by Linden O’Brien-Williams

When you first walk in, the first thing you notice might be all the stickers on the front door. You may be struck by the pizza/hamburger-esque smell. Or you might notice all the writing all over the walls and the chalkboard menu. As you walk in to seat yourself, the table with airplane seats as chairs might be what sticks out to you. No matter which quirky element you notice first, one thing is clear: Grinders Pizza is far from typical.

This Kansas City favorite opened at its present location 10 years ago and has made a name for itself in the decade it has been open. Not only does Grinders have patio seating, but it has an outdoor concert venue in the back, hosting 30 to 40 concerts a year. Just next door is Grinders West, with a neater, more modern vibe. The two restaurants share staff, customers and a menu.

I opted to try the meatball grinder, thinking a restaurant with the name “Grinders” ought to have a good grinder, and I turned out to be right.  The melted cheese on top of the sandwich and the perfect amount of sauce complimented the nearly foot-long piece of bread. When the sandwich got to my table, I had to mentally prepare myself for how I was going to eat it. Though I may have needed both a fork and bib and my pants wouldn’t button when I was done, the grinder was well worth it.

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Next, I moved on to try the New York style pizza, which is light, quickly made, and flavorful. Though the name may suggest their pizza is their only specialty, the restaurant has a great menu, complete with clever names and a wide range of foods. While I wasn’t adventurous enough to try the “Big Ass Fries,” I did enjoy the light house salad. Among Grinders’ other popular items are the philly cheese steaks and “World Famous Death Wings”, according to many Kansas Citians (and Grinders’ website.)

Foodies and journalists all across the nation see something special at Grinders. The restaurant was featured on the Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. Grinders is frequently mentioned for its hot sauce both locally and nationally.. The media seems to love Grinders’ uniqueness – just take a look at the long list of mentions and articles about the restaurant on their website.

If you’re looking for a Kansas City favorite with a special experience, I’d encourage you to give Grinders a try. Not only is it inexpensive, but it is flavorful, quick and interesting every time. Grab yourself a grinder and hey, you could even catch a concert in the back.