I was looking through a box in my basement and stumbled upon a forgotten treasure: my collection of Kansas City restaurant menus dating back to the mid-1980s, when I reviewed restaurants for the Sun Newspapers of Johnson County. The first shocker, of course, was the prices: like a roast beef dinner for under five bucks at the old John Francis Restaurant (see the menu above), which was an Overland Park standby for decades at 7148 West 80th Street. If the family-owned restaurant had held on, it would have celebrated its 50th anniversary on February 5.
At least a dozen restaurants have come and gone in that space just west of Metcalf, including a Russian restaurant, an Italian one and its current tenant, the successful (and delicious) Mi Ranchito Cantina.
The Rio Theater, directly across the street, was still Kimo South Theatre back when John Francis served "Chicken in the Rough" and offered a "Sunday Chuck Wagon Buffet" for $5.95. Boy, I wish that deal was still arround.
My friend Cathy Barnett, now a successful actress, started her career as a 15-year-old waitress at the John Francis Restaurant. "I was fired," she told me, "because I couldn't balance eight plates on one arm like the veteran waitresses."
Her favorite story involves her inability to sell the dinner special one night. "It was a beef cutlet and on the board in the kitchen, someone wrote 'cutlet, mashed pot peas, dessert.' I didn't know it meant that the dinner came with mashed potatoes and peas. So I told customers it came with mashed pot peas. If anyone asked what that was, I told them that it was peas mashed in a pot in the kitchen. What did I know, I was 15!"
Hell, I'd eat mashed pot peas, but only if it came with fried chicken and the salad bar. -- By Charles Ferruzza
Showing 1-5 of 5
Lots of memories at the old restaurant . I am John Francis's granddaughter. Wish it was still in our family. I worked there for 17 years. I guess nothing good lasts forever . Cathy (Francis)Sullivan
I loved the chicken at John Francis. Does anyone know the receipe or where to find it in the Kansas City area?
i used to slip ketchup-covered french fries to my little sister under the table at breakfast after church at John Francis. we loved the 'clean-your-plate-club', would dig around in the treasure chest for the best plastic toy, then chase each other screaming and laughing around the brick planters and arcade columns outside. orange and brown psychedelic carpeting, brass fixtures, brown formica tabletops ahhh the 70s...
My Sister and I remember the 'Treasure Box' for a clean plate! We loved the cinamon rolls and Sunday buffet!! Ahhh the good ole days!
I have fond memories of John Francis Restaurant. My grandfather would "sneak" me out of the house and let me eat chocolate cake for breakfast while we sat at the counter. (Grandfathers let you do things like that.) I still like chocolate cake for breakfast, although my husband doesn't get it. If you are ever in Houston, I'd recommend Empire Cafe on Monday nights (Half Price Cake Night).
www.wanderingfork.com/?p=186
like
dislike
