FCS: Best of 2025
The big news in Kansas City in 2025 was the long-awaited opening of the KC Streetcar expansion to UMKC’s campus in October. Since the Main Street extension opened, ridership has more than doubled! PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Published December 30, 2025
The end of any year is a crossroads of sorts.
It’s an intersection. In many ways, it’s a contradiction.
We look backward and forward at the same time. Whether it’s doom-scrolling Instagram recaps, checking our own Spotify Wrapped, or just pausing to think, we are culturally nudged into reflection. But the promise of a new year insists that we also look ahead. This time of year, both the windshield and the rearview mirror demand our gaze.
“The thing all writers do best,” author Alan Dean Foster once wrote, “is find ways to avoid writing.” I am no exception. Capturing what any year means is always a challenge, but 2025 feels especially difficult.
Major life moments happened, as did milestones for this site. For the first time, someone other than me published on disKCovery. The site’s first “Celebrity Guest Hosts”, Hannah Roper and Bill Robbins, each brought fresh, much-needed perspectives. Meanwhile, I spread my wings with a collection of barbeque features for Kansas City Magazine.
But if there was a personal theme to my year? It was Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. While I love to travel, I didn’t expect to leave KC much in 2025, yet it turned into one of my wildest travel years. I visited 21 states, sailed on both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and logged over 3,500 miles on Amtrak; not to mention countless flights and highway miles. (If you follow my Instagram, you may have caught a few snippets of that).
While being an actual tourist took me far and wide, I never lost sight of why I started disKCovery: the drive to never stop being a tourist in this city. That’s why this annual recap, a special edition of Fountain City Superlatives, is so meaningful to me.
A note for readers old and new, this edition differs from other ones of the same vein. The categories and “winners” that you’ll see below reflect my 2025 experience. This isn’t a ranking of the best places in said categories. It’s a list of the best things that were new to me this year. Some may be well-established spots, and others brand new, but all were new to me in 2025.
I am thankful for all who #ReadLocal and I hope this encourages readers to visit these spots, or uncover your own local gems. However, this is one article that I write largely for myself. While many track their top songs or viral moments, I take this time to recall what set this year in Kansas City apart from those that came before.
Those who have been here before will notice some familiar favorite categories, a few that are missing, and a few new ones. That’s the whole point. This article is framed by the year that was. In 2025, BBQ, burgers, and tenderloins drove much of the conversation on this page, and left their mark on this recap.
After introducing it last year, I decided that I will continue to highlight the city’s “Biggest Loss” (a business or institution that we lost), and I’ve added a “Best New Place” category to spotlight a place that was new to all of Kansas City, not just me.
So, here we go. My 2025 in Kansas City awaits.
Varsity Club’s signature cocktail, The Bangarang, is unique in that the customer chooses the spirit. This writer strongly suggests gin. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Bar - Varsity Club
319 Delaware Street, Kansas City, Missouri
As someone who frequents the River Market, I was aware of Varsity Club almost as soon as it opened in the summer of 2024. After a perfect storm of failed attempts to check it out, I finally made it there at the beginning of this year. You know that place between sleep and awake? That place where you still remember dreaming? That is where the Varsity Club lies waiting. Tucked into a cozy basement, it’s a beautiful space with exposed stone, wood accents, and a mid-century modern flair. If a tweed blazer with jeans were a bar, this is it. It’s classic and smart, but decidedly casual and modern too. It’s a place where you can get a yard beer or a perfectly poured Guinness. Throwback cocktails like Old Fashioneds and Negronis are made new again. House cocktails add a modern flair. More than any other, Varsity hangs their hat on the Bangarang. A pear-citrus highball with a sprig of mint, The Bangarang is unique in that the drinker selects the spirit. And still for all the pomp and circumstance, the signature cocktail is served in a red plastic cup. During Happy Hour, it’s 25% off.* Speaking of Happy Hours, they have a great one. If The Bangarang or one of their other cocktails doesn’t strike your fancy, throw it back with an Old Style and a shot of whiskey for only $6. Good form indeed.
