Kansas City, Kan., has its fair share of competition from restaurants in its Missouri neighbor, but when it comes to incredible food, the city holds its own. From smoky barbecue joints that define Kansas flavor to hidden pizza and taco gems and cozy coffee shops, KCK has plenty to offer for every craving.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite spots that left me craving seconds (and thirds). I’ve visited a few times — with and without the kids. Most recently, I was in Kansas City, Kansas., at Christmas time on a hosted visited with my whole family. Whether you’re planning a foodie road trip or just curious about what Kansas City’s other side has to offer, these must-visit restaurants deserve a spot on your list.
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Best Barbecue
Kansas City barbecue has a reputation to uphold, and I’ve rarely been to a barbecue spot on the Kansas or Missouri side that tarnishes it. But in all honesty, the two best BBQ restaurants that I’ve been to in the whole Kansas City area have been on the Kansas side of things.
I’ve learned that if there’s a line to something and people look happy in that line, it’s best to just join them. That’s the case for these to KCK place: Slap’s BBQ and Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que. I’ve yet to visit or drive by either of them and not see a line. And I’ve found, the wait is worth it.
For Slap’s BBQ, the delicious sides nearly stole the show from the meats. And this Strawberry Hill staple has some of the best, award-winning chicken around. And their fall-off-the-bone ribs and burnt ends aren’t too shabby, either.
If there’s one thing on the menu I recommend getting, it’s the cheesy baked potato casserole. I went with a large group and got to try several sides, and those cheesy potatoes are the stuff of dreams.
There are a couple of Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que locations, but the OG spot is in a gas station in Kansas. My group of friends went for a late-night run, well after the dinner hour, and still had a wait. But we didn’t mind. They’re known for their ribs and Z-Man Sandwich, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything on their menu.
Addresses:
- Slap’s BBQ, 533 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
- Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, 3002 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kan. (the gas station location)
Best Pizza
I first had pizza from 1889 Pizza Napoletana in St Joseph, Mo., and let me tell you something. We’ve made stops in St. Joe during road trips ever since just for that pizza. So, I’m pretty excited to see they opened a location in Kansas City, Kan.
1889 Pizza Napoletana specializes in Neapolitan wood-fired pizza. You can go traditional with toppings like pepperoni or try one of their specialties. There were four of us and we decided to get one pizza per person. That was more than enough (even with teens).
On my recent KCK trip, I tried the Prized Pig, which is pretty much the KCK barbecue experience on pizza. Their specialties can include some pretty atypical pizza toppings, so it’s a fun experience for foodies.
Because of the type of pizza they serve, you don’t have to expect much of a wait. But you might welcome the wait, since the interior decor is beautiful.
Address:
- 1889 Pizza Napoletana, 2876 W. 47th Ave., Kansas City, Kan. (very near Joe’s BBQ)
Best Mexican Food
Kansas City, Kan., has a surprising number of Mexican restaurants, and I’m talking authentic Mexican restaurants. So many, they made their own KCK Taco Trail. Download the app, and then as you visit each stop, you can mark each one on the app. Finish the trail for a prize.
Two places on KCK Taco Trail really stand out for me and for different reasons. El Camino Real (two locations) has legit tacos with fresh, handmade tortillas. Try the al pastor tacos, for sure, and then pick one of the many other meat options. Your order comes with fresh cilantro, chopped onions and a squeeze of lime.
El Toro Loco is another stop on the Taco Trail, though it’s a bit more Americanized the El Camino Real. The draw to El Toro Loco is their fresh tortilla chips and salsa (to die for) and the ginormous hard-shell tacos. And, honestly, they have a great location by Legends Outlet Mall.
Jarocho is well-known for serving delicious Mexican seafood dishes. The dishes can be inventive, and Instagram-worthy. I recommend starting the meal off with a margarita and ceviche tostada.
Addresses:
- El Camino Real, 903 N. Seventh St., Kansas City, Kan. (the location I went to) and 1147 Argentine Blvd.
- El Toro Loco, 1706 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan.
- Jarocho, 719 Kansas Ave., Kansas City, Kan.
Best Coffee
I appreciate a coffee shop that roasts its own coffee beans, and Splitlog Coffee Co. in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood fits the bill. They make several nods to their historic neighborhood. The tasty cream latte and Strawberry Hill Blend coffee beans come to mind.
Three Bees Pottery & Coffee Shop was memorable and not just for the espresso drinks. This place will utterly charm you the moment you see it. They make fantastic drinks and have a unique breakfast menu (tamales, anyone?), but it’s also the decor. They sell artisanal pottery from Mexico, and the brightly colored pieces are hard to stop browsing.
Addresses:
- Splitlog Coffee Co., 548 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. (FYI: It’s located very close to Slaps BBQ)
- Three Bees Pottery & Coffee Shop, 925 Southwest Blvd., Kansas City, Kan.
More great KCK restaurant options:
- Vietnam Cafe, 2200 W. 39th Ave., Kansas City, Kan., is a great Vietnamese restaurant with dishes to warm you up on a cool night. If you’re a fan of Pho, you’ll want to visit this restaurants.
- Jazz at Legends Outlet Mall, 1859 Village West Parkway, Kansas City, Kan., is more or less a chain (locations in other states…but only three others), but it is a great Cajun restaurant. The atmosphere is festive year-round. First-timers, you can’t go wrong getting the Chicken A La Mer (half-order will be enough, trust me).
- If you’re looking for dessert, head to the historic Strawberry Hill neighborhood for Hey Sugar, 426 N. Sixth St., Kansas City, Kan., is a bright little ice cream and candy shop. You’ll be as tempted by the shelves of candy as you will be by the ice cream.
- Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant, 250 N. 18th St., Kansas City, Kan. is a must-visit for families. Granted, I’ve only been to the location on the Missouri side, but it was in Kansas where it all started. The big draw is having a model train deliver your meal.
