#39 – Town Topic
2021 Broadway Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64108
Cost: $
Atmosphere: Old-timey diner, busy, greasy.
Good for: Comfort food, drunk food.
Tip: Order your food for carry out. There’s maybe 10 seats in the whole place.
Town Topic is an old school diner that serves American comfort food at all hours of the day. The small diner is often busy, with patrons bellied-up to the counter waiting for their cheeseburgers, onion rings and shakes.
History of Town Topic
In 1937, Claude Sparks opened a diner in downtown Kansas City. He sold hamburgers for 5 cents each, earning $21 on his first day (that’s 420 burgers for you non-math people like me). This success would continue for the next 80 years.
Town Topic has become an iconic Kansas City restaurant. The classic American diner now has three locations, two in the heart of the Crossroads and one in Mission, KS.
About Town Topic
First and foremost, Town Topic is all about comfort food. Greasy burgers, crispy fries, homemade pie. Everything good. The burgers are cooked on a flattop grill, along with the bacon, eggs, and hash browns. Like the Westport Flea Market, Town Topic adds grilled onions to its burgers, which I personally love.
The restaurant itself is tiny – just the kitchen and the counter. There are maybe 10 stools, so most people carry out. Order at the register and wait for your order.
For lunch or dinner, I recommend the double cheeseburger with onion rings or tots. Skip the fries – they’re just not as good. If you need a sweet treat to go with your burger, try their amazing homemade pie or milkshakes. For breakfast, you can’t go wrong, whether you order an egg sandwich, an omelet or pancakes.
Town Topic is open all day, and they’re busy almost all the time, as everything is made to order right in front of you. They’re especially busy after bar close, as a lot of people will wander over after a long night at Up-Down Kansas City.
Whatever you do, and however long the wait, don’t skip this Kansas City classic. xx, Libbie.
