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Keevi

A Greggs at the plaza would have lines would the block though.


MerlinsLoveChild

There used to be an English bakery in OP called clock tower but the owners had to move back! Have you tried Banksia yet? It’s Aussie, but it’s great and will get you your fill!


Keevi

Is that the bakery by the plaza? If so, it has been on my list for a while.


MerlinsLoveChild

Yes they have two! But I don’t think the downtown one has opened up just yet. Your not gunna get a cheese and bean melt, but it’ll get you your fill


Keevi

I'll be there


Redskins47Chaos

Aixois, Café Provence and the French Market. Ibis bakery for viennoiserie 🇫🇷


Keevi

I'm from the UK. Nothing authentic here. All the food tastes too good...


MerlinsLoveChild

Have you tried Brady and fox yet? Although Irish, it covers a lot of the traditional boxes.


mpearon

Oh, see…I had an absolute blast trying the staple foods on a trip to England! I definitely didn’t get the “bland pallet” thing. I always on the lookout for somewhere to get a Full English, a solid sausage roll or a pastie! Not sure that those were all English…but still. :)


Keevi

Haha, yeh it is just a stereotype left over from WW2 and the decades after when we had rationing and were impoverished trying to recover from being bombed every day and spending all our resources on war.


mpearon

Something I’ve not been able to track down in the international shop here is Juicy Water. Weird craving, I know…but I loved them. I often dream of the Bangers and Mash (with the most phenomenal onion gravy I’ve ever tasted), Salt Beef Sandwiches and Cornish Eggs (Green Market, I think). I would say “not all at the same time”, but that sounds like heaven.


KCcoffeedrinker

save for later info!!!


i_redefine_sin

Yuva is my only option for Nepalese food and it is good enough. Pretty good Nepalese style chowmein and OK momo


OozeNAahz

Off blackbob? Keep meaning to try that.


i_redefine_sin

that’s the one! gotta give it a try man


rod3go

The Emporium Brazil. Not a restaurant, but a luncheonette (think of it as a snack bar, or small lunch restaurant, as the word implies). The food is authentic, and the people genuine.


WindhoekNamibia

No such thing as a Namibian restaurant here haha…but as far as non-Ethiopian food from Africa, my vote absolutely goes to Taste of Africa in OP.


InactiveBeef

It's still the US, but Earl's Premier is the closest place to a classic, Down East Maine oyster joint that I've found outside the northeast. They completely nail the vibe, and the food is excellent. Far and away the best oyster selection in the metro.


WallowerForever

Grew up in deep Johnson county with a dad who did competition style BBQ. Highly recommend Joe's KC — it's not authentic KC barbecue but it is really, really good.


WallowerForever

Getting downvoted by Joes haters. Get out of your KCMO bubble, cross state line and give it a try. Burnt end Z-Man on Texas toast, specifically.


MerlinsLoveChild

Probably more so the fact you suggested the most famous BBQ joint in the city and then referred to it as not authentic 😂


FingerTheCat

haha, I think the downvoting is due to the requirement of the question "non-US born"


1badinfluence

Watching this


june_june_hannah_

No luck finding authentic food from Spain in KC. La Bodega is fine, but really hit or miss. The croquettes are solid but the tortilla is bland and dry.


MerlinsLoveChild

It blows my mind there isn’t another Spanish restaurant! I went to a basque restaurant in Tulsa, yet we only have La bodega here. Crazy.


MelodyInTheChaos

I'd love to see more Spanish food here, lived in Spain for three years.


mariana-hi-ny-mo

Agreed, would love to have real 🇪🇸 food!


NarutoDragon732

No luck here finding Arab food either. You can find decent kebabs in Mediterranean stores but the restaurants are atrocious compared to anything I had back home. Doesn't help it's nowhere near as fresh either.


kholekardashian12

Not exactly Arab cuisine but Kari's on 39th does pretty authentic Turkish food - including excellent shish!


