Dish & Drink KC: Comfort food at Chick-In Waffle and tea time at Tian Tea House
Dish & Drink KC logo by Theodore Rosen
Westport has no shortage of spots to grab a bite, but if you’re in the mood for crave-worthy comfort food, Chick-In Waffle stands out by leaning all the way in.
Personally, I leaned in to the spicy, hand-breaded tenders served alongside seasoned fries. The tenders came out hot, crispy, and exactly what you hope for when you order something labeled “spicy”. Their blend of seasonings turned things up a notch without overpowering the flavor of the chicken itself, and the fries were their tasty hot sidekicks.
But the spread on the table? That told a bigger story.
Photo by Tiffany Watts
Laid out across the table was an order of loaded fries that came piled high, mac and cheese that looked rich and creamy, and a Belgian waffle dusted with powdered sugar. Then there was the standout dessert moment: the short cake waffle. A fluffy Belgian waffle topped with vanilla ice cream, sweet strawberries, whipped cream, and icing. It leans fully into nostalgia, channeling that classic strawberry shortcake energy, but with a waffle base that makes it feel a little more playful and indulgent.
Photo by Tiffany Watts
And because no comfort meal is complete without something cold to wash it down, we rounded things out with a lineup of frozen drinks: frozen lemonade, frozen strawberry lemonade, and frozen fruit punch. Each one gave that icy, refreshing balance you need during a meal like that.
Chick-In Waffle doesn’t try to be subtle, and I think that’s exactly the point. So next time cravings call, all you need to do is show up hungry, order what sounds good, and let the food speak for itself.
Chick-In Waffle has multiple locations. This one mentioned above is located at 431 Westport Rd., Kansas City, MO.
Photo by Tiffany Watts
I’m kind of obsessed with Tian Tea House’s dine-in only Asian tea bar. The whole setup is designed for guests to slow down and stay for a while. We could all use more slow moments in our day, so I stopped in with a friend for a casual tea, conversation, and work, and made my way to the bar to order.
I went with the lemongrass blend, made with lemongrass, dates, longan, and goji berries. It was light, slightly citrusy, and naturally sweet from the fruit. Nothing overpowering, just a clean, easy tea that you can sip on for a while without getting tired of it. And they keep the hot water coming so you can really sip as much as your little heart desires.
My friend went with the “Bunny in the Garden,” which is definitely the more eye-catching option on the menu. It’s built around a Vietnamese cold brew that’s turned into a coffee jelly using agar agar, then mixed with coconut milk, sugar, nutmeg, and osmanthus flower. On top is a soft coconut-flavored bunny that ties the whole thing together.
It’s less of a drink and more of a dessert. It needs to be eaten with a spoon, and the mix of creamy and jelly textures keeps it interesting. The coffee base gives it depth, while the coconut and floral notes lighten it up. It’s sweet, but not overly so, and it feels thoughtfully balanced instead of gimmicky.
Photo by Tiffany Watts
The space itself is calm and pretty low-key. People were working, chatting, or just minding their business. It’s not loud, and it’s not trying to be a hangout spot for big groups. More of a “come here, settle in, and be present” kind of place.
If you’re looking for somewhere different from the usual coffee shop rotation, this is a solid switch-up—good tea, interesting menu, and a space that doesn’t encourage rushing to the next thing.
Tian Tea House is located at 911 E 5th St, Kansas City, MO 64106.
