Dish & Drink KC: Hemma Hemma Dinette delivers and Hot Chicks is spicing things up

Dish & Drink KC logo by Theodore Rosen

Folks keep asking me if I’ve made it to the new Hemma Hemma Dinette location downtown and whether it tastes better or worse than the original spot in south KC, and if the experience feels different, so I’m about to answer all of those questions for you now.

Yes. I finally made it over there on a rainy day, when I had to park far away, nonetheless. I didn’t care, though. It was worth it.

Photo by Tiffany Watts

First things first: the food tastes just as delicious as the original Hemma Hemma location, so if you’ve been hesitant to go because you were worried the quality might dip, drop those worries immediately. I honestly didn’t expect them to bring us anything less than their best, and they absolutely delivered.

I ordered the Brookside Buddha Bowl ($15), made with quinoa, sweet potato, broccoli, marinated chickpeas, watermelon radish, cabbage mix, beet hummus, dried blueberries, and zesty green tahini. It was fresh, colorful, and packed with texture in the best way possible. The sweet potatoes brought warmth and softness, the pickled and fresh vegetables added crunch and brightness, and that green tahini tied everything together with this creamy, herb-forward flavor that made every bite feel balanced. And the hummus? Hands down, some of my favorite hummus in Kansas City. Smooth, earthy, flavorful, and something I could genuinely eat by itself with a spoon if nobody was watching.

Photo by Tiffany Watts

I also ordered the Herby Chicken Salad Wrap ($16), made with a Yoli tortilla, herby chicken breast, zesty tahini, cabbage mix, pepitas, and lemon vinaigrette. Oh, it was so good. The chicken was tender and flavorful without being too heavy, the lemon vinaigrette gave it this bright freshness, and the pepitas added the perfect little crunch throughout. Everything tasted clean, fresh, and intentional, which is something Hemma Hemma Dinette consistently does well.

As far as the experience goes, the vibe is a bit different.

Photo by Tiffany Watts

The downtown location sits inside a huge co-working space, so naturally, it feels a little less intimate than the south KC spot. But even with the change in setting, they’re still bringing you the aesthetics, a great staff, natural light, and delicious food that make Hemma Hemma feel like Hemma Hemma. The sunlight still pours in beautifully, giving the space that airy, calming feeling they’re known for.

It’s not quite as cozy or homey as the original location, but honestly, that works in its favor here. The downtown setup feels easier to casually pop into if you’re grabbing lunch between meetings, working remotely for a few hours, or just need something quick but actually good. It feels a little more grab-and-go friendly without sacrificing the quality or atmosphere people already love them for.

And personally? I’m just happy there’s finally one closer to me now.

Hemma Hemma Dinette is located at 1101 Main St. #101, Kansas City, MO 64105.

Photo by Tiffany Watts

There’s always something new cooking at Iron District, and this year, we’re in for a treat. 

One of the newest additions to the food hall is Hot Chicks, a halal fried chicken spot built for spice lovers. Their whole thing revolves around heat, offering spice levels that range from approachable to “you might regret this later.” Their heat guide includes Bare Chick, Shy Chick, Bold Chick, Firestorm, and Devil’s Heat, giving options for just about every spice tolerance level. 

Of course, I had to start with the 3-piece chicken tenders and fries ($12.99), tossed in their Bold Chick heat level.

The tenders came out crispy, juicy, and heavily seasoned with a heat that built slowly instead of punching you in the face immediately. The Bold Chick level had enough spice to keep things interesting while still letting the flavor of the chicken come through. The fries were such a tasty sidekick too: salty, crispy, and ideal for cooling things down between bites.

But honestly? What I was most excited about were the wings.

Photo by Tiffany Watts

Hot Chicks is adding full wings to the menu, and I had the opportunity to try the mango habanero flavor before the official launch. They were delicious. The sauce hit that sweet spot between sticky sweetness and mild heat. The chicken itself was cooked well too — tender, juicy, and flavorful all the way through.

Next time, I’m definitely asking if they can make mine a little spicier because I wanted even more heat, but the flavor profile was already hitting exactly how it should.

My suggestion: pull up with friends, order something spicy and satisfying from Hot Chicks, grab a cocktail from Tiki Huna, and wander through the retail shops while you wait for your food. After you’re done chowing down, cap it all off with a sweet treat from Meltbox Ice Cream before heading out.

Thank me later. 

Hot Chicks is located in the Iron District at 1599 Iron St, North Kansas City, MO 64116.