Worth A Mention: Hank’s Garage and Grill
The KC Wild Plate at Ate1Six is enough to feed a few. The mustard-sauce glazed babyback ribs are among the metro’s elite. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Barbeque Spot - ATE 1 SIX BBQ
505 E. Walnut Street, Raymore, Missouri
There are plenty of people who swear the best barbeque in Kansas City is found inside a gas station, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when one of my newest BBQ obsessions was attached to one. Tucked beside the Freedom Stop on Highway 58, Ate1Six BBQ has quickly evolved from a food truck into a Raymore favorite where locals can expect hefty portions of quality smoked meats. The brisket is deeply smoked, dry-style, and incredibly juicy. This is some of the best non-craft brisket to be found in the entire metro. The same holds true for the babyback ribs which were rich, tender, and served “wet” with a generous slather of the mustard-based barbeque sauce. Unusual for this part of the country, the sweet and smoky mustard-based sauce is the only one offered. The pulled pork is all that it should be. Sensational sides like their cozy, flavorful mac ‘n cheese, and their one-of-a-kind, meat-packed cowboy beans make any meal truly special. One slice of Ate1Six brisket or one of their perfect rib bones would be enough to nourish the body and soul, but when a local business steps up for their community, as Ate1Six did during the SNAP crisis, that makes for the rare kind of meal that also feeds the heart.
Worth A Mention: Judy’s Q
No matter which breakfast plate you opt for at Rae’s, it’s all about the fried potatoes and onions. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Breakfast / Brunch Spot - Rae’s Cafe
2411 Route 291 J, Independence, Missouri
I love breakfast food. I love pork tenderloins. Before this year, it never occurred to me that you could combine the two. Rae’s Cafe opened my eyes with their breakfast tenderloin, which also earned a spot among my best in Kansas City. But Rae’s is so much more than one standout dish. Their hearty breakfast plates deliver across the board! The Chicken and Waffles, house-breaded bone-in fried chicken atop a hot, buttery Belgian waffle, is a particular favorite. It’s no surprise that this massive diner stays packed on weekends. While I haven’t found a wrong order yet, no meal feels complete without the fried potatoes and onions alongside one of their scrumptious homemade cinnamon rolls.
Worth A Mention: Dagwood’s Cafe
A spot for coastal IPAs, even the stouts and lagers at Discourse Brewing are likely to have a hoppy edge. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Brewery - Discourse Brewing
7211 W. 97th Street, Overland Park, Kansas
While I do love beer, it was barbeque that first got me through the doors of Discourse Brewing, thanks to long-time favorite Point & Flat BBQ popping up twice a week there. What kept me coming back was everything else: the beautiful tap room, ample parking, great patio, and of course, a strong lineup of beers. It’s no accident the logo features two rabbits hoisting a giant hop; these beers lean decidedly hop-forward. A mix of West Coast and New England Style IPAs anchor the menu, with a few sours and stouts sprinkled in. Even the easiest drinkers on the menu possess a hoppy edge. A great brewery for any beer lover but if your beer tastes skew especially coastal, then Discourse is very much your kind of place.
Worth A Mention: Rock Creek Brewing
There’s an extensive line-up of specialty burgers at Governor Stumpy’s, but the Frisco Burger remains my favorite. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Burger - Governor Stumpy’s Grill House
321 E. Gregory Boulevard, Kansas City, Missouri
“If this is your first time,” the server at Governor Stumpy’s Grill House asked me, “where the hell have you been for 28 years?” If that story sounds familiar, I want to thank you for reading my 2025 list of Kansas City’s best burgers. How this spot evaded me for so long, remains a mystery. As someone who loves a good bar, loves a good burger, and has spent my fair share of time in Brookside, it’s a shame that it took so long for me to encounter the Governor and what makes it so special. But, it’s like they say, “Better late than never.” What makes Governor Stumpy’s stand out is the line-up of delicious specialty burgers that whose options feel cutting edge, while possessing a comfort and flavor that feels familiar and even nostalgic. It took me 13 years to discover this fantastic burger for myself. Luckily, it took me only 13 days to give it another go.
Worth A Mention: Mason Jar Brews and Burgers
While Le Donuts & Coffee does a lot of things well, the fritters and pinecones stand shoulders above the rest. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Donuts - Le Donuts & Coffee
Multiple Locations
When Kearney’s Slivinski’s Bakery closed at the end of last year, I was heartbroken. I had finally made it up north to check it out in 2024, and a pair of visits is all I got before it was gone. So when I first heard of Le Donuts & Coffee, it was because they had taken over the abandoned Kearney store. I foolishly assumed it was a new venture, not realizing that it was an expansion. Raytown had been quietly keeping the secret for years. Now growing to three locations, including Waldo, Le Donuts is a fantastic spot for donuts, pastries, coffee, and boba. The best thing on the menu is the apple fritter, which lands with a thud! Crispy, caramelized edges, fluffy innards, apple chunks bursting with flavor, and a sinfully sweet, chippy glaze define this treat. The cinnamon pinecone is massive, buttery, and similarly shatters under the glaze. The old fashioned and cake donuts are a solid choice, but this is a yeast donut place first, and that’s were Le Donuts is le magnifique.
