While Kansas City doesn't have Justin Timberlake to exhort people down to Omeletteville, we do have a surprisingly robust food-mascot culture. And while our greatest mascot may have fallen -- a moment of silence for the soups and hero chef of Souperman -- there are plenty of mascots left to pick up the mantle.
A mascot can be funny or engaging, but most importantly, it must be instantly recognizable. If you were to take the letters off a restaurant's signage, a mascot should still be strong enough to let you know where you are. Here are five that fit the bill.
5. Lulu's Thai Noodle Shop -- The cute cartoon girl with a bowl haircut and a bowl of noodles is one of the easiest signs downtown to recognize.
4. Belly Up Bar-B-Que -- The catering company has a red chili pepper with sunglasses, holding a glass of wine like a waiter. "I asked for a chili pepper with a pig-nose disguise, a shit-eating grin and a glass of wine. I just wanted to project subtle confidence," chef Craig Adcock told Fat City last month. Mission accomplished.
3. Fresher Than Fresh Snow Cones -- The snow cone with arms and legs has a name -- Snowie -- and funny proportions that are the result of owner Lindsay Laricks' former career as a graphic designer.
2. New York Dawg Pound -- A dog with a monocle holding a hot dog gets filed under things I wish to see happen in real life. It's like 101 Dalmations meets the Aristocats.
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