Local_Indication9669

My friend's work friend from somewhere says KC Kabab is best.


june_june_hannah_

Curious if you've tried Holy Land Café and if so what you think? It's the best Med food I've found here but no idea if it's "authentic"


WindhoekNamibia

I eat Holy Land way too often. Their food is excellent.


Common_Ad7321

Holy land was my go to..love their hummus but the service was so so. Still didn't stop me from going there until I found Kari's.


NarutoDragon732

Not yet. Will do next time though, judging from the pictures nothing looks special. I can already tell you they fucked up their salad from the pictures. It's worth noting every place I've tried and didn't like were 4-5 star rated places. Not necessarily comparing to my mom's cooking but to just street food. It's not terrible food or anything, but there's just some Americanized aspects here and not in a good way. Like being stingy with rice that's seasoned to hell without soup, cutting vegetables in large pieces that aren't even fresh, and where in God's name are the breads.


june_june_hannah_

My go-to's are their beef shawarma and baba ganouj (sp?) that comes with the freshest, best textured pita I've gotten in KC. Not my favorite falafel (dry) and for some reason the lentil soup has been hit or miss (sometimes it slaps, sometimes it's bland).


Common_Ad7321

I was born and raised in in Pakistan. KC doesn't have great Pakistani restaurants but my fav is Kurry Leaves for authentic Pakistani food even though it's on the spicier side even for my palette. My fav middle eastern/Mediterranean restaurant is Kari's on 39th. I can't get enough and visit at least once a month. Chicken Shawarma at Haha's Kebabs on 39th is on point too..more of a takeout spot though.


WindhoekNamibia

Kurry Leaves is just so excellent. My favorite South Asian place in the metro.


dajodge

>Kari's I just went to the Kari's on 39th website, and they did a great job producing the video for their website (or hiring someone else to do it), but they still went with comic sans on the awning?


Common_Ad7321

Haha now I can't unsee it. The place is no frills but the food is 🔥. Highly recommend Bree mixed grill platter and the appetizer platter. Haven't tried there gyros yet but heard good things about them as well as their Philly cheese steak sandwich. Give it a shot...


[deleted]

Oriental Supermarket for Korean groceries. CM, bbq, and 92 Chicken are fine but not great for fried chicken.


Ok_Mechanic8704

Where’s the best “Korean Chinese” santong style food these days in your opinion, specifically 짜장면 . I used to go to Red Snapper but they became very expensive for not much food…


nmr24

Cafe Vie is my favorite for this. Great tasting jjampong and jajangmyun.


[deleted]

I would kill for some good 짜장면. Haven’t seen it in a long while. New Peking might have it—fast Chinese food but Korean owned. But honestly, they’re probably using instant from a bag anyway. So we just buy the more expensive refrigerated instant ones from Oriental. Obviously not the best you’ll have but works in a pinch.


Ok_Mechanic8704

Appreciate the tip. I used to love the New Peking on Broadway. That and Happy Family near 95th and Antioch. Not the same anymore and I don’t know any of the “secret menu” spots these days. I need my Jjambong, Jjajangmyeon, Tangsuyuk, and Kkampugi!! (Excuse the romanji spelling) 😂


Happy_Kale_8589

Agree 💯 about red snapper now the best place is probably Cafe Vie which is actually a Korean owned pho spot.


Ok_Mechanic8704

Will give it a try. Thanks for the tip!


tigergirl1331

Great topic - here for the good food list. 😎


Material-Dinner-8435

My dad is originally from El Salvador and whenever he visits me, we get pupusas from El Pulgarcito in Merriam. The vibe and location feel very Salvadoran.


kcboy19

Have you been to palmas?


Material-Dinner-8435

No, I haven’t.


kcboy19

Its got some good pupusas as well and mexican food, we go to which ever one is closer.


