Best Kansas City dive restaurant? Best meatloaf? Mexican? Here’s what made U.S. lists
Kansas City eateries have caught the eye of national — and even one international — websites which recently gave shoutouts for everything from soup to meatloaf.
Here’s a sampling:
Best home bartender gift: Food & Wine picked the “5 Holiday Gifts for the Aspiring Bartender.” J. Rieger & Co.’s Kansas City Whiskey was one of the five items to “upgrade our at-home cocktail game.”
“Its balanced, slightly sweet quality comes from adding 15-year-old oloroso sherry to the blend of straight bourbon, light-corn, and straight rye whiskies.”
One caveat: Food & Wine says, “Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.”
Best dive restaurant: Delish featured “The Best ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ Restaurant in Every State.”
For Kansas, it named Woodyard Bar-B-Que in Kansas City., Kansas.
“There are endless combinations to fill your tray, from smoked chicken and burnt ends to pork ribs and baked beans.”
For Missouri, it chose Happy Gillis Cafe + Hangout in Columbus Park.
“Happy Gillis serves up a range of breakfast items, soups, salads, and sandwiches in a comforting, home-style setting. While popular items include dishes like the avocado tostada or the ham and pimento grilled cheese, Guy’s pick had a humble-sounding name, but was just as creative: the flank steak sandwich, marinated in cola and red wine.”
▪ Best meatloaf. Kansas City’s Niecie’s Restaurant made Eat This, Not That’s feature on “The Best Meatloaf in Every State.”
Homestyle, served with two sides and two cornbread muffins. But the website hedged a bit by saying it “may be some of the best meatloaf in Missouri.”
“Homemade and bursting with flavor, it tastes just like grandma’s.”
Doo-Dah Diner in Wichita made the list for Kansas.
▪ Best soup: Eat This, Not That offers “The Best Soup In Every State.”
For Missouri, it picked the Vietnam Cafe in Columbus Park.
“Try out their Pho Ga, which is a rice noodle soup filled with shredded chicken, or Pho Bo Vien, a rice noodle soup filled with beef meatballs.”
For Kansas, it picked Tanya’s Soup Kitchen in Wichita.
▪ Best Mexican: 24/7 Wall St. offers the “Best Hidden Gem Mexican Restaurant in Every State.”
In Kansas, it selected Tarahumaras Mexican Restaurant #1 in Kansas City, Kansas.
“This tiny restaurant offers limited seating but is big on flavor. With meats seasoned to perfection, homemade salsas, and tamales with a cult following, Tarahumara’s keeps their customers happy. Try the sopes and chile rellenos, and take advantage of the drive-through.”
For Missouri, it selected La Tejana taquería in the St. Louis area.
▪ Best family-friendly restaurant. Lovefood offers “Your state’s best independent family-friendly restaurant.”
Taco Republic got the nod for Kansas. It cited the children’s menu with milder options and the outdoor seating.
“Described as kid heaven with fancy tacos, which just about sums it up.”
Lambert’s Cafe — home of throwed rolls — in the Ozarks made the list for Missouri.
Kansas City’s Missie B’s also recently made a list of “The Best Gay Bars in Red States” by Thrillist.
Stop here if you want to stick with the positive.
At No. 197, Olathe was almost at the bottom of Lawn Love’s list of “2022’s Best Cities for Book Lovers.” Kansas City was No. 106; Kansas City, Kansas, was No. 76; and Overland Park No. 98.
Lawn Love is a San Diego-based digital marketplace for lawn care and gardening. It looked at the number of book events and festivals, book clubs, libraries, free little libraries, and bookstores to come up with its book lovers list.