Kitty's Cafe

810 1/2 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO 64109, United States
$$$ Sandwich shop , Hamburger restaurant
(1624 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Kitty's Cafe lands squarely in the world of casual sandwich and burger joints, with a strong local reputation for its signature pork tenderloin sandwiches. Located just east of downtown Kansas City, the spot is small inside and relies mainly on covered outdoor seating, giving it a laid-back, almost pop-up vibe that fits well with warm weather afternoons or mild evenings.

What stands out here is the quality and character of the tenderloin sandwiches. The pork tenderloin is coated in a light, crispy batter that strikes a good balance—not too greasy or heavy—paired with simple fresh toppings like lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles, plus their house hot sauce or mayonnaise depending on the sandwich. Patrons commonly pair these with freshly fried tater tots, which come out hot and crisp, rounding out the meal with a satisfying crunch. Besides the iconic tenderloins, Kitty’s also serves straightforward cheeseburgers and classic breakfast sandwiches, offering a handful of comfort-food staples done well without fuss.

Because it’s strictly cash-only, it helps to come prepared with bills in hand. The limited indoor space pushes people outdoors, where shaded seating under a roof lets you linger a bit, especially on days when the weather is pleasant. This makes Kitty’s feel less like a sit-down restaurant and more like a local hangout spot, where the casual setup encourages quick bites or relaxed meals with friends or family.

The usual crowd includes folks who appreciate no-frills, well-executed sandwich basics—ideal for lunch breaks, weekend casual outings, or anytime cravings for a classic Midwestern sandwich hit. It’s not a place for formal dining but rather a spot where the focus stays on the food’s texture and flavor and the simple pleasure of getting your hands messy with a hearty sandwich.

Parking can be a little tricky since it’s street-only and sometimes crowded, so expect to walk a short block or two. When the sun’s out and the neighborhood feels lively, Kitty’s outdoor seating reflects that neighborhood energy—familiar, unpretentious, and genuinely focused on delivering solid sandwiches that locals keep coming back for.

Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Best for
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
No wheelchair-accessible seating
No wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Somewhat difficult to find a space

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Saturday

10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

Closed

1624 Reviews
Aaron Lorick

08 Jan 2026

Damn good. I enjoyed the pork tenderloin sandwich and the tots! They were both hot and fresh! That tenderloin sandwich. The batter each cutlet is fried in is light and crispy! I should have added cheese. The service was good. My only gripe is how they only take cash, but "if it ain't broke, dont fix it," I suppose. The spot is super small inside. There's outdoor seating if you have time to hang out. I'll definitely be back for sure!

Jake Broce

19 Dec 2025

Fantastic pork tenderloin sandwich. Great batter that had the perfect crunch without being dry or greasy. It is outside seating only (though there is a roof) so go on a nice day. I got excited abd had already taken several bites of the sandwich before I remembered to take a picture, so it's a little squished

Meadrica Whigham

19 Dec 2025

I remember hearing about this place years ago but never went. It popped up on my FYP on TikTok so I decided to give it a try. My family and I drove down on a Saturday around 12:30. Not sure where it was exactly, we ended up driving by it and having to turn around. There is only street parking available so we parked 1/2 a block up and walked down. We weren’t the only ones who did. The steady flow of people coming in and out was a lot. Good for business. They only accept cash, which is good to know beforehand. We ordered the famous pork tenderloin, a cheeseburger and fries. Everything is alacarte. Which is also good to know beforehand. The tenderloin had good flavor but was fried very hard. My husband enjoyed his but said it was too spicy, he had the hot sauce. Overall, it was good. Glad we finally tried it.

Austin S

04 Dec 2025

Charlie and his family have been making tenderloins out of this world for as long as I can remember. This is the best place in the city, bar none, for a Pork Tenderloin. It simply cannot be beat. Get it with both hot sauce and horseradish, real horseradish. Can’t go wrong with a burger or breakfast sandwich either. Everything here is good and cooked to perfection. CASH ONLY BRING CASH

Josh Poe

12 Nov 2025

I read about this place on atlas obscura and was surprised its been around since the 50s and my in-laws who live in KCK have never heard of it. We went on a Friday around lunchtime and it was pretty busy. My fiance wanted to try the cheeseburger and I had to have the famed pork tenderloin sandwich. The wait was about 30 minutes and it is CASH ONLY so as long as you're prepared, neither is an issue. The pork tenderloin sandwich and the hot sauce on it were great and I'd love to have another. The cheeseburger wasn't bad but seemed pretty similar to Sonic or a run of the mill fast food cheeseburger. I had to have a mexican coke with it and it made for the perfect combo. Overall, a good visit.

Panda Sanchez

11 Oct 2025

Absolutely delicious. You would be shorting yourself if you didn't at least try this place. Haven't had it in a while, my husband grabbed it and by the time I got it, it was cold. The tater tots are STILL crispy. The sandwich isn't soggy at all. Amazing. Even better when hot

El Bandito

30 Sep 2025

Great little local specialty sandwich shop. Set up for cash sales and to go orders. Not dine in. That said their pork tenderloin Sandwich is great! Very popular locally and has a great reputation that is well deserved. What makes their tenderloin sandwich special is: The bread is very fresh and good with a little bit of a crispy outside.,The tenderloin on it is pounded thin and tender with a very crispy breading, and then there’s a mixture of mayonnaise and onion slices that come alive with each bite against the salty crispy pork.. Great sandwich that will fill the stomach. Definitely recommend kitty’s café.

Sean Cunningham

26 Sep 2025

Amazing tenderloin sandwich, crispy and delightful crinkle cut fries, their burgers are excellent as well. Cash only though, and be prepared for outdoor seating and a 10-20 minute wait!

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