Whether you want to go out for breakfast, lunch or dinner, there are many restaurants in the city to choose from. We’ve featured 10 of the best places to eat in Shawnee, Kansas below.
1. McLain’s Market
McLain’s Market is a longstanding name in Shawnee. McLain’s opened its doors in 1945 and was family-owned and operated until the early months of 2014 when it came under new ownership. Since then, they’ve continued the tradition by serving top-notch breakfast to the Shawnee community. McLain’s Market is open from 7-2 p.m. Sunday-Monday, from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, and from 7-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday.
The food at McLain’s is classic Americana with a slight twist. Breakfast is the main event, with breakfast burritos, scrambles, sandwiches, and full plates of eggs and cured meat. Lunch consists of salads, rice bowls, and toast – but the community favorite remains the baked goods. Coffee cake, donuts, cookies, croissants, and more are baked daily in-house in all their crumbly glory.
Swing by McLain’s Market’s Facebook page to get in touch.
2. Harley’s Hideaway Bar & Grill
Harley’s Hideaway is unapologetic casual American fare at its best. They’re known for serving burgers, steaks, and more in an incredibly relaxed bar environment and doing it all with a smile. The major draw, though, is their extensive liquor and cocktail menu – if you need a stiff drink, Harley’s is a great choice. Harley’s Hideaway is closed Monday-Tuesday and is open from 4-12 a.m. Wednesday-Friday and from 2-12 a.m. Saturday-Sunday.
The menu, as mentioned above, is exactly what you’d expect of an American greasy spoon diner. Massive burgers, toasty sandwiches, and deep-fried pickles are only a few of the offerings. Their proper signature is the blackened Cajun steak – a 14-oz. monstrosity that’s chock-full of flavor. Ultimately, the food at Harley’s is incredibly varied and sure to have a few favorites for any customer.
Go to Harley’s Hideaway’s contact page to learn more.
3. Blind Box BBQ
Blind Box BBQ has taken the responsibility of keeping Kansas BBQ alive and well in Shawnee as a quest of the noblest proportions. They’ve crafted something truly incredible, delivering classic Kansas-style BBQ in a relaxed, all-American environment. Blind Box BBQ is open from 11-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, from 11-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 9-8 p.m. on Sundays for brunch.
The main menu is BBQ at its best – brisket, burnt ends, ribs, and pulled pork are ever-present, as are their tasty sandwich counterparts. While the BBQ sides are crucial (and made fresh each day), the truly unique factor of Blind Box is their Sunday Brunch. You can grab breakfast staples like Benedicts and eggs as well as breakfast tacos, chilaquiles barbacoa, and brisket & gravy – seriously, it’s something extraordinary and not to be missed.
Head to Blind Box BBQ’s Facebook page to learn more.
4. Oishi Sushi Restaurant & Bar
Oishi Sushi is one of the best places to enjoy Japanese cuisine in a truly sophisticated environment that doesn’t feel repressed, stuffy, or too “fine-dining-adjacent.” They serve classic hibachi, sushi, and bento boxes all day and do so with the freshest possible produce. Oishi is open from 11-2:30 and 4:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, 11-2:30 and 4:30-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and from 12-9 on Sundays. Oishi is closed on Mondays.
The fare at Oishi is classic Japanese fare at its most delicious. Bento boxes, sushi rolls, sashimi, and hibachi-grilled masterpieces are the mainstays – though they’re not alone. Japanese deep-fried tempura and katsu are crunchy in all the right ways and just waiting for you along with udon, ramen, and fried rice. Realistically, Oishi is likely the best Japanese joint in Shawnee.
Go to Oishi Sushi’s Facebook page to learn more.
5. Wandering Vine at the Castle
Wandering Vine at the Castle is perhaps the most fairytale-esque restaurant you’ll ever step foot inside. I already know what you’re asking, and yes – they are quite literally located in a castle. Owned by locals, they’ve developed a refined fine-dining experience unlike any other in the Midwest. Wandering Vine is closed Monday-Tuesday and open from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, 11-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and from 10-2 p.m. on Sundays.
