The first recognition for this holiday season comes from Time magazine, which puts Justus Drugstore front and center in its top-10 food trends for 2011.
Josh Ozersky writes about Justus in the trend he identifies as regional food:
Destination restaurants are emerging in places like Smithville, Mo. (Justus Drugstore), and Chilhowie, Va. (Town House). Rather than simply replicating generic bistro fare, more restaurants are forging new traditions and vocabularies.
It's nice to see KC leading the discussion for a change, and it's ironic that a national writer's sentiment about the Smithville restaurant would mirror that of many Kansas Citians — Justus is a drive (or flight) worth making.
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The food is good, but the service is terrible, the ticket times outrageously slow and it is nowhere near civilization. There are many other restaurants in KC and STL that have the entire package.
I was very disappointed in the vegetarian dish that I ordered there last summer. It lacked having a variety of vegetables in it and was very boring. I think they could certainly improve on that score, especially since they grow their own!
Justus is over-rated in this day and age. Have been there several times and have been thoroughly disappointed as of late. The dishes are good, but no longer inspire and don't have the originality they first encompassed. Go to anytown USA that has a decent food scene (aka farm to table concept) and you will find a Justus. What has really gotten to me more than anything lately is the fact that customer service has gone down hill a lot. I travel a ton and eat at some great restaurant - the hallmark of the best is quality of food matched by quality of service. There is no way I could recommend someone visiting KC to make the trek for that restaurant.
I feel like that should go without saying regarding all of my comments here.
I will amend my statement to say "in the greater metropolitan area" or "in the state of Missouri." I will stand by my statement that they are the best restaurant in these geographical areas.
You will have to forgive Dave. He forgot that "best" is actually an exact, measurable, scientific term. Dave, I'm sorry but you know what this means. To the House of Pain.
The comment "No is not a better restaurant in town" is completely absurd... It's good for a "farm to table bistro" but restaurants like the American, Reiger and Blue Stem run circles around them...it's not even in KC.
Big congrats to the staff- we have always had consistently great food and service. The overall quality is a constantly evolving target, we usually always have at least one above-and-beyond element of the meal that inspires a lot of good conversation on the drive home.
Good for Jonathan and Camille. The staff has pride in its craft, must be the secret ingredient
There is not a better restaurant in town. Congrats to the Chef and entire staff for getting the recognition they deserves.
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