Dollar wings, loaded fries: JoCo’s ‘bar food meets soul’ eatery expands to Kansas City
Timothy Hayes has always loved to cook for others — platters of loaded fries, wings or chicken and waffles.
The pastor frequently serves free meals at his church, 24 Hour Faith Training Center on Prospect Avenue.
In September, Hayes brought the comfort food he feeds congregants and community members to the public by opening an eatery, What’s On Your Plate? in Shawnee.
Now, he’s serving his “bar food meets soul” homestyle meals from an additional location.
Earlier this month, Hayes and his business partner, Ken McClaine, expanded to 2255 E. 12th St., selling food inside a Family Mini Market.
The pair’s original location operates inside KC’s Bar and Grill at 10201 47th St. in Shawnee.
McClaine said customers enjoy the friendly service just as much as the tasty meals.
“If you try our food, it tastes like something your grandma made, your aunt made,” McClaine said. “We’re more like family cooking for you because you don’t want to cook.”
Before he opened his first eatery, Hayes owned Smash House KC, a “rage room” inside of the Hy-Vee Arena where patrons can release their frustrations, “redirecting negative energy,” by breaking things. That’s when he connected with KC’s Bar and Grill, which donates glass bottles for customers to smash.
When Hayes went to the bar to collect the bottles, he saw the kitchen and felt a tug on his spirit, McClaine said.
“It just took one time for him to be like, ‘Maybe I could try this out,’” he said. “It just took off from there.”
What’s on Your Plate? serves wings for a $1 apiece with a variety of seasonings and sauces. Other menu highlights include a jalapeno burger, loaded baked potatoes and fried pickles.
What’s On Your Plate? has gathered a faithful following in the months it’s been open, McClaine said, and they hope to continue to expand. But never so much that they lose the family feel.
“The secret recipe to our success is we’re accessible,” he said. “We don’t want to get too detached from the customer service aspect.”
While What’s On Your Plate? may serve food inside other establishments now, they aim to purchase their own building soon.
The eatery in Shawnee is open 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 5 to 10 p.m. Sundays.
The Kansas City location is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.