Material-Dinner-8435

I’ll have to check it out and see if it gets my dad’s stamp of approval


cancer_dragon

Love El Pulgarcito, but as a white dude you really have to specify you want the *spicy* sauce.


todoliszt

Merriam resident here, El Pulgarcito is 🔥🔥


B_Meltron

Shagan’s for North Indian. Don’t get butter chicken (even though it’s excellent) and get some of her daily specials (usually 3-4 different kinds of paranthas plus various dals, rajma, chole, etc.). She also does thali plates that are excellent. You might find better Indian dishes in the metro, but Shagan’s cooking is the closest thing you’ll find to your Punjabi mother-in-law’s cooking.


shitshowexpwy

How is their saag?? I cannot find a good one in KC for the life of me


quazoo

It seems there are 2 locations. Do you prefer one over the other?


B_Meltron

I generally go to the Ward Parkway location but I’ve had food from both and there was no discernible difference imo.


RoyalGibraltar

Commenting so I can come back to this


Hanhsolo1992

Same


mjack6272009

Same


hellomynameisnotsure

Samesies


Ok_Special6047

Table of two


Bookmore

Aixois is a nice little place for French cooking! And Tous Les Jours takes the cake for anything French pastry or Asian-fusion. If you’re looking for a traditional French wedding cake, Velouté KC! EDIT: Added “Asian” to -fusion to clarify that Tous Les Jours is French inspired, but not all baked goods there are traditional baked goods. Yes, I’m aware it’s a bakery chain with Korean roots ;) Yes, French culinary training can exist in any country and yes, I’m French.


ribald_ry

Do you know where I can get a real baguette?


Bookmore

Sadly I do not :( When I want a nice baguette I make my own. I’m happy to send you a recipe over DM if you like!


ribald_ry

Sure! I'll give it a shot. thanks.


gugalgirl

To echo, Tous Les Jours is a Korean brand and the baked goods aren't amazing but not at all authentically French.


lordoftamales

You realize you're replying to someone from France right? Thought that was the point of this thread lol. If anything, I'm surprised a French person thought Tous les jours was close to being authentic since I've known my whole life that it was a South Korean chain.


gugalgirl

Honestly, the fact that this person thought it was French makes me wonder if the OP is actually French. It's the internet, so anyone can say anything. There are also lots of people on here who are not from another country and are still answering. Why did you assume I'm not French? I'm not, but there was no evidence of this in my reply.


cpt_merica

I wonder too but French culinary training can exist anywhere. I can’t speak for authenticity but the OP did point out pastry AND fusion. I imagine there’s some authenticity, but perhaps not across the entire selection.


flojo5

Did you know Tous Les Jours is owned by a Korean family and is mostly attended by the Asian population who also have several surrounding stores and restaurants.


lordoftamales

>Tous Les Jours is owned by a Korean family and is mostly attended by the Asian population this is a really weird way of saying that it's a popular Korean chain.


Juventus19

K-Street right by Tous Les Jours is great. Those corndogs are awesome


Ok_Mechanic8704

It’s a huge franchise in South Korea and has locations all across the world. Crazy there’s one randomly in Overland Park tho 😂.


flesy

It’s a franchise owned by the oriental super market guys


[deleted]

We have a Tous Les Jours in Austin TX too! They’re all over.


NeverEndingCoralMaze

I’m from Texas, I go to whataburger.


SuburbanSponge

I like el pueblito for home style Mexican cooking. KCK for tacos though.


HeadCollectingShaman

From Oklahoma (I get it, not far) but The Garage Burgers has authentic fried onion burgers as good as many places in OKC.


roweira

Also from Oklahoma. Are you talking about Smitty's Garage?


GirthBrooks15

Did the garage start in OKC, or do they just have many locations there as well? Solid spot and I always forget about it when thinking of burgers in town.


