Season 3 introduced the Fab 5 of Netflix’s “Queer Eye” to Kansas City—and the world to some of the most beloved Queer Eye heroes in history, including a pair of barbecuing sisters, a woman learning to appreciate her identity and a young father raising his children after an untimely death.
Episode 1: From Hunter to Huntee
Queer Eye really does work miracles. Just ask Jody Castellucci.
“It was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had,” she says. “It has been life changing.”
Everyone has flaws. These heroes are simply brave enough to have theirs exposed for the entire world to see. They learn from the Fab 5, and Castellucci is no different.
“I had not taken the time I needed to take for myself, that we all need to take,” she says.
A country girl at heart, Castellucci acknowledges that she was never a big fan of cities. That changed, too, after her experience with Queer Eye.
“I loved the culture, and [the] places I went were all so inviting,” she says. “Downtown was amazing and fun, and the music scene is huge in KC.”
Castellucci’s newfound love for Kansas City includes a few food favorites. Unsurprisingly, the episode-featured Novel is a top pick, as well as The Rockhill Grille and Jones Bar-B-Q.
What’s next for Castellucci is yet to be determined, but there’s no doubting the impact that the Fab 5 had on the hero.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Country Club Plaza: A dazzling district filled with 15 blocks of Spanish-inspired architecture, incredible dining and some of the best shopping in the Midwest.
- The Raphael Hotel: One of KC’s most luxurious boutique hotels touts a picture-perfect view of the Country Club Plaza.
- Messenger Coffee: Fresh, in-house roasted coffee caffeinates while scratch-made breads and pastries always satisfy in this sublime, three-story café.
- Novel: A date-night favorite thanks to seasonal flavors and inventive offerings in the Crossroads Arts District.
- Ambiance on the Water: Embark on a gondola ride with a loved one to take in the Plaza’s serene setting.
- Crew: Comfy and casual to dressy and formal, J. Crew’s Plaza shop has everything shoppers need to update their looks.
Episode 2: Lost Boy
As with any filming project, not everything is included in the final product. Among the many takeaways highlighted in this episode, Joey Greene learned that having pride and self-respect for yourself doesn’t necessarily have to come at a cost.
“I think the thing I learned that surprised me most was that for my whole life, I had assumed pushing myself hard beyond healthy limits was something to be admired,” says Greene. “But in reality, I had just been abusing myself and teaching my son and campers that not taking care of yourself was acceptable. That was an eye-opener.”
A tough lesson, but an honest one. More broadly, since the episode aired, Greene learned so much more about Kansas City than he ever anticipated.
“Kansas City’s art’s community is something the world needs to see,” he says. “I feel like sometimes KC plays modest when we have lots of exciting things to share, and there are lots of talented people who can capture those things.”
Many of those talented people were based right in the region, hired specifically for the Queer Eye project as part of the local film incentive championed by the KC Film Office. The local film crew even forged Wildwood connections with Greene.
“I was surprised at how many of the local film crew had been to Wildwood and were excited to share their 6th grade stories with me,” he adds.
Of those previously mentioned exciting experiences that Kansas City has to share, a few of Greene’s current favorites are the underrated city skyline—seen perfectly from the National WWI Museum and Memorial—as well as The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District and even fellow Queer Eye alumnae the Jones sisters.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Hiking in Kansas City: Greenspaces are abundant in and around KC. Whether on a casual walk, full-day hike or biking venture, there’s plenty for everyone.
- Summer in KC: Summertime means long days spent enjoying sun-shining weather. Enjoy all there is to do and see while in KC.
- Brewery Emperial: Find yourself craving fire-roasted meals after this episode? Look no further than Brewery Emperial in the Crossroads Arts District for flame-inspired flavor.
- REI: Stock up on outdoors essentials at this popular national retailer in Overland Park.
Episode 3: Jones Bar-B-Q
Without a doubt, the breakout stars from Season 3 of Queer Eye were the Jones Sisters.
The charming duo represent so much of what makes Kansas City great: hard work, modest origins, unrivaled passion and, of course, barbecue. Yet while the show changed their lives, the sisters remain humble and grateful as they continue to serve their community and beyond.
“I saw the city in a whole new light,” says Deborah Jones of their experience during filming. “There’s a lot of love here in Kansas City, and great people. It’s easy to forget that, but Queer Eye really showed the world just how great this city and its people are.”
After Season 3’s debut, the Jones Sisters launched retail sales for their barbecue sauce—already a massive hit, selling 11,000 bottles in the first weekend—and the dining business boomed. But there’s more to success beyond sales. The Jones Sisters also rediscovered a love for their own city.
