1. Keep It Classy At Ophelia's
Ophelia's201 N Main StIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 461-4525Trip Advisor: 4 Stars, 47 Reviews
Ophelia's is an upscale urban eatery conveniently located right next below a B&B (same management), but the clientele includes as many locals as tourists. The menu, like the décor, could be described as eclectic, yet fun, with creative concoctions such as a pistachio-encrusted salmon filet, plum wine-braised short ribs with poblano sweet potato puree and a chicken breast cooked on hot bricks.
The appetizers are especially entertaining: lamb chop lollipops coated with peppercorns and powdered porcini mushrooms (how'd they think that one up?), scallops in carrot-butter sauce, and seafood crepes in creamy bourbon sauce. The seafood stacker's particularly impressive – this architectural masterpiece balances a big fat scallop on a crab cake and tops it off with a piece of shrimp tempura.
2. Square Pizza Runs Circles Around Dominos And Company
Square Pizza208 W MapleIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 461-2929Yelp: 4 Stars, 28 Reviews
This non-chain pizza parlor offers up the tastiest slices in town. The toppings are super-fresh and generously applied, and cover the basics with a few interesting additions such as black beans, artichokes and pine nuts.
The sauce is super-tasty, and you can get extra on the side just by asking, but the cheese is what really puts this pizza over the top. Square Pizza offers six different varieties – not only mozzarella, but also provolone, asiago, parmesan, Monterey jack and cheddar – and they cook it to perfection so it comes out of the oven golden, gooey and bubbly. Pure pizza bliss!
3. Hereford House – Better Come Hungry
Hereford House19721 E Jackson DrIndependence, MO 64057 (816) 795-9200Yelp: 3 Stars, 30 Reviews
Hereford House may be a chain, but at least it's a very small and highly localized one, with only four locations in and around Kansas City.
The steaks are huge and juicy, and the menu offers all the classic appetizers and sides including chilled shrimp cocktail, loaded baked potatoes and sauteed portobello mushrooms. The creamy cheddar salad dressing is not to be missed.
Make sure to save just a little room for dessert. There's a wonderful white chocolate bread pudding—which you can even get flambéd—and the apple tarts in bourbon caramel sauce are simply amazing.
4. Das Rheinland Ist Sehr Gut, Ja!!
Rheinland Restaurant208 N Main StIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 461-5383Yelp: 4 Stars, 30 Reviews
The Rheinland Restaurant's been serving up some of the best German food in the KC area for nearly 25 years.
The made-from-scratch cuisine comes from recipes developed by the German-born owner and his wife. Their most popular dish is the Jaegerschnitzel, which is kind of like a burgundy/mushroom-sauced Wiener Schnitzel (also on the menu, sans mushroom sauce but topped with a fried egg), and everyone raves about the spätzle, a type of German pasta.
The homemade apple strudel's simply wunderbar, and there's a great selection of German beers, natürlich. In fact, if you're thirsty, you can even get that beer served in a boot! Er, das boot.
5. ¡Viva El Jinete!
El Jinete19321 E 40 HwyIndependence, MO 64055 (816) 795-8400Yelp: 4 Stars, 13 Reviews
Independence, Mo. may be a long way from the border, but it's got quite a few Mexican restaurants. Some are good, some are so-so, but the pick of the pack is a little gem hidden in a strip mall called El Jinete.
Try the signature burrito that bears the restaurant's name, this savory steak bomb comes loaded with a white cheese sauce that's muy sabroso. In fact, the cheese sauce is so good you'll want an extra bowl of it so you can eat it up with a spoon. The tortillas are homemade and delicioso, and El Jinete also knows how to whip up a mean margarita.
6. The Grill's A Thrill, But The Sushi's The Real Star At Kobe Japanese Steakhouse And Sushi
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse And Sushi19800 E Valleyview RdIndependence, MO 64057 (816) 795-6808Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 14 Reviews
Kobe Japanese Steakhouse is the kind of hibachi restaurant you could go to for the sheer entertainment value alone, since watching a chef prepare your teppanyaki at a tableside grill is always a good time.
