Fans can try 20 local Kansas City restaurants at the NFL Draft. Here’s the full list
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NFL Draft in Kansas City
Hundreds of thousands of football fans are expected in Kansas City from April 27-29 to see the Chiefs and other teams make their picks. The NFL Draft Experience sideline events near Union Station include concerts, games, meet-and-greets and more.
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The 2023 NFL Draft comes to Kansas City in less than a week, and preparations are well underway for the main stage and the nearby NFL Draft Experience fan festival.
From kid-friendly activities to who’s performing at the concerts after each draft day concludes, downtown Kansas City is turning into the NFL’s theme park.
And you can’t have a theme park without food. The NFL released its list of local vendors that will be at Union Station and the National WWI Museum and Memorial throughout the three-day event.
Check out all 20 local restaurants that will have stands set up to serve the expected 300,000 visitors.
Baba’s Pantry
The Palestinian cafe and deli gained national recognition when it was named to Bon Appetit’s best 50 new restaurants in the United States in 2022.
Their location is at 1019 E. 63rd St.
Bloom Baking Co.
The downtown bakery specializes in artisan breads, European-style pastries and breakfast and lunch selections.
They have two locations: 920 Main St. and 15 E. Third St.
BuckTui BBQ
The restaurant infuses the complementary flavors of Northeastern Thai cuisine and Kansas City barbecue, using traditional Thai techniques to achieve the city’s familiar smokey-salty-sweet barbecue.
They’re located at 6737 W. 75th St. in Overland Park.
Cheesy Street
This woman-owned and operated food truck brings gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches to Union Station.
Chef J BBQ
Found in the West Bottoms, this barbecue restaurant uses family recipes to create its food. Justin Easterwood, also known as Chef J, is also competing in the KC Smoke Show Pitmasters Competition on April 29.
The restaurant is located at 1401 W. 13th St.
Donutology
Doughnuts and outher sweet treats are found here. They previously ran a deal that if you bought a special Super Bowl-themed shirt before the big game, you would get free doughnuts every week for a year if the Chiefs won the Super Bowl
They’re located at 1009 Westport Road.
Hereford House
The steakhouse opened its doors in 1957 and continues to serve hand-cut steaks grilled over hot hardwood coals.
They have four locations:
5001 Town Center Drive in Leawood
17244 Midland Drive in Shawnee
19721 E. Jackson Drive in Independence
8661 N. Stoddard Ave. in Zona Rosa
Jazzy B’s
The restaurant follows in the footsteps of Kansas City jazz through the variety of food they serve to patrons and their unique cooking style.
They’re located at 320 S.W. Blue Parkway in Lee’s Summit.
KC Mac N’ Co.
The Black-owned gourmet mac and cheese shop recently left Parlor and is moving to a new location.
Lulu’s Thai Noodle Shop
The noodle shop continues to use recipes from founder Malisa Monyakula’s grandmother on her father’s side of the family.
They have three locations:
2030 Central St. in the Crossroads
2701 W. 47th Ave. in Kansas City, Kansas
7921 Santa Fe Drive in Overland Park
Mission Taco Joint
Tacos, burritos and more West Coast-style Mexican meals can be found at this restaurant.
They have two locations:
409 E. 18th St. in the Crossroads
5060 Main St. in South Plaza
Poio Mexican BBQ
While they just announced they’re closing their location at 800 S. Seventh St., this Mexican barbecue spot uses Mexican and Asian flavors and techniques that owner Carlos Mortera grew up with and made for his family.
Poio can still be found at the new Kansas City International airport terminal
Q39
The restaurant’s iconic smoker will be on display on the South Lawn at the National WWI Museum and Memorial, along with its popular barbecue. Q39 Chef Phillip Thompson is also competing in the KC Smoke Show Pitmasters Competition on April 29
They have two locations:
1000 W 39th St. in midtown
11051 Antioch Road in Overland Park
Rye
The restaurant serves a variety of Midwest essentials, including fried chicken, aged steaks, cooked vegetables and more.
They have two locations:
4646 Mill Creek Parkway at the Country Club Plaza
10551 Mission Road in Leawood
Sauced
Smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches and french fries are on the menu at this walkup food stand in downtown Kansas City.
They’re located at 1881-B Main St. in downtown Kansas City.
Scimeca’s Italian Sausage
The food market has served Kansas City since 1935 with high-quality meats and sauces, which can be found in grocery stores across the metro.
Scott’s Kitchen
Barbecue is on the menu at this restaurant that officially opened in 2017, but the origins trace back to owner Scott Umschied entering a barbecue competition in Platte City in 2009.
Umschied is competing in the KC Smoke Show Pitmasters Competition on April 29
Their restaurant is at 11920 N. Ambassador Drive, near KCI.
www.scottskitchenandcatering.com
Smoak Craft Barbecue
The barbecue spot offers hand-crafted smoked meats and versions of classic sides with their signature flavor.
The restaurant is at 13440 Santa Fe Trail Drive in Lenexa.
Taco Naco KC
The mom-and-pop Mexican market and taqueria offers artisanal tacos, handcrafted salsas, and cocktails.
They’re located at 8220 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park, and are expanding to 4141 Pennsylvania Ave. in Westport this summer.
The Granfalloon
The sports bar features over 52 dishes, ranging from classic burgers to a chicken Parmesan pizza with roasted chicken, chopped bacon, tomato basil relish and spinach in a Parmesan sauce.
Their restaurant is located at 608 Ward Parkway at the Country Club Plaza.
This story was originally published April 21, 2023 at 1:05 PM.
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