Kansas City’s oldest restaurants: Where you can still eat your way through city history | KCUR

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The Kansas Metropolis space is dwelling to some iconic and well-regarded eating places, however do you know that a few of these institutions have existed for a century or extra?

Not all of those eating places have been regularly operated in the identical type, or beneath the identical possession, since they first began serving. However all the members of Kansas Metropolis’s “100-year membership” have drawn upon their authentic ideas to stay a tried-and-true staple of the native eating scene.

Learn on to see which spots have outlined the Kansas Metropolis culinary panorama the longest.

Browne’s Irish Market

You may consider locations like Boston or Chicago as having America’s deepest Irish-American roots, however Kansas Metropolis’s personal Browne’s Irish Market bears the excellence of the oldest Irish enterprise exterior of Eire, in response to Enterprise Eire.

You possibly can go to a historic piece of Kansas Metropolis whenever you step into Browne’s deli and market at 3300 Pennsylvania. Browne’s has resided on this constructing for over a century, however the enterprise dates again even additional. Irish immigrants Ed and Mary Flavin initially opened in 1887 as Flavin’s Market, at twenty seventh and Jefferson, earlier than it moved to its present location in 1901.

Remarkably, Browne’s at this time is operated by the identical household that initially opened the enterprise practically 140 years in the past. Initially envisioned as a grocery, Browne’s nonetheless sells a big selection of packaged meals imported from Eire — together with Barry’s Irish breakfast tea and Tayto Irish crisps (or potato chips as we name them right here). In addition they promote a broad vary of Irish clothes, items, and reward gadgets like Irish whiskeys and liquors, cookbooks, and jewellery, and scarves.

However you too can head to Browne’s deli for contemporary Irish fare like a reuben with corned beef, their celebrated egg salad sandwich, or a cup of Irish potato soup.

You possibly can be taught extra about how the household has sustained Browne’s over the many years on this article from Flatland.

Courthouse Change

Savannah Hawley-Bates

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KCUR 89.3

Browne’s isn’t the one space restaurant that dates again to the 1800s. Courthouse Change in Independence claims to be “the one restaurant in Missouri serving burgers and beer since 1899.”

The restaurant is located instantly throughout from the Truman Courthouse in downtown Independence Sq.. Entering into the below-ground restaurant actually feels old-timey, with its wood-paneled partitions, low ceilings, and Independence memorabilia on the partitions.

Courthouse Change has not been regularly operated by the identical possession or in the identical location since its authentic founding, nevertheless it actually has deep roots. Father and son pair Joseph Poggenpohl and Joseph Poggenpohl, Jr. opened the institution simply earlier than the flip of the twentieth century, in response to Matt Stewart in his guide “Distinctive Eats and Eateries of Kansas Metropolis.”

In 1907, the Kansas Metropolis Submit marketed Courthouse Change as someplace to get “nice wines, whiskey and cigars” and “Pabst’s Milwaukee Beer.”

The restaurant has additionally seen its share of drama. Describing the Courthouse Change as a “saloon,” the Kansas Metropolis Star reported on a 1909 theft on the institution. After forcing their manner into the constructing, robbers blew up the protected and stole $150 earlier than escaping.

Courthouse Change has existed in its present underground location for the reason that Nineteen Seventies. It serves homestyle favorites like fried rooster, pork tenderloins, and burgers. Whereas it would now not be the identical “saloon,” you’ll be able to actually nonetheless get pleasure from a drink there — they even make cocktails with Polly’s Pop craft soda brewed across the nook in Independence.

Should you determine to make a day of it in Independence, you’ll want to take a look at KCUR’s newbie’s information to Independence to be taught what else you are able to do.

The Savoy at 21c

Missouri Valley Particular Collections

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Kansas Metropolis Pubic Library

The Savoy has additionally modified fingers since its authentic opening in 1903. The Savoy was truly acknowledged as the town’s oldest eating institution till it was destroyed by a 2014 fireplace, in response to the guide “Iconic Eating places of Kansas Metropolis” by Andrea Broomfield.

Right now, at The 21c Resort at 219 W ninth Road in downtown Kansas Metropolis, you’ll be able to once more dine within certainly one of Kansas Metropolis’s most legendary eating places. In 2018 the restaurant was restored to keep up the character and options of the unique, and was even designated because the “Greatest Historic Restaurant” in 2023!

The resort initially opened in 1888 because the Thorne Resort, and it grew to become the Savoy in 1894 beneath new possession. When the Savoy Grill opened later in 1903, initially solely males had been in a position to dine and drink there, and ladies had been required to eat in a separate eating room.

With its prime location, the Savoy noticed a few of Kansas Metropolis’s necessary figures and moments over the many years. Broomfield claims that the restaurant continued to serve liquor throughout the Prohibition years due to the affect of crime boss Tom Pendergast.

The Savoy was additionally certainly one of Harry S. Truman’s favourite eating spots each earlier than and after he was elected to the presidency. His favourite seat, sales space 4, now has a plaque commemorating “The President’s Sales space.”

The Savoy remained iconic due to its formidable menu and stylish decor: a grand darkish picket bar, ornamentally carved picket columns, and inexperienced brick partitions. The partitions characteristic murals depicting settlers shifting Westward painted by Edward Holslag (who additionally painted murals within the U.S. Congressional Library in 1892).

Broomfield writes that “the cooks labored constantly … to finest different eating places within the high quality of their seafood, first with oysters after which, as refrigeration and transportation know-how improved, with dwell Atlantic lobsters, which they saved in an enormous kitchen tank.”

