Carollo's Italian Deli is a budget eat in River Market, Kansas City.
Carollo's Italian Grocery and Deli on 3rd Street in Kansas City's City Market has run since 1989 with specialty subs and imports. Romano sandwiches under $14 are the move.
Tip: Buy imported olives and tomatoes for home while you wait for the sandwich.
Address: 9 E 3rd St, Kansas City, MO 64106
Niecie's Restaurant on Troost Avenue in Kansas City has carried Denise Ward's Black-owned soul food since 1985 (current Troost address since 2009). The daily plate special with two sides runs around $12 at the counter.
Try: Daily plate special
Tip: Lunch buffet on weekdays is the value; Sunday gospel brunch is a different price.
The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown serves house-baked biscuit sandwiches under $12 with strong vegan and gluten-free options.
Try: Egg biscuit sandwich
Tip: Closed Mondays. The egg-and-biscuit sandwich plus a coffee runs under $10.
L.C.'s Bar-B-Q on Blue Parkway in Kansas City is the East Side dive that pitmasters cite quietly, with heavy smoke and heavier sauce since 1986. Cheap, smoky, plentiful.
Try: Beef sandwich
Tip: Cash works fastest; the line is the experience.
Tacos El Gallo on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City's West Side runs counter-service tacos under $5 each since 2015. Birria tacos and birria pizza are the value picks.
Try: Birria tacos
Tip: Mon-Tue and Thu 10:00 to 21:00. The salsa bar adds the personal touch.
Winstead's on Kansas City's Plaza is the 1940 Streamline Moderne drive-in. The double steakburger and Frosty malt under $14 are the canonical KC fast-food order.
Try: Steakburger and malt
Tip: Curb service still runs; the milkshake is the must-buy.
Town Topic on Broadway in Kansas City's Crossroads has run a stainless-steel diner since 1937. Smashed burgers and chili at the counter run under $12 with a malt.
Try: Smashed burger and chili
Tip: Closes at 20:00 now; cash works fastest.
