Grinders

GrindersGrinders
GrindersGrinders
Bar, Eatery, Beer-to-go

417 E 18th St
Kansas City, Missouri, 64108-1409
United States

(816) 472-5454 | map
grinderspizza.com
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.06
Reviews:
16
Ratings:
30
pDev:
5.91%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
 
Rated: 4.04 by DuckDodgers from Missouri

Oct 12, 2020
 
Rated: 3.88 by slasich from Pennsylvania

May 16, 2020
 
Rated: 4.19 by mojohawk21 from Missouri

May 25, 2019
 
Rated: 4.2 by AmishLightning from Illinois

Jan 25, 2018
Photo of Harrison8
Reviewed by Harrison8 from Missouri

4/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
Grinder's has two store fronts, but both reach the same kitchen and beer. One side is where the pizza is made in the same room, while the other has an open kitchen facing the room. The pizza side can get quite loud, and is more cozy than the other side. Both sides feature a smattering of old posters, beer tin signs, and eclectic memorabilia on the walls, with the pizza side featuring signatures of past visitors as well. Beer is of good quality, and while the selection may be slim compared to other stops close by, the beer on tap is well thought out and forms a diverse selection. Service matches the reputation for the place, which is to say good, but with no frills. They'll help pick out a beer or make a pizza recommendation, but they aren't there to butter you up. The pizza is absolutely fantastic.
Jan 11, 2018
Photo of nbrio85
Reviewed by nbrio85 from Missouri

4.13/5  rDev +1.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.5
Excellent food especially the meatball grinder!!!. Of course a feature on Diners Drive ins and Dives. Beer selection is good but not great. Service can be a bit to be left desired for. Seating can be frustrating as its a free for all stand around in unorganized spots and wait for a table to clear kind of ordeal on a busy night.
Apr 27, 2015
 
Rated: 3.73 by XmnwildX12 from Minnesota

Feb 26, 2015
 
Rated: 3.52 by Derrill from Missouri

Nov 14, 2014
 
Rated: 3.9 by jaydoc from Kansas

Oct 21, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Bsetz from Missouri

Jul 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by travy82 from Missouri

Jul 07, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by Bosoxfan20 from Missouri

Jun 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Chelseaw30 from Missouri

Jun 01, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by APB from Nebraska

Mar 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by Wesdrummer from California

Jan 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by TheRealPour from Illinois

Nov 01, 2013
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Reviewed by jp11801 from Florida

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
WOW, what a great place. I was here on business and a friend that watches Diners Drive In and Dives recommended Grinders to me. I was not disappointed. First this is a decent beer place but not an outstanding one. It is however a great feed place that serves great beer and tries to get interesting beer.

Had some nice locals on tap and a few bottles over two trips here. The quality and selection is good and the servers do a good job of knowing the beer and make solid recommendations.

The place place not the new addition is as funky as it gets and the servers are a bit punk but in a great way.

Had the wings and the bengali tiger slice (OMG!!) great food and everything that was coming off the grill or oven looked fantastic.

I highly recommend this place to travelers that don't mind funky and gritty places that offer HUGE payoffs in food and beer. I wish I was here when they were having a concert the back yard space is huge and looks like a cool concert venue.
Mar 25, 2012
Photo of jar2574
Reviewed by jar2574 from Missouri

4.47/5  rDev +10.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Grinders has my favorite sandwich, their Reuben with corned beef and jalapeno sauerkraut.

They also have a great beer selection with an awesome array of Belgians.

If you want a bar atmosphere go to the original grinders. If you're with kids or just want a more restaurant-like atmosphere then head next door to Grinders West. Same menus, different atmospheres, both great for different moods.

The tater tots are great. The pizza is pretty good. The fries, the philly, and the pastrami are OK. I give the food a "5" because of the Reuben.

