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    Kitty's Cafe

    4.5 (193 reviews)
    InexpensiveSandwiches, American
    Closed Closed

    Kitty's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    KITTY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - Kitty's Cafe

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    Tenderloin lettuce onion hot sauce! Mmmm the search is over! The Best Tenderloin!!
    K K.

    Drove by this place for about 3 months before I finally stopped.... And the best part was they were not open until the week I chose to stop!!Small little spot but it isn't small in food or service! Chef's Kiss! Food, Service! The best tenderloin ever!! A must for anyone in the Kansas City area!!

    Josh P.

    I read about this place on atlas obscura and was surprised its been around since the 50s and my in-laws who live in KCK have never heard of it. We went on a Friday around lunchtime and it was pretty busy. My fiance wanted to try the cheeseburger and I had to have the famed pork tenderloin sandwich. The wait was about 30 minutes and it is CASH ONLY so as long as you're prepared, neither is an issue. The pork tenderloin sandwich and the hot sauce on it were great and I'd love to have another. The cheeseburger wasn't bad but seemed pretty similar to Sonic or a run of the mill fast food cheeseburger. I had to have a mexican coke with it and it made for the perfect combo. Overall, a good visit.

    Tenderloin sandwich
    Natalie Z.

    My partner and I swung by Kitty's to grab a quick lunch to eat on the Nelson-Atkins lawn before making the trek back to Bentonville. We knew this place was no-frills and cash only, so we came prepared. We got the famous pork tenderloin sandwich, a cheeseburger, and fries. There's no dining room or much of a waiting area, so we waited approximately 10-15 minutes outside. I was impressed by how well the pork tenderloin sandwich held up, because it took another 15-20 minutes to find free street parking by the Nelson. The tenderloin was amazingly crispy, and paired well with the hot sauce and fixings. Admittedly, we had eaten so much BBQ the past few days of our trip that I was not able to thoroughly enjoy it. As for the burger, it was fine--it tasted like your average, greasy spoon diner burger (we regretted not getting the catfish sandwich instead). The fries were standard, crinkle-cut fries that were nice and hot out of the fryer, but needed just a little bit of salt. I would still recommend this to folks visiting KC who want an affordable, tasty bite.

    What a perfect number! I brought my coffee.
    Dustin E.

    Believe the hype. This is the best pork tenderloin sandwich I've ever had. The fries were amazing too! The service was friendly. The cashier told us it would be about a 30-minute wait for our food. Soon after, she was telling people 45 minutes. Their delivery truck hadn't come and they were out of tots, fries, bacon and something else. No matter. People took it in stride. They were not there for any of those things. It's all about the hand-breaded tenderloin. They have pork, chicken and catfish. We also tried a cheeseburger, which was excellent. If I wanted a meal, I'd get a double or triple cheeseburger. A single is more of a snack. It seems like a melting pot there. We met and talked to folks from all over the metro while we were waiting. We drove in from Lee's Summit for lunch on a Friday. Prolly 60% of us were first timers. The veterans just smiled at us. They knew what goodness lay ahead. I won't have a tenderloin anywhere else. It won't be as good. I'm ruined.

    Pork tenderloin sandwich
    Dat T.

    Went to Kitty's awhile back when it reopened. Super nice people working, very understanding with the long line because of the reopening. They gave me an estimated 1 hour wait for their pork tenderloin sandwich. I left and ran some errands and came back after an hour, so roughly accurate wait time. I expect that now the wait is a lot less. Pork tenderloin sandwich itself was solid. Very crispy, pork itself wasn't too thick. Tasted fresh, with good toppings. For what it was, I think it surpassed my expectations. I'd say the sandwich is a little bit dry for my personal taste, but overall it's a classic. For the price, I do think it's a little expensive, but where else can you get a pork tenderloin sandwich? Kitty's cafe itself doesn't have any real seating area. It's basically a walk in and order at the counter place. Expect to take your food to go. Overall, 4/5, and I'd probably return if I ever was craving another pork sandwich.

    Annie B.

    Finally got my hands on the famous pork tenderloin sandwich from Kitty's Cafe. And no, there are no cats there. The sandwich was delicious and crispy with hot sauce being the only condiment - which really allows you to focus on the flavor of the sandwich. + it was NOT greasy! I would definitely come back and try the catfish next time! Make some time to go check out this Kansas City classic! CASH ONLY!

    Lou K.

    Delicious classic Kansas City food. I have been waiting to try the famous Kitty's Cafe for a long time and was so excited to finally get to taste the tenderloin sandwich. This long anticipated sandwich did not let me down. It was more than just a tasty greasy sandwich. It filled my soul with joy. After parking on the street and a swift walk to the door, it was so packed we had to wait outside for a couple of minutes before ordering. While ordering we were notified that the wait would be about 30 min. We had time so we enjoyed the nice weather on the patio and walked over to the surrounding small businesses. There is no seating inside but there is a big covering outside. The food was ready almost exactly 30 minutes later. The pork tenderloin had a tasty spicy sauce on it which I loved. The cheesebuger was delicious but I should have opted for a double or triple. Overall worth the wait!!

