Celebrate Black History Month by supporting these Kansas City Black-owned restaurants
Celebrating Black History Month can be about more than looking to the past. It is also about highlighting Black culture in the present, and supporting local Black-owned restaurants is a great way to do that.
Discover more about the Black and African diaspora, right here in your backyard. Whether it’s Ghanaian Waakye from Fannie’s African Cuisine or New Orleans gumbo from KC Daiquiri Shop, there are dishes to try all around the city.
Many restaurants are also offering dine-in and takeout options. To support a Blacked-owned business near you, check out this list of establishments.
Awaze
Awaze is an Ethiopian and Caribbean restaurant offering everything from injera to jerk tilapia. On weekends, you can enjoy reggae music and a more upbeat experience. Check out the menu here.
3415 Main St.,Kansas City, MO 64111
816-756-5111
KC Daiquiri Shop
Feening for a trip to New Orleans? KC Daiquiri Shop is the next best thing with two locations in the Kansas City metro area. From Bourbon Street style daiquiris to traditional cajun and creole food, the French Quarter may only be a few miles away.
For Black History Month, the restaurant will be hosting its 2nd annual Creole Carryout Brunch series. Specialty carryout menu items will be available every weekend in February from 11 am to 3 pm. Patrons can pre-order for the event online.
Downton Kansas City
1116 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64106
Overland Park
8725 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, KS 66212
Fannie’s African Cuisine
Fannie’s African Cuisine is one of the only restaurants in Kansas City offering West African fare. Their mission is to change “the perception of Africa one bite at a time,” according to the restaurant’s Instagram.
Dishes on the menu include spicy goat meat soup, which is served with your choice of rice or fufu, or shrimp stew served with rice. Dishes are seasoned and spiced based on each customer’s preferences, according to the website. Check out the menu here.
4105 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110
816-832-8454
Turkey Legg Man
This food truck restaurant is serving up big, deliciously smoked turkey legs across Kansas City.
The Turkey Legg Man specializes in jumbo turkey legs, turkey wings and serves a variety of sides including greens and mac and cheese.
The truck is owned and operated by Matthew Montgomery and his kids. The truck started all because he wanted to find a way to spend more time with his family and teach his kids to be their own entrepreneurs, Montgomery said in an interview with Kansas City G.I.F.T.
“It led to us doing a few turkey legs on the weekend for fun and before you know it we just took over the city,” he said.
3900 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64110
816-517-1984
Check Instagram or Facebook for the truck’s location.
Love Is Key Food And Dessert Innovation
Love is Key is offering unique breakfast and dessert options. Stop by their location on Troost Avenue to try “Thicker than that thang,” which includes cake waffles, bacon, eggs and potatoes, or “Southern Bell,” chicken and cake waffle meal topped with caramel drizzle. There’s also an array of dessert options, including caramel cake and strawberry crunch cheesecake.
Whatever you order at Love is Key is sure to add some flair to your next brunch date. Visit their website to see the rest of the menu.
3000 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64109
816-569-0440
Lufti’s Fried Fish
Calling all seafood lovers! Lufti’s is a family-owned restaurant specializing in fried, steamed and blackened catfish, white fish and shrimp. Their menu also features local Golden Boy Pies.
There are many Lufti locations across greater Kansas City. To see which location is nearest you, visit the restaurant’s store locator. Here are a few locations below:
Kansas City North
305A NE Englewood Rd., Kansas City, MO 64118
816-216-1503
Shawnee
13225 Shawnee Mission Pkwy, Shawnee, KS 66216
913-730-8488
Elevate Bar and Grill
Elevate is a serving up a fun dining and entertaining experience. It’s website boasts of a “safe, classy, customer-focused upscale environment.” The menu includes a range of classic American dishes, plus a number of southern staples.
Elevate also has themed nights each week, including taco Tuesdays and Wednesday karaoke nights. To stay updated on events and specials, check out the restaurant’s Instagram page. To see the full menu, visit Elevate’s website.
7543 State Ave., Kansas City, KS 66112
913-766-6610
Gates Bar-B-Q
This BBQ staple is a must for Black History Month. Founded in the 1940s by George W. Gates, this historic BBQ chain has now sprawled across the Kansas City area. Gates serves up classic BBQ, including ribs, chicken, sausages and mutton.
Open on Sundays through Saturday from 11:00 am to 12:00 am, Gates is also the perfect stop for late night cravings.
You can also support by buying Gates’ own BBQ sauce and seasonings available in their online store.
1325 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64110
816-531-7522
3205 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64111
816-753-0828
1221 Brooklyn Ave., Kansas City, MO 64127
816-483-3880
1026 State Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102
913-621-1134
Jazzy B’s Diner
1803 #B, NE Colbern Rd, Lee’s Summit, MO 64086
816-272-0654
The Vegan Spot
Birria tacos, lasagna, meatloaf. Everything on The Vegan Spots menu is plant-based. This cruelty-free restaurant is a pick-up only establishment, specializing in vegan alternatives for some of your favorite dishes, including burgers, Philly cheese steaks and pizza.
The menu at The Vegan Spot does rotate, so make sure to check Facebook or Instagram to see what is available each day. Pick-up is available Thursday through Sunday.
Call 816-814-3569 to place and order and schedule a pick-up
Vegan Craze Burgers and Bakery
Vegan Craze specializes in creative vegan burger options and baked goods. This restaurant’s burger selection includes portobello mushroom patties and even a burger made from beets, carrots and kale.
Vegan Craze’s mission is “Love and Life,” and all of the items are made in-house with organic ingredients, according to its Facebook page. To see the full menu or order online visit the restaurant’s website here.
1599 Iron St, North Kansas City, MO 64116
816-533-5381
Here are some more Black-owned restaurants to visit this month:
6800 Eastwood Trafficway, Kansas City, MO 64129
816-923-0099
4853 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri 64112
816-531-2201
6609 Parallel Pkwy, Kansas City, KS 66102
913-400-3550
2540 W Pennway St., Kansas City, MO 64108
4707 E. Bannister Rd., Ste B, Kansas City, MO 64137
816-765-0800
Equal Minded Cafe and Event Center
4327 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110
816-561-2233
816-914-7517
5800 Blue Pkwy, Kansas City, MO 64129
816-923-4484
3601 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64111
816-442-7311
20 E 5th St., Kansas City, MO 64106
816-283-0990
5932 Prospect Ave. #3626, Kansas City, MO 64130
816-444-0779
Westport
3927 Broadway Blvd., Kansas City, MO 64111
816-931-9464
Northland
516 Northwest Englewood Rd., Kansas City, MO 64118
816-413-9464
Did we miss your favorite restaurant, or do you have a question? Let us know at kcq@kcstar.com or with the form below.
This story was originally published February 4, 2022 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Celebrate Black History Month by supporting these Kansas City Black-owned restaurants."
