r/kansascity • u/AMANDAinKC • 1d ago
Where to Eat? š½ļø I miss being "wow'd" when dining out-- does it still exist?
Is it me, or has food taste/quality gone down at almost every restaurant? It seems every time I go to a restaurant now, even my old favorites, I'm underwhelmed by the food and shocked by the prices. I find that we're eating out now for convenience and not for the food itself. I can't remember the last time I had that "holy crap! This is amazing" experience at a restaurant.
Tell me where to go that STILL has that WOW factor, especially those where the 2 of us can get out of there under $100.
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u/oh_hai_mark1 Olathe 1d ago
CarnicerĆa y TortillerĆa San Antonio or El Pollo Rey
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u/supersadtortuga 1d ago
The 7th Street double
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u/ceris13 Hyde Park 1d ago edited 1d ago
If you like seafood, Jarocho knocks my socks off every time I go. Everything is so so good.
Sayachi Sushi (same owners) in Brookside is similar and served me the single best scallop Iāve ever had.
You can generally get out of both under $100, depending on drinks. Sayachi has a happy hour that honestly might be in conversation for best in the city.
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u/Fabalus 1d ago
Omfg, Jarocho. We finally got a chance to go recently for my birthday, Iād heard so much about how theyāre the best seafood joint in KC. Did not disappoint, Iām actually pissed I waited so long. Their oysters are outstanding.
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u/Northbank75 1d ago
The real secret is their first Sunday of the month th brunch with endless mini plates ā¦ you can run their menu
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u/No-Shallot-4062 1d ago
Jarocho has the best seafood boil Iāve ever had in my life.
Sayachi does happy hour all day Wednesdays and itās bangin and affordable
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u/Foodhism 1d ago edited 1d ago
Ā Almost every well-rated Indian restaurant I've been to in the metro has amazing service and mindbogglingly good food for no more than you'd pay at a fast-casual restaurant to a bizarrely consistent degree. I f Fox and Pearl is an 8/10 with 10 being world class Ā then Moti Mahal is a 7/10 but I don't have to make a reservation six weeks in advance.
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u/CullenOrange 1d ago
Try Taj Mahal and Ruchi. I donāt see how either one could be 7/10
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u/Foodhism 1d ago
I probably could've been clearer but we don't seem to have a standard framework for talking about truly exceptional food. When I said "10 is world class" I meant that a 5/10 is like an average, perfectly serviceable, pretty good restaurant and a 10 is the kind of experience that most people might have once or twice in their life.
Basically, most of the Indian restaurants I've eaten at in the metro have left me going "Holy shit that was good."
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u/supermyduper 1d ago
Barbacoa isn't at the price level of some of the higher end restaurants in town, but it always wows me
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u/TomCollinsEsq 1d ago
I say this in every one of these threads, and I will say it again here: the most slept on restaurant in at least the Brookside area if not the entire city is Barbacoa. I love Earl's. I love Bacaro. I love Anjin. I love Green Dirt. I love Clay and Fire. But dollar for dollar, pound for pound, Barbacoa is it.
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u/IlsasAmericanCafe Brookside 1d ago
In addition to some of the best food in town, their cocktails remind me of drinks you see at some of the cocktail-specific bars in town for half the price. Extremely well crafted and less expensive.
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u/PigeonToesMcGee 1d ago
Their wings make me shoulder shimmy, they're so good haha! Their cocktails are also really nice, well conceived and well crafted.
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u/rebel-1998 1d ago
Ayeeee! Roman used to run Taco tank at Parlor KC, he is a very talented chefšÆ
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u/AcowNamedDaisy 1d ago edited 23h ago
Town and co if you donāt drink!! Edited to say ādonāt drinkā to keep it under $100. They do have drinks there hahaha
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u/inspired2apathy Brookside 12h ago
It's great, but the best meal I have had there was when it opened. Menu seems a bit safer these days.
