By Pete Dulin
City Barrel Brewery celebrated the grand opening of its second location, City Barrel Pizza + Patio, in Waldo on Friday, June 28. Founded and owned by Joe Giammanco and James Stutsman, the pizza parlor and taproom occupies the former taproom location (120 E. Gregory Boulevard) of Bier Station.
“We have been looking for a second location in the Brookside/Waldo area for several years now. We love this neighborhood because both Joe and I live in the neighborhood. It’s a perfect match for us and our brand,” says Stutsman.
“When City Barrel co-owner Joe Giammanco approached me with an offer to buy the Bier Station space and the building we owned, it kind of came out of the blue,” says Bier Station founder John Couture, a veteran beer retailer who is preparing to launch Local Liquid as a beverage delivery service.
“After a decade in the restaurant/bar business, I realized I was ready for a change. Plus, the City Barrel folks are my friends and neighbors, and promised they would maintain the local vibe so important to Bier Station. They are terrific people and I’m so excited to sit at the bar and have a beer and a slice of pizza,” says Couture.
The original East Crossroads location serves craft beer and a menu that includes burgers, shawarmas, fish and chips, wings, appetizers, salads, and more. The Waldo venue puts pizza in the spotlight.
“We love the simplicity and comfort of pizza and beer,” says Stutsman.
The New York-inspired pizza features whole traditional pies such as cheese, pepperoni, and sausage as well as build your own options. Specialties include mushroom, BBQ chicken, jalapeno popper, and chicken bacon ranch. More creative pies intrigue the senses. Krab Rangoon pizza features white garlic sauce, scallions, mozzarella, imitation crab meat, and cream cheese. After the bake, the pizza purveyors add sweet chili drizzle, wonton strips, and Chinese mustard on the side. The Mac Daddy struts with swagger, outfitted with red sauce, crumbled hamburger, American cheese, and mozzarella, and topped with pickles, sesame seeds, special sauce, and lettuce after the bake. Try it. You might be lovin’ it. Pizza by the slice is currently only available as a lunch special.
Executive Chef Stuart Aldridge leads the kitchen. “He’s been an absolute dream to work with. When we started down the journey of pizza, we decided that his skills would really benefit the new concept,” says Stutsman.
Chef Aldridge brought in consultant Javier Nunez from Cafe Aurora to help perfect the pizza dough. The baked pizza crust is light and airy with a slight chew, a touch different from New York-style slices with a thinner crust.
“Javier helped develop the pastry program at the Johnson County Community College culinary school and is a dough wizard. After working with Javier we were able to create a beautifully caramelized crispy crust that we’ve been in love with,” says Stutsman.
The menu also includes salads and appetizers. Dubbed Ranch Knots, fried dough is tossed in ranch spice and served with ranch dressing and marinara.
Similar to Bier Station, City Barrel features 31 taps with beer from the brewery and other local breweries. The beer menu is organized in categories, such as hazy/juicy, light/refreshing, and tart/wild/sour. In addition to popular staples like Rad AF New England IPA and High Society American Lager, City Barrel offers exclusive beers at each location.
Lawn Chair Limeade is a cherry limeade ale “made with a silly amount of limes and tart cherry,” says Stutsman. “It’s refreshing, delightfully refreshing and the perfect beer for sharing with friends while relaxing.”
Lakeside Kolsch is a crisp, clean, and easy-drinking beer “designed for one thing and that one thing is drinking a lot of these.”
Seating is available indoors on the lower level, in the enclosed upper deck, and on the patio. The patio features swings that add a whimsical element for adults and kids to enjoy.
“We visited a few breweries around the country that feature the swings. We thought they’d be a great fit here in Kansas City,” says Stutsman.
Packaged City Barrel beer in refrigerated displays is also available to purchase for take-home consumption.
Former patrons of Bier Station, which operated from December 2012 to December 2022, will recognize the fundamental look and layout of the space. Updated seating, new color scheme, revamped kitchen, and a white tile backsplash behind the taps refresh the style of the airy interior. Service is brisk, attentive, and friendly with staff prepared to greet and serve guests at City Barrel Pizza + Patio.
Waldo has gained a fun, neighborhood-friendly destination for beer and pizza. Family, friends, Mac Daddies, and out-of-towners have another cozy spot to gather at a home away from home.