Legacy of a late restaurateur + Decade-old KC closure
Happy Friday, and welcome back to Let’s Dish — your one-stop shop for dining news in Kansas City. I’m Jenna Thompson, one of the restaurant reporters at The Star.
It’s been a full week of restaurant stories this week: Check out what we’re serving.
We’ll talk about a restaurant owner’s legacy in the metro. Plus, an NFL player-backed burger chain has made its way to Kansas City, and Charisse has closed after 10 years of serving customers downtown.
Let’s dig in.
Remembering ‘Papa Vic’
Maybe you’ve had Cajun food at the New Orleans-style restaurant Jazz: A Louisiana Kitchen.
Or, if you’ve been around long enough, perhaps you remember the restaurant’s commercials, where founder Vic Allred would chime in “Papa Vic here,” and invite customers to Jazz — putting an emphasis on the vowel.
After Allred’s recent passing, his friends and former employees told me about his joyful spirit and business sense.
One employee called him a “happy-go-lucky man” who loved fun and lived by the motto of his restaurant: Let the good times roll.
What’s new?
Patrick Mahomes isn’t the only quarterback who’s opening burger joints in the Kansas City metro.
While Mahomes helped bring Texas’ Whataburger to the metro, former New Orleans Saints star Drew Brees is bringing this chain to town.
Instead of full-size burgers, the brand sells combo meals with one to four hamburger sliders, waffle fries and a drink. The patties are smothered in the brand’s secret “Smauce.”
The shipping container-like restaurant will open in Blue Springs.
And on Saturday, the first 50 people in line will receive free orange slides. (See you there?)
À la carte
✴️ This downtown Kansas City restaurant has closed after 10 years. But “a new spot is envisioned.”
✴️ After several bumps in the road, a Sun Fresh in Kansas City has hit a crisis point. What’s next?
✴️ Have you had this local farmers market favorite? They’re opening a cafe in Johnson County, serving juice, smoothies and more.
✴️ A former Johnson County barbecue spot will become a poke and sushi restaurant. Here’s what we know.
My standout dish of the week
OK, who was gonna tell me about Splitlog Coffee Co. in KCK’s Strawberry Hill neighborhood?
While it’s not exactly a secret — they have more than 7,000 followers on Instagram — I made my first trip Thursday and ordered my usual: an iced vanilla latte.
Not only is it some of the best espresso I’ve had, but I love the vibe of the coffee shop. The inside has plenty of natural light, plants and tables for writing. (Perhaps I’m there right now, as I write this.)
Outside tables, a drive-thru window and plenty of tables — Splitlog might be a new favorite. I love a coffee shop that feels like walking into someone’s home.
PSA: I’m always looking for new coffee shop recommendations.
Hungry for more?
- Check out all the restaurants we’ve covered in our Let’s Dish series here.
Looking for the latest industry news? Here’s what spots have opened and closed in the KC area lately.
- To see what we’re eating next, follow The Star on Instagram, Facebook or TikTok.
- If you were forwarded this email, here’s where you can subscribe.
- And make sure to support local journalists with a subscription to The Star.
Happy eating! We’ll see you next week.
This story was originally published April 25, 2025 at 10:49 AM with the headline "Legacy of a late restaurateur + Decade-old KC closure."