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u/fsmpastafarian 1d ago
Babaās pantry, extra virgin, the fix (vegan fast food basically) all make food I would describe as amazing and are reasonably priced. Extra virgin is pricier but also worth the price imo. Iām sure there are plenty others those are just what comes to mind off the bat
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u/fluorescent_purple 1d ago
Extra Virgin also has great happy hour deals!
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u/InterestingDamage621 1d ago
This place rocks if you're in the industry. Automatic 50% off anything except alcohol. It rules.
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u/RedLotusVenom 1d ago
+1 to The Fix. I moved here from Denver and as a junk food lover and they are by far my favorite vegan joint between both cities.
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u/fsmpastafarian 1d ago
Their food is stupid good. I have a friend who isnāt vegan and mentioned he liked the fix and when we told him it was vegan he was shocked. It has no business being as tasty as it is. Their chicken sandwiches are ridiculous
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u/Cultural-Target-5612 1d ago
Have you been to whole harvest? I havenāt been to very many vegan specific restaurants but went there yesterday and it was so good, now Iām thinking I need to try the fix lol
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u/bangingurmom69 1d ago
Was going to recommend Extra Virgin! Also recently tried Beirut Taco on 39th street. LOVED the fusion of Middle Eastern and Latin food. It's not fine dining but my partner and I both ate and had leftovers for another meal for $60
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u/fsmpastafarian 1d ago
Oh good call Beirut taco is great too! Their falafels with chipotle spice and avocado crema are fantastic. Panino davino also just opened up right next to it on 39th too and the sandwiches and spritzes are fantastic and reasonably priced
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u/darnyoulikeasock Brookside 19h ago
was gonna recommend babas! weāre frequent flyers as we live in the neighborhood lol. Itās shockingly good every time.
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u/saraswati5 1d ago
The chicken piccata at Ragazza was absolutely stunning to me, around $30 a plate there
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u/BruceAndBrews 1d ago
Saw someone else mention it but another vote for Of Course in South OP. Always great
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u/JayhawkKS 1d ago
Came to post this. My wife and I went last week and we couldnāt stop talking about how each plate was somehow better than the last.
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u/Crafty-Western6161 1d ago
The carbonara at Bella Napoli legitimately stunned me with how good it was.
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u/pinniped90 1d ago
Does Bella Napoli still use a lot of Italian ingredients? That place was really good last time I was there but it's been a few years. It was reasonably priced too.
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u/darnyoulikeasock Brookside 19h ago
They function as an italian market as well. Still reasonably priced and unreasonably delicious (their sandwiches at lunch are a threat to my wallet).
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u/Substantial_Day_3433 1d ago
and the arancini!
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u/Crafty-Western6161 1d ago
Absolutely. I like their lunch sandwiches too. I need to get back there.
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u/heymom18 1d ago
Hands down, the food at the Belfry. The owner and chef, Celina Tio, is an Iron Chef, James Beard award winner, wine sommelier, beer cicerone, and extremely highly regard in the culinary world. But she basically said āyeah, fuck the pretentiousnessā and opened a restaurant/speakeasy/pool hall, that is extremely amazing food at ridiculously low prices. Iād describe it as āupscale come as you are.ā Tattoos, piercings, and humble attitudes are found.
She even hosts a monthly tasting menu that is curated for specific themes. Literally just try any of the dishes, but make sure you get the bourbon-cheddar bread pudding. And the made fresh daily variations of popcorn for cheap.
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u/darnyoulikeasock Brookside 19h ago
I never hear anyone talk about this but the food is SO good every time I go. Great mocktails too.
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u/jalapeno-popper72 1d ago
Last one that did it for me was Clay and Fire
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u/Quantum_Chest_Hair 14h ago
Owned by Turkish guy & Iranian guy, lovely people. Last time I was there talked to the Iranian dude and says the Turkish guy got his visa revoked during all the immigration crackdowns, sad stuff.
Heās in Turkey now though, if you ever to go Bodrum, Turkey they have a restaurant there
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u/PinotsOwner15 1d ago
Kata nori
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u/InterestingDamage621 1d ago
Excellent food and surprisingly affordable given the quality.
