Old style diner with friendly staff and nostalgia galore. Prices and portion sizes are reasonable. Once inside, you can walk next door to a fairly large vintage/antique market. Lots to look at while waiting for your food or even after eating. I tried the Reuben and while it wasn't my favorite version, it was fine. I like mine with more sauerkraut and a little less greasy (watching the cook, I think it's because she adds the sauerkraut to the grill where it soaks up grease, but loses the sauerkraut flavor). Hubby had a burger and malt and thought it was good. Definitely worth ordering shakes and malts here!! read more

Very pleasant atmosphere had a Carmel malt. I very much enjoyed, I am a repeat customer, and will be again. read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Carmel malt - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

Tara's Café is our breakfast treat in Belton--my girlfriend and I try to stop in once a month, and it's always worth it. Even with just two people working in the mornings, service is fast, friendly, and personal. Breakfast is fresh, hearty, and exactly what you want from a small-town café. Skip the chains and come here once--you'll be hooked. read more

I've lived in Belton for 3 years and have driven past Tara's adorable corner shop countless times. Tonight we finally went in and will definitely be back! The service by anyone we encountered behind the counter was exactly what one would hope for- kind, homey 1950s customer service to match the atmosphere of an old time malt shop. Honest, clean, vintage vibe that was really nostalgic. The fact that it's attached to Family Tree Furniture and Antiques definitely contributes to the nostalgia. The menu is limited, just as you would expect it to be, as is the inside seating. My husband and I enjoyed root beer floats outside on the bench while my sister got a banana split, and my nephew got a hot fudge sundae. All delicious and less expensive than other area ice cream chain stores. read more

Terrific place! Wife and I were wanting a light lunch, so we split a reuben (good!) and she got a rootbeer float, and I a chocolate malt. This was an honest-to-goodness old-fashioned chocolate malt! Not blended chocolate ice cream, not ice cream just with added chocolate syrup, but a real malt. Friendly service, good food, reasonable prices, great malts. read more

When traveling I always try to find a local place that's a bit off the fast food map. After all why have Jack In The Box in MO when I could have the exact same meal in AZ where I live. So when a quick Yelp search turned up Tara's Malt Shop with decent reviews you know I just had to try it. I don't even remember when I last heard the term Malt Shop being used. I think it may have been around the last watched Grease. The inside is what you would expect, although not exactly Five and Diner'ish, it did fit the Malt Shop vibe nicely with a James Dean cutout and old signs on the walls. Through a side door in the restaurant you can enter an antiques store which looked large and interesting but being pressed for time I had to skip it. I ordered the double bacon cheeseburger with a side of rings and a peanut butter shake. The burger didn't disappoint with nice thick cut bacon and fresh tasting burger patties. The rings were light and not overly greasy and the shake was spot on delicious. I'm so glad I decided not to eat one more repetitive meal at Panda Express or Chipotle and tried something new. Tara's did not disappoint. read more

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As a longtime Belton resident and local Realtor, I've eaten just about everywhere in town--and Tara's Café on Main Street is one of those places that just gets it right. It's the kind of spot where you walk in and feel like you belong... and then you get hit with a plate of perfectly crispy tater tots and a corn dog that tastes like your childhood got upgraded. I met a group of local business professionals there and we all agreed--sometimes the best food isn't fancy, it's fried. The service was quick, friendly, and honestly felt like we were regulars, even if it was your first time in. Whether you're new to town or have been here for years, do yourself a favor and stop by. Support local. Eat well. And maybe skip the scale for a day. read more

Delicious food and old school atmosphere. Lots of choice on malts and shakes. They also offers sundaes, cherry limeades, floats (root beer and peach). read more

My wife and I went to Belton to get tags from my truck at the DMV across the street was a little cafe called Tara's so we went to have some lunch. I don't remember what my wife ordered but I had a chilly dog. I think it came with french fries. And they had microwaved the hotdog that was their first mistake for me the chilli taste like some kind of canned crap. The food was lukewarm. It just did not make for a good lunch for me. I've gotten the chilli dog fries and a drink was like $16. I won't make mistake of going there again.. the people were nice but that didn't make up for the meal read more

