Dish & Drink KC: Matcha mornings at Good Karma Coffee & taco nights at Tacos El Gallo

Dish & Drink KC logo by Theodore Rosen

My daughter had been campaigning for this dinner for weeks. After trying Tacos El Gallo with her uncle, she instantly became their unofficial spokesperson and made sure to remind me about it at every opportunity. Eventually, I got the hint, so we popped in for dinner to see what all the excitement was about.

What I learned: Dinner at Tacos El Gallo is straightforward in the best way possible—fast service, generous portions, and flavors that land with confidence. Now, you may consider me their newest unofficial spokesperson.

Tacos El Gallo // Photo By Tiffany Watts

My kiddo started by ordering her first love there, the Burrito Spread ($9.85), an unapologetically thick burrito loaded with rice, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and chicken, then finished with a full pour of warm cheese dip. A quick stop at the topping bar made it even better. She added pico, verde salsa, and their spicy avocado sauce. Of course, her being her, she was super dramatic about how good it was, and I believe her. It looked amazing!

I kept it simple and ordered two chicken tacos and two steak tacos ($2.60 each). I topped them with pickled onions, peppers, and a good pour of that same avocado sauce, which was top tier, by the way. The steak was tender and seasoned well, but the chicken took the win. Juicy, flavorful, and balanced, especially with those toppings. The bright acidity from the onions, heat from the peppers, and creamy avocado sauce pulled everything together and made each bite hit with real depth.

Tacos El Gallo // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Small detail worth noting: each plate comes with a large crunchy chip on the side. Smart move. We used ours to scoop up anything that fell, and with portions and fillings like these, that chip came in handy. 

Beyond the food, the experience held up. Service was quick, friendly, and efficient. The dining room stayed lively with music that had us swaying through the meal, giving the space an easy-going, upbeat feel that makes it just as good for a family night as a casual night our with friends.

Tacos El Gallo is located at 806 SW Blvd. Kansas City, MO.

Good Karma Coffee // Photo By Tiffany Watts

Every coffee shop has its thing, and Good Karma Coffee’s thing is all about the way it eases you in. Steady energy, warm people, and an atmosphere that lets you breathe before diving into your day. I stopped in for a low-key coworking morning with a friend, and it delivered all of that plus everything a weekday work session should. Vibes, a comfy workspace, outlets for all of our devices, and really good drinks.

Now, the locals love their specialty drinks, and they’re absolutely worth the hype. But this time around, we kept it classic and opted for a couple of traditional favorites instead.

My friend ordered an iced matcha with oat milk and ube-lavender syrup ($7). Technically, you should mix it, but the purple ube lavender syrup sitting at the bottom made the drink look dreamy, so we sat with it for a minute before stirring. Once mixed, the flavor stepped up even more. It was smooth and creamy from the oat milk, and the ube and lavender added a light floral sweetness that supported the earthy matcha instead of overpowering it. Refreshing, balanced, and a great option if you like a little sweetness without going overboard.

Good Karma Coffee // Photo By Tiffany Watts

I decided to go for a hot matcha with extra honey ($7). I like to think I’m already sweet, but a little extra never hurts. The matcha arrived at a perfect drinkable temperature, which I really appreciated, and it was velvety, warm, and rich without feeling heavy. The honey added a natural sweetness that blended cleanly with the matcha, rounding everything out in a really satisfying way.

I really want to hone in on what sets Good Karma apart, because it matters when you’re a remote worker deciding where to settle in for the day. For me, it’s the feel of the place.

Soulful music, friendly staff, conversations happening at a comfortable hum — enough life to keep you engaged without distracting you. The space has an easy rhythm, too: warm lighting, cozy seating, and a steady stream of folks settling in to work, read, or just enjoy their morning.

You really can pull out your laptops, chat between tasks, and work without feeling rushed or overstimulated.  Sure, the good drinks help, but the environment carries just as much weight.

Good Karma Coffee is located at 3134 Gillham Rd. Kansas City, MO.