They serve brunch on Sundays and have “small plate” and dinner menus for the remainder of the week. Each menu is quite limited, as they use seasonal, local ingredients – the dinner menu consists of eight items with four desserts. You’ll find seafood, steak, lamb, chicken, fresh-made tortellini, and more. Brunch is a limited affair, consisting of baked goods, a few classic breakfast items, and little else.
Go to Wandering Vine at the Castle’s Facebook page to get in touch.
6. Hawaiian Bros Island Grill
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is the single best place in Kansas to get a taste of the Pacific Islands (without having to leave the mainland). They serve traditional Hawaiian cuisine across multiple locations, providing friendly and fast service for a super reasonable price point. Hawaiian Bros Island Grill is open from 11-11 Sunday-Thursday and 11-12 a.m. Friday-Saturday.
If you’ve never had Hawaiian food – this is your sign to get up and do it. The Hawaiian Bros menu consists of perfectly-prepared rice adorned with slow-cooked Hawaiian BBQ meat, alongside mac salad and other mainstay sides. And before you ask – yes, you can grab a few Spam musubi rolls (in fact, you should). They serve true Dole soft serve for dessert, bringing out the best island flavors possible.
Head to Hawaiian Bros Island Grill’s Facebook page to learn more.
7. Mickey’s Ristorante
Mickey’s Ristorante is truly authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Shawnee. They’re known for quite a few things, though the main focus points are the pizzas, subs, pasta, and cannoli. While they offer multiple traditional Italian entrees, they’re primarily known for the carbs. Mickey’s Ristorante is open from 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 4-10 on Fridays, 11-10 on Saturdays, and from 11-9 p.m. on Sundays.
As discussed above, Mickey’s has a slew of classic Italian fare that’s sure to have a perfect choice for just about anyone. Whether you want house-baked cannoli, fresh daily-made pasta, or cheesy, gooey pizza, they have quite a few options. The items considered a local favorite on the menu are by far their pasta dishes, as each component is local and prepared fresh each day – what more could you need?
Go to Mickey’s Ristorante’s contact page to reach out.
8. Lulu’s Place
Lulu’s Place is one of the best Mexican joints in the greater Kansas City area, let alone Shawnee. They’re known for handcrafting their tortillas daily (a rarity) and serving classic, simple, and genuinely delicious tamales and other Mexican staples. Lulu’s Place is open from 7-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, from 7-2 p.m. on Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
Think of a Mexican staple you’ve been craving; now, go to Lulu’s – you now have that perfectly prepared meal. Whether you require tamales, tacos, burritos, or gorditas, your lunch and dinner needs are covered. And for breakfast, it’s a simple affair – grab a breakfast burrito wrapped in a plancha-fresh tortilla, and your day is set.
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Head to Lulu’s Place’s contact page to learn more.
9. Nick and Jake’s
Nick and Jake’s is a small local chain that’s garnered a reputation for serving excellent food in a manly, relaxed environment. Unsurprisingly, the owners (Nick and Jake) are kitchen legends. Nick is a Chicago local, and Jake an Atlanta native, each bringing a touch of personal flair to the menu. Nick and Jake’s is open from 11-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, from 11-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and from 11-9 p.m. on Sundays.
For food, Nick and Jake’s keeps things fresh. They’ve got you covered whether you’re after classic southern food like shrimp and grits, Asian-inspired potstickers, or a simple burger. They also offer sandwiches, pasta, a wide assortment of seafood (including Jambalaya), and a genuinely extensive cocktail, wine, and beer menu. Give them a taste the next time you need a cold drink and hot food.
Go to Nick and Jake’s contact page to find out more.
10. The Big Biscuit
For our last entry, we saved one of the best – The Big Biscuit is all-American breakfast at its best, full stop. Every breakfast dish you can imagine and then some is present on their menu, accompanied by an incredibly amicable and efficient staff. The Big Biscuit is open from 6:30-2:30 p.m. seven days a week.
The Big Biscuit aims to please with their breakfast menu. They boast a massive menu, filled with benedicts, omelets, basic egg breakfasts, pancakes, and obviously biscuits and gravy. They also offer an extensive lunch menu, consisting of sandwiches, burgers, rice and egg bowls, and more. Realistically, The Big Biscuit is truly top-notch breakfast, no matter how you cut it.
Go to The Big Biscuit’s contact page to get in touch.