Reuben was greasy, fries were undercooked, milk shake was mediocre. No one asked if food was good. CRM was broken. Fortunately I had enough cash. read more

Came again today now that the dining room has reopened. Social distancing and cleaning were very evident, they are taking it seriously (covid-19). Had today's special: a chili dog with fries and a drink for $8.50. Portion size was great that was a real meal! My husband ordered the Reuben. Served hot and juicy he was pleased with it though a little more dressing would have been welcome. Service was so pleasant! Please note: we had an offer from the "entertainment book" but it wasn't accepted. They apparently never authorized the publisher to include them and have tried to get removed. This was the second restaurant that has told me that so going forward "entertainment book" has now lost my business. But Tara's? We'll keep coming!!! Our communities need local places like this one. read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Exterior - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

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Awesome little cafe in Belton, MO those gals in there work hard, it's busy cause it's really good food and a great experience! Staff was super friendly and the decor is a throw back to the good'ol days. The sweet potato fries are amazing! They have daily specials and also serve ice cream and sundaes. Great place to eat! read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Menu - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

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What a great find! Was not about to pass by a place that reads, "malt shop" in this day and age. You just don't see that anymore. Ordered the special, a sloppy joe. Now that's a blast from the past. It was just as I remember it as a child. The chocolate malt was also right out of the childhood memory scrapbook. Thick, rich and malty. They not only gave the malt glass full of chocolate malt but the tin/metal cup they made the malt in. What a way to spend a rainy day!! read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

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Good food, nice staff, prices weren't too high. I'd go back. The down town area was nice and offered a nice walk after.

Food was good and came out quickly. I also liked the theme, old school malt style. Give this place a try next time you are driving through this town and considering a drive through. read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Pork tenderloin sandwich - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

Cute little old school diner in a historic building serving up diner-like food. Although the menu is smaller, the burger, onion rings and grilled ham and cheese we ordered were great. My favorite part was the peanut butter my peanut butter mall (duh!). As an added bonus, Tara's is attached to an antique store, so you can browse while your food is being cooked! read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Peanut butter malt - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

Darling small town cafe with great malts which are hard to find. We all thought our food was good but as others have said it is frozen from sysco or such. The ladies running the place are beyond sweet. This would be a 4 star rating if it didn't take us over an hour and a half to get our food and eat. They were hustling but you gotta figure out a way to be faster. No one has 90 minutes at lunchtime to wait for a chili dog. read more

Tara's Cafe is a great little spot in downtown Belton. I usually go here for a ice cream or milkshake when I have to wait in line at the DMV right across the street. The staff is always pleasant, the food is excellent, the price is right and it feels like a time machine back to the good ole days. read more

Tara is one of my favorite spots! I used to go every Monday that I was off with my daughter now I'll be switching to the weekend! The ladies are super nice and the food is delicious! Love the atmosphere read more

I guess I have not reviewed Tara's Because I take it for granted...this is an awesome little home town diner! Foot is already great and staff is always helpful and with it! Lots of locals come in for a great meal and conversation. There are daily specials that are amazing and a great value. The malt shop portion is not to be missed! Nothing better than a fresh made shake on a hot summer day!! Don't forget to save room for fresh made desserts too! read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - BLT, fries and a strawberry shake - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

Malts? Why yes please!!! Banana Cream? Why yes please!!! Fresh banana cut up in the malt!?!? Take my breath away!!!!!! What an awesome little treasure in downtown Belton...and boy howdy, can they make a mean malt! Wowzers! Staff was quite friendly and the prices were spot on. Absolutely worth a stop... who wouldn't want to enjoy a malt while out-and-about on a Saturday? read more