“This city has grown so much, and it is still a wonderful place, with wonderful people who have a lot of love to give,” says Deborah.
Current dining favorites (besides their own barbecue, obviously) are The Majestic and Jasper’s Restaurant. But Deborah says that the sisters quickly found that there’s much more to a city beyond simply gathering around the table.
“My sister and I are living proof of the opportunity folks can find in this city.”
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Jones Bar-B-Q: Under-the-radar no longer, KCK’s Jones Bar-B-Q has rapidly become one of the most popular ‘cue destinations in the city.
- River Market: Travel to the idyllic River Market neighborhood for a taste of international cuisine, one of the region’s largest farmers’ markets and even The Glam Room, where the Jones Sisters received their much-loved makeovers.
- Original Juan (now known as Spicin Foods): This specialty sauce and spice maker offers tours and can’t-beat prices on locally produced condiments.
- KC BBQ Experience: Kansas City is the barbecue capital of the world for a reason. Discover the scene, from casual joints to upscale establishments and all the history in between.
Episode 4: When Robert Met Jamie
Even in the most faithfully filmed reality show, the onscreen product rarely captures the entirety of the subject’s story, what they feel and how they grow. Just ask Robert Hitchcock, a hero in Queer Eye’s third season.
“My filming experience was really a transformative one,” he says. “What you see in the episode was only half of the raw emotion I felt and displayed. So, to say I only had fun would really take away from everything I went through.”
One of the biggest lessons Hitchcock learned from his time with the Fab 5—and one that is clearly illustrated throughout his episode—is just how potent a negative outlook can be.
“My self-depreciating was just as harmful to others as it was to myself,” he says. “I have completely removed it from my life.”
Hitchcock says that this simple adjustment led to a profound change in his outlook. But he didn’t just rediscover loving himself, he rediscovered loving his city, too.
“I relearned Missouri kindness,” he says. “The few people [who] have approached me in public have treated me almost like family. That’s something I remember feeling growing up, [it’s] lost sometimes in bigger cities.”
As for his current favorites in KC, Hitchcock lists The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, some fountain exploring and a trip to Parlorin the Crossroads Arts District.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- No Other Pub: Watch parties and after-hours fun get top billing in this Power & Light District hangout.
- Town Center Plaza: One of the area’s premier shopping centers features nationally known retail brands, such as Bonobos, which is featured in the episode.
- Hilton President Kansas City: The site of the happy couple’s wedding day is a cherished boutique property in Downtown KC.
- Rye: James Beard Award-honored chefs take on Midwest comfort classics with an elevated approach for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner on the Country Club Plaza.
Episode 5: Black Girl Magic
Jess works with the Fab 5 to learn how to appreciate her own identity and carve out a space for herself in the world—and make room for her circle of friends and family.
As her story begins to be told, Jess finds that her past continues to haunt her. Through the help of the entire crew, she’s able to reconnect with a long-lost sibling, update her wardrobe, renovate her living space and fully embrace herself.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District: This unique district is the epicenter of both African American and Kansas City history. Find baseball, jazz, barbecue and more among this legendary street.
- Midwest Genealogy Center | Mid-Continent Public Library: Find family ties and histories using the resources available in this wonderful library.
- Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey: A renowned dance center based in the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District that’s dedicated to diversity and inclusion.
- West Elm: Found on the Country Club Plaza, this nationally known brand has everything you need to update your home, inside and out.
- Kansas City’s LGBTQ History: Explore Kansas City’s role in local and national LGBTQ advocacy efforts through the decades.
- Resources for LGBTQ Travelers: Find annual events, bars, LGBTQ-owned establishments and other community-oriented organizations.
Episode 6: Elrod & Sons
Rob Elrod was holding onto grief. It showed.
The Queer Eye hero never truly took time for himself, both to process the loss of his wife and to face the life yet to live with his two young sons.
“A person doesn’t really know when they quit caring about their appearance, and I was clearly there,” Elrod says. “Having the Fab 5 point that out, that I quit caring, and also point out the joy in my eyes when they could see my confidence growing really impacted me. It feels good to look good, they reminded me and showed me that.”
Grief is not easy to face, even after two years. Elrod discovered that not only was he holding onto that sorrow, but that it would never really disappear. And that that’s normal, and okay.
“I was reminded by the Fab 5 to stay in touch with my feelings and absolutely take time for myself,” he says. “The whole week was needed for me to stop and look inward.”