Service is normally very good but during rush hours the place can get too crowded and service can suffer a little.
Feb 23, 2011
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Reviewed by TrippnFiasco from Kansas

3.98/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
This place is a complete dive, and it is awesome for that reason. The building is pretty run down and not only are there posters, pictures, and signs randomly placed all over the walls, they are nailed to the floor as well (making for some uneven terrain). 'Booth' tables have old airline seats and other rundown chairs, which adds to the style of the place. The servers weren't insanely friendly, but they do their jobs and don't ignore you. The pizza is great, as are the sandwhiches (meatball and philly). They definitely have a good beer selection, but the large majority (35+) are in bottles, only about 10 are on tap. This place constantly has concerts coming through during the summer that play right out back in the big lot. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area.
Jun 23, 2010
Photo of mkabull
Reviewed by mkabull from Massachusetts

4.33/5  rDev +6.7%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Our 1st stop in the KC beer scene . Very funky vibe , double sided (dinig/bar) with a nice patio . Good beer selection with a knowledgable and freindly staff . Food was as funky as the atmosphere gotta love a place that will put a chilli bomb (chilli tater tots and cheeze whiz ) on your pizza . Great interaction with kitchen staff and bartenders I always love a place that will spin discussions from beer to politics to food to sociology to beer to politics .
Overall great people , beer and atmosphere . This is a place that wouild be one of my locals if I lived in KC .
Apr 23, 2010
Photo of russpowell
Reviewed by russpowell from Arkansas

3.96/5  rDev -2.5%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
I loved the divey/artsy vibe of this place seemed like a great hang out/nosh sort of place. We were there for lunch & the place was kid friendly enough as well. Loved all the art & general attitude of the place

All beer beers served were tasty & fresh

Service was friendly & pretty attentive

Pretty good selection of draft, had a Hebrew Jubilator, Bear Republic Racer Red & a Schaffly Coffee stout. They also had a fairly modest bottle selection

The menu was varied & warrants another trip. We had the wings & the crab Rangoon, I liked them both.

I thought prices were pretty reasonable for food & beer
Apr 03, 2010
Photo of Billolick
Reviewed by Billolick from New York

4.28/5  rDev +5.4%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Loved this place. Casual, down and dirty road house athmosphere, eclectic and funky stuff/junk all over the place,large out door/concert space in the rear with wooden benches, in short this is not a chain, not a formula place, its real and alot of fun. Plenty of quality beer choices, see their web site for the details

http://grinderspizza.com/index.php?/grinders/beerlist/

food, was down to earth, spiced up and tasty, the jalopeno fueled philly cheese steak was off the hook.

My kind of place, down to earth, gritty, funky, fun, all with great beer and food...If in KC, be sure to visit-you will be happy you did
Aug 07, 2009
Photo of bfields4
Reviewed by bfields4 from Colorado

4.1/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Really fun atmosphere, but wouldn't come here if your looking for a nice quite pint. Always busy every time I've came here. The decor is very cool artsy rustic look. The bar tenders and cooks are usually running around in a frenzy, so no time to ask questions, but have always been very friendly none the less. The selection of beers here is on par with most of KC's best. They always have more than enough to quench even the most picky BA's thirst. In my opinion this is also some of the best pizza in Kansas City. By the slice is great, and if you've got the appetite or the man power to get a specialty pizza they're phenomenal.

(Best place in KC to come for a concert too with the Crossroad's in the back!)
Jul 21, 2009
Photo of hwwty4
Reviewed by hwwty4 from Missouri

3.98/5  rDev -2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
I've had the opportunity to stop here a couple of times now, so I feel like its time to formally write a review of it. The first thing to know is, its not the easiest place to find. Its not very well marked, and kind of on a side street. The first thing you notice when you walk in is the very artsy feel. The owner is an artist on the side and he created a really cool, funky place. The service has always been all right. They will bring you a beer if they notice that your out, but the wait staff really isn't that attentive, but it kind of fits the place. The food here is excellent. Whether having a pizza or a Philly (with Cheez Whiz), the food is outstanding. I've never had a bad or average meal here.

