It's a chain and the corporate staff is from Cheesecake Factory, hence the Cheesecake like menu. This is their 11th restaurant in seven years and definitely the most corporately run restaurant I've ever worked in. Managers are very strict about appearance, shaving daily, starch and creases, etc. Miserable place to work, but very cool layout. Food is average and wine is far below average. For over 40 varietals only 3 or 4 are decent.
I'm sure the folks at the Classic Cup, Plaza III and JJ's are shaking in their boots over the competition and their extensive Illinois wine list.....hiccup...!
I went here a week after it opened... we just stumbled upon it. I was really impressed to be honest. The environment was nice, not over crowded (and this was during the holidays), service was friendly and attentive. The food was EXCELLENT - very flavorful! The menu had you're traditional burgers and sandwiches, but with a creative twist. I had a smoked turkey sandwich with brie, walnuts and an apple slice... I was craving for another one a week later. I felt the prices were very reasonable. We had a glass of wine, prices were about the same as any other restaurant (inflated - but if you wanted to get it cheap just stay home). I'll definitely be going there again. :)
@Blob Parker Dude get over yourself. Such an ugly attitude.
what a joke. this place makes "white zinfandel" - and charges $13 a bottle for it. that's all you need to know.
Sounds like this place should have been located in the P&L, lots of hype and drama.....for wines bottled in Illinois. Good luck, nothing else that's been in this location has succeeded, I'm sure they'll keep that record in tact. I'd name 10 better places to have wine in KC, but then some of you morons on here impressed by the theatrics might show up and get my table.
After many years in New Orleans, which has both a highly acclaimed restaurant industry and a large Vietnamese community, I became addicted to Vietnamese Pho, eating it weekly. Very quickly after moving to Kansas City I began my search for this delicious soup. After many disappointing experiences at several other local Vietnamese restaurants, I finally found Pho Hoa KC. As soon as the first spoonful of broth hit my tastebuds, I knew that I had found the best Pho in Kansas City. I starting going weekly and have tried most of the menu items. The appetizers, vermicelli bowls and rice plates are all quite excellent. The bành mí sandwiches are some of the best I have ever had anywhere and of course the signature item, the special Pho, would rival any in New Orleans, Dallas, Houston or Los Angeles. The owner is also a talented chef who is willing and able to make off-menu items, vegetarian and vegan items, and special requests. The eating area is spacious and clean. The atmosphere and decor are authentic and pleasant. The service is very good even when they are busy. Other than the Venetian Creme ice coffee from Kaldi's Coffee Museum in the French Quarter of New Orleans (which is now closed), the Pho Hoa KC Cà Phê Sữa Đá (House Special Iced Milk Coffee) is the best iced coffee I have ever had and a delicious way to end a meal. I give my highest recommendation to this restaurant. If you are anywhere near Kansas City, it is well worth the trip.
I've been to the Rusty Horse Tavern just a handful of times, but each experience is better than the last. I sat at the bar on Thursday night, and the place was at about 1/2 capacity. It wasn't crowded, but it wasn't dead, by any stretch of the imagination--a perfect atmosphere for sharing a few drinks with friends.
I arrived at the ass-end of happy hour, so I was still able to get the Chef's Special: Swordfish Tacos. They were fantastic, although they were ever-so-slightly topped by the beer selection.
How do you choose between Boulevard's Rye on Rye, and Harvest Dance Wheat Wine, especially when both are on tap, right in front of you? Well, my friends. You don't. You have a little of column A, and a little of column B. Absolutely delicious, and certainly less expensive than pours at other establishments carrying craft beer.
The bartender, Chris, was a class act, and ensured my night was as enjoyable as possible. Great music, great food, great beer, and great conversation on top of it.
After quite a few rounds of craft beer, I ended up ordering the Bleu Burger, which has quickly become my favorite "fancy" burger in KC. (It's hard to beat a Hayes burger, but to paraphrase Jules, it ain't the same ballpark.) Served on a Farm to Market pretzel bun, it's absolutely delicious, down to the last juicy bite.
Prior to Thursday's visit, I was pretty much in agreement with the review from the Pitch, but then again, I'd never sat at the bar. It changed the entire dynamic, and really made me appreciate what the Rusty Horse offers: A great atmosphere close to my house where I can wash down a tasty locally-sourced burger with tasty, local, seasonal craft beers, or cleverly-crafted cocktails. (I overheard that one of their bartenders came from Manifesto.) I hope it continues to be a success, because it fits the bill for what I want in that kind of establishment, and I'm selfish like that.
Thoroughly enjoyed our lunch experience on the patio this fall. Crispy, handmade cracker bread, tables spaced so you feel pleasantly private, cheerful waitstaff who pays just enough attention (read doesn't repeatedly hit your table with "everything tastin' great!?"), excellent spreads and sauces ... we're glad to add you to our "Friday lunch list" in the Crossroads!
Sorry, didn't have the same experience. Appears either they don't want to use the furnace or it was broken. The food as okay but it doesn't beat Swagat. Do they even serve beverages other than water? None was offered, nor did it appear that they had a basic fountain. Will try again when the weather warms up.
Not to debate, but I go in there about every 3 weeks. It's never been a 'ghost town.' I guess it depends when one goes. And...incidently, I tend to go mid-week to avoid Fri/Sat crowds. Just sayin.
