Winstead's Steakburger Plaza is a street-food stop in Plaza, Kansas City.
Winstead's on Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is the 1940 Streamline Moderne drive-in. The steakburger and Frosty malt at the counter are the canonical KC fast-food order.
Tip: Curb service still runs in the parking lot; the milkshakes are the move on a hot day.
Address: 101 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64112
Town Topic in Kansas City's Crossroads has run a tiny stainless-steel diner since 1937, selling smashed burgers and hand-dipped malts at the counter.
Try: Smashed burger, chili
Tip: Hours rolled back from 24 hours in May 2026 over safety concerns; closes at 20:00 daily now.
Carollo's Italian Grocery on 3rd Street in Kansas City's City Market has run sandwiches and imported groceries since 1989, with Mike Carollo at the counter.
Try: Romano sandwich, Philly steak
Tip: The Romano on house bread is the canonical order; pick up tomatoes from the case before leaving.
Westport Flea Market Bar and Grill on Westport Road serves the 10-ounce burger the Food Network's Meat and Potatoes named the city's best, with a make-your-own condiment bar.
Try: 10-ounce burger
Tip: Condiment bar adds the personal touch; pair with onion rings and a pint of Boulevard.
Vietnam Cafe on Campbell Street in Kansas City's Columbus Park is the pint-size institution that serves the city's most-praised pho, with generous portions and rich broth.
Try: Pho, banh mi
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. The banh mi is the second order; cash works fastest.
Tacos El Gallo on Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City's West Side has run since 2015. Birria tacos and birria pizza are the headlines on a counter-service taqueria menu.
Try: Birria tacos
Tip: Birria pizza is the unique pick; the salsas bar is generous.
Pigwich at City Market in Kansas City's River Market is the sandwich-and-burger counter that began as a butcher shop. The Jalapeno Popper BBQ sandwich is the signature.
Try: Smoked pork sandwich, dry-aged burger
Tip: 6.5-ounce dry-aged beef burger is the second order. Featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
