Chuck Eats KC - January 2025

Chuck Munson

30 Jan 2025 — 5 min read

Pad Thai with Tofu from Tuk Tuk Thai

It's a new year and it's incredibly cold, but let's look at Kansas City restaurant news, review some restaurants, and catch up on what's been published recently on Chuck Eats KC.

Looking to Interview Chefs, Restaurant Owners, and Restaurant Workers

In 2025, my goal is to interview people involved with the Kansas City food scene. These interviews will be turned into Youtube videos, shorts, and segments on my returning podcast. Are you a chef or restaurant owner who would be willing to share your story with Kansas City? Do you know of a restaurant owner, chef, foodies, or restaurant worker who I should interview?

Let me know! Put them in contact with me. Thanks.

Restaurant News

Brio Italian Grille abruptly closed this week. The restaurant has been a feature in the Country Club Plaza for decades. The reasons for the closure have been unclear a this time.
Nautical Bowls closed its Overland Park and Kansas City locations at the end of December. Chuck had been hoping to try out one of their "healthy" bowls, but time ran out.
The Mill Cafe is a new coffee shop on Hickman Mills Drive, run by students from Ruskin High School.
There is conflicting news about whether or not Breakfast and Lunch Lovers in Raytown has permanently closed.
SAKI, a popular sushi restaurant in south Overland Park, has plans to open a second location in Missouri. More details as we learn more.

More restaurant news can be found on the Chuck Eats KC website, including monthly overviews.

Albeik is a Lebanese concept that is opening in February, at 13135 State Line Rd, Kansas City, Missouri.

What's New At Chuck Eats KC?

Restaurants I Miss, U.S. Edition, Madison, Wisconsin

I've published the latest installment in my series on restaurants I miss around the world. Chuck Eats KC has published several articles about bygone restaurants in the Kansas City area--there will be more of these on Kansas City culinary history. I lived in Madison Wisconsin for five years in the early 1990s. I talk about my first experiences with food like falafel, pesto pizza, Nepalese food, and more.

Country Club Plaza: What’s Next?

The Country Club Plaza has been a famous Kansas City attraction since 1923. The district has seen many restaurants, retail stores, and more over the past century. Now with new owners, what are some possible ways forward?

Day Trips: Springfield, Missouri – The Food

For the first installment of my day trip series, I recently visited Springfield, Missouri for the first time. Visited Commercial Street, the farmer’s market, a food truck court, and discovered a Dutch restaurant.

First Look Review: Tuk Tuk Thai

The Thai restaurant scene in Overland Park has been rapidly growing in recent years. It seems like I'm discovering a new spot every other week. Kansas Citians across the metro area are enjoying more Thai concepts, including new formats like Thai barbecue. Any kind of barbecue is a winner with Kansas Citians.

Last month I treated myself to a late lunch at Tuk Tuk Thai in southern Overland Park. It is located in a small strip mall in the southwest corner of 135th Street and Hemlock. Basically a few blocks west of the I-69 interchange.

The interior of Tuk Tuk Thai looks like many Thai restaurants, but more minimal and modern. I really liked the fact that the dining area was next to a row of windows. Lots of natural light is something I appreciate in restaurant design. Many Asian restaurants are against natural light from outside, for some reason.

Found lots of possibilities on the menu, but I chose their Pad Thai with tofu as my protein. I had decided to get this popular dish as a way to compare Thai restaurants in future reviews. It is also the Thai dish most familiar to American diners.

With Pad Thai, I'm expecting a flavorful plate, with fresh tasting ingredients, noodles cooked correctly, and multiple colors. I like to have the peanuts chopped up, but whole peanuts can be OK. Pad Thai is a noodle dish, so I was very happy with the plate I had on my first visit. Flavors were complicated and not super spicy. I think my order was for spicy. Plating and presentation were spot on.

The staff were friendly and and helpful. I had a late lunch, so the dining room was mostly empty.

I plan to go back and introduce family and friend to Tuk Tuk Thai. Look for a longer review on my website soon.

Full review coming soon to the Chuck Eats KC website

New Chuck Eats KC Forum!

We have a new forum for Kansas City area foodies! This will replace our Facebook forum. Please bookmark it today and set up an account soon. There are boards for you to talk about bygone restaurants and restaurant history, restaurants in your neighborhood or city, restaurant news, and more. I will be posting updates often to the blog forum. Patreon sustainers are welcome to post to the blog forum too.