If you're not averse to raw fish, though, then Kobe's got even more to offer. This is hands-down the best sushi in town, and can compete with any sushi bar in Kansas City. The sashimi, nigiri and rolls are fresh and delicious, and every single plate looks like it could grace the cover of a magazine.
7. Dixon's Famous Chili Is the Best In the Midwest
Dixon's Famous Chili9105 E US Hwy 40Independence, MO 64055 (816) 861-7308Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 30 Reviews
Dixon's Chili Parlor has been serving up tasty chili since 1919, making it the longest family-owned restaurant in the entire Kansas City area. Even Harry S. Truman, Independence's most famous son, used to drop by for a bowl of red back in the day, Secret Service agents and all.
You can order your chili up in three styles: dry (just the chili), juicy (with extra meat drippings) or soupy (extra bean broth), and have it plain, in the classic style (on a bed of beans), or poured over tamales or spaghetti.
Chili fixin's include cheese, sour cream, jalapenos, and even pickles and ketchup. Be aware, though, that Dixon's original owner was so offended by customers wanting ketchup with their chili (no word on how he felt about pickles) that he implemented a 44-year ban on the condiment. The no-ketchup policy was changed in 1963, but the new owner (his nephew) decided to honor tradition by implementing a small “fine” for anyone who dared to use it, and this fine is still in place today.
8. Hi Boy And Mugs Up Are Drive-Through Delights
Mugs Up3424 S Blue Ridge Cut OffIndependence, MO 64055 (816) 861-2677Yelp: 4 Stars, 18 Reviews (Hi-Boy)
Hi Boy700 E 23rd St SIndependence, MO 64055 (816) 254-7040Yelp: 4 Stars, 16 Reviews (Mugs Up)
Two of Independence's most popular eateries are drive-throughs, so you can enjoy some of the best food around without even having to leave your car.
Hi Boy dates back to 1957, and their made-to-order Hi Boy Burgers have now achieved iconic status in the annals of KC fast food. The onion rings are pretty epic, too.
Mugs Up, as the name might imply is known for frosty mugs of something—in this case, home-brewed root beer. The foamy brew alone is worth the trip, especially if you order the root beer float.
If you want something solid(ish), you've got to order one of their zip burgers—just don't be too surprised at what you get. These aren't really burgers, they're actually more like loose meat sandwiches, a Midwestern classic made from ground beef mixed with mustard and little bits of pickle and onion. Sorta sloppy, but oh-so-good!
9. A Little BBQ Joint Is Big On Flavor
A Little BBQ Joint1101 W 24 HwyIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 252-2275 Yelp: 4.5 Stars, 14 Reviews
It's Kansas City (well, the 'KC burbs), to of course you've got to try the barbecue. A Little BBQ Joint is an out-of-the-way hole in the wall, but their food's as good as any of the more famous big city bbq spots.
The melt-in-your mouth burnt ends are the bomb, the ribs are practically a religious experience, and don't even get me started on the brisket...The signature sauces complement the smoky meat perfectly, ranging from the mild “Sweet Sister” to the spicy “Mean Mother-In-Law” (the “Mad Housewife” falls somewhere in between).
10. The Best Biscuits Are Big Biscuits
The Big Biscuit16506 U.S. 40Independence, MO 64055 (816) 478-6958Yelp: 4 Stars, 51 Reviews
So big...so flaky...so good.
The Big Biscuit is another small local chain, with just six outlets, but the one in Independence is the original.
The biscuits are delicious with or without sausage gravy, and if you're in the mood for something sweet, you've got to try the sugar-glazed sticky biscuit which comes plain or studded with cranberries, pecans and raisins.
There's even a biscuit “ben-yay”, where they dip a biscuit in batter, fry it and then douse it with caramel sauce. A little over-the-top? Perhaps, but carbo-loading never tasted so sweet.