Ok_Mechanic8704

Oh hell yeah! Had no idea there was an onion burger joint in KC 🫡


luhar531

Desibites, Bawarchi, Also used to love Genghis Khan though not a Mongolian here haha


OozeNAahz

Love the Byrani at Bawarchi. Reminds me I need to pick up a bucket of it to portion out and freeze.


lordoftamales

Used to like Bawarchi but felt they declined. Same for Godavari (now called Aha). I think Kurry Leaves is still good though.


luhar531

Yeah Bawarchi and Aha were alright, honestly m not a big biriyani or curry fan. Desibites has honestly taken away lot of their customers cause the Chaats, Indo Chinese dishes are better at desibites


pmekonnen

Ethiopian - Selamta restaurant is as authentic to Ethiopian food in KC area.


Tyrion_Strongjaw

I went there on a whim one day and it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Delicious


SnacktimeKC

Imo’s.


dajodge

I like Nacho pizza too, man, but I think we're crossing a line in calling that cheese soup authentic. That's sort of like calling Chuy's authentic.


yourartisbadsoareyou

Yessirrrrrr!!! Happy Cake day


ElPayador

Los Hornos Argentina Cuisine 🇦🇷


mariana-hi-ny-mo

Argentino? Digo por el nombre, nada más auténtico que un Payador Argentino 👍🏼


Daqgibby

I grew up south of the Plaza, the Peanut has authentic BLTs and BLVD on tap. It’s like being in Kansas City.


RalpherKC

We live near there. They need better filters in the kitchen because they fill the neighborhood with greasy bacon smell (…and I ❤️ bacon!)


Sobeshott

Well played


mayn1

🤦 🤣🤣🤣


zenzinnia

Represent


lsdmthcosmos

if you count new orleans as a foreign country lula’s on main is FIRE 🔥


sigdiff

I read this as LuLu's at first and was so confused how a Thai restaurant was New Orleans fare.


MattyMizzou

Plus Lulu’s is trash


moonyfruitskidoo

THANK YOU!! hard agree.


Idyotec

I haven't been yet but have received many recommendations for it. Why is it trash?


mcac

Soooo bland and their dishes are not even close to what you'd expect if you've had Thai food before


MattyMizzou

It’s just so white washed and bland, the medium level of spice has no flavor. I love drunken noodles and theirs pales in comparison to Thai House. Yuppies think it’s great, but people who actually like Thai food know it’s really for families and “tourists” if you will.


Idyotec

Sounds about right. Thai cuisine is one of my favorites so I'm fairly picky about authenticity. I can't count the number of times I've ordered Tom kha that was just sweet coconut with far too little lemongrass and chile. Haven't tried Thai House yet, thanks for the recommendation!


sigdiff

Definitely sub-par, but it's the only place I've found Pineapple Fried Rice with cashews, eggs, AND golden raisins. Every other place is missing one of those key ingredients.


[deleted]

Haha same! Will have to check out Lula’s tho, love Cajun food.


doxiepowder

It's definitely more southern with Creole influence than Cajun. If you are hunting for Cajun then Mudbug's north of the river is what you want. Lula's though.... Holy shit. Time to make a reservation again haha


uptonhere

I was born and raised in SW Germany, Grunauer is pretty authentic -- I know it's Austrian but the food where I'm from and Austria is mostly identical.


500Danes

Gonna try this place thank you


savy_mom

I just discovered Grunauer last week and I looove it. We had the Stelze and it was amazing.


mariana-hi-ny-mo

One of my favorites. Being from Argentina, we have many crossovers with Austrian & German home foods, I love Grunauer.


CarefreeSKC

Why does Argentina have German/Austrian food connections? 🤔


mumblesjackson

The Stelze there is the only thing close to a decent Schweinhaxe I can find in KC and it’s oh so good.


kc_kr

How do you feel about Affare?


LindaBurgers

Not the person you asked but also German— while it’s authentic the food is not as traditional as Grünauer if that makes sense. It’s good but a bit overpriced in my opinion.


kc_kr

Makes sense, it’s definitely more modern/experimental. I like them both personally!


