Food Recipes: Best Restaurants in Overland Park, Kansas | KCUR

Overland Park has one of the most diverse food scenes in Kansas, with a little something for everyone, says Johnson County Post reporter Lucie Krisman.

“You can obviously find a lot of American food and barbecue, but in other little pockets of Overland Park you can find a lot of Thai, Indian, Korean or even Ethiopian cuisine,” Krisman told Up To Date on Friday.

KCUR contributor Xiao daCunha recommends a visit to ABC Cafe, known for serving dim sum, a traditional Chinese meal of small plates to share for brunch. Just be sure to make a reservation or call ahead on weekends if you have a large group.

“Their menu is in Chinese and English – they are bilingual – so there should be no difficulty for anyone wanting to explore,” she says.

daCunha suggests starting with the Sticky Rice Lotus Leaf and Xiao Long Bao, a small steamed soup dumpling traditionally prepared in a steaming bamboo basket.

Below, Krisman, daCunha and our listeners share the best places in Overland Park to grab a bite to eat.

XiaodaCunha:

• KC Craft Ramen is known for its delicious broth and made-from-scratch ramen. It also regularly hosts pop-up events where Japanese chefs fly in to take over the weekend menu. Additionally, the store has a huge retail aisle filled with Asian sodas, snacks, and anime merchandise.

• Fox & Hound has delicious food (and plenty of pool tables for everyone). The Cheesy Guinness Onion Soup and the Beer Battered Fish and Chips are must-haves. It’s also a great place to watch sports games and hang out with your gang.

• ABC Café is the best place in Kansas City for authentic dim sum and homemade Chinese food. Try the Xiao Long Bao and Lotus Leaf Sticky Rice, as mentioned in KCUR’s Kansas City Dim Sum Guide. The squid with XO sauce is a heavenly starter.

• Choga Korean Restaurant is a go-to spot for all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ without the extra charges you sometimes see at chain restaurants. Their standard fare of $32.95 includes 12 meat and seafood options. The restaurant also offers delicious traditional Korean soups.

• SERV, a brand new entertainment district, offers music, cocktails and great bites. The space includes six indoor and two outdoor pickleball courts, as well as five street food-inspired restaurant concepts. Think of it as the Iron District of Overland Park.

• Tout les Jours, a local bakery, offers more than 150 items on its menu. All cakes have an elegant and delicate flavor profile, perfect for afternoon tea or special occasions, especially if you prefer sweets that aren’t too sweet.

• K-Street Hot Dogs on Metcalf Avenue is an authentic Korean corn dog restaurant with fun and creative recipes. The hot dog with potatoes, mozzarella and cheese is a must if you’re craving a guilty pleasure.

Lucy Krisman:

• Mud Pie Vegan Bakery and Coffee opened in 2011 and is 100% plant-based. They offer daily and seasonal specials, and I particularly like their espresso chip muffin and house chai. Mud Pie also offers several gluten-free options.

• Lemongrass Thai Cuisine is family-owned and serves curries, noodles and other classic Thai dishes. I love their rainbow noodles, which come with a pile of vegetables topped with bean sprouts and cilantro in Panang sauce.

• Upper Crust Pie Bakery is for lovers of delicious treats like me. My family loves ordering pies for the holidays and they are always a hit. Upper Crust cookies are also top notch.
• The Brass Onion, located in the Prairiefire Entertainment District, is a great place to enjoy Southern comfort food. I’m a fan of their brunch, especially Mr. B’s Chicken + Waffle with maple butter, chicken gravy and warm honey glaze.

• Mr. Gyro’s Greek Food and Pastry has a handful of locations in Johnson County, including two in Overland Park. They offer standard Greek-American dishes including wraps, salads, and plates. The food is fresh, delicious and full of flavor.

• Wood-fired steaks and seafood J. Gilbert’s has a fine dining atmosphere and serves USDA Prime Black Angus beef cooked on an open wood fire grill. It’s rather chic but the atmosphere is still quite relaxed. The starters and side dishes are not to be missed.

Auditor Recommendations:

• Yafa Mediterranean Cuisinee, located at 135th Street and Switzer Road, is a family-owned business run by Palestinian immigrants. The chicken shawarma is ridiculous and the baba ghanouj is divine.

• Ricco’s Italian Bistro has a warm and cozy atmosphere and serves hearty dishes. The blue cheese crusted filet is always cooked to perfection and one listener loves the chicken limonata. The lemon and white wine sauce is also superb.

• Red Kitchen KC is the perfect new addition to downtown Overland Park. They serve the best breakfast burritos as well as authentic Mexican breakfasts and lunches. Always fresh and always prepared by Alejandra with love.

• Ethiopian restaurant Abol, formerly called Elsa’s and now under new ownership, is still going strong. One listener reports that what to get is beef tibs sautéed with rosemary, garlic, tomatoes, onions and jalapeños. It comes with two sides and injera, a pancake-like flatbread.

• Craft Putt is best known for being an indoor mini golf course, but their food is the bomb! The garlic cheese curds are amazing, as are the poutine and smash burger, says one listener.

• Strang Hall is a modern dining hall with a lovely outdoor patio and cocktail bar. There are six different restaurants you can order from, including Southeast Asian, Italian, and Mexican cuisines.

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