Trying KC’s ‘boy dinner’ + Best cinnamon roll crowned

Welcome back to Let’s Dish — your one-stop shop for all things eats in Kansas City. I’m Rachel Schlueter, an audience intern at The Star.

This week, I tried the chili at Dixon’s Famous Chili Parlor in Independence, which earned its “Famous” name after LIFE magazine photographed a visit from Harry Truman. And while the spot has earned the president’s seal of approval, did it earn mine? 

Plus, the votes are in: Here’s the best cinnamon roll in the KC area, along with the emotional backstory behind the family recipe. 

And don’t miss the first round of official voting to see which KC-area spot has the best pad thai. 

Let’s dig in.

This week’s taste test

A few years ago, there was a TikTok trend called “girl dinner” and “boy dinner.” The former usually meant protein-less meals like pasta bowls and cheese boards, while the latter almost exclusively consisted of meat. Think whole rotisserie chickens, a half-dozen scrambled eggs and pounds ground beef over rice. 

I thought these meals were in the past until I arrived at Dixon’s Famous Chili Parlor and was served Independence’s version of “boy dinner:” two small tamales smothered in a four-inch tall heap of crumbly meat-and-bean chili. 

But looks can be deceiving. Eating the chili as is would be a gross miscalculation, according to current owner Stephen Steffes.

Dixon’s chili is meant to be dressed up with a myriad of toppings — from cheese to onions to hot vinegar — and served atop spaghetti, tamales, hotdogs or burgers. 

This decadent dish has garnered a loyal customer base that’s been visiting the place for generations, including its most famous regular: President Harry Truman. 

Not much has changed since Truman’s days, and customers continue flocking to Dixon’s to make their chili their own. 

Check out my TikTok to see the meat-and-bean mountain yourself, and learn how the owner is preserving the restaurant’s 100-year-old traditions. 

Around KC

✴️ This new KC coffee shop is on a mission to serve more than just coastal-inspired drinks. The spot is also a nonprofit that offers services for foster care children. 

✴️ Patrick Mahomes’ and Travis Kelce’s steakhouse just announced its opening date — and it falls on the star QB’s 30th birthday. Starting tomorrow, customers can make reservations.

✴️ A Florida-based pizza chain is opening its first metro location in Olathe this fall, serving up wood-fired pies in both classic and creative flavors.

The story behind the dough

After a poll from The Star and tens of thousands of votes, our readers have spoken on where you can find the best cinnamon roll in the metro: Christy Weilert’s cottage bakery, Granny’s Bakery, in Belton. The name isn’t just branding — it’s a tribute to the person who started it all. 

Weilert picked up her love of baking from her grandmother, whom she called Grams. The two spent endless hours in the kitchen together, and Grams always encouraged Weilert’s dreams.

“She saw in me what I don’t think anybody else did growing up,” Weilert said.

Grams passed away just a few weeks ago. On Weilert’s last visit with Grams, she asked her what her favorite thing to bake was.

“Cinnamon rolls,” Grams said. “because you can do so much with them.”

Learn more about Weilert’s award-winning goodies and how she honors her Grams with each batch. 

Give us your take

Our readers gave us over a dozen different spots where you can find KC’s finest pad thai. Now, it’s time to vote on which of these restaurants serves the very best version.

Hungry for more?

• 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 Friday.

This story was originally published August 19, 2025 at 11:31 AM with the headline "Trying KC’s ‘boy dinner’ + Best cinnamon roll crowned."