Atmosphere was Betty Boop cute. We had a burger and turkey club sandwich. I tried fried cauliflower for first time (I think I can live a full life and not eat fried cauliflower again). Service help was very nice. Finished the meal with a hot fudge malt, old-fashioned metal malt cup, very good. Place was clearly a local hangout. Glad we checked it out. read more

Small town diner - check. Friendly staff - check. Reasonable prices - check. I ordered the pork tenderloin sandwich. It was served warm and crispy on a bun with lettuce, tomato, pickles, and onion. All this for $4.95. The bun can be toasted on the grill, if requested. I wish the tenderloin was hand cut and breaded...for extra points, but alas it was pre-packaged and fried. Add to that an order of fries for $2.25. Thin cut, frozen, bagged fries. I like my fries crispier and thicker. Not a lot of fries for too much money, but the staff was friendly and I was hungry. Maybe I should have tried the malts...I love malts....that might have made everything all better! So I guess my advise to you would be: try a large chocolate malt, it'll make everything taste better. read more

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going to rate this one star. when i first walked into tara's i was not greeted in a nice way at all , i have a service animal (she's still training) i read on the sign before i walked in no pets allowed service animals welcomed. anyways me and my service dog walked in and was greeted to " we don't really do pets in here " i looked at her and told her she's a service animal and i have her ID card in my purse if you would like to see it. not a hi or hello just quick to say something about my service animal doing her job. i ordered the peach nehi float which is a childhood soda for me and was excited to try it. it was good and my first time at tara's but will be my last of how me and my service animal was treated by tara herself. read more

Tara's is located on Old Main Street in downtown Belton, MO in part of what use to be Dyrden's Drug Store. I ate lunch here today with a friend and we had a nice quite lunch of burgers and malts, real malts, and waffle fries. The food was good and we had a nice table by the window and could look out on main street. The service was good and we had plenty of time to linger after eating and talk. Tara's serve breakfast until 11:00 am. After that, Tara's serves standard diner fare, burgers, fries, sandwiches, soup, and ice cream treats. My bacon cheese burger was good, the bacon was fresh as were all the things you put on the burger, onion (very thinly sliced like I like them), lettuce, and tomato. I ordered waffle fries and they were the seasoned fries, also good. What topped off the meal was the chocolate malt. Yes a real malt with real malt flavor, served with the can. Tara's is as close to an old fashioned soda fountain as you are going to get in the South Kansas City/North Western Cass County area. The restroom was clean. And I've had Tara's catering before and highly recommend Tara's ham salad. read more

Tara's is in downtown Belton and is a quaint place to grab lunch. The staff is extremely polite and treat you as if they knew you. The food is fair, but I say slightly overpriced. They serve milkshakes, burgers, lunch specials, and other fried foods/sides; even jiffy burgers. The environment and staff is why I go. The restaurant takes the corner of a building and makes you want to try it out. It seems like a place a lot of regulars would go. read more

Super cute little hole in the wall. Breakfast was great and the lunch menu looked good too. Going to bring the grandkids back for ice cream soon! read more

Came here for lunch and a shake and was not disappointed. I wished I had eaten here for the week, and did not stop by on Thursday. I got the corned beef melt and loved it. I wished it had a little more meat on it, but I guess that keeps prices down. The shake? A gut buster if there ever was one... Just the perfect ending to the meal. A great place to stop by for a quick bite. I wished I had more time in the area. read more

It was good, edging up toward pricey friendly staff and good made- to- order food. the control over soda refills a little much. I do understand that these places operate on a thin profit margin and I like to support locally owned. will probably go back. I had the patty melt, very good. read more

Fun to go here for the experience. Food is pretty standard diner fare and the ice cream is not home made. Still kind of fun to wander around a small town main street and mingle with the locals. read more

Really nice home town diner. Good malts, good peach nehi and well prepared food. Nothing extra special just comfort food. They can get busy. Parking can be a problem, park out back. read more