11. V’s Italiano Ristorante Is Old School In The Best Possible Way
V’s Italiano Ristorante10819 E US Hwy 40Independence, MO 64055 (816) 353-1241Yelp: 3 Stars, 33 Reviews
V’s Italiano Ristorante has been serving up authentic Italian home cooking since 1963, and the décor has a funky, retro vibe complete with plastic grapes like my Italian grandma used to have.
The menu reminds me of Grandma's kitchen, too, with favorites like veal parmigiana and osso bucco. If you like lasagna (and who doesn't?), V's got a three-cheese version that would make Garfield swoon with joy. And you do notwant to miss the homemade cannoli for dessert.
12. What's Up, Dog?
Up Dog114 N Liberty StIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 836-2900Yelp: 3.5 Stars,7 Reviews
Simply hot dogs around with the widest variety of choices. At Up Dog you can get your wiener just about any way you want it – Chicago-style, New York-style, Cincinnati-style. They even came up with a Missouri Dog topped with pickles, bacon, cheddar and mustard.
Personally, I'm partial to the jalapeno/bacon Rio Dog and the beef and blue cheese Blue Heeler. If you prefer a DIY dog, an extensive list of UPgrades will let you add sour cream, avocado, cheese sauce, chili or whatever else you like, even an extra dog.
13. A Cafe In A Library? What A Novel Idea!
Pin-Up Pastries317 W US Hwy 24Independence, MO 64050 (816) 547-7135Yelp: 5 Stars, 6 Reviews (Pin-Up Pastries)
Novella's Bistro opened a few years back at the North Independence Branch library, and business has been booming ever since. Their menu isn't too extensive, but the salads are fresh and good, and the roster of homemade soups—southwest chicken, steak and potato, red beans and rice, California-style chicken chili—hit the spot on a chilly winter day.
The real stars of the show, however, are the sweet treats delivered fresh daily by Independence's own Pin-Up Pastries. This little independently-owned bakery, known for it's fun and funky cupcakes in flavors like cookies and cream, black forest, piña colada and butter pecan, has garnered nothing but five-star raves on Yelp. Just try not to get frosting on the pages of your book, lest you face the librarian’s wrath!
14. Clinton's Soda Fountain—Nostalgia Never Tasted So Sweet
Clinton's Soda Fountain100 W Maple AveIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 833-2046 Yelp: 4 Stars, 11 Reviews
While Clinton's has only been in business since 1988, it occupies the spot of an earlier drugstore where Harry Truman worked his very first job. While it may not be the launching pad to future presidency, Clinton's is the go-to place for old-timey goodies like ice cream sodas, cherry phosphates and banana splits.
If you can't make up your mind what to order, just ask yourself WWHD (What Would Harry Do?), and go for the butterscotch sundae with chocolate ice cream. Or grab a constituent and split a Buck Stop, a monster sundae that starts with a brownie, then piles on one scoop of every ice cream flavor Clinton's offers: chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, butter pecan, cookie dough, espresso chip and mint chocolate chip. The ice cream mountain is topped with caramel, hot fudge, marshmallow sauce and whipped cream and finished off with a maraschino cherry.
15. The Verdict Is In: The Courthouse Exchange Is Guilty...Of Serving Darn Good Food
Courthouse Exchange113 W Lexington Ave LowrIndependence, MO 64050 (816) 252-0344Yelp: 3.5 Stars, 21 Reviews
This Independence Square basement pub has been serving up burgers and beer to folks on both sides of the law since 1899.
They're known for their buttermilk-marinated Bailiff's fried chicken, but if you're in the mood for creamy comfort, try the mac 'n' brisket mashup.
Whatever you do, don't skip dessert. The homemade pies with their feather-light crusts are truly to die for. A selection of four or five different slices are available each day, with fresh fruits in season – the cherry, raspberry and blackberry are summertime delights, while the jamocha custard and chocolate coconut pecan are good any time of year.
If you can't get enough pie while you dine, you can even grab a whole one to go.
Feature Image Source: Clinton’s Soda Fountain via Facebook 