    Menu
    Lauren A.

    I was impressed and I will be back. You The prices were very affordable which is a plus during a time when everyone seems to be overpricing things including food. I ordered the breakfast sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich. Beware, it comes with Mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, and onion. I had it all removed and added bacon. Very good! Took about 10 minutes. So, very quick. In terms of ambiance, there isn't much. I mean the ceiling is cute and the place is clean. That's enough. This is a grab and go spot. No sitting and staying

    Steven F.

    Kitty's is an interesting place and a little tricky to find. We had the address and drove by it before realizing it. It is a very small place, carry out only. They key is to find the door. They focus on tenderloin sandwiches and burgers. They also have fries. We got the tenderloin sandwich. For the money it is a big sandwich. Loaded with battered pork tenderloin. Battered versus breaded. It was juicy and tender. All around good taste. However, with the meat being battered and given the thickness of the tenderloin it made for several layers of batter with several layers of tenderloin - the ratio of batter to meat was higher than I liked, which is why I only gave it 4 stars. With that said, it is a good sandwich and a good experience. You should give it a try, keeping in mind it is carry out only.

    Chicken Tenderloin

    Oh. My. GOODNESS. This place's location is a little sketchy but the food is we will definitely be going back! The sandwich packs a punch. So worth it

    Tenderloin
    Mary M.

    Closed for Renovations right now (May 2024) Always outstanding! Tenderloin of legend and lives up to the hype! Cash only!

    fun decorations inside too!
    Claire F.

    Quintessential hole-in-the-wall place! How did I find out about Kitty's? I was in class one day, looking at food places that were nearby and stumbled across Kitty's. I was confused as to how I live nearby but had never seen nor heard about it - yet there were so many reviews that were raving about it. So, I had to check it out! Why I would rate it 4 stars - given the location, there's basically no parking (good luck with street parking). It's also pretty small so you can't sit in - this is a takeout place. So it got pretty crowded and took a while for food to come out. However, service was nice, food is CHEAP, and you get a decent amount for how much you're paying! The tenderloin sandwich was FILLING and so good. It also definitely knocked me out for a good chunk of the afternoon, lol! If you're in the mood for a tenderloin sandwich, or a burger, I'd recommend trying this place out - it might become your new go-to!!

    Yesenia M.

    Double Cheeseburger-I can't believe I've been living in KC this long and had not tried this place. I ordered a double cheeseburger and tater tots and man...it was amazing. Can't wait to go back and try their famous pork tenderloin. FYI-it's cash only.

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    4 months ago

    great food! great service! love the tenderloin! great food! great service! love the tenderloin!

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    2 years ago

    The food is out of this world! Best pork tenderloin EVER. Well worth the wait. Just go and get it!

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    Incredible service and great food every time I have gone. Wonderful burgers and great tenderloins.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Kitty's Cafe

    Is Kitty's Cafe open now?

    Yes!

    Are they cash only?

    Yes

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    Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches - Blue Blaze

    Bay Boy Specialty Sandwiches

    4.8(474 reviews)
    2.4 miWest Plaza, Country Club Plaza
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    As a general rule, I stay away from crowded areas like the Plaza and Westport, but I really wanted…read moreto try this place out. As luck would have it, I had to run an errand near the area and my decision was made. First off, the entrance isn't where you'd think it would be. The order window was closed and I noticed people going up to the deck to get in, so up I headed. The place was actually spacious and comfortable, it has a Caribbean vibe to it. After much consternation, I figured I'd make it tough on them and opted for the Reuben. As some somebody who has had many Reubens at the place where they were invented, Omaha's Blackstone Hotel, I can be a tough judge. This is definitely the best place to get one in KC, so I know that I'll be back for more. I even liked the bread that they used, it set it apart from other sammiches. And the service was great, so I'll be back.

    Always enjoed visiting here to try out speciality sandwich. The server/counter folks were patient…read moreto answer all my questions and offer replacement to ingredients i did not want to include on my sandwich. The wait even too so long I got a extra cookie to help with the longer times. It was awesome! Entering the space on weekday is preferable for those who do not want to have a lot of noise when eating dinner. On saturday during peak lunch the spot can get pretty busy but somehow never packed. They even have a fun merch corner if you fee like reppin som delicious dough. Will return soon if not atleast a couple times before the end of the summer.