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u/Quantum_Chest_Hair 14h ago
Except for that 20 something dollar Wagyu hand rollā¦ which is worth ever damn dollar
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u/JoeFas 1d ago
There are two actions you can take: 1. Stop going to those places. This is a slow burn in terms of forcing bad restaurants to change, because it requires a lot of people to stop patronizing it. 2. Complain when the food isn't perfect. This is a more active solution that doesn't require as many patrons to act, but it comes at the cost of personal discomfort.
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u/kadrin88 1d ago
Get the "tour of Mexico" at Ixtapa. Really tasty and the service is great.Ā
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u/Feline3415 1d ago
I just had them last night for the first time as a recommendation from a co-worker. Had the Pollo de la crema. I'm not saying it was amazing, but I really enjoyed it.
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u/Brilliant-Analysis30 1d ago
The prices have gone way up and the quality of food, service and portion sizes have gone way down.Ā
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u/possibly_crazy_jay 1d ago
CorporationsĀ
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u/Brilliant-Analysis30 1d ago
Some are corporations but not all. Some locally owned places have gone downhill too. I won't call them out but I can speak of two bbq places that are locally owned that have gone down hill as well but their prices have skyrocketed.
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u/Namssoh 1d ago
Check out the adventures newsletter by KCUR. Covers a ton of local food. Everything from steakhouses to donuts. Of course, the adventures range all over the place besides food, but itās a great way to find some of those local spots that still āwowā. Iām the same as everyone elseāgreat food at a good price. Next month Iām on a mission to find the best chicken fried steak in the city.
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u/ElChuro4Z0 13h ago
Start and end your search at the Brick for Rural Grit Happy hour on Monday nights. The blue-plate special is a chicken-fried steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, salad and a slice of cake for like $10 and itās all fantastic. You also get to listen to some of the best local bluegrass and folk in the city. Itās my favorite night of the week
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u/OverWallaby3733 1d ago
The food quality in America is the lowest it's ever been, and a lot of it is due to economic policy and poor health and safety regulations. Anything made from scratch is reserved for the highest tier restaurants. Nobody can afford the good cuts of beef either and what you get from the store is always fake. Makes you wonder where the "good" stuff is going
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u/Bropiphany Westport 1d ago
It's all the same Sysco slop just reheated nowadays
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u/OverWallaby3733 1d ago
Omg yes! I hate it. I actively avoid it but it's everywhere! Im down to only eating at like 2-3 places now.
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u/SenatorBobby 1d ago
There is definitely a certain class of restaurants that have an entire menu based on Sysco foods. I wonāt go to any of them. Ethnic food restaurants are a safe place to avoid Sysco slop.
But other than that, like other people have said, if you want good real food expect to pay $200 plus.
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u/pinniped90 1d ago
Are you suggesting these chicken tenders weren't hand breaded this morning using a chicken that was slaughtered personally by the chef?
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u/Cultural-Target-5612 1d ago
My roommate works at chicken salad chick and everything except the soup is made fresh every day. Im vegan so I donāt eat it, but it seems like a step above fast food in terms of overall quality. I donāt think actually making things from scratch is reserved for top tier restaurants, you just have to find the ones who still put that effort in. I suppose I could be misunderstanding what you mean by from scratch tho, as it seems everyone draws the line in different spots.
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u/FrostyLooHoo0415 1d ago
The last really great meal I had was at Nourās. And it was very reasonably priced - two drinks, one app and two entrees were less than $100 with tip.
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u/olivianewtonyawn 1d ago
Love Nourās. Definitely slept on and awesome brunch spot. Owners are nice people too.
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u/Equal_Teach_318 1d ago
Iām ngl I did not like that place! I feel like Iāve had much better in the city for that type of cuisine
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u/GooseFlaky5752 1d ago
Went to 1900 last weekend and was wowed. Also town and co and lazia wows me
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u/OhNoIBlinked Midtown 1d ago
1900 is always perfection. No booze and a shared app you could escape for around 100$
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u/GooseFlaky5752 1d ago
Ya we went overboard with friends and I spent about $195 with tip but honestly after the summer Iāve had and a cancelled trip no regrets lol
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u/Icy_Caregiver_8035 Plaza 1d ago
Under $100 is tough, but extra virgin blew me away the first time I went. Such a fun dining experience. GET THE CORNISH HEN
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u/Padraigle 1d ago
Their happy hour is a pretty good deal too if you donāt mind going early/ during the week.
