99 Hops House: Creative Bar Fare Complements Great Craft Beer

Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa has always been committed to fresh, made-from-scratch food selections and the commitment continues at the new 99 Hops House, which is carving a deep niche for the casino as a trendy destination experience.

The restaurant is a brand-new endeavor designed for the craft beer enthusiast and innocent passerby. If the extensive beer menu doesn’t draw you in, the tantalizing smells of beer-infused delectables and inviting ambiance will. This is not just another drink-slinging beer joint. These people love their beer, and they want you to love it, too. They have created a menu of delicious high-end bar fare designed specifically to complement any beer you choose. They will suggest pairings if you want, but according to Chef Joe Cizek, “Everything on the menu goes great with beer.”

Joe is an avid, award-winning home brewer, so he knows his stuff. Although 99 Hops House is part of a collection, each location is treated as its own entity, and Joe has creative freedom to serve the kind of food he knows will enhance the flavors of the beer and showcase Kansas City’s unique offerings. The menu will change seasonally to adapt to the availability of locally sourced ingredients, while it consistently serves signature items such as Next Level Deviled Eggs, the famous Pip’s Burger and the Kansan Flatbread Pizza.

When I think of deviled eggs, I think potluck. I think of the holy trinity of mustard, relish and mayonnaise that has the power to turn any church picnic into a revival. They’re perfect the way they are, right? Wrong. Joe took the humble deviled egg and turned it into something you never knew you needed. You get two variations, one with smoky bacon and cheddar and the other with cured salmon and wasabi. It’s a must-order.

Entrees present a dilemma; there are so many mouth-watering options. If you want to eat local, the KC Sausage is the way to go. Joe partners with Krizman’s, a family-owned company in Kansas City, Kansas, that has produced old-world style sausages since 1939. But if sausage isn’t your thing, consider the flatbreads. The ’Shroom is my favorite but The Southwest and The Kansan are serious contenders.

Eric Flanagan, manager, is a certified Cicerone and has personally trained his team of servers and bartenders to provide quality, educated service. Each staff member must pass a 60-question beer server exam before being cleared to wait on customers, making them the most qualified staff in the city. Eric is also building partnerships with local breweries for special events and tastings, and he’s collaborating with Torn Label and Cinder Block to create beers that will be served exclusively at 99 Hops House. Although they have just recently opened their doors, they are hitting the ground running and ready to put their stamp on the KC beer lovers community.

They are off to a great start. This fall, they will launch their revolutionary digital tap system, the Pour My Beer. One of only two of its kind in the Kansas City metro area, this self-serve beer wall has 28 rotating craft beers, including many rare finds and local brews. The state-of-the-art touch screen selection system allows you to see the style of the beer, the glassware it is served in, the alcohol content, the price and where it is brewed. The Pour My Beer system enables customers to experience a variety of the highest quality beers, and because it’s a rotating menu, there will always be something new to try.

So what if you’re craving a certain varietal or you are in search of a particularly rare brew? 99 Hops House is listed on the TapHunter app, available on Android and Apple phones, and a quick search will let you know if they have what you are looking for. Odds are they do.

Of course, beer isn’t for everyone, so Joe and Eric offer a full bar for those other kinds of drinkers. Don’t be surprised if they offer you sample or two, though, just to see if they can bring you over to the beer side. Either way, you are going to get approachable but upscale bar favorites that emphasize the best Kansas City has to offer. So head up north for a completely unique dining and drinking experience, enjoy the easily accessible parking and maybe throw a few coins in the slots after dinner. You just never know! ■

Visit argosykansascity.com for directions to Argosy Casino Hotel & Spa and the preview the 99 Hops House menu.