17 Kansas City Steaks That Everyone Should Experience Before They Die
/Anton's is a crowd favorite. It boasts 74 taps, 28-day aged cuts and an urban vibe. Located right between Crossroads and downtown KC, this isn't the place for a fine dining experience. But if you want foodie quality steak with a little exposed brick and reclaimed wood, this is your spot.
Pierponts is a centerpiece of the historic Kansas City Union Station. The lunch menu includes a popular hanger strip steak, and the happy hour in the lounge boasts an $11 8oz strip and fries. The real masterpiece at Pierponts, though, is the coffee and ancho chili rub strip steak. This is the one that keeps people coming back and, in our opinion, it might be the best in town.
Voltaire is another West Bottoms secret. Located in the late R Bar facility, the intriguing creation of Wes Gartner and his team is serving up some pretty extraordinary dinners. The steak Au Poivre was a recent seasonal creation that earned some extraordinary marks from guests and proved, again, that Wes knows how to put on the heat in the steak game. The atmosphere is all cool, and the drinks get top marks from even the snobbiest of cocktail drinkers. Worth a try in our book.
Gram and Dun is popular for its ambiance, outdoor patio and seasonal, locally-sourced menu. On a recent visit, we tried the hanger steak with green salsa and borracho beans. This cut is really tender and has a nice spice from the salsa and charred edges. Gram and Dun: solid dinner choice for steak lovers.
Jess and Jim's is the place for steak-loving purists. The meat speaks for itself and, although no steakhouse has a unanimous vote, Jess and Jim's has more than one local swearing that they serve the best cut in town. Although this list is saved for KC steaks, we can't mention Jess and Jim's without a note on their burgers. These 16oz masterpieces have been immortalized by regulars and have been known to cause an occasional heavenly food coma.
Piropos is the kind of place for reservations, a glass of wine and staying put for a while. Piropos has locations in Briarcliff and Parkville. Both are complete with white linens and a polished interior, then the Briarcliff location has a striking view of downtown while Parkville is set in a more tranquil area surrounded by trees. The Peppercorn Steak is consistently a favorite among guests.
BlueStem needs no introduction. Its James Beard award in 2013 and wildly-loved multi-course dinner experience has earned it a spot among KC's elite. The BlueStem lounge, though, is what really puts it on this list. The lounge is a more casual section of the restaurant where drinks, apps and some killer entrees are served up every day. The hanger steak (under $20) and thick cut fries are slathered BlueStem-style and have been known to turn just about anybody into a meat lover.
Providence New American Kitchen is a downtown KC classic. The restaurant is located inside the President Hotel on 13th and Baltimore. Chef Eric Carter's menu is loaded with classic dishes like Boulevard Battered Shrimp and Braised Short Ribs, but he gets especially high marks for his steak options. Dry Aged Kansas City Strip and Nebraska Bison Grilled Hanger Steak top the list of fan favorites.
The Rieger is our all-around favorite Friday night hangout. With Manifesto in the basement and first-rate drinks and dining options on the ground level, this Crossroads District destination is hard to beat. The KC Strip with smoked butter, mashed potatoes, braised kale and crispy shallots is a great way to kick off your weekend.
The chalkboard menu, brick walls and hole-in-the-wall location make Pot Pie feel a little bit like coming home. Don't let the hipster vibe fool you, though, these guys can make some of the best steak in town. Their N.Y. strip comes with an acclaimed potato side and gets top reviews from virtually anyone who tries it.
Cafe Trio seems to have mastered the filet mignon. A quick tour through Yelp and you'll be hard pressed to find anything but ravingly positive reviews for the quality and flavor of the dish. What you will find, though, is several adamant fans that claim this is the best steak they've ever had.
Thomas opened up in 2006 with the vision to become a neighborhood spot with great food and zero pretensions. The urban spot on 39th street is complete with token brick walls, a central bar and occasional live music. Vibe aside, it's the Flat Iron Steak that gets Thomas on this list. The steak is topped with fresh chive butter served with whipped potatoes, grilled zucchini and grilled tomatoes. Nothing but 5 star marks.
Executive Chef Matt Arnold uses the finest products from over fifteen local farms to create memorable small plates, entrees and desserts. Among the most memorable is the Grilled Black Angus Filet covered in Maytag blue cheese butter, sautéed winter greens and roasted onions. The Webster House is one Kansas City’s most charming historic buildings, and the dining room is filled antiques and art from local artisans and creative designers. A truly unique KC experience.
Farmhouse Restaurant
Farmhouse sources all of its ingredients from local farms, and the hanger steak is no exception. The grass-finished, vintage-aged steak is sourced from Arrowhead Game. The style points come from bleu cheese and lots of butter and salsa verde. We tried this dish early in the year and haven't stopped craving it since.
When you think of Kansas City Steak, Hereford House is probably first to mind. The high end ambiance and proven service makes it a great choice for client dinners or special occasions. Hereford is known for its steaks, but sides like sautéed portobellos and mashed potatoes aren't too shabby, either. You'll find several locations in the city, too: Independence, Leawood, Zona Rosa and Shawnee.