Right now you’ll be able to have a traditional “nice eating” expertise should you go to The Savoy for dinner. Whilst you can’t discover lobster on the menu in the mean time, you may get an Arctic char filet with turnip cream, braised greens, and cornbread crumb for $40. Whereas entrees are within the eating vary of $27–$40, you too can go for a high-end wagyu tomahawk steak for $185.

Or you’ll be able to go to for a extra budget-friendly brunch on the weekends with classics like an eggs benedict and French toast. The Savoy additionally has pleased hour with discounted menu gadgets, like a smash burger for $15 or oysters for $11.

Dixon’s Well-known Chili

Sylvia Maria Gross

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KCUR 89.3

Downtown Independence can be dwelling to the final standing location of one other century-old restaurant. The restaurant now referred to as Dixon’s Well-known Chili, at 9105 E. U.S. 40 Freeway, initially began in 1919 when founder Vergne Dixon offered chili out of a pushcart. Dixon’s stays family-owned to this present day.

The primary brick and mortar location opened at fifteenth and Olive Road. Dixon’s has stayed true to its authentic recipe of a base of floor beef and beans seasoned with a selfmade chili powder recipe. In distinction to most chilis at this time, Dixon’s comprises no tomatoes, onions, or garlic. You possibly can order it “juicy” with “pure meat juices,” “soupy” with bean broth, or plain.

Clients may add toppings like bitter cream, jalapeño, and grated cheddar cheese. Ketchup is now one of many accessible toppings, however the condiment was “anathema to Vergne Dixon, and if he caught a buyer sneaking it in, he fined them,” in response to Broomfield’s guide. “Grudgingly, he started providing it for an extra nickel.”

In contrast to within the restaurant’s early days, now you can get Dixon’s well-known chili atop a bowl of spaghetti or over a tamale.

Within the Sixties Dixon’s grew to become a franchise, and in its heyday there have been 13 areas. Whereas all the different areas closed over time, Dixon’s Well-known Chili in Independence nonetheless stands.

Like The Savoy, Dixon’s additionally occurred to be certainly one of Harry S. Truman’s go-to spots. The Kansas Metropolis Star article highlighting Vergne Dixon’s 1964 demise made certain to notice that “Mr. Truman as soon as remarked to associates the chili parlor was the primary place he visited when he received out of the military.”

Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque

Carlos Moreno

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KCUR 89.3

Famed Kansas Metropolis barbecue restaurant Arthur Bryant’s has not hit its century anniversary but, however the restaurant — believed to first open in 1927 — is approaching that milestone.

Within the Nineteen Twenties, Charlie Bryant discovered the craft of barbecuing beneath the “barbecue king” himself: Henry Perry, who had arrived on the town in 1907. You possibly can be taught all about Perry’s affect on Kansas Metropolis barbecue on this Folks’s Historical past of Kansas Metropolis podcast episode.

Charlie Bryant was concerned in a number of eating places all through his lifetime, however his first barbecue spot is believed to have been opened at 14th and Woodland in 1927. He additionally helped Perry function his barbecue stands, and “when Perry suffered a stroke in 1931, he relied closely on former apprentice Charlie Bryant for assist,” in response to Broomfield’s guide. When Perry died in 1940, he left certainly one of his barbecue stands at 1921 East 18th Road to Bryant.

In 1946, Charlie left the BBQ world and handed over his restaurant to his brother Arthur. Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque moved in 1958 to its present location at 1727 Brooklyn.

Right now Arthur Bryant’s is widely known as an area establishment that has come to outline “Kansas Metropolis model” barbecue, and is named the birthplace of burnt ends. Arthur Bryant additionally tailored his brother’s barbecue sauce recipe to create the recipe that Kansas Citians know and love (and argue about) at this time.

Additionally, it needs to be famous that, once more, Harry S. Truman was additionally reported to be an everyday at Arthur Bryant’s. In 2014, then-President Barack Obama dined at Bryant’s and had “a half-slab of ribs, a Bud gentle, water and fries,” in response to KMBC 9 Information. He was not the primary sitting President to go to — Jimmy Carter ate at Arthur Bryant’s throughout his presidency in 1979.

You possibly can wait a few years till 2027 to rejoice the 100-year anniversary of Bryant’s barbecue. Or you’ll be able to go now, realizing that Arthur Bryant’s builds upon the Kansas Metropolis custom set into movement by the king Henry Perry.

Kansas Metropolis’s half-century eating places

Carlos Moreno

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KCUR 89.3

Kansas Metropolis is dwelling to different eating places which have survived over 75 years. Listed below are some notable examples:

• The Peanut at 5000 Essential Road, has existed in the identical spot since 1933 — for 91 years! There at the moment are eight areas all through the Kansas Metropolis space.
• Rosedale Bar-B-Q on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, is technically the town’s oldest continuously-running BBQ restaurant. It has been household owned and operated for 90 years, since 1934.
• City Matter has served burgers downtown for 87 years (since 1937) and presently operates two areas, though it used to have a number of extra across the metro.
• Dagwood’s Café, additionally on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas Metropolis, Kansas, has been slinging burgers and breakfast for 86 years, since 1938 
• Winstead’s on the Plaza first opened 84 years in the past in 1940, and there at the moment are three areas. 
• McLain’s Bakery initially opened in 1945, however received its new possession in 2014 who’ve since expanded to a number of different cafes. 
• Gates Bar-B-Q first opened 78 years in the past in 1946, and there at the moment are 5 areas round city. 

And for just a few different long-timers which are nonetheless kickin’, take a look at Jasper’s Italian Restaurant (1954), Mugs-Up Root Beer (1956), the Golden Ox (1949) and Andre’s Confiserie Suisse (1955).