Homesteader: Creative Farm-to-Table Delights Satisfy Eyes & Taste Buds!

By Jackson Bonar

“First we eat, then we do everything else” is the philosophy of the husband-and-wife team of Megan Kendall and Jeremy Lane of the Homesteader Café, where that saying is prominently displayed on the restaurant wall.

Both Kansas City, Kansas, natives, they are no strangers to the food industry and have a combined tenure of experience of over 44 years. Megan attended the pastry and baking program at Johnson County Community College while Jeremy has been in the kitchen since he was 16 years old. “Homesteader is an extension of our home, a warm welcome to be part of a community that believes in good food sourced from Kansas City’s farmers and served in simple, well-prepared dishes,” said Megan.

Homesteader celebrates its ninth birthday this year as a farm-to-table establishment. All of their breakfast and brunch offerings are prepared by Jeremy as he leads their from-scratch kitchen. They’re open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. daily except Monday, and Megan advised, “Plan brunch during the week with a mimosa to avoid the weekend rush!” Reservations for weekends are highly suggested.

Most of the menu offerings are Southern inspired but there are a few standout items with a definite twist such as the Chilaquiles Tostadas, a customer favorite that we had the pleasure of sampling. Crisp, fresh corn tortillas are stacked high with a tomatillo salsa, shredded pork and black beans, then topped with a sunny side up egg, queso fresco and radish slivers. The flavor profile is both earthy and savory with a satisfying interplay of all the ingredients. Another customer favorite you can’t go wrong with is the Chicken and Waffles, fried boneless leg/thigh combo (substitute boneless breast for slight upcharge if you like) hand breaded in their special seasoned flour and a Belgian waffle topped with sriracha aioli. Don’t forget the thick and rich maple syrup; it’s all flavorfully sweet with a bold accent of spice.

On the lighter side, the Strawberry Salad is both refreshing and a portrait for your eyes. A bed of mixed greens with sweet, candied pecans, fresh strawberries, avocado and goat cheese is then dressed with a red wine vinaigrette. And for the lunch crowd, an array of sandwiches is available including the latest addition, the Homesteader Club, a double-decker sandwich with bacon, ham, turkey, lettuce, tomato, cheddar cheese and mayo stacked high on marble rye bread.

Since Homesteader offers a full bar, let’s talk about cocktails. Homesteader serves the usual brunch drinks such as the classic bloody mary or orange juice mimosa but also offers flavored mimosas made with real fruit juices and champagne, echoing the sign in their dining room that says, “Save water, drink champagne.” What about a watermelon, peach or strawberry mimosa? Their latest creation from the bar, a Poblano Colada, has just the right amount of sweetness with a kick at the end; it’s a definite must try!

And save room for dessert, as Megan showcases her pastry culinary talents. The Sweets Board is the most popular, featuring a trio of sweets with a house-made cinnamon roll with cream cheese frosting, a lemon pound cake in a raspberry sauce and two beignets.

Homesteader offers catering for your event off site or afternoons and evenings in the restaurant itself. Catering choices are not limited to their current menu but also include offerings for full dinners and tailor-made buffets for your group or event. Private dining during regular business hours is available for your group of up to 30 people in separate surroundings in the restaurant.
A visit to the Homesteader, located in the heart of downtown Kansas City at 700 East 7th Street, is like being welcomed home with Mom’s Southern cooking. ®

Visit HomesteaderKC.com for reservations and menu previews.