But onto the beer. Their selection is great. They have just about everything that you could want in a beer bar from Missouri. If it's available, then it's going to be there. Hell they even have a Geuze on the menu. The problem is that Geuze it 14 dollars. Everything is pricey here. They have beers that cost $8.50 for a 10oz pour that will cost $4.50 at another local beer bar. I know they probably have high rent, but that extra 4 bucks will buy another pint elsewhere. I find that this is a really cool place to bring friends too but not to go on a regular basis to throw back a couple of pints (unless your drinking the $1 draws or $3 pitchers of Natty Light).
May 08, 2008
Photo of homebrewhawk
Reviewed by homebrewhawk from Kansas

4/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
We stopped in after visiting the World War I Museum. Funky, arty atmosphere.

They had a great selection of taps. I saw Boulevard, Arcadia, Delerium Tremens, and some Unibroue. They had an extensive bottle list including German and Belgian brews. The menu said they held beer tastings on Thursdays.

I had a cheesesteak and a Blanche de Chambly in authentic glassware. I was driving so I only had one beer. My son had the New York style pizza, and it looked pretty good. I would definitely come back if I was in the neighborhood.

This would be a good place to visit if you were in the downtown area. Union Station, Crown Center, Municipal Auditorium or the soon to open Sprint Center.
Mar 22, 2007
Photo of Realale
Reviewed by Realale from Missouri

3.95/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 3.5
Different space - nice mix of bar seating, booths, tables and a big cargo door open at back which leads to some tables outside. With both doors open on this nice Spring day, a good cross breeze kept the air inside fresh and lovely. Seemed to be populated by a lot of regulars, but they weren't a chatty sort. On both visits, I was left to actually work ::shudder:: while I ate and drank.

Solid selection. Expected good selection of Boulevard, some Schlafly, a good dose of Arcadia including a couple of the big beers, and a smattering of interesting bottles. I helped myself to multiple pints of Bully! Porter (which we rarely see on draft in St. Louis) and a Houbulon Chouffe. All were in fine condition.

I was disappointed though that there were no quality lagers on the list, and very few hoppy beers at all, and puzzled by the complete lack of Bell's, New Belgium, and Odell's. One other nit is that the beer list was hopelessly out of date (and had McEwan's Scotch Ale listed under "Ireland"!) - generally not too big a deal, but the taps were split into two clusters at opposite ends of the bar, and the tiny beer fridge was difficult to get a peek into without pushing my way through people sitting at the bar.

Food was okay, with the house salad being well above average, and the pizza a bit below. Cheesesteak was a definite step up on the pizza.

Service has been truly excellent. I sat at the bar, and the tenders and cooks kept my beer filled without my asking, but not hovering, and kept me well stocked with condiments and water refills.
Mar 14, 2007
Photo of smc143
Reviewed by smc143 from Missouri

3.78/5  rDev -6.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4
I work down in the Crossroads neighborhood, so I go to Grinder's more often than my waistline would like. Like today, for example. A co-worker mentioned Philly Cheesesteaks, and I couldn't say no. A Cheesesteak and Welsh Bitter Ale later, and I am ready for a nap! So good....

Since Stretch is also a metal sculptor, the decor is a mix of diner and metal works. The staff gets overwhelmed at lunchtime, when everyone streams in, but the wonderful food is worth it. We sat at the "bar" and watched the pizzas & calzones getting put together, and the attention to detail is awesome. PIzza is a faster lunch option than cheesesteak, if you are in a hurry, but if you're sipping a beer, why rush?
Jan 12, 2007
Photo of bditty187
Reviewed by bditty187 from Nebraska

4.08/5  rDev +0.5%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 5
I visited Grinder’s on a chilly Saturday afternoon around 2pm. The long, narrow restaurant was a mix of indie rock, garage, art deco, and hipster cool. Honestly, that is not a mixture I’m “familiar” with but I was going to roll with it. The bar/counter is stationed to the right upon entering with booths on the opposite wall and back room, there really isn’t much seating. High ceilings, smallish, dirty bathrooms. The overall vibe lacked warmth but it had charm and it was relaxing.

