Joe's Kansas City Z-Man is a budget eat in Kck, Kansas City.
Joe's Kansas City Bar-B-Que in the working Shamrock gas station at 47th and Mission in Kansas City, Kansas serves the Z-Man sandwich, brisket and provolone with onion rings on a kaiser, for under $13.
Tip: Closed Sundays; the line is the experience. Cash and card.
Address: 3002 West 47th Ave, Kansas City, KS 66103
Vietnam Cafe on Campbell Street in Kansas City's Columbus Park is the city's most-praised pho counter, with generous bowls of broth and noodles under $15.
Try: Pho bowl
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Banh mi is the second order; cash works fastest.
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.
Try: Romano sandwich
Tip: Buy imported olives and tomatoes for home while you wait for the sandwich.
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.
