5 Places in KC to Satisfy Your Italian Food Craving
Growing up Italian, Christina Hocker knows good food– here, she takes us through some of KC’s best
Photo by Anna Petrow
Historic Northeast KC was the epicenter of the Italian community that existed in Kansas City for decades. Immigrants, my mother and her parents included, came to Kansas City in search of a better life, and settled in a part of the city that still emulated the bits of life in Italy they had to leave behind. Small, family-owned businesses with familiar faces, the American Sons of Columbus Club where men and women gathered to share stories, drinks, and play rounds of Bocce, the River Market nearby full of fresh fruits and vegetables, and an Italian Community Center that provided resources for them to adjust to life in the U.S.– all of these things made up the community they grew to love.
Waking up in an Italian home on a Sunday morning meant waking up to the smell of garlic, onions, and basil as it permeated every nook and cranny in the house. Sneaking down to the kitchen, you’d find a pot of sauce on the stove that had been simmering for hours, and maybe some freshly fried meatballs waiting to be snacked on. A long table, sometimes two, covered in a gaudy floral tablecloth waited to be filled with family. All of this in preparation for Sunday “dinner.” I’m sure any Italian reading this can share in the same heart-warming, and food filled memories.
The question I get often, being the foodie that I am, is where to get good Italian food in KC. Truth is, I cringe when people tell me their favorite Italian restaurant is Olive Garden. You will find so many hidden Italian gems (maybe not too hidden) in KC that are run by hard-working Italians who desire to carry on the deep-rooted Italian food traditions their families passed down. These are just a few of my favorites, with more to come later:
Photo by Christina Hocker
Carollo’s Italian Deli & Grocery | 9 E 3rd Street, Kansas City, MO 64106
I cannot talk about Italian food without sharing my own family’s legacy. Walking into Carollo’s, you’ll likely be greeted by one of the many family members that helps run the show. The deli counter has a variety of sandwiches you can take on the go, or you can stock up on the best imported ingredients for your own Italian cooking. Bring the kids and grab a gelato, a cannoli, or some Italian cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth. My favorite time to go is on a Saturday when I can grab an Italian sausage sandwich fresh off the grill. You can’t go wrong any way you go, and the best part is that you are supporting a local family legacy that has been around for decades.
Photo by Christina Hocker
Scimeca’s Retail Market & Deli | 1611 Swift Street, North Kansas City, MO 64116
Scimeca’s Grocery Store was a pillar of Northeast KC, right on The Avenue. Frequent visits with my nonna as a little girl now have me reminiscing about the familiar smells, the rows of cheese, and the big jar of green olives on the deli counter. After the iconic store closed, the Scimeca’s continued their production of Italian sausage that you can find all over the city. Last summer, the family opened a new market & deli just a stone’s throw away from downtown KC. So, naturally, I had to go running there. Like a little girl in a candy store, I saw the familiar Italian sausage, the freshly grated cheeses, and Scimeca’s own private label of pickled vegetables, olive salads, and other goodies. You can stop at the deli counter to order hot or cold sandwiches, stock up on the best Italian Sausage in the city, and anything else you need for your own Italian kitchen. The thing I love is that you’ll find other small, local Italian businesses being supported at Scimeca’s, as well. Dicapo’s and Scola’s Italian cookies, Roma Bakery (another Northeast KC legend), and C&C Produce, just to name a few.
Photo by Anna Petrow
Bella Napoli | 6229 Brookside Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64113
Bella Napoli is another Italian deli, tucked into the heart of the Brookside shops. While Bella compares to both Carollo’s and Scimeca’s in that they serve some of the best Italian sandwiches and sell high-quality imported groceries, I encourage you to take a seat and sample the restaurant menu. The arancini (fried rice balls) remind me of the Christmas tradition in my grandparent’s home. For a real traditional Italian feel, order a bowl of pasta and a side of their eggplant. “Primi” means first in Italian, and well, pasta is ALWAYS first! Don’t miss their pizza, either– Monday night is pizza night, and you can get any pizza on the menu for $7!
Photo by Christina Hocker
Cupini’s | 1809 Westport Rd, Kansas City, MO 64111
Any place that has a cold deli case full of fresh pasta selections has my heart instantly. Cupini’s is a hidden gem just off Westport Road. Its black and white awning, string lights, and patio tables tucked into a tiny alleyway remind me of the time I spent in Venice. While their menu offers a ton of options, what makes this place special is the “Build Your Own” section of the menu. Fresh pasta can be a labor of love, and it is worth every single bit of time it takes to make it. However, in my world, time is sparse. So, Cupini’s it is!
Photo by Anna Petrow
Tavernonna | 106 W 12th St, Kansas City, MO 64105
For a great date night option, step out of your sweats and head downtown to Tavernonna. The Italian kitchen is attached to Hotel Phillips, and currently has complimentary valet for the first two hours. Nonna’s meatballs on the menu were comparable to, dare I say it, my own nonna’s fresh from her basement kitchen. The arugula salad didn’t have me too excited, because salad, but after one bite I was actually attempting to replicate the dressing in my head. The sauce was simple, and flavorful, the way Italian food should be. I always joke that Italians only use three seasonings in their cooking - garlic, garlic, and garlic. While the food was lovely, my favorite thing about Tavernonna is that all of their food is locally sourced from farmers and vendors in Kansas City, one of which is that old Northeast staple I talked about earlier, Roma Bakery. And well, that alone is worth the drive.
