Dish & Drink KC: Savory standouts at Mildred’s and Chopstix

Mildred’s // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Mildred’s, one of Kansas City’s favorite brunchy sandwich spots, opened its third and largest location earlier this year in the South Plaza neighborhood, and I finally made it over for a lunch and laptop session. 

The new outpost fills the former Mission Taco space and brings with it all the charm and consistency the brand is known for, plus a few surprises, including two stories of seating and a layout that balances bright ambiance with practical comfort.

For lunch, I went with the portobello panini, which clocks in at $11.49 and is worth every cent. 

It’s stacked with a tender, grilled and marinated portobello mushroom, artichoke spread, arugula, and a rich balsamic glaze, all held together by hearty, rustic bread that delivers that perfect combo of chew and crisp. The sandwich normally comes with roasted tomatoes, which I decided to skip (a personal preference), and I still found it delicious and juicy. And I do mean juicy! I definitely had to keep napkins on hand, but I wasn’t mad about it. The sandwich didn’t miss a beat on flavor.

To round out my order, I grabbed a hot herbal tea with honey, which was the perfect complement to the richness of the panini. The warmth of the tea and the brightness of the restaurant’s natural light made for a cozy little combination. 

By the way, that’s one of the standout features of this new location for me: the huge windows flood the space with sunlight, giving it an uplifting, open feel that makes you want to linger.

And linger I did. I had brought my laptop and planned to spend the afternoon working, but I made the classic mistake of settling into a downstairs table with no access to power outlets. It wasn’t until much later that I realized the upstairs mezzanine is the go-to zone for remote workers, with plenty of outlets and a quieter vibe ideal for staying productive. 

Lesson learned: next time, I’m heading straight up.

Despite the unplugged situation, I hung out for a bit since I enjoyed the space. Plus, the staff couldn’t have been nicer. They were attentive, kind, and genuinely seemed happy to be there. That kind of energy always sets a tone for the whole visit and makes it easy to sink in and enjoy my experience.

I also want to give a shoutout to the chips. They don’t make them in-house, but they’ve clearly put thought into which brand they offer. So many places carry chips loaded with dairy and sugar, so I was excited to find that Mildred’s had options that were more conscious and aligned with cleaner eating. It’s a small thing, but it made a difference.

And then there’s the patio. It sits right along the sidewalk and looks out into the street. I’d definitely go back for a sandwich and some sunshine when I catch the weather in a good mood again. Between the people-watching, the sun, and Mildred’s laid-back vibe, it feels like an easy escape without ever leaving the city.

Mildred’s has three locations. This location can be found at 5060 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri 64112.

Chopstix Chinese Cuisine & Sushi // Photo By Tiffany Watts

I don’t often find myself craving American-style Chinese food, but when I do, I want it fast, flavorful, and from somewhere that feels reliable. Chopstix Chinese Cuisine and Sushi in the Northland usually checks every box.

It’s one of those spots I like to keep in my back pocket, mainly because they’re close to home, and always running some kind of deal. Right now, they’re offering 15% off online orders when you spend $40 or more, which to me sounds like a sweet little incentive to grab a few extra sides.

I didn’t order online, though. Initially, I thought I was in the mood to dine in. 

The idea of sitting down, zoning out, and having someone bring hot food to the table sounded nice. But when I walked in and saw the packed dining room, my social battery instantly blinked red. It’s not them, it’s me. So I pivoted to takeout, which worked out better anyway. It gave me the chance to head home and enjoy the meal with my daughter instead of eating solo and inevitably overdoing it.

With a little help from her, we settled on one of the classics: chicken and broccoli with white rice. I also ordered a few pieces of shrimp to be tossed in, and asked for everything to be extra spicy because we love to add a little kick to our meals.

To round it out, I tacked on an order of their spring rolls, which come two to a pack. I wasn’t sharing those, though. Those were mine. Non-negotiable.

The food was ready in under 15 minutes, one of the things I love most about Chopstix. They’re always quick without compromising quality, and I’m usually walking out the door just as I start scrolling through my phone to pass the time. 

At home, the chicken and broccoli hit the spot. 

The broccoli had just enough snap, not too soft, with the kind of savory glaze that soaks perfectly into the bed of rice. The chicken was tender and juicy, coated in that glossy, garlicky sauce that somehow manages to be rich without feeling greasy. The added shrimp brought a little sweetness to the mix, which balanced nicely against the extra heat I asked for. 

It didn’t melt my face, but it definitely made itself known with every bite.

As for those spring rolls? Golden and crispy, and that’s the way I like them. The flaky crunch is always so satisfying, and the vegetables inside were delicious. More flavorful than they usually are, too, and I loved that for me. 

Of course, if dishes like fried rice or lo mein aren’t quite your thing, Chopstix has a full sushi menu to fall back on. You’ll find all the familiar favorites, spicy salmon rolls, California rolls, as well as a handful of specialty options like the monkey king roll and rainbow roll. It’s the kind of variety that comes in clutch on a weeknight when cooking just isn’t in the cards, and you want something reliable without being boring.

Chopstix Chinese Cuisine and Sushi is located at 6003 NW Barry Rd, Kansas City, MO 64154.