My comment wasn't meant as a slam on Rusty Horse as much as an inquiry into the Pitch's odd selection of who they praise and who they blast. I don't care how many places copy Blanc. I think that Blanc is a great place and RH isn't stepping on their toes because they are far enough apart that they aren't competing with one another. I just find it odd that the Pitch decided to blast Blanc for trying to expand the same concept into different markets, but think it's perfectly normal for a Pizza restaurant owner to venture into a totally different restaurant concept. Also, I wasn't saying using a beer menu or chalk board was a problem, I was just stating how similar RH's concept is to Blanc. You need to re-read my post. Slowly. So you can understand it. If you think the Pitch doesn't give totally biased articles on their advertisers then you are nuts. Go look at the Best of Kansas City article. Is it just one heck of a coincidence that their advertisers win all the awards? You might reply saying this is just good business on the Pitch's part. I would agree, but I would also state that their journalistic integrity goes down the toilet with it. As far as my point about their location goes --- My issue with RH's location isn't to say that Parkville isn't a good place. I was meaning the actual location they are in. You wouldn't even know they were there if you were driving by. There is a sign that hangs up high, but you would really have to be looking for it to see it. I have been to RH several times. It's a ghost-town in there. The owner has done a fantastic job with his pizza places. I think this one is a swing and miss.
@KCFoodie, since you think you are so smart.... Maybe Kevin Heaton is the most brilliant man in Parkville? Who cares if his place is like Blanc? There is no Blanc in the Northland!! Not every person (100,000) in the Northland wants to drive to the Plaza or Leawood for a good burger. Is Blanc the only restaurant that can serve only burgers? (Blanc has other things that are not burgers) Or have a beer menu or a challkboard? You must be the most ignorant person on ther planet! Lot's of places in KC have beer menus and chalkboards, The Foundry and McCoys come to mind quickly. I see you didn't mention this fact. And do you think the Pitch went to them and said if you advertize with us we will run a story on Blanc one week and you the next?
So 7 days ago Pitch wrote an article ripping apart Blanc and it's adventures in growth and management turnover. In the meantime they were putting together this cushy piece on Rusty Horse and failed to mention in the article that this place is a complete Blanc rip-off. They don't even deny it. They even hired Brian Wilson as the GM --- if you recall he is mentioned rather prominently in last week's Blanc article. Are we missing the irony here? This is a guy that owned a successful pizzeria that has to venture into a different form of restaurant (in a terrible location). This sounds like a much worse idea than Blanc's ideas of expansion into Lee's Summit and Omaha. Rusty Horse opened up as a burgers-only restaurant (Blanc) that offered a variety of craft beers you could order off of a beer menu (Blanc) or the off-menu beers on the chalkboard (Blanc). They failed at that so now they have a new chef and boring, run of the mill entrees. This is far from a destination restaurant. Northlanders aren't even going there. The burgers are better than Sonic, but nothing worth traveling across town for. Once they stop advertising with the Pitch I can't wait for the hatchet article on Kevin Heaton's mis-management.... just like what Pitch did to Ernesto Peralta.
The change in chefs likely explains a lot. We used to frequent here, and the burgers were top notch. Last visit they were all dry and over cooked. And served in a fast food style basket rather than on a plate, no less.
Wait staff didn't care, and filling out my comments on the website led to no reply. We haven't been back since- regulars turned to nevers.
I have taken the trek, passing through 4 counties along the way, to get there. I enjoyed the meal quite a bit. It is important to mention that the burgers are cooked on a flat top rather than a grill. This separates it from most other premium burger places. Will Johnson County be flocking there anytime soon? Probably not. There are however over 100,000 people in the Northland and no one actively courting the premium burger/craft beer crowd. I think there is room in that market for one place like this, and Rusty Horse is far ahead of their competitors.
I know nothing about beer, but from my past decades of bourbon drinking I can say that their selection is pretty impressive with good prices. Overall I think you gave the place a very fair review, Charles. We eat there pretty regularly, and while I’m not sure it will ever be a “destination” dining spot it absolutely has the potential to finally provide the neighborhood with a dependable longterm alternative to that giant vacuum from which not even light can escape- Nick & Jake’s. The latest menu is a big improvement over the first one, the fries are infinitely better than when they first opened, and if they can come up with more inventive signature dishes instead of the standard steak-salmon-meatloaf, then they’ll be off and running IMHO. Their daily specials can be great, and they are very consistent about keeping their Facebook updated, which is good news for those of us who are culinary impulse shoppers, and their website isn’t a rickety nightmare like many restaurants. We had one really bad experience with their carryout communication chain, but it was obvious management was on top of it and it didn’t happen again. The service has ranged from distant to chatty, but has always been efficient. I really wish them the best of luck, we love having them in the neighborhood.
I agree with Jeff. AWESOME beer selection and they'll let you sample any draft. They've got a larger selection of bottles than most places I've been to. The food is coming around slowly. The burgers are really good, but I'm not a big fan of the pretzel bun. It's lightyears ahead of where Agave was. We need more places like this in the Northland. All Star Pizza & Pub and Rusty Horse are my go-to's when I've got friends in town that like to hang out and drink good beer.
No mention at all of their excellent selection of craft beers that rotates faster than the merry-go-round at the local carnival? And no mention that Brian encourages his patrons to taste them all, vs. the stingy approach to craft beer tasting found at the other venues in Kansas City? These points deserve note, IMHO.
Re: “Cooper's Hawk swoops onto the Plaza”
I've been to the one in Wisconsin and the new one in KC, and have loved pretty much every bite of food I've had (get the southwestern egg rolls, the scallops, and the banoffee pie), the ambience is great, and the wine is tasty and decently priced. I like the fact that they only serve their own wine, and their monthly tastings are great, especially at only $7. Sure there might be better, local places in KC to get wine, but there always will be no matter where you go. I think the Plaza is a perfect location for them, and I encourage you to go try it before you knock it.