Sometimes, all it takes is a little acceptance, even if it’s something as simple as allowing yourself to enjoy the city around you.
“I love Kansas City and love how the Fab 5 embraced a city that embraced them,” he says. “My trip to the West Bottoms to EJ’s Urban Eatery was eye opening. I haven’t been in that area in years and to see how it’s coming alive again is great, even Bobby thought it’s a few years from being KC’s new hot spot.”
A few of Elrod’s other favorites include Union Station, the Crossroads Arts District and Knuckleheads Saloon for live music in the East Bottoms. His go-to dining spots include Leawood’s Plaza III, which he says has the best steak in the city, and Bluestem, a favorite for both him and his late wife. Then there’s barbecue.
“Too many great options in this city for barbecue,” he says. “Obviously Jones Bar-B-Q is my new favorite, but Fiorella’s Jack Stack Barbecue, Q39, Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que and Johnny’s B-B-Q will never be turned down by my family.”
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- H&M: Hip, affordable threads for men and women found on the Spanish-inspired Country Club Plaza.
- KC’s Live Music Scene: Inspired by Rob’s love for live music? Between small, intimate shows and huge, sold-out concerts, there’s always a performance to be seen in KC that, years later, you’ll be telling people, “I was there.”
- Pottery Barn: Find inspiration to update and redecorate your digs while visiting this national décor showroom.
Episode 7: Sloth to Slay
A show like Queer Eye can teach difficult lessons about your life and the way you live it. The program can also point out when you’re wearing sweats too often in public. For Thomas Diggs, who appeared in season 3, both were eye-openers.
“I had always known I was holding onto a lot, building up these walls, but something I never expected to discover was how big of an impact this has had on others around me,” he says. “When you’re tucked into your own world, in your own shell, you often push people away who are very important to you. I also learned that I wear sweatpants too often in public.”
More broadly speaking, Diggs found his time filming the show to be far more casual than he’d anticipated. The result is a much more authentic representation of who he was and who he became.
“I expected to hear a lot of ‘Cut!’ or ‘Let’s do that one more time,’ but it was all a very genuine, enjoyable time,” he says. “Each moment with the Fab Five was in the moment.”
Now out of his shell, Diggs has found his comfort zone with some of his favorite spots around town. Of course he loved ROKC, the rock-climbing gym in North Kansas City, but he’s also a fan of the River Market district and The City Market.
“The area itself is really fun to walk around, and there’s a lot of stuff to do,” Diggs says. “If you like anime, tabletop gaming, Boba tea, Indian food, freshly grown fruits and vegetables, etc., the River Market is the place to go.”
This unexpectedness—and KC’s willingness to embrace it—also helps define the Queer Eye experience. Viewers know that the Fab 5 don’t change who their heroes are, they simply amplify what makes the person great in the first place, and address what needs to be fixed. It’s a task that always takes the heroes and viewers equally by surprise. But it’s always a welcome one.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Betty Rae’s Ice Cream: Betty Rae’s is a beloved ice cream parlor known for its kooky, crave-worthy flavors.
- The Rockhill Grille: Modern, upscale American dining in the heart of the Crossroads Arts District.
- Up-Down: A hip arcade bar with a killer rooftop patio—an ideal location for a 21st birthday party.
- ROKC: This North Kansas City climbing gym helps reach new heights with a bouldering area and towering walls.
- Loose Park | Japanese Tea Room and Garden: Maintained by Kansas City Parks & Recreation, this scenic park offers a serene escape from the bustling world around you.
- Donutology: Make your own miniature donuts in this fun, family-friendly spot.
Episode 8: Baby on Board
A soon-to-be father who always seems to put things off wants to clean up his act—and house—before the bundle of joy arrives.
Turns out, it’s not as easy as it seems. However, with the help of the Fab 5, Tony faces his struggles head-on by fighting his proclivity for procrastination. The hero also tames his mane with the help of JVN, reorganizes the family home and, possibly most importantly, learns how and when to ask for help.
Here’s how you can experience this episode:
- Dolce Bakery: Scratch-made pastries just across the Kansas/Missouri border in Prairie Village, KS.
- Lauren Alexandra: Lauren Alexandra is a locally owned Brookside boutique that offers the finest baby outfits, nursery accessories and more.
- The Container Store: Get your spaces in order thanks to the organizational expertise available at this national retailer’s Overland Park location.
- ULAH: A modern menswear shop perfect for casual looks, dressy occasions and everything in between.
