06.21.2024

Today’s Forecast

91º | 8% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 5:52 a.m. | Sunset 8:48 p.m.

🥑 Let’s veg out, KC

Try these various vegan and vegetarian eats in Kansas City

A smoked portobello sandwich topped with onion rings and barbecue sauce, sitting on a pile of French fries.

The smoked Portobello Z-Man at Joe’s KC BBQ is the stuff of vegan dreams. | Photo via @joeskc

Eating meat-free hasn’t always been easy, but in Kansas City, it’s a piece of (vegan) cake.

Our local food scene is as vibrant as ever, so it’s no surprise there are a slew of local chefs serving up fresh, vegetarian bites across town. From vegetarian barbecue to scrumptious vegan tacos, here are 25 restaurants serving up meat-free fare in KC.

Casual eating

Gigi’s Vegan + Wellness Café, 1103 Westport Rd., KCMO | Try a smoothie or chow down on a wrap at this sustainable, zero-waste spot.

King G Bar + Deli, 500 E. 18th St., KCMO | King G’s oyster mushroom panini is Editor Maddie’s favorite end-of-the-night grub after any First Fridays adventure.

Carrot cake cupcakes topped with walnuts and buttercream florets in white, light blue, and lilac tones. — The cupcakes at Mud Pie are a real treat.
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Photo via @mudpieveganbakery

Delicious desserts

Mud Pie, 7319 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS | This spot features 100% plant-based coffee + bakery treats with seasonal sweets and fan-favorite staples alike.

Sweet EMOtion, 312 Armour Rd., North Kansas City, MO | It was never a phase. Channel your inner emo kid with themed ice cream flavors, all vegan and some gluten-free.

Barbecue joints

Joe’s KC BBQ, multiple locations | Try the Portobello Z-man sandwich to experience classic KC barbecue while meeting vegan requirements.

Q39, multiple locations | Piled high with provolone, onion straws, and a healthy helping of barbecue sauce, this veggie burger is anything but an afterthought.

Tailleur KCtoday — Feast your eyes and your stomachs at Tailleur.
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Photo by Heather White

For the vegan carnivore

Tailleur, 3933 Main St., KCMO | Chow down on the Garden Burger with a side of fries while sipping on a glass of wine.

The Brick, 1727 McGee St., KCMO | Order the vegetarian meatloaf at this restaurant featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives.”

What did we miss? If you know a restaurant that’s not on the list, let us know using this survey.

17 more fab finds

Asked

Have you eaten at a local vegetarian or vegan restaurant within the past month?

A. Yes
B. No, but I have considered it
C. No

Food for thought

Events

Friday, June 21

Make Music Day Kansas City | Friday, June 21 | 11 a.m.-11 p.m. | Multiple locations, KCMO | Free | Find concerts on every street corner of KC on the longest day of the year.
Kansas City BBQ Festival | Friday, June 21-Saturday, June 22 | Times vary | Arrowhead Stadium, KCMO | $39-$129 | All-you-can-eat, award-winning BBQ with drinks available for purchase.
Moonlight Swim | Friday, June 21 | 7-10 p.m. | Mission Family Aquatic Center, 5928 W. 61st St., Mission, KS | $8 | Take a dip in the dark as the pool + all its amenities stay open until 10 p.m.

Saturday, June 22

2024 Summer Workout Series | Saturday, June 22 | 9-10 a.m. | Legends Outlets, KCK | Free | Elevate your fitness routine with a free strength training class on the lawn.
Summer Festival: Small Town Celebration | Saturday, June 22 | 7-8:45 p.m. | The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 NW Murray Rd., Lee’s Summit, MO | $10-$20 | Musicians fill the town square gazebo with the sounds of everything from classical masterpieces to whimsical circus tunes.

