Sunday will be the last day of business for Neighbor's Cafe, the popular family-style diner at 104 S.E. Third Street in downtown Lee's Summit. The Pitch named the venue "Best Diner" in 2009.
But don't blame the economy for this closing, says co-owner Phil Roberts. Blame the IRS.
When The Pitch honored the diner two years ago, we couldn't help but note that it was impossible not to love any restaurant that gave the first cinnamon roll free. (Each additional roll was 50 cents.)
Another reason to love Neighbors?
Home-style fried cookin' has never gone out of style in this kitchen, which puts out an impressive whole fried catfish, country-fried steak and a fried pork chop. Neighbor's Café still serves liver and onions (which it claims are "the best in town") and walleye fried, grilled or Cajun-style. Dinners come with a choice of potato, vegetable, apple sauce or fresh fruit, and a hot roll, biscuit or cornbread.There has been some kind of family-owner diner in this location for the last half-century, since Mildred and Jasper Brown opened Brown's Steakhouse in 1951. Phil Roberts and his son Don purchased the business in 2000 and ran the restaurant with their wives. Don Roberts died last October.
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Tricia: The restaurant is still open. New owners purchased it a few weeks after it closed, It's now called the Neighborhood Cafe.
Tricia: The restaurant is still open. New owners purchased it a few weeks after it closed, It's now called the Neighborhood Cafe.
I wanted to eat there tonight. I will really miss Neighbors we have shared many meals there with family and friends. Sorry to see them go.
I will miss it sooooo much! We had so many good times and memories there. Everyone of our friends that have come in from out of state to visit has been there. Big Ole Bummer
Dude- if the IRS believes the assets have a better chance of settling the lien than future earnings, THEY SIEZE THEM! This happens all the time. I saw this firsthand about twenty years ago when my father had to prove to the IRS that his company's products in a former customer's inventory were on consignment. Since the customer had not paid for them, they were not an asset deemed acceptable in satisfying the debt.
It is unfortunate what has happened to this family and their business as a result of the misguided intentions of a person now deceased. Good place, too.
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