Dish & Drink KC: Black-owned comfort eateries at Vee’s Sweets and Treats and 1VP

A dozen assorted donuts from Vee’s Sweets and Treats. // Photo by Lauren Textor

Happy Black History Month! 

All of the Dish & Drink KC columns that you read this month will be about local Black-owned businesses. We hope that you’ll join us in celebrating these eateries, and we want to hear about your favorites! Email tips@thepitchkc.com to let us know about Black-owned businesses that deserve more appreciation. 

Vee’s Sweets and Treats

Vee’s is one of the best-kept foodie secrets in KC. 

Located on The Paseo, this no-frills bakery and deli is easy to miss if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There’s usually plenty of space to parallel park, but be careful—cars often zoom past while taking little notice of pedestrians. 

Inside, the bakery case is full of classic breakfast sweets. There are giant raisin-pecan cinnamon rolls, glazed donuts, and slices of cake—all crusted in a thick layer of sugar. 

Apple fritter from Vee’s Sweets and Treats. // Photo by Lauren Textor

I ordered the apple fritter for my mom. 

“Lauren,” she said. “This isn’t a donut. This is a frisbee.”

It’s true that the $2.75 pastry is bigger than a grown man’s hand. It’s also delicious, filled with soft bites of apples and swirls of cinnamon. 

A dozen regular donuts (an assortment of glazed, cake, and chocolate) is $18.50. You can upgrade to a dozen large donuts (cinnamon rolls and chocolate Long Johns) for $22.50 or pastries (a mix of the enormous apple fritters and cinnamon rolls) for $27.50. 

You’ll be the office hero if you bring a box of these in, whichever dozen you choose. The cake donuts are thick, soft, and just a little crumbly (as they should be). The glaze flakes off in tiny pieces with every bite. I firmly believe that after eating any good donut, you should have to dust the crumbs off yourself. Vee’s affirms this principle. 

We’ve covered the sweets. Now, let’s get to the (other) treats. 

Vee’s serves breakfast sandwiches, hot and cold deli sandwiches (including a smackin’ Reuben), and cheese or deli meat by the pound! 

Vee’s Sweets and Treats is located at 8005 The Paseo, Kansas City, MO 64131. 

Jerk chicken tacos from 1VP. // Photo by Lauren Textor

1VP Restaurant

Jamaican isn’t the most popular cuisine in Kansas City. It isn’t even in the top 5. It deserves more love. You can give it some by visiting 1VP Restaurant, which recently hosted the Hot 103 Jamz Soul Food Tour. 

This is comfort food, but it’s not plain and simple. It’s Jamaican food! It’s going to be well-seasoned.

1VP has its own parking lot, and it’s a true luxury to pull into a competently paved spot in this city. 

Inside, there are a few booths, but 1VP operates primarily through carryout. However, it does offer catering and event venue services (which makes its parking lot even more of a treasure!).

The menu includes seafood, pasta, sandwiches, and wings, plus well-labeled vegan items. It’s an array of options that can be overwhelming.

If you want to start small, the jerk chicken tacos and a side of rice peas won’t disappoint. The heat of the spice will stay with you for the entirety of your meal, but it’s not overwhelming. The chicken is topped with slices of carrots, lettuce, and cheese.

If you’re a beef eater, then you should make it a point to get to the ox tail eventually. It’s succulent, and extra sauce (while only $1.50) feels like a small extravagance. 

1VP Restaurant is located at 6024 Troost Ave., Kansas City, MO 64110.