Winstead's Steakburger Plaza is a diner restaurant in Plaza, Kansas City.
Winstead's on the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City opened in 1940 as the Streamline Moderne drive-in that defined the city's steakburger. The Plaza location is the original.
Signature dishes: Steakburger, Frosty malt, Onion rings
Must order: Double steakburger with cheese, a side of onion rings and a Frosty malt.
Tip: Curb service still runs in the parking lot. The Plaza counter is open lunch through late dinner daily.
Address: 101 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
Town Topic on Broadway in Kansas City's Crossroads has run a tiny stainless-steel diner since 1937, selling smashed burgers and hand-dipped malts at the counter.
Signature: Smashed burger, Chili, Hand-dipped malts
Order: Double cheeseburger with chili on the side, plus a vanilla malt.
Tip: Hours changed in May 2026 over safety concerns; the Broadway counter now closes at 20:00 rather than 24 hours. Cash works best.
Succotash near the Kansas City Longfellow neighbourhood serves a long-running breakfast and brunch menu with local and organic ingredients, vegan and vegetarian options.
Signature: Buttermilk pancakes, Stuffed French toast, Breakfast hash
Order: Stuffed French toast and a side of breakfast hash with eggs.
Tip: Mon 8:00 to 14:00, closed Tue and Wed, Thu to Sun 8:00 to 15:00. Walk-in only, expect a wait on weekends.
Garozzo's in Columbus Park has run the historically Italian North End of Kansas City since 1989. Mike Garozzo invented chicken spiedini in this room, a city signature ever since.
Signature: Chicken spiedini, Veal parmigiana, Linguine carbonara
Order: Chicken spiedini, the city's defining red-sauce dish, with a side of pasta.
Tip: Reservations recommended on weekends. Family-style dining on Sunday afternoons.
Stroud's Oak Ridge Manor in Kansas City sits inside a restored 1840s log-cabin homestead, the second Stroud's location since 1983; the original 85th and Troost room opened in 1933 and added pan-fried chicken during WWII beef rationing.
Signature: Pan-fried chicken, Cinnamon rolls, Country gravy
Order: Pan-fried chicken with mashed potatoes, country gravy and the cinnamon rolls.
Tip: Mon to Sat dinner, Sun lunch. The line wraps the porch on Friday nights; call ahead.
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.
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.