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop - Diners Near Me - Belton, Missouri

I used to eat at this place a lot but after the horrible customer service I have received from dealing with their rude and lazy staff i am never coming back. I showed up there at 4:25 pm they literally wrote on the chalk board outside the door that they close at 5:00 pm. I looked in the window and the lights were off. There is no sign explaining why they are closed 35 minutes earlier then what is advertised. I see this lady sweeping the floor at this point I am mad so I nock on the window, she looks up at me ignores me then goes back to sweeping. I nock again amd point to my phone that says 4:25 and said loud enough for her to hear as she made eye contact with me, it says you close at five that's false advertisement. I'm never coming back. She looks up and of course says nothing. No apologies or explanations and goes back to sweeping the floor and I walk away. read more

this is a very cozy place. The kind you'd expect to go to with your friends to hang out and talk while eating some ice cream or food. I got the rootbeer float and it was good.but the one at providence pizza is my favorite so far. the customer service was nice and the location of the shop is close to other shops. read more

If you're in this little town and in the mood for some greasy spoon-type grub, this is the place to go. My son loved the chicken burger and the onion rings were GREAT. Come on who doesn't love a little "fried" every now and then? read more

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I can only review on the malts we got. They were incredible. Stopped in while we were driving through and decided to get a malt. Brandon got a banana malt and I got strawberry. She curt up the banana right there to make it. The place was about 1/2 full at lunch time and their special was a grilled cheese and chili combo... I wish we hadn't eaten before. The rest of their menu looked good -- fried cauliflower? Yes please. It's divey but not hipster. I will stop in again if I'm in the area. read more

This review is going to make the star rating seem harsh, but as I didn't come here for ice cream, I didn't get to taste the cafe's obvious forte. I had a single hamburger, and all I can say about it was that it was... adequate. Taste was average - didn't blow me away. The prices were pretty cheap, which is what drew me here in the first place, but "You get what you pay for." is a common saying for a reason. The wait time for my food was average. If the food was the only thing the cafe had to offer, my visit would be sorely disappointing. However, Tara's rating is salvaged by its excellent decor and personal feeling. The kitchen is right there, so you can watch as your food is being cooked, and the wait staff knows the regulars well and will have personal conversations with each of their customers. In spite of the lacking food, the cafe exudes a genuine earnestness in its attempt to give customers a unique dining experience, and I think that says a lot. Next time I'm in town, I will try the ice cream, and likely write a completely different and more glowing review. Pros: Cheap food Cons: Cheap food read more

Growing up in Belton Tara's has always been the place for great malts and diner style burgers...greasy but fresh and fresh topping. Chocolate cokes are amazing. Only reason it's not five stars isn't exactly their fault. I use to love going and getting a malt or chocolate come and roaming through Dryden's to find my next sugar laced snack. With Dryden's gone I haven't seen main street too packed outside of parades, car shows and so forth. All in all this is definitely a place to stop at. Can't wait to go later for the Belton homecoming parade. Even though this is getting posted in December, i actually wrote this a while back. And yes i did go in here during the parade and had a good chocolate malt. read more

I love the atmosphere and the price was really competitive. The diner food selection was spot on and the day I chose to go the special was grilled cheese and cup of chili which sounded amazing. I added a peach Nehi for good measure. My food was very yummy but I had one small complaint. The chili I had the beef had been burned at some point during the cooking process. I'm sure it was just an accident and have heard rave reviews about the chili from other's so I will definitely give it another go. I enjoyed my time and other food here so I will be back :) read more

Tara's Cafe is such a great place for a tasty meal served with a friendly smile by their excellent staff. We have had breakfast and lunch there over the past few months several times, and have always had a great experience. From their signature tenderloin sandwich to their banana shake, we are fans for life! read more

Really good little shop! Tenderloins are wonderful!! And their sides are great too. I haven't tried their ice cream yet, but I will be back for a milkshake!! Love little malt shops like this! read more