Worth A Mention: Rochester Brewing & Roasting Company
It took a concerted effort to finally be in the same place as Smoke ‘n’ Seoul, but it was well worth it! PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Food Truck - Smoke ‘n’ Seoul
Gardner, Kansas
If we’re being honest, Smoke ‘n’ Seoul has been on my radar for some time, we just never seemed to be in the same place. That’s the thing about food trucks. The dandelion-colored food truck has gained a fervent following for it’s bold fusion of Kansas City barbeque and Korean street food. While more traditional Korean offerings, like the gochujang honey wings shine, it’s the barbeque mashups where Smoke ‘n’ Seoul really stands out. The kimchi (a fermented cabbage staple of Korean fare with a crunchy, tangy bite) puts dishes like the Kimchi-Q Pork Sandwich and the K-Mac over the top. Light enough to cut through rich smoked meats but bold enough to command attention, the kimchi elevates each and every bite. This is Kansas City barbeque like you’ve never tasted it before.
Worth A Mention: Disco Burger AND Kansas City Smoked
An Armourdale landmark, I’m ashamed it took me so long to finally venture into El Pollo Rey. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best International Fare - El Pollo Rey
901 Kansas Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas
I can’t tell you why it took so long. Honestly, I’m a bit embarrassed to admit it. I’d driven by countless times, always catching a whiff of that smoke. Yet, 2025 was finally the year I walked into the red barn in KCK that is El Pollo Rey. Everything here is efficient and simple. Even the name, translated to “The Chicken King” says it all. While you wait, the source of that smoke (which incredibly all stays outdoors), a wood-fired grill stacked with spatchcocked chickens stretches for, what feels like, a city block. When it’s your turn, the menu is clear: half chicken, whole chicken, or buffalo wings, served with white corn tortillas, charro beans, and pickled red onions. And in the blink of an eye, the tray with your order appears as quickly as you can pay for it. As for the namesake chicken? Perfect. Deeply seasoned, impossibly juicy, with crispy amber skin and charred bits begging to be picked at, this is as good as grilled chicken gets. The only real decision to be made is what flavor of Jarritos to wash it down with. El Pollo Rey is simple, affordable, and most of all, exceptional.
Worth A Mention: La Bodega
So much more than a museum, North KC’s Rabbit hOle is a completely immersive, children’s literature experience. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Museum - The Rabbit hOle
919 E. 14th Avenue, North Kansas City, Missouri
Just north of the Kit Bond Bridge on I-35, a trio of pink neon bunnies light up the night sky. Below them sits The Rabbit hOle. So much more than museum, The Rabbit hOle is a massive, immersive space of wonder inspired by children’s literature. On our first visit, my five-year-old niece sang, “Follow the footsteps! Follow the footsteps!” as we made our way down the sidewalk. And while those “footsteps” were in fact, spray painted carrots, I am not one to disrupt such a catchy tune, and The Rabbit hOle is the last place to dissuade an active imagination. Within, a subterranean labyrinth opens to worlds from Madeline, Goodnight Moon, Little Golden Books, and so many more. An animatronic Stinky Cheese Man darts across the ceiling. Robert the Rose Horse stands guard. The Big Bad Wolf perpetually fails to blow down the brick house, and Richard Scarry’s miniaturized world awaits exploration. Here, childlike imagination reigns. Stories of our childhood come alive both for us, and a new generation. And every visit is a chance to add a chapter to our own story. The look on any child’s face in this place is enough to remind us why we loved these tales so much to begin with.
Worth A Mention: None
There’s a lot of great pizzas at Jimmy B’s, but Jimmy put his name on this one for a reason. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Pizza - Jimmy B’s Pizza & Wings (at River Bluff Brewing)
201 Main Street, Suite 101, Kansas City, Missouri
I didn’t think it could ever get better than a pint of Goldlion at River Bluff Brewing. But then, they improved upon perfection by brining in beer’s natural sidekick - pizza! Introduced earlier this year, Jimmy B’s Pizza serves Chicago Tavern and Detroit-style pies, wings, and salads from a window just past the end of the bar. Ordered on a pay-first pager system, the pizzas are like M&M bags: they’re sharing size, but that doesn’t mean you have to. The medium Detroit-style pies are airy, spongy, with ideal crispy edges. The Chicago Tavern pies have the thin, cracker-like crust you hope for. While they have a wide selection, the namesake Jimmy B Special is my preference. Loaded with pepperoni, spicy pepperoni, bacon, and banana peppers, over freckled, melted mozzarella, the Jimmy B is inspired. Local beers paired with the pizzas of nearby Midwest cities? That sounds like heaven, or at least as close as you can get in Kansas City.