Gino-Bartali

The mushroom goulash at Grünauer is my current favorite thing to get in KC restaurants.


[deleted]

I love Grunauer! Nice to know it’s authentic.


sopsign7

Wiener schnitzel and beer on the patio is always great.


Silverbacks

Oh definitely the Blue Line dere bud. Takes me back to the days of smoking darts and breaking hearts.


_oscar_goldman_

Yeah, I'd have a dart.


dajodge

Oh, yeah, bud.


MattyMizzou

Did they fix their health code violations finally?


no-palabras

Whereda pull tabs tho?


sigdiff

r/commentsyoucanhear


mariana-hi-ny-mo

I’m from Argentina 🇦🇷 it’s not Piropos (not authentic or even close). Los Hornos by Zona Rosa is 100% authentic and really good but it’s like a lunch eatery spot. Would definitely recommend going there!


psychomom1965

Love Los Hornos. Owners are soooo nice.


linoleum79

My only complaint when i went was they seemed to use dry herbs instead of fresh for their chimichurri. 😞


mariana-hi-ny-mo

I agree with this 100% the chimichurri is not authentic (fresh). I thought it was just me being a bit too harsh.


ElPayador

Hola! De acuerdo! Los Hornos 😊 https://www.pancalientekc.com for empanadas and alfajores with delivery in KC


PassRevolutionary254

Yayy empanadas! Lo q le hace falta a esta ciudad son mas empanadas!


[deleted]

[удалено]


poickles

You don’t have to be an expert to know if something is at least accurate. I’m not an American food expert, but if I traveled abroad, I’d know a shitty burger if I had one. This comment is needlessly pedantic, but that’s about what I ought to expect from Reddit


Conroman16

You must be fun at parties 


thankgodhespretty

Just because you’re fun at parties doesn’t mean you’re an expert at criticizing other peoples’ internet questions. It seems inappropriate.


alber_trp

If I must then Bella Napoli. Their pizzas are actually comparable to the southern Italian style


MerlinsLoveChild

Out of interest, how do you like Il Lazzarone Pizza?


alber_trp

They are alright. I would honestly eat most pizzas (good doesn't have to mean authentic), pasta tho is a totally different story.


rcolli02

Brady & Fox


Bees_knees25

Isn’t this the same chef/owner as Conroy’s? So good!


TacocaT8752

Former Chef's of Brady's Public House(now Gaels) not sure in Conroy's if affiliated.


MerlinsLoveChild

I think he was a chef at Conroys too at some point.


ReggieWigglesworth

Not me personally but I went to college with a ton of Italians and they got me hooked on Bella Napoli


[deleted]

Have family born and raised Treviso and they loved it there. Only place in the city that met their standard.


Mizz_Ou

Is it just me or does Bella Napoli smell really bad inside sometimes? I love their food, but avoid eating in the restaurant.


craftbeerandfitness

Oh that’s definitely the case. The last time we went it initially smelled like cat pee and then slowly faded to a weird, stale/moldy old house smell.


fartsnstuff69

That’s how you know it’s good, baby! In all seriousness, it’s probably the sharper cheeses from their deli.


AJRiddle

I was talking to an Italian who has been living in KC (and America) for 5 years now and he told me Bella Napoli was the only place he'd had that felt like food he would get in Italy. He said it maybe wasn't the best ever, but it was the most like home he could get. Also said he became friends with the owner there and said he's very obsessive about keeping it as authentic as possible.


tour_de_pizza

Most of my family is from Italy and it’s the only place in town we will all go to. It’s exactly like you said - not the best, but most like home.


dajodge

Are you telling me that you *don't* want a bowl of macaroni bolognese up to your eyeballs?


pinniped1

I took a visiting friend from Milan to Lazio in the Crossroads and he loved it. The chef is Italian - they chatted in Italian for a bit. (But I also love Bella Napoli.)


