I've eaten here multiple times, and I have to push back on the "cafeteria burger" claim. These…read morepatties are clearly fresh, hand-formed, and cooked to order nothing like the frozen, pre formed disks from a school lunch line. If yours tasted bland, maybe you missed that this place leans into fresh ingredients over drowning everything in sauces. Not every burger needs mayo or mustard; some let the beef and toppings speak for themselves. As for the soggy bottom bun yes, fresh veggies release moisture. That happens in seconds anywhere if you don't eat quickly. But calling the whole experience "meh" while admitting you're going back for breakfast? That tells me the place clearly has redeeming qualities. You even said burger preferences are subjective, yet your review reads like an objective takedown. Bottom line: If you want a greasy, sauce slathered chain burger, go to Five Guys. If you want a solid, no-frills non chain burger with good service and plenty of seating (as you noted), this place delivers. And clearly, you agree it's worth a second visit.

We were on the hunt for a really good, non-chain burger. After looking at reviews, we decided to…read moregive this place a try. Service was good. It is not a big place, but plenty of seating. When it came to the food, it was meh at best. We got the jalapeno burger and the avocado burger. The patties are reminiscent of cafeteria burgers in school. There was no mayo or mustard or any type of sauce on them. The bottom bun was soggy shortly after being served, likely due to the veggies. Needless to say, we did not get our burger fix. So we won't come here again for that. Burger preferences are subjective, so just because it wasn't for us doesn't mean you can't try for yourself. We do plan to go back to try the breakfast items though.

Had to wait a few minutes not a big deal at all it was worth the wait but it is worth knowing…read more Amazing service, man was super kind and helpful and apologetic for the wait. I tried the pork street tacos with their spicy green sauce. It was amazing tender, juicy, fresh ingredients. And a fruit punch jarritos to top it off. Also the spicy sauce is soo good and it is spicy not to too but very good flavor! Real authentic Mexican food in a small drive thru hut lol. Well done! I will be back.

Awesome spot with made-to-order food. Cute little place that has been around for a long time. The…read moretwo gentleman working there were very polite and I could tell they care about what they prepare. Give them your business!

On our way out of Independence, we had just enough room left for a quick treat and decided to check…read moreout this cool-looking coffee shop. The vibe was awesome from the second we walked in. The dude behind the counter was super chill--he let us roam around and even noticed me eyeing the chocolate-covered espresso bean gumball machine, proceeding to point out the stash of "secret quarters" so I could grab some! ​I ordered a chilled chai latte for the road, which came out super fast in a really neat, crafty cup. The drink was just as sweet and cozy as the shop itself. I love local mom-and-pop places like this, and I'd take a double shot at this spot any day!

Open at 7am, Coffee Elsewhere wasn't quite ready for me when I rolled into Independence, so I had…read moreto spend the earliest part of my morning with the Green Siren people before finally getting the independent coffee I actually wanted. The wait turned out to be worth it. I arrived just after they opened and stepped into a space that's eclectic, funky and a little random in the best way, complete with bookcases of games that gives the place its own personality. My cortado was the epitome of perfection, rich and balanced, and because it took a moment to prepare, I was handed a free chocolate chip cookie. That little surprise absolutely blew my ketosis but I didn't regret it for a second. I stayed for two hours, settling in and enjoying the atmosphere with their wifi before heading out to explore Independence. Coffee Elsewhere is one of those neat little spots that feels genuinely local, the kind of place that does coffee right and doesn't try to be anything other than itself. It was a great stop and exactly the kind of independent shop I look for when I'm on the road. [Review 822 of 2026 - 540 in Missouri - 26003 overall]

I went here while I waited for my dogs teeth to be cleaned at the vet. It looked like a good place…read morefor a quick bite and I was right. The restaurant is easily accessible and there is plenty of parking. Rae's is located in a strip mall and there appeared to be significant amount of traffic. There weren't many people eating, just some regulars but it made for a peaceful dining experience. Plenty of breakfast options to choose from for a meal. I ordered a side pancake and the waitress gave me a look. She said "Honey, these are big!" I thanked her for the warning and told her I loved leftovers. lol The food was great and the pancakes were huge. Very satisfying and comforting food. Hit the spot on a cold January day. Prices were very reasonable and well within range. One happy customer!

Wanted to check this place out since their move to Independence. Mr. G. And I went for breakfast…read moreand we were not disappointed. I ordered the Ultimate Breakfast. I don't usually like breakfast potatoes. I do now. The potatoes were bite sized, had the skins on them, were seasoned, but not hot. The potatoes were well cooked but not mushy had a crisp exterior. What I really enjoyed was my biscuit and Gravy. The Gravy was perfect. It had me thinking about how delish it was later in the week. There was enough food to take home fir a second meal. There is a homey feel to the restaurant and the manager waits tables!! Mr. G. Reported an issue with the men's restroom and it was attended to immediately. Definite going back when I want Biscuits and Gravy.

