Where Is It? Here!
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By CHARLES FERRUZZA
Answer: The Humdinger Drive-In at 2504 E. 9th Street, between Wabash and Prospect.
When the Humdinger opened in 1962, Kansas City was going through a serious drive-in craze. There were already 65 local drive-ins listed in the 1960 City Directory, including the iconic Winstead’s near the Country Club Plaza (which is still doing great business) and a few blocks away, just over Brush Creek, the equally popular circular Sidney’s Drive-In, which was razed a hell of a long time ago.
Barely a handful of those 1960s drive-ins have survived, but the Humdinger (which doesn’t offer carhop service like Mugs Up in Independence) is even more amazing when you consider its huge menu: cheeseburgers, taco burgers, tacos and burritos, barbecue sandwiches, fried shrimp, pork tenderloins, slices of freshly-baked cakes (a lady on the night shift makes them) and breakfast served all day. The morning menu is limited, though: biscuits and gravy or one of the eight Big Kahuna sandwiches (named for the ultimate movie star Big Kahuna) served on a hoagie bun with two fried eggs, melted cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, grilled onion and hot sauce. It’s kind of messy to eat in the car, but there’s no seating at the Humdinger.
The Humdinger is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until after midnight on Friday and Saturdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.
