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Kansas City's All-American Best Burgers

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May is National Hamburger Month. Celebrate the American classic with a trip to one of our favorite diners, drive-ins and dives.

The juke box in the corner, the short-order cook behind the counter snatching paper slips from a ring, the sack of burgers you can see through and the to-die-for ice cream sodas that make a child’s eyes light up as big as saucers—these are the stuff of Happy Days, Grease and classic summer flicks.  All can be found with a side of nostalgia at our favorite local landmarks, each earning its place in the memory book of locals for generations:

Town Topic, Kansas City’s original greasy spoon with three locations (TownTopic.com), has been open for more than 75 years as a local landmark. In 1937, Claude Sparks opened the original location at 24th & Broadway, where he sold hamburgers for 5 cents each. At the end of his first day, he pocketed a whopping $21.00, and now the diner in the heart of the Crossroads (with two more locations) is a favorite for greasy home-style breakfasts, diner-style burgers, hand-dipped malts and fresh pie.

Johnny Ray's Drive-In (800 SW Blue Pkwy., Lees Summit, MO, 816.524.1910), since 1956, has been serving steakburgers with “all the fixin’s,” homemade malts and see-through-the-bag fries and rings at a drive-in that feels as though it is straight from the screen of a ’50s car classic. Celebrating the vibe, they host cruise-ins every third Saturday of the month, 3:00-10:00, all summer long. Enjoy the classic cars on display…with a side of fries.

Tara's Cafe & Malt Shop (401 Main St., Belton, MO, 816.331.0156) is the perfect lunch spot after a day riding the rails on the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad. The café, a neighborhood hangout and local favorite, is your classic greasy spoon, serving tenderloins, burgers, chili dogs, a variety of desserts and ice cream dishes. The chocolate Coke, as found only in the finest of diners and dives, is a must!

Christy's Tasty Queen (1405 S. 55th St., Kansas City, KS, 913.287.2800) has been serving customers for more than 40 years. Feasting at this authentic drive-in diner, you eat in your car or at a picnic table. Christy’s is best known for their amazing tenderloin, but the juicy, thick burgers are another classic that can’t be missed. 

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