KC Sipps: Neighborhood restaurants step up for their people, KC’s best chefs, and two coffee shop closures
KC Sipps logo by Theodore 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: A few congratulations are in order for the minds behind some of Kansas City’s favorite restaurants! The Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association named Chef Matt Barnes of Pierpont’s as Chef of the Year. Chef Penny Mufuka of Bamboo Penny’s (and Aqua Penny’s) was voted Best Chef of 2025 by readers like you. Nana at Jazz Louisiana Kitchen was voted Best Server again this year!
PH Coffee is the latest restaurant to step up in a creative way when the powers that be have let down citizens. PH Coffee is partnering with Pendleton Heights Community School for a homework hour on Wednesdays (4 – 5 p.m.) to offer pizza and academic help for neighborhood students.
And speaking of caring for their community, Ladybird Diner in Lawrence is offering free soup and biscuits for anyone in need on Monday evenings. Jalapenos in Brookside is offering free kids’ meals throughout the month. Red Kitchen in downtown Overland Park created a food pantry cabinet just outside the front doors for anyone to drop off or take from. Aurora Bakery is donating $2 to Harvesters for each iconic pink vanilla concha sold. I’ve been reporting on these for the last few weeks as they’ve been announced, but former Pitch writer Tyler Shane, now Food Editor at Kansas City Magazine, compiled many of these in one story.
Opening
Buffalo State Pizza // Photo by Sarah Sipple
Dos Lokos: Promising sports, cultura, and tequila, Westport’s newest restaurant is opening soon. Dos Lokos is a sports cantina in the former Fountain Haus space. There is a grand opening celebration on November 7 at 5 p.m. with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and live music.
Glimmer: Now through December 21, The Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium has a new adults-only feature. Glimmer, a new holiday pop-up bar, features Glo-Wild viewing and private igloos in the Tropics Event Pavilion. Tickets to enter the Glimmer area are $15 and include one drink, and igloos are $150, which hold up to six people and include four drinks.
Buffalo State Pizza: This is less of an opening, more of a heads up that if you visit the Overland Park location that you’re used to, you may be confused, but you’re so close. The local pizza joint relocated to a larger space just half a block down the street. The new location is open now. There are designated parking spots for quick pickups in the back on Foster Street.
Closing
Prefix Coffee: After closing the two southernmost locations of Prefix Coffee in March of 2024, the cafe and roasting company has announced the closure of the two remaining shops. The downtown KC cafes inside Lightwell and The Grand will close at the end of business on November 7.
November 7
Orange by Devoured: After a couple weeks of road closures slowed down business for the midtown pizza joint, Orange by Devoured is celebrating the reopening with a block party. From 3 – 9 p.m., pop in for pizza, giveaways, cocktails from neighbor Ludo’s, flash tattoos, and discounts for donating non-perishable food for KC Kids Eat.
November 8
Origin Cội Nguồn: The Vietnamese coffee shop that opened earlier this summer is staying open late to host a mini night market. From 5 – 8 p.m., you can pick up any of Origin’s drinks and treats, plus additional food options from Bao Wowz and Puddi. The event also features music and a food drive for Harvesters.
November 10
XO Hifi: The small Westside bar will host Fare Jane and Little Butter Bakery from 5 – 8 p.m. The two small-batch bakers will be offering pot pies, salads, and cake by the slice. Pitch President Andrew Miller can be found there from time to time. The cocktail menu changes frequently, but the rum-based cocktails are his go-to. The current iteration is “Chasing Clouds”–a tequila and rum drink with sesame, lime, and nutmeg.
