Soul food$south-kc
Niecie's Restaurant on Troost Avenue in Kansas City has run Black-owned soul food since 1985, when Denise and Perry Ward opened their first location on Prospect Avenue. The current Troost address opened in 2009. The menu is full plates of Southern classics.
Signature: Smothered chicken, Catfish, Peach cobbler
Order: Smothered chicken with greens, mac and cheese, and peach cobbler to finish.
Tip: Daily plate specials rotate; the lunch buffet is the value. Sunday gospel brunch packs the room.
Middle Eastern$river-market
Habashi House in Kansas City's City Market runs a family-owned Middle Eastern counter with halal meats, including beef shawarma and falafel platters from lunch only.
Signature: Beef shawarma, Falafel platter, Combination plate
Order: Beef shawarma platter with rice, hummus and salad.
Tip: Open Mon-Tue 10:00 to 14:00, Wed-Fri 10:00 to 17:00. Cash works fastest; takeaway is the move at peak lunch.
Italian deli$river-market
Carollo's Italian Grocery and Deli on 3rd Street in Kansas City's City Market has run since 1989, with Mike Carollo serving specialty subs and imported Italian goods.
Signature: Romano sandwich, Original Philly steak, Italian sub
Order: The Romano sandwich on house bread, with a side of imported olives from the case.
Tip: Open daily 10:00 to 17:30. Counter sandwiches go fast at lunch; pick up groceries while you wait.
Burgers$westport
Westport Flea Market Bar and Grill on Westport Road in Kansas City serves a 10-ounce burger that the Food Network's Meat and Potatoes named the city's best, with a condiment bar.
Signature: 10oz burger, Onion rings, Steak fries
Order: 10-ounce burger built at the condiment bar, with a side of onion rings.
Tip: Cash and card; the bar takes walk-ins. Loud, vintage, no reservations.
Chinese$$plaza
Bo Lings on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City has run dim sum and pan-regional Chinese cooking since 1981, with weekend cart service and four metro locations.
Signature: Dim sum, Mongolian beef, Steamed dumplings
Order: Dim sum on a Sunday morning from the rolling carts; cheung fun and shumai are the anchors.
Tip: Dim sum runs weekends 10:30 to 14:30. Zona Rosa outpost serves the same menu without lines.
Cafe$midtown
The Russell on Main Street in Kansas City's Midtown is Amanda Lopez's all-day cafe and lunch counter, with house-baked biscuits and a strong vegetarian programme.
Signature: Egg biscuit sandwich, Quiche, Tomato soup
Order: Egg-and-biscuit sandwich for breakfast, or the daily quiche with salad.
Tip: Tue to Sat 7:00 to 14:00, Sun 8:00 to 14:00, closed Mondays. Gluten-free and vegan options strong.