Worth A Mention: Long-Bell Pizza Co. AND Price Rite Market & Deli
It only took two decades, but this was one targeted ad that Facebook got very, very right. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Sandwich Spot - Price Rite Market & Deli - KC “The Little Store”
6400 NW Waukomis Drive, Kansas City, Missouri
One doesn’t simply happen upon Kansas City’s “Little Store”. You go to Price Rite Market & Deli because someone cared enough to point the way. For me, that someone was Facebook. Sure, it only took 20 years of loyal use, but finally, the algorithm got a targeted ad right. One picture of their Thursday special, that glorious Chicken Parmesan sub, and I knew it was meant to be. Served on a toasted sesame hoagie, the tender, juicy chicken is wrapped in soft, lightly crisped Italian breadcrumbs, topped with melted mozzarella and a sweet-savory marinara. Every bite balances crispy edges with a pillowy center; it’s the kind of sandwich that Shaggy Rogers or Dagwood Bumstead would dream about. Sandwiches like the meatball sub, pork tenderloin, and Italian steak similarly impress. Perfectly baked, gooey strombolis and New York style pizza slices meet the mark. Fast, friendly, carryout service, and the incredible value of a canned soda and bag of Lay’s with each meal, only adds to the charm and the value. And if you understandably can’t wait to attack that Chicken Parm, or any other Price Rite item, there’s a patio conveniently located outdoors for dining.
Worth A Mention: Ding Dong Dogs^
UMKC chose to finally wrap a Streetcar at the exact moment that the Streetcar was an option for its students. Coincidence? Obviously not. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best Streetcar Wrap - UMKC Roo Up!
Kansas City, Missouri
I was driving to work in November when the KC Streetcar caught my eye. The LED header no longer read “River Market” or “Union Station”. It said, “UMKC”. After nine years without change, the KC Streetcar opened the long-awaited Main Street extension in October, doubling both its reach and ridership.
Picking the blue and gold of the UMKC Roos as my Best Streetcar Wrap of 2025 may seem controversial. Sure the Pink Pony Express that greeted the Midwest Princess was amazing. The Art in the Loop and Kansas City Current wraps were awesome. But, Roo Up! was my favorite. Not just for its design but more so for what it represents: the first time the Streetcar connected UMKC to downtown. For me, that progress makes it the standout wrap of 2025.
Worth A Mention: Pink Pony Express AND Art in the Loop’s Interplanetary Joyride
Best (Pork) Tenderloin - Jose’s Cafe (Rooster’s Steakhouse)
900 N. Commercial Street, Harrisonville, Missouri
The only surprise about Jose’s Cafe taking this particular crown is that it took me until 2025 to experience the greatness of the metro’s best tenderloin sandwich. The hype had always been there. The reputation had spread far and wide. Yet, ashamedly, it took me until this year to dig in to this remarkable sandwich. Sure, Harrisonville is a bit off the beaten path for most of Kansas City, but this is a pork tenderloin that is worth any drive. Well-seasoned, crunchy, flavorful, and tender, this breaded behemoth is a pure delight. This is one category where my best of 2025 also happens to be the very best in Kansas City.
Worth A Mention: Kross Lounge & Restaurant
Like many, I fell in love with craft beer and with Kansas City microbreweries at Big Rip Brewing in Northtown. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Biggest Loss - Big Rip Brewing Company
216 E. 9th Avenue, North Kansas City, Missouri
It’s hard to imagine but it wasn’t all that long ago that craft breweries were a novelty. There wasn’t one in every district. The concept of a place serving only beers that they made was exciting and new. A pint of Hefe the Killer pulled me in. A follow-up of Hathor’s Sweet Brown Ale sealed it. Not only did I fall in love with Big Rip Brewing Company in 2013, I fell in love with the entire notion of local craft beer. I wasn’t alone.
For many, Big Rip Brewing was where that love began. The tiny Northtown brewery became the metro’s first true craft brew pub, and became the rock on which the current brewery scene was built. So, when Big Rip suddenly announced its closure in July, it felt like a gut punch. This wasn’t just a great brewery or a welcoming neighborhood spot, it was the place that taught many of us how to love beer, and even how to love Kansas City, in the first place.
