedo" appetizers, to name a few. Word to the wise - the Gordon Biersch failed here because they to had a limited menu too often.

With that being said, I was told they are "known for their burgers and tacos". Well burgers weren't on the menu so I had the tacos. Judging on the contents of them, I'd have thought they were off the dollar menu.

We got the "loaded" nachos as well, but they were anything but loaded. Perhaps they're also out of BBQ? The queso was decent, but was nothing special. That paired with just the few chunks of meat made we wanting more - literally, I'm still hungry. Perhaps it's the "downtown" premium, but I could have gotten a meal 3x as filling for the price.

I'll return in the future when BBQ is actually on the menu, but there's something sour about having such a poor first experience that's...

This was the first time I have eaten here. We were treated by my daughter and son-in-law. When I first looked at the menu, I was kind of disappointed by the prices. After being used to fast food, most people, I think, would be. However, this is Kansas City, and it is nice to be able to enjoy some fine eating. I ordered a half slab of barbecued pork ribs with French fries. I would NOT be disappointed. The meal started with some tortilla chips covered with beans, chilies, guacamole, and some sort of sweet sauce, which we found very good. When they came out with the plates, I was surprised at how big the servings were. It was definitely big enough for 3 meals. The fries were plentiful and are some of the best fries I have eaten anywhere. They have their own barbecue sauce, which was also extremely tasty. Their thick, buttered bread was very good and was served with the meal. I not only left very content, I left taking the leftovers for more meals when I got home. The atmosphere was very friendly and the place was very clean. It was not overcrowded when we came, but yet, there were no empty tables. It just seemed to be a very pleasant atmosphere. The service was awesome! Our waiter came by enough to refill our drinks and ask how everything was. She was very pleasant and friendly. She didn't rush like in most places i go to. She came around just enough times that we did not feel overwhelmed by her presence. This was professionalism at its best. I don't write reviews every time I eat out, but I had a very pleasant and good experience here that I felt compelled to write one for this place. Oh, and for the price? The food was delicious and plentiful. It was well worth it. I will be...