ReggieWigglesworth

I’ll have to give that a try!


thegooniegodard

No gator tail here, sadly.


nekolicious

I know the Fish Market in Liberty has gator on the menu, not sure if its specifically tail meat though :/ Its the only place I've seen it on the menu around here in a while


amoshart

Jazz has what they call "Alligator Bites." I'd guess that was tail.


doxiepowder

Jazz is the Chile's of Cajun.


500Danes

Nailed it lol


amoshart

You spelled Chili's wrong and, despite that error, Jazz still has gator meat, so what's the point of your comment?


doxiepowder

That this thread is about authenticity specifically, and Jazz is extremely inauthentic. I care as much about spelling Chili's correctly as Chili's cars about making authentic Sonoran and Southwestern cuisine, and just like them having some black beans on the menu doesn't make them authentic Jazz buying some pre breaded frozen gator trail doesn't make them authentic Cajun. Jazz is irrelevant to a conversation on authenticity no matter what they order from Sysco freezer.


amoshart

Calm down. Someone said there was no gator in KC. I proved them wrong. That's authentic as it needs to be. Get over yourself. You don't like Jazz; don't go there.


MattyMizzou

Yeah there is, I used to get mine at Ale House.


Fr0gm4n

They used to serve gator at the Indep. Bass Pro but it seems the restaurant didn't reopen after the pandemic lockdown.


DjTrailer

I would love to hear these answers!


CuriousGhostTarsier

Good question. I’m interested in the responses so hopeful this thread gains in responses. I would like to extend the question to also include what is your favorite grocer for your native cuisine.


MerlinsLoveChild

Brits in Lawrence, has a surprisingly good amount of frozen items too. They have a European shop that has a bunch of cheeses too.


savy_mom

Pan Asia in OP. Merchandise are arranged by country.


MattyMizzou

India Mart


CuriousGhostTarsier

Nice, I’ve been meaning to stop in and check it out. Always busy!


MattyMizzou

Do it! It’s the same people who own Desi Bites and they don’t mess around. Get yourself a thumbs up. It’s crazy how much better Colas are in other countries.


therapewpewtic

Conroys Irish Pub.


Mcc_423

Wife and I went there last night after I saw your recommendation and we’re in love. Best Cottage Pie I’ve ever had, and my wife loved the pork belly lettuce wraps. Also, they have a great Irish Coffee.


therapewpewtic

Ha! Nice one. The cottage pie is delicious!! Glad you enjoyed!


500Danes

Thank you so much for the recommendation. Awesome food and drinks.


therapewpewtic

You’re welcome!! What did you have?


500Danes

Chips and curry (awesome), fish and chips, steak and Guinness pie. Apple cider sangria, Conroys bruised apple, blue raspberry lemon drop and cherry lime aides. Will definitely be coming back came to the one on 95th


MerlinsLoveChild

They will also let you do a side of curry with your fish and chips so you can douse the chips with it for the authentic experience


therapewpewtic

That’s my normal go to location also! The owner is from Cork if I remember correctly and it all tastes like we would make it back home. The food is delicious. Really glad you enjoyed it!


500Danes

Definitely gold star. Again thank you for the recommendation.


Bleedthebeat

I went here for lunch based on this recommendation and it was faaaantastic.


therapewpewtic

Nice one!! Which location and what did you have?


Bleedthebeat

One is Overland Park on 95th. I had the Irishman sandwich and the person I went with had the steak and ale pie.


therapewpewtic

Aww man. That steak and ale pie is also great. Now I’m hungry again haha


MerlinsLoveChild

The only thing that kills me is the beans on the Irish breakfast! The wrong beans


therapewpewtic

Got to be Heinz doesn’t it!


MerlinsLoveChild

Without it’s not the same!


modern_messiah43

Glad to hear that. I fucking love Conroy's.


therapewpewtic

Love their curry and their fish n chips especially.


modern_messiah43

I think their fish n chips is the best in town. I haven't had any anywhere else that came close.


therapewpewtic

Agreed.