If you’re any kind of foodie, you already know one of the biggest power couples in KC’s food scene, Ted and Pam Liberda. Between Waldo Thai, Buck Tui and their food truck Sandos Shack, the husband-and-wife duo consistently receive accolades for their Thai and fusion cooking (Pam was recently nominated under the Best Chef Midwest category for the James Beard Awards). The pair isn’t slowing down. They have another restaurant in the works – Muni, a Mexican Thai fusion eatery opening in the River Market next week.
“I don’t want to say it’s Mexican or Thai,” says Ted Liberda. “It’s a neighborhood bar and eatery specializing in nontraditional Mexican and Thai.”
Muni (which is the combination of the Liberda’s two daughter’s nicknames) will open in the former Tribe Street Kitchen (316 Delaware St., KCMO). Thai tacos, a Thai-style smash burger, birria dumplings and Thai basil beef empanadas are just a few examples of how the Liberdas are leaning even more into the world of comfort fusion food.
For those who have visited any one of the Liberdas’ establishments, the fusing of Mexican and Thai flavors is a perfect fit with their diverse cooking style.
“I have a Latino-driven kitchen,” says Ted Liberda. A lot of these guys have been with me for 15 to 20 years. Their kids even work for us now and they’ve been cooking Thai food for years.”
Good news for the night owls: Muni will be open late Tuesday through Sunday from 4 pm to 1:30 am, so you can relax at the 24-seat bar or the outdoor patio. The kitchen will be open until midnight.
The bar menu, created by notable mixologist Eric Schmidt, will resemble the offerings at Buck Tui and Waldo Thai – fresh ingredients and bright infusions of hibiscus, pineapple and more.
Keep updated with Muni’s opening on their Instagram, @muni.kansascity.