Sunday, June 23

House Concert with Amado Espinoza + Ensemble Iberica | Sunday, June 23 | 12-1 p.m. | Kansas City Museum, 3218 Gladstone Blvd., KCMO | $20 | Listen to three musicians explore the sounds + cultures of Turkey, Spain, and Bolivia.
The Flaming Lips | Sunday, June 23 | 8 p.m. | Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway Rd., KCMO | $49.50-$99 | The Grammy Award-winning psychedelic + indie rock band headlines in KC.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Whew — it’s heating up. According to local forecasts, hot + humid weather will blanket KC this weekend, with temperatures hitting the low to mid-90s. Showers are possible tomorrow night, too. The heat and humidity is expected to continue through Wednesday, June 26. (KMBC)

Award

The New Terminal concessions program at Kansas City International Airport has reached new heights: it won the Richard A. Griesbach Award for Excellence in Airport Concessions. The award touts MCI’s commitment to featuring 50+ dining and shopping concepts, 80% of which are local to our region. (Airports Council International)

Traffic

A new concrete island featuring yellow, flashing lights has been installed on Meyer Boulevard to protect cyclists + pedestrians crossing the lengthy intersection. The project is part of KCMO’s Vision Zero plan; submit traffic calming requests for streets that could use safety enhancements.

Coming Soon

Grand Coffee Company will open a second location soon in Shawnee (2345 Grand Blvd., Ste. A) and something new is brewing. The coffee shop will feature a drive-thru — we’ve already got one foot in the car.

Edu

Great Jobs KC is awarding $48 million in college scholarships to 1,200 students across 87 local high schools in a ceremony tomorrow, June 22. The scholarships include a college savings match for ninth graders, funds for adults returning to school, and scholarships for 11th graders. (Flatland KC)

Kansas Citian

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas has something very important on his agenda: a new baby boy and namesake, Quinton Carttar Lucas. The mayor plans to work a reduced schedule over the next few weeks to spend time with his wife and two sons. Congrats to the family.

Plan Ahead

Call the cabs and unleash that fist pump — “Jersey Shore” star DJ Pauly D will spin at Kansas City Live! in the Power and Light District on Friday, Aug. 2 at 8 p.m. Tickets to the 21+ party go on sale today, June 21, at 10 a.m.

Arts

Did you know the Marr Sound Archives at UMKC boasts 400,000 recordings? That’s all thanks to KC resident + curator Chuck Haddix, who’s been building up the archives since 1986. The collection is now a world-class resource and accessible from anywhere — no jukebox quarters necessary. (The Martin City Telegraph)

Home

Renewal by Andersen^® windows combine stunning beauty with energy-efficient design. Buy one, get one 40% off + get $200 off your order for a limited time.*

Arts

✏️ Write on, KC

Take note: KC Zine Con returns to Kansas City

A white event tent outside at KC Zine Con lined with independent artist + vendors selling their self-published works.

KC Zine Con returns this weekend — June 22 + June 23, 2024. | Photo via @kczinecon + @hgdesignwork

Fellow Kansas City writers, take note. The ninth annual KC Zine Con — the Midwest’s free, DIY publishing fest — is this Saturday, June 22 and Sunday, June 23, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., at Goofball Sk8boards.

The event revolves around Zines — self-published works like comics, books, and newspapers typically made using a copy machine. Participants exhibit, sell, and trade their indie creations.

We’ve put pen to paper (er, keyboard to laptop) to jot down the highlights you shouldn’t miss:

The vendors list is jam-packed all weekend — stop by the tables to chat it up with “Zinesters,” browse zines, and buy your next read.
On Saturday, June 22 at 11 a.m., join a workshop that offers an intro to trans publications + explores zine folding techniques.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, catch a workshop discussing 20th Century queer DIY publishing.
On Sunday, June 23 at 2 p.m., learn about alternative zine binding techniques.

The Buy

The Buy 6.21.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Our Place’s take on a pressure + slow cooker. The Dream Cooker has the brand’s signature modern finish with multi-cooking capabilities. If you’re looking for a kitchen appliance that also has countertop appeal, this is it.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Monica

From the editor

Hi, KC. My name is Monica, I’m a National Content Editor with 6AM City, happily working with Charmaine + Madison this week. This KC Zine Con chatter has me thinking about all of the ways to write and share your work in Kansas City. From Slam poetry and open mic events to library workshops and Zine Club, KC is where it’s at for writers.

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