Cute country style restaurant not far from our hotel. It was oddly busy for a Thursday morning. We…read morechecked in at the hostess stand and was told 15 min wait but we were sat sooner. They have delicious looking pies and other baked goods in the showcase. Our waitress was friendly and took our drink order while we looked over the menu. I opted for the regular breakfast of bacon, eggs, hash-browns and toast. My sister ordered eggs with French toast that looked really good as well. The restaurant is super cute-there was a diner top area with stools, plenty of tables and booths throughout. The restrooms were nice and clean and this restaurant will probably be one of my go to when I'm in the area.

Corner Cafe has such a cute atmosphere, very cozy "country grandma vibes" and it's usually a place…read morewe enjoy going to. We were seated right away as a party of 8, which was great for a larger group. Unfortunately, the experience this time was really slow when it came to food service. Our food took about 45 minutes to arrive, and we noticed smaller tables that were seated after us received their meals, ate, and left before we even got ours. Our server also walked past our table several times without giving any updates, which was frustrating while waiting. We typically go to the Liberty location because we've had better experiences there. This visit just wasn't the best, but we do like the overall vibe of the restaurant and hope service improves at this location.

Ophelia's Restaurant had me excited before I even walked in. From the outside, it gives off a great…read morefirst impression--but unfortunately, that momentum stalled a bit at the door. My family and I entered and weren't greeted, despite there only being one other table seated. We ended up walking across the dining room ourselves before eventually being acknowledged. Not the strongest start. Once inside, the atmosphere had its ups and downs. The space itself is beautiful, but some details--like visible weeds and black tablecloths--took away from the overall polish. That said, things started to turn around once we got settled. I had the chance to meet the chef, who was incredibly personable and clearly passionate about his craft. We kicked things off with appetizers, and this is where the kitchen really began to shine. The lobster rangoons and tempura shrimp were both excellent--crispy, flavorful, and well-executed. For entrées, my daughter and sister-in-law both ordered the chef's burger and really enjoyed it. My niece had the steak frites and absolutely loved it. My wife ordered the lemon brick chicken with gnocchi and olive tapenade. After tasting it, I felt the gnocchi could have benefited from a quick sauté in clarified butter, finished with a squeeze of lemon and fresh herbs to bring out the depth the dish promised. I went with the Wagyu burger. The cook on it was spot-on, but the execution fell short. It came topped with three large slabs of bacon hanging well over the sides, making it difficult to eat without taking it apart. After adjusting it myself, I noticed it was under-seasoned--something as simple as a finishing salt would have elevated the richness of the Wagyu significantly. Overall, Ophelia's has a lot of potential. The food shows promise, the chef clearly knows his craft, and the space is visually appealing. With a few adjustments in both service and execution, this could easily become a top-tier spot. I'll be back--and I'd still recommend giving it a try. 4 out of 5 forks.

Such a great spot!! Came back for brunch and had the Crab Cake BLT with a fruit cup side. So dang…read moregood!! Love this place!

We stopped by to celebrate my fiancé's birthday with my parents-in-law and had such a great…read moreexperience. The service was great from start to finish, and the restaurant was clean and welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious. I loved the iced coffee, the Farmhouse Hash, and the Million Dollar Potatoes were especially good. Everything came out fresh and perfectly prepared. Overall, it was the perfect spot for a celebration breakfast. I'll definitely be coming back again soon!

Service was friendly and prompt…read more Eggs Benedict was a redo. Poached eggs would have bounced, they were so overcooked. The ham was over grilled to the point of being dry and chewy. They happily recooked it while I watched my wife finish her breakfast. Big Biscuit next time! Edit: the eggs were great on the recook. The ham, however, was stone cold. Lowering to 2 stars... the same # of chances they had to get it right.

I stopped by Vivilore this July to update my garden review as in May those epic gardens had not…read morebeen planted yet by the new owner. The gardens were filled in and their outdoor patio looked inviting. When this July 2026 heat wave has passed I'll return to sit on the patio and enjoy the great vibes.

10/10 atmosphere with old/elegant aesthetic and outdoor seating…read more Limited menu but very high quality options & diverse protein options for a reasonable price Bolognese was exceptional!!! They don't skimp on the meat and the noodle had a perfect al dente bite. Crab cake appetizer was super good with 2 large pieces