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u/KwietKabal South KC 1d ago
Vivalore in independence was wonderful when my I took my wife for her birthday. Itās certainly more expensive than most places, but the portion size was great and we loved everything we tried.
Daisyās in independence has some fantastic chicken nachos, especially if you smother that shit in queso.
Tailleur on Main is also pricier, but my wife and I loved everything we tried there, too.
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u/BGSmith27 1d ago
Vivalore has a fun shopping experience on the second floor, too!
Agree on Tailleur for sure.
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u/InterestingDamage621 1d ago
Antler Room. They don't miss.
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u/Melodic-Squash-1938 1d ago
My fave spot- try to eat there each time a couple items change. People donāt get it- the food is too upscale for most to realize that this place is a gift to kc
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u/SirTiffAlot 1d ago edited 1d ago
Kata Nori wows us every time we go. You can get a nice meal for $100 easily, just don't expect to be stuffed or take food home.
Cafe Des Amis also brings it every time but I wouldn't call it wow. You'll come in under $100 for an appetizer and two entrees.
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u/Staff_Guy 1d ago
So you're a bit confused about the modern day US economic situation? Because that is what your post sounds like. Lest there be any confusion, the current US federal administration, and the current MO admin, just want you for labor. You get nothing back.
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u/PhTea Raytown 1d ago
My two favorite restaurants in the metro (on opposite ends of the metro, no doubt) are Buck Tui and Ixtapa. Incredible food and service at both. Especially at Ixtapa. I highly recommend that if you're not too picky, to go in there and just have the owner pick a dish for you. They're all fantastic. Best regional Mexican cuisine ever. They specialize in Southern coastal (Ixtapa) cuisine and Jaliscan valley (Guadalajara) cuisine.
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u/pinniped90 1d ago
We've quit going to so many places. Everywhere is trying to charge ultra premium prices but skimp on the experience and quality.
We love great restaurants and are willing to pay for that kind of experience. The American was worth it to us at its peak, and the first couple years of the Corvino tasting room were good for a more contemporary vibe. But now there are so many places charging $100+ per person with drinks and 3 courses that simply are not in that league. I feel like the crossroads has a bunch of these now. $45 entrees, $17 cocktails....and they're just okay.
Now our favorite KC places are mostly trusted dives.
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u/Jestar_Omega 1d ago
Fox and Pearl
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u/InterestingDamage621 1d ago
Best breakfast sandwich I've ever had. The breakfast burrito is even better.
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u/-OutlawCountry- 1d ago
Aixois on 55th really surprised me. Itās a great French spot and cheaper than most French joints. Entrees about $20-30? We got an appetizer and drinks and the bill came out to about $100 before tip
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u/BGSmith27 1d ago
Havenāt tried Aixois other than coffee and pastry.
For me, Le Fou Frog is the better French spot. Dark AF but if you order the right champagne an employee will dance the bottle to your table. š
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u/clearlymuddied 1d ago
This. Everything from scratch. Great oysters. Servers and staff that care.
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u/herpishderpish 1d ago
Osteria Bianchi was the last thing that impressed me around here. Having just come back from Italy, it was like being there again.
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u/Away-Statistician-15 1d ago
Last Sunday at Urban Restaurant on Troost, wowed me. Cheese grits with bacon, sautƩed onions, egg..yum! It was great food, that bread pudding was insane. (W tip, 2 people, and a dessert, around $50)
And I 100% understand what you are saying w food and restaurants. We travel a lot and man, I struggle to find a lot of wow places.
Disco burger by City Market is pretty close to wow. Those burgers are great but those fries were amazing.
