Our Cocktails and Cuisine issue is out today, so it’s only right to share where our team—which finds itself all over the Kansas City metro—goes for their favorite fare. The prompt:
What local restaurant are you obsessed with lately? (It doesn’t have to be your favorite, but it can be.) What dish or drink do you order?
With that, let’s get into it.
We love Martin City Brewing Co. Pizza & Taproom in Mission Farms because it’s the perfect mix of family-friendly vibes, great service, and amazing food. The staff is always welcoming, the beer selection is top-notch, and the pizza never disappoints. It’s become a go-to spot for quick bites and laid-back meals with our toddler. It’s a staple we always come back to!
I’ve had the opportunity to go to Farina twice recently to celebrate friends’ birthdays. The food is always amazing, and being able to be in their wine room for private events is the best! My go-to order there is the carbonara. You won’t be sorry!
When The Mixx was just a streetcar ride away from my office in the Crossroads to the Power & Light District, I went there at least once a week—almost always ordering the Rustic Beet Salad. Made with roasted beets, hickory-smoked almonds, roasted sweet potatoes, goat cheese, spinach, and arugula tossed in tarragon-shallot vinaigrette, it was my go-to. These days, I don’t get to enjoy it as often since the nearest location is now on The Plaza. But soon, I’ll be able to take the streetcar there again.
Right now, we’re obsessed with El Pollo Rey in KCK! It’s so simple, but the chicken is amazing. Easy to take home and healthy.
For me, it’s always The Peanut. When my wife and I moved to Kansas City in 2022, The Peanut on Santa Fe was one of the first restaurants we went to together. Maybe we were in a new place, but we knew we liked Buffalo wings, and everyone said The Peanut had the best. They were right. The chicken is juicy, the skin is crispy and peppery at the joints, and the sauce splits the vinegar-butter difference perfectly. And though there are more quintessential Peanut locations, we’re still partial to one on Santa Fe location because it’s spacious, has a ton of TVs, and is steps away from a nice little park.
(By the way, I wrote a KC Buffalo wing breakdown, which I’ll add to if you email me your spot.)
Chewology takes the top spot as my favorite restaurant in Kansas City. This Taiwanese restaurant, owned by Chef Katie Liu-Sung, is a James Beard-award semifinalist for a second year in a row. Not surprising considering the food, atmosphere, and service are all exceptional. Some of my favorites off the menu are the xiao long bao (pork soup dumplings) that practically melt in your mouth, the karaage bao bun with crispy chicken, pickled cucumber, and chili mayo (yum!) and the dan dan noodles. I’ll be back to squeeze in some dessert and double my order of the soup dumplings next time!
Harry’s Country Club is a great hidden gem in the River Market. Last time I went, it was in between brunch and lunch hours, so I treated myself to beignets as an appetizer and fish and chips as the entree. Both were delicious, and so was the blood-orange margarita I paired with it. The vibes inside are amazing, with a bunch of old posters on the wall, a jukebox, and an old-school bar. Go for brunch, lunch, dinner, or happy hour!