I was kind of surprised how busy it was but it cleared out by the time we left. We seated ourselves and after five minutes or so our waitress arrived. She took our drink and food order. I got a goat cheese and smoked salmon pizza and it freaking rocked! Tara’s pizza, she said, was very good too. The basket of fries were bland. It took a long while before our beers arrived. I got a Delirium Tremens (on-tap) and later a Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner (on-tap). Both beers were awesome too. Tara got an Arcadia IPA, it was fair. Our waitress started off poorly but she became more attentive. She was helpful and nice.

It seems like they rotate beers a lot. The beer menu was very respectable but I was expecting a little more. To me this is a restaurant with good beer and not a beer bar. That is okay. Prices were a bit higher then I’d pay in Omaha.

It was apparent early in my visit that I’d have to return because clearly the charm of this place could not be captured in one trip. I truly enjoyed the food (and beer). Still, though, I yearn for a true beer bar in KC. This is close. It really is.

Recommended.
Dec 05, 2006
Photo of bahua
Reviewed by bahua from Colorado

4.05/5  rDev -0.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 5
Grinders is, by far, my favorite bar in Kansas City. Anton and Stretch are always eager to please, and will listen to any requests for new beers. I have seen no place in the KC area that has assembled quite as great a tap selection as there is at Grinders.

The selection is a rotating set of beers that are intentionally difficult to find. Grinders was the first bar in KC to offer selections on tap from Quebec's excellent Unibroue brewery, including the delectable Maudite. After seeing the success they enjoyed by offering these beers, several other bars in the city took the hint, and started carrying them too.

The selection of taps that can be found elsewhere is every Boulevard beer, PBR, Guinness, Boddington's. Beyond that, the remaining 12 handles dispense beers that are either completely unique to Grinders, or were when they first appeared there.

The sculpture garden in the back is fun to walk around in the more pleasant months, and the view of the Crown Center skyline from the picnic tables is also unique.

They make the best Philly cheesesteak in KC, with bread shipped in daily from Philadelphia, and their New York-style pizza is not to be missed. But if you get some pizza, bring a friend, and split a whole pie, because otherwise you'll be getting a slice that's just been sitting under a heat lamp.

I say this to all my friends when we go to Grinders:

"Every time I come here, it makes me hate every other bar even more."

Grinders just does it right.
Jul 23, 2006
Photo of brewQ
Reviewed by brewQ from Missouri

4.43/5  rDev +9.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5
This funky place at the Crossroads Art District is like an old diner, an art studio and an Eastern US Pizza and Grinders joint- in fact, it really is all three!

They have 18 tap beers with None being major macro.
They hide any BudMillCoors and you have to ask to see it, nice touch. (Pabst on tap for those who must).

Draft selections included: Arcadia IPA Ale (MI?), 3-4 Blvd choices, a Welsh Bitter, Monty Python Ale (CA), Boddingtons, Delirium Tremens, Weston (MO) Cream Ale, Guinness, and Liefmanns Frambozen (that seems rare on tap).

Bottles: Aventinus, EKU 28, 2 Hebrews, Skull Splitter, St Bernardus abt 12, and more.

Pint prices are okay but EKU and St. B at $7 and $8, each seemed high... or maybe I just had enough at the lower prices.

Did not have the food but will be back for everything from tater tots to great looking pizza and cheese steaks. The grill area reminded me of Pittsburghs DJ's 6 Pack and Dogs in Swissvale (Without the huge carryout). In fact, the owner is from Pittsburgh.

A nice community feel here. Should quickly become a must see for any beer lover going to downtown area KC. Some room to educate the staff but they are very good folks.

They run tastings every 2nd Thursday- Last week BLVD brought in test products to get some feedback!

Yes- with the new brewery BLVD will be launching some different beers. Their Belgian brewmaster is more than up to the task.
Jun 11, 2006
Grinders in Kansas City, MO
Place rating: 4.06 out of 5 with 30 ratings