In the Dotte dispatch: KCK’s famous pork tenderloin diner sold after 50 years
Editor’s note: The following is from this week’s In the Dotte newsletter, published weekly on Tuesdays. You can sign up here to get them delivered to your inbox.
Hello, Wyandotte County!
Their pork tenderloin sandwich is an artifact of local legend. But after serving KCK for 43 years, it’s time for a change of guard for this beloved diner.
I’m Sofi Zeman, your guide through all things KCK. Welcome back to In the Dotte! Let’s get to it.
Lowell and Marla Christy have run their locally loved diner, Christy’s Tasty Queen, out of its South 55th St. location since moving the business to KCK from Windsor in the 1980s. The spot gradually became a place where Wyandotte County residents would seek out a nostalgic hometown bite.
Now, after 50 years in the food business, the duo is ready for retired life and is making a bittersweet goodbye.
“It was our passion. We just loved it,” Marla Christy said.
Starting this week, a new owner will take over the restaurant with few changes to its menu. She brings experience working at Christy’s, the couple’s secret recipes and time-honored traditions.
And don’t worry, Marla Christy promises the spot’s new owner knows how to make that tenderloin just right.
Meet the new face of Christy’s Tasty Queen — and what longtime customers, plus its original owners, say the famous diner meant to KCK.
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And, if you have questions about Wyandotte County or a tip about what else I should look into, please email me at szeman@kcstar.com.
In Topeka
📬 Should Kansas ban elections that are decided using mail-in ballots only? Lawmakers representing Wyandotte and Johnson counties recently weighed in, and many of them agreed.
‼️ Kansas Republicans forced an anti-transgender bathroom bill into law last week, overriding Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto. It also bans changing gender on birth certificates and driver’s licenses.
Con sabor
🐟 Observing Lent, or just love a good fish fry? Numerous KC-area churches have your back. See our list to figure out when and where you can indulge in a Friday fish feast.
Sofi’s selects
🪀 From race cars, games, dining and more, the developer behind KCK’s incoming Mattel-themed entertainment park made this key step to move the $539 million project forward.
🌉 Getting sick of KCK’s many and lasting bridge closures? Amid construction delays, we mapped out which bridges have plans to reopen — and which are still waiting on fixes.
🗺️ Although Republicans couldn’t make redistricting work in Kansas this year, Rep. Sharice Davids remains on alert. She’s eyeing a run to take Roger Marshall’s Senate seat, which hasn’t elected a Democratic senator since 1932.
Thank you for reading. See ya back here next week!
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