Finding delicious hangover cures for $15 or less is easy in the city, but the real joy is discovering hidden gems that are often overlooked. Our list of top spots to cure hangovers highlights the best hole-in-the-wall places—those strip mall treasures and off-the-beaten-path joints—while still indulging in some classic KC favorites.
Curated by Tyler Shane Written by Dawnya Bartsch, Rachel Layton, Patrick Moore, Tyler Shane and Kyle Wisecarver. Photography by Sara Alvord. Illustrations by Linzie Hunter
Single Plate Lunch Buffet | $15
KC Kabob
8216 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park
Sitting a couple doors down from the venerable Taco Naco in Overland Park, it’s easy to overlook this traditional Persian restaurant. It’s a new location for owner Hamid Tafreshi, whose former Lenexa restaurant shut down during Covid, which I found devastating considering it was my family’s go-to for Iranian food.
But Tafreshi is back up and running. The new space is small, but they manage to pack a daily lunch buffet in at the front counter. If you’re new to Persian food, begin with a few scoops of saffron rice and pick between chicken or beef kabobs.
The cucumber and tomato salad, or shirazi, is a must along with some ghormeh sabzi (herb stew) and mast-o-khiar (a yogurt-cucumber sauce) for dipping. Top it all off with some charred tomatoes, and do it like the Persians do: indulge in the raw onions.
Lunch Special | $13.95
Sushi Uni
12841 W. 87th St. Parkway, Lenexa
If you are lucky enough to beat the lunch rush at this popular Lenexa sushi restaurant and not miss its amazing lunch specials, you’ll learn you don’t have to sacrifice price for quality rolls. Sushi Uni offers an impressive lunch special for just under $15: three sushi rolls of your choice, two crab rangoons, and soup or salad.
Not sure what to order? Grab a classic California roll. I also recommend the spicy crunch tuna roll with a spicy mayo and a sweet eel sauce. And don’t miss out on the spider roll with deep-fried soft-shell crab. Yes, you read that right.
Jalapeno Cheddar Kielbasa | $14.95
Wiener Kitchen
9645 W. 87th St., Overland Park
In between Costco’s $1.50 hotdog and a Kauffman Stadium glizzy lies a peculiar restaurant that sells hotdogs, brats and even pancakes in the morning. The entire breakfast and lunch menu is under $15, but one item rises above the rest: the jalapeno cheddar kielbasa.
This kielbasa is topped with coleslaw and honey mustard barbecue sauce. It hits every taste bud you have and is the perfect combination of salty, sweet and spicy. You don’t have to go to the grocery store to buy some brats to grill. Just head over to Wiener Kitchen and have them prepare you one.
Bún Bò Huế | $14.95
Pho Lan
5024 N.E. Parvin Road, KCMO
QUIETLY SITTING ON the edge of the River Market, Pho Lan, a family-owned, no-frills Vietnamese joint, lists their menu items in their native language. Don’t worry—there’s English descriptions underneath. But this small detail always bodes well if you’re looking for something unapologetically authentic, like the hearty soup called bún bò Huế.
Like pho, it comes with vermicelli noodles, but instead of the accompaniment of beef or pork, you’ll find slices of beef shank, pig’s feet and chunks of pork blood swimming in this soup. Slightly spicy and oh-so rich, it’s absolutely irresistible with a squeeze of lime. Trust me on this one. -TS
Bento Box Mr. Le | $14.95
Mr. Le
5024 N.E. Parvin Road, KCMO
This compact, unassuming strip-mall restaurant in the Northland is a hidden Asian food gem. The restaurant is not fancy, but it has a much-deserved loyal following. The popular restaurant serves Vietnamese and Japanese food along with sushi. It’s consistent, fresh and offered at a good price. The lunchtime bento box especially hits the mark. Your choice of meat is served alongside steamed rice, a house salad and your choice of miso or onion soup.
Pad Thai | $12.95
Thai Place
9359 W. 87th St., Overland Park
Kansas City does not lack Thai restaurants. There’s everything from fancy sit-down to strip mall Thai. Everyone has a favorite spot, but what’s the best bang for your buck? Thai Place, near 87th and Antioch.
The huge pad Thai dish is big enough to be a meal on its own, but it comes with a side salad and two crab rangoon to fill it out. The salad’s ginger-honey mustard dressing has just enough tang, and the wonton mini fried rangoons add a nice bite-sized crunch. As for the pad Thai, it comes with your protein of choice, is cooked with a scrambled egg and is topped with peanuts and green onions. The sauce-to-noodle ratio is perfect, giving you a sweet and tangy bite each time.
Looking for more cheap eats ideas? Check out our 34 Amazing Kansas City Meals For $15 Or Less