Worth A Mention: Bizz & Weezy Confections, Brady & Fox, Corvino Supper Club, d’Bronx Pizza, Gino’s Italiano, RC’s Chicken, AND Slivinski’s Bakery
If the goal was to have a unique dish that would get patrons in the door, the Spam Fries at Hank’s Garage definitely did the trick. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Best New Place - Hank’s Garage and Grill
5801 Nieman Road, Shawnee, Kansas
As of late, 1587 Prime has generated much of the social media buzz among Fountain City foodies. But, prior to that, all the chatter in 2025 was about Hank’s Garage and Grill. This concept from the owners of King G and Jim’s Alley Bar transformed an auto shop into a lively neighborhood hangout. Much like the space itself, everything about the Hank’s Garage line-up is elevated blue collar, fusing classic bar fare with creative chef-driven spins. The menu balances the likes of diner-era smashburgers and gulf shore shrimp po’boys with playful twists like the Spam Fries: a loaf of SPAM that is julienned, deep fried, and served in an empty SPAM container, with a side of house-made banana ketchup. In addition to the menu, there’s a line-up of well-built cocktails, craft draft beers, and ice-cold yard beers that proves casual and high-quality can coexist.
Worth A Mention: Jimmy B’s Pizza & Wings AND Cosmo Burger - Crossroads
Soon enough, Lionel Messi could return to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Argentina’s FIFA World Cup title defense begins in Kansas City next summer. PHOTO CREDIT - disKCovery
Contrary to Fight Club, the first rule of CrossFit is you must tell everyone about CrossFit. Likewise, St. Louisans feel an urge to tell anyone who will listen that in 1904, their city hosted the Olympics and the World’s Fair. Sure, there grandparents weren’t born yet, but they’ll brag on it anyway.
As much as I joke, and as fun as it is to fit one last playful jab at little brother into 2025 (because that is one of the primary rules of being a Kansas Citian), there is a reason they still talk about 1904 in St. Louis: it WAS a big deal! And next year, Kansas City will have that same brand of “big deal”.
“The end of a year is an intersection that reminds us to look back but also demands that we look ahead. Truth be told, we have been looking forward to 2026 for some time ...”
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Arrowhead! Six games, starting with Argentina’s title defense and ending with a quarterfinal, will thrust our city on to the world stage. This isn’t once-in-a-generation or once-in-a-lifetime, this is a once in the lifetime of a city ordeal. 121 years from now, our great-grandchildren will brag about this.
The end of a year is an intersection that reminds us to look back but also demands that we look ahead. Truth be told, we have been looking forward to 2026 for some time. For over a decade, our city has been having a moment. We’ve had an incredible run, and yet all those things were just appetizer. 2026 is the main course.
This past year, I left Kansas City to travel across the nation. Next year, the rest of the nation, and world, comes here to see the biggest names in the world’s game compete in the largest FIFA World Cup to date.
Knowing that, we have an obligation to not just tell future Kansas Citians about what took place in the summer of 2026, but we have a duty to make these visitors remember Kansas City.
I have been to a lot of places over the years, and in many cases, I only garnered an appreciation for them because I had a local to show me how to experience the place they call home like a local. It took someone with an intimate knowledge of the place to allow me to appreciate its greatness and beauty.
Over the next several months, this will be disKCovery’s focus: creating a variety of articles and resources that allow all visitors who #ReadLocal to maximize their time in our city.
I want to make sure that all who come to this place, have what they need to navigate and experience this wonderful city fully. From now until the final whistle of that quarterfinal, that has to be disKCovery’s mission.
I love Kansas City. In 2026, we all have a chance to make the world fall in love with her too.
With all due apologies to any, much more highly-publicized local romances, this is the pivotal love story of this Kansas City era, and all those to come.
Those Pesky Endnotes That I Often Insist Upon…
* Typically, “Best Happy Hour” is a category but Varsity would have won that too. The same goes for “Best Cocktail Spot”. Also, while you’re there, check out the permanently-parked Disco Burger truck on the back patio. Which, you guessed it, would have been a strong candidate for “Best Burger”.
^ Yes, a hot dog is ABSOLUTELY a sandwich.
Thank you for your support in 2025. The readership, social engagement, support, and encouragement are never taken for granted. I look forward to sharing 2026 with all of you, as I am sure this region will be talking about the coming year for decades to come. Happy New Year!
