KC Sipps: From Applefest to Schnitzelfest and Midwest Soul VegFest to PigaPalooza, Kansas City welcomes fall flavors in a big way this weekend
This week's Kansas City restaurant news.
KC Sipps logo by Teddy Rosen
Life in KC is pretty delicious. In fact, there is often so much going on that it can be hard to decide where to go and what to try.
That’s where I come in.
I’ve curated this weekly list of events, openings, deals, and celebrations to keep you in-the-know. Cheers!
Something New
News Bites: Throughout the month of October, Affäre is throwing a schnitzelfest, with varying expressions of the classic German dish available at dinner seatings. Reservations are encouraged.
The World Series of Barbecue kicked off yesterday at the American Royal, and tickets are still available for the general public to attend PigaPalooza this Friday night. The party includes food and live music from Outlaw Jim & The Whiskey Benders.
Kansas City Restaurant Week is seeking restaurant participants for its early 2027 event. Restaurant operators can find more information here, and I’m thrilled to say that this year’s beneficiary is Pete’s Garden.
Closing
Chatime: Lauren Aust-Yuen and Sonny Yuen, Overland Park franchisees of the Taiwan-based chain Chatime, have decided to close their shop doors and open a new opportunity. October 15 will be the final day of Chatime’s tea, matcha, boba, and more at that location as the owners pivot to a mobile business model. The Chatime Trolley is planned to launch in Spring 2027, serving events and local activations in all corners of the metro. The move comes after Aust-Yuen and Yuen experienced a successful summer with a residency at Starlight and a surge in private/corproate functions.
October 2
KC Oktoberfest: The city’s largest Oktoberfest celebration (nearly 17,000 attendees last year) returns to Crown Center for two days of Bavarian-themed food, fun, and obviously… beer. Tickets start at $17 with upgrades available, but children 12 and under are free for this all-ages event. 15 food vendors will be on site, plus a host of beer and wine options, live entertainment, games, and an exhibit on German immigration to the Midwest from the Jackson County Historical Society.
October 3
Applefest: The straight-out-of-a-Hallmark-movie Applefest in Weston is back. From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Applefest offers a parade, art and live music, kids’ activities, and all things apple: dumplings, demonstrations, foods, beverages, etc. Maybe even an apple fritter burger from Drunchies. This is a free event.
Midwest Soul VegFest: From 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Midwest Soul VegFest takes over Theis Park. Put on by KC Health Initiative and partners, this festival celebrates plant-based foods with vendors, live entertainment, speakers, a farmers’ market, and kids’ activities. The event is free to attend.
The Pretzelly Truck: The popular snack truck is opening its first brick-and-mortar spot in Lawrence, but you can stop by Mass Street Plant Co this weekend to try it sooner. The Pretzelly Truck will be at the sister shop to West Bottoms Plant Co from 12 – 3 p.m. or until sellout, and will be announcing its storefront opening date there. The Pretzelly Truck will also be at Lawrence’s Autumn Harvest Festival the next day.
KC Pet Project: Bop around the Crossroads in your bling and butterfly clips with this Y2K-themed bar crawl. KATZ World Tour benefits KC Pet Project and guides you along a team scavenger hunt with stops at bars, photo ops, kitten snuggles, and more, starting at City Barrel Brewery. Individual tickets are $40.
Plan Ahead
National Taco Day: October 6 is National Taco Day, and you need look no further than Visit KCK’s Taco Trail. In fact, they’ll be posted up at two spots on October 6, giving away 100 free tacos. Follow along with them to find out which ones. And in case you want more, here are some of our taco recs.
KC Restaurant Festival: The 6th annual KC Restaurant Festival is back at Children’s Mercy Park on October 7. This is a chance for restaurant, bar, cafe, and more employees of all positions to network, sample vendors, win prizes, and learn. It is a free event, but requires registration.