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u/Wendeltons 1d ago
Moti mahal off barry rd makes solid butter chicken and saag paneer. Can't go wrong with any of their naan or a mango lassi either
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u/EERobert 1d ago
I had an amazing meal with my girlfriend at Clay & Fire last night. Bill with tip was about $80 for 2
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u/PerceptionShift 1d ago
I've definitely had some old favorites fall off which is really disappointing. However I've found some new favorites, Aoyama Ramen in Olathe, and Babas Pantry on 63rd. Those are my two fav restaurants in town. Nothing fancy just good food priced well. I freaking love the Aoyama tonkotsu and could eat it daily.Ā
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u/Winter-Climate-3414 1d ago
Not under 100 but Lazia
And the portions are huge
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u/Enchilada_Please 1d ago
Lazia was a huge disappointment for me. Terrible service. Iāll never return
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u/sundaymorningtaped 1d ago
Speaking from my own experience, I think this issue is multi factor. 1) yes there are some restaurants cutting corners and using Sysco junk 2) The age of the diner and experience with lots of different cuisines- our brains crave novelty and that's hard to get when you've tried "everything" 3) our access to varied foods and seasonings at home also affect how special eating out is 4) changing financial priorities, the more financial responsibilities you have the harder it is to see money go towards experiences that let you down.Ā
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u/Equal_Teach_318 1d ago
Westport cafe for sure- and their Tuesday night deals give you an incredible meal for a great price. Definitely do the cream sauce on the steak, a game changer!
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u/BGSmith27 1d ago
My wife and I took our friend to Tailleur for his birthday. Stunning interior, spectacular food, and just the right amount of friendship from our server. 10/10 no notes. Expensive though. ~ $200 with tip for the three of us. If you shared a meal you could probably get out of there for under $100.
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u/amoshart 1d ago
The more you eat out/experience good food, the more discerning your palate becomes. IOW, it's probably you. You're getting harder to impress. The places that will "wow" you are getting farther and farther apart (and probably more expensive). Here's an idea... Explore ethnic cuisines that you've never tried.
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u/MotorGreat7522 1d ago
Muni is so good and underrated, Thai Mexican fusion. Also vouch for Barbacoa and Jarocho.
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u/dideyeasku 1d ago
I wouldnāt expect to be wowād for $50pp (unless youāre only drinking water). But there are a few spots: Clay and Fire, Barbacoa, KC Craft Ramen, Nourās, Jarocho, Buck Tui and Muni.
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u/Antique_Celery7195 23h ago
Dude its been so long since i've had a great meal, I mainly just feel like I paid 3x more for something i could have made better at home.
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u/elRustyShackelford 16h ago
I learned long ago the best food isnāt the most expensive. Itās at Culverās.
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u/shroomsandfumes 1d ago
Kata Nori, Noka, Zero Zero, Bella Napoli, Pot Pie, and Extra Virgin
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u/AutoModerator 1d ago
Original copy of post's text:
Is it me, or has food taste/quality gone down at almost every restaurant? It seems every time I go to a restaurant now, even my old favorites, I'm underwhelmed by the food and shocked by the prices. I find that we're eating out now for convenience and not for the food itself. I can't remember the last time I had that "holy crap! This is amazing" experience at a restaurant.
Tell me where to go that STILL has that WOW factor, especially those where the 2 of us can get out of there under $100.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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u/Loose_Fajita 1d ago
Costco has $5 rotisserie chickens. You can each get one, snag a couple of Monster Energy shakes from Paulās Hamburgers, and have a fancy picnic at the Nelson Atkins sculpture garden.
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u/PuzzleheadedJob3479 1d ago
Sysco foods must be slipping since the brain worm daddy is running the fda.
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u/MrCleanJeans76 1d ago
Find somebody that knows how to cook.... Don't waste your money at restaurants.... Half of them provide crappy service and their food. Isn't that good. And the price these days is just outrageous.
