Restaurant Wanted

Kansas City has some great food options and variety has never been better. However, it seems we have a few gaping holes in our food landscape. Someone please go to the bank, get a loan and open one of these restaurants.

WhiteCastle:  It’s not for everybody, but WhiteCastle is bliss for many and their absence in Kansas City is perplexing. Small square steamed burgers with crinkle cut fries is certainly a proven business model. The WhiteCastle franchise dumped KC in 2001 and had locations at Truman Corners in Grandview and Overland Park. The nearest WhiteCastle is now just 2 hours away in Columbia. Road trip anyone?

Atop the Hyatt Regency/Skies: Did you know that Skies restaurant has been closed since November 2011 and the UFO shaped rotating restaurant on top of the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center is not open to the public? Admittedly that architecture is straight from the 80’s, but the restaurant is part of the KC landscape and an iconic part of our skyline and deserves to be more than the home of free continental breakfast to private VIP business club members.

Lot M at Truman Sports Complex:  Why isn’t there a huge destination restaurant nestled between Kauffman and Arrowhead stadium? Perhaps a beer flowing breastaurant chain, or some kind of red-neck-themed rowdy bar?  The beloved Truman Sports Complex is sacred ground and seems it could be celebrated with a brick and mortar tribute that could serve the 120 annual events at the complex and as a stand alone operation on nights the stadiums are quiet.

Smithville Lake/Paradise Point:  There has been an empty restaurant on the Paradise Point dock on Smithville Lake for several years. I don’t think Smithville residents and lake visitors are expecting the 5-star dock side excellence demonstrated at Marina Grog And Galley in South KC at Lake Lotawana, but anything would be a welcomed addition to this Northland lake community.

BBQ in Liberty:  Other than Dickey’s (and chain BBQ doesn’t count) there isn’t a single BBQ restaurant in the Liberty area. Seriously, nothing. How can an entire region of Kansas City be BBQ-less?

West Bottoms: There is some development in West-bottoms, but progress is painfully slow. The rebirth of The Golden Ox and viable plans for Kemper create optimism. This area has plenty of potential and history that could make a great backdrop for dining and more than just haunted houses, architecture, Kemper arena and The American Royal. Why isn’t there a BBQ restaurant in the West-bottoms?  If you have ever been to the American Royal you know that place has a great vibe when infused with drinks, BBQ and locals.  Pellet Envy is Kansas City’s most famous competition BBQ team and Rod and Sheri Gray have huge respect in Kansas City. We need you, Ron, and we need a monster Pellet Envy BBQ restaurant in the bottoms with a competition BBQ and American Royal vibe that features your BBQ classes and custom BBQ grill sales.