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    Retro gaming in the dining area

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    The Lunch Box - KC Cheesesteak Combo

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    4.5(189 reviews)
    2.9 mi
    $

    I've been a lunch box consumer for the last 6 years. When I first graduated highschool and got my…read morefirst construction job the guys introduced me for the first time, I was broke had almost no money and I could come here and get a giant $8 grande burrito and a water and it would last me all day. This place got me through some hard times lol and the best bang for your buck both with quality and quantity. Perfect place for a big guy like me and I've never had a bad meal here EVER! Also try the train wreck! It's the shizzz

    The first thing that stood out to me about The Lunch Box was the prices. It's a little…read morehole-in-the-wall sandwich shop with old-school charm, and it's hard to beat how affordable everything is nowadays. The service was great as well. Everyone was friendly, welcoming, and our food came out quickly. I ordered a turkey club while my dad got one as well, and unfortunately we both had the same issue. The turkey was on the dry side, and it was sliced much thicker than I personally prefer. I tend to like a thinner deli-style sliced turkey, so it just wasn't my favorite sandwich. My mom ordered one of the salads though, and honestly it looked better than my sandwich. It was loaded with fresh toppings, and she said the ranch was excellent. If I come back, I'd probably skip the sandwich altogether and give one of the salads a try. Overall, I can definitely appreciate what they're going for. The prices are fantastic, honestly unheard of in present day, and that's the main reason I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 3. It's a true local spot, and I wouldn't mind giving it another chance to try something different from the menu.

    Photos
    The Lunch Box - Place is kinda bodega or neighborhood grocery, so you can get all manner of packaged food.

    Place is kinda bodega or neighborhood grocery, so you can get all manner of packaged food.

    The Lunch Box - Pork The Giant Tenderloin Sandwich

    Pork The Giant Tenderloin Sandwich

    The Lunch Box - Breakfast menu (as of 07/2025)

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    Breakfast menu (as of 07/2025)

    The Italian Sausage - The # 5

    The Italian Sausage

    4.6(132 reviews)
    10.9 mi

    If you're looking for a legitimately delicious deli, look no further--this place is the real deal!…read more​The restaurant has a wonderfully quaint vibe, with a few tables inside and several benches outside to sit back and enjoy the food. What really stood out right away was the service. The lady taking our orders was incredibly nice and personable, and she actually took the time to walk us through the menu to make sure we got exactly what we wanted. ​I went with the #5, which is their version of a Sicilian Muffuletta. It was phenomenal. It's stacked with mortadella, salami, provolone, ham, and Swiss cheese, topped perfectly with a red wine vinaigrette chopped olive salad, all sitting on a beautifully toasted seeded loaf. ​One of my friends ordered the #20 Reuben, and it was a masterpiece. We're talking melt-in-your-mouth Wagyu corned beef, legit sauerkraut from Brooklyn, house-made Russian dressing, and melty Swiss, all piled high between two buttery, toasted slices of marble rye bread. ​Naturally, I also grabbed a couple of their homemade chocolate chip cookies, and we got a raspberry and blueberry tiramisu that was absolutely terrific. You just can't leave a place like this without hitting the dessert menu! ​I consider myself very lucky to have experienced this spot. Honestly, if I lived in the area, I'd probably gain 50 lbs--and it would be worth every single ounce!

    Talk about a game changer of a spot! The viral Chicken Cesar sandwich is definitely worth the stop!…read moreBut the Thursday Philly blew me away! The entire place looks like a nonnas house in the best way and the staff went above and beyond to go through the menu to make sure we ordered exactly what we were craving! I also love their neon sign inside!

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    The Italian Sausage - Interior

    Interior

    The Italian Sausage - #71

    #71

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    Bay Boy - Crown Town Club

    Bay Boy

    4.6(13 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    I have eaten at the other location a few times. I've loved the sandwiches. I didn't realize this…read morelocation existed until we ordered from them at my office. We have now ordered from them several times and I've become addicted to their sandwiches even more. The delivery is great and it's usually pretty quick. I can't speak about the building because I've only ordered for delivery from this location. The sandwiches I've had are just as good at this location as the other Bay Boys!

    I love that there is a second Bay Boys location that is close to me. I love their sandwiches and…read morebeing in a fun spot in NKC just means I get to eat more of them. They have a walk up window located inside The Commons. You just order at the window and they send you a text when it's ready to be picked up. Service has always been friendly and professional and I've never experienced a problem. The bread is unique. It's a Dutch crunch so it has a nice crunchy texture on top but the bread itself has a nice chew and holds up to whatever toppings you like. I personally favor the Crown Town club. It's a classic club sandwich-turkey, ham, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a chipotle mayo. I like to also add smoked Gouda because cheese improves everything imho. They also offer vegetarian options, hot sandwiches, chips, and cookies. I've honestly loved everything I've eaten from them over the years so you really can't go wrong. If you're at The Commons or even Cinder Block next door, definitely stop by and get something to eat. Highly recommend!

    Photos
    Bay Boy
    Bay Boy
    Bay Boy - Pickup window is in the back left corner

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    Pickup window is in the back left corner

    Kitty's Cafe - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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