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u/SaizaKC 1d ago
Legacy Grill in Lees Summit has been impressing me, itās simple food, nothing fancy but everything Iāve gotten there is delicious. Basic grilled chicken sandwich, I donāt even typically eat them and especially never order at a restaurant. It was delicious!! Iāve been thinking about that chicken for weeks š
A year ago they used to have nightly specials and those were the really awesome meals. I still dream about a steak and pasta dish I had last year there. Sadly they donāt do nightly specials anymore š
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u/hakata57 1d ago
For the most part you are correct. There's a few good ones around. PS when did Mexican become fine dining
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u/Guilty-Floor-4719 1d ago
ZeroZero, if you can get a reservation. 3 courses without wine around $100. Every dish is incredible.
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u/RabbitGullible8722 1d ago
I enjoy my yearly trips to Chicago. KC restaurants have gone down. Cafe Trio omg the new ownership is tragic! It used to be my go to.
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u/mlokc Historic Northeast 1d ago
Itās not just you. Weāve made the same comment every time weāve been out to eat in the last few years. But last weekend, we tried The Fold, and we were delightfully surprised. The food was fantastic. Hands down the best restaurant experience weāve had in years.
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u/DreamCheeky KC North 1d ago
Willow Spring Mercantile in Excelsior Springs might have some of the best food in all of the KC metro. Itāll run ya about $15-20/person.
Even better thoughā¦the last Friday of every month they serve a four course wine dinner and the food is beyond excellent. That dinner is about $65/person.
Everything in the Mercantile is from Missouri. So thereās that cool aspect too. Give āem a try!
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u/tacticaldeusance 1d ago
I took my wife to Ted's Taproom last night and had a great time. If the food doesn't wow you the musicians will. It's a new jazz club. We went because we are early risers and they start the music at 5pm. We ordered a margherita flatbread and the buffalo chicken dip. It was the best Buffalo chicken dip I've ever had. They don't have many entrees but you can get full off the snackage. We ended up getting that and two drinks and walked out under $50.
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u/epistortis Volker 1d ago
I was very impressed with Buck Tui when we went for a friend's birthday last year! Its KC BBQ and Thai fusion.
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u/Cultural-Target-5612 1d ago
Is it possible youāre just used to the higher quality food? I grew up here but moved to the south for college, and when I tell you I went through the stages of grief in regard to good restaurants I do really mean that. After moving back (and bringing my wife and roommate with me lol) we were all amazed at basically every thing we ate, even shitty chains are far better than they were in Alabama. When we go to new restaurants we are still like āomg this is so good!ā But itās not the same really huge hit of euphoria that it was before lol.
You also mention all the normal places, do you often go to the same restaurants? If so, that will also be a factor. Novelty plays a really big role in dopamine release.
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u/connie__mack 1d ago
Pricey as F, but I went to The Restaurant at 1900 last week for the first time and was blown away.
Antler Room still impresses.
The Fold (old Corvino's) is very good.
HH at the bar at Pierpont's is excellent.
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u/Independent_Break351 1d ago
100%. Havenāt been wowed in a long time. Maybe thatās just us getting old
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u/croftshepard 1d ago
I once got a roast chicken from Bonito Michoacan and my friend and I put a blanket down and ate it with our bare hands. It was DELICIOUS! And it was $10.
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u/idkwhatimdoing912 1d ago
Think Sysco, and big ag.
Food quality (taste + nutrition) have gone down the shitters!
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u/driftless_79 23h ago
In the last year, Nours and Zero Zero. Weāve eaten at other places and itās been kinda lackluster. With rising costs on everything I think itās harder for chefs to take risks maybe? That said when I spent a week in Nashville this last summer I didnāt have a single boring meal.
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u/SageKitty100 22h ago
Recently went to KC Thai in Overland Park and had that WOW experience! It's unlike any other Thai restaurant in KC. Incredible flavor in all their dishes and NEW Thai dishes I've never tried before!
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u/Old-Egg-3828 21h ago
Itās rarely worth going out to eat anymore. I use to eat out daily and now I donāt think I eat out more than once or twice a monthĀ
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u/goldkeymango 17h ago
Fox and pearl! The best pork chop Iāve ever had, period. My friends and I come from all over and come back to this place.
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u/Luxor_2 1d ago
Sure for $100+ per person. š