Unforked: Fresh, Local, Chef-Inspired Food

There are two big positives about Unforked, our homegrown fast-casual dining spot that’s part hamburger joint, part healthy eating destination. 

First, it has something for everyone. The Unforked menu developers told me they worked hard to ensure their menu is veto proof. And I’d say they succeeded. Every person in my family can find something they love; therefore, Unforked never, ever gets vetoed. 

Secondly, the healthier options at Unforked do not feel like a sacrifice. Focusing on clean, natural and local ingredients simply means less processed foods and a better flavor experience. Just because you eat at Unforked doesn’t mean you’re eating “diet” foods. It means you’re getting quality ingredients from a culinary team who believes you should feel good after you finish your meal.

“People don’t want to constantly be on a diet or be eating healthy, but they do want to eat quality, clean ingredients. That’s why we focus so much on bringing something better for our customers,” said Unforked’s founder and owner, Jim Sheridan. “People feel good after they eat here.”

And trust me, we felt really good after we finished our Cravings tasting at the beautiful new Unforked in the Woodside Village in Westwood, Kansas, that opened in May 2022. What started 11 years ago now has three locations, the original Unforked near 119th and Metcalf in Overland Park, the second inside Crown Center, opened in 2016, and the third and newest spot along Rainbow Boulevard.

This Kansas City favorite has cemented itself as a fixture that offers naturally raised proteins and local produce with just the right amount of flavor. Besides the food, the décor and branding are on point and woven throughout everything they do. The modern, sleek designs show up in the menu, signage and the well-lit and spacious dining rooms, all of which are kid friendly.

I was already a fan of Unforked before the Cravings tasting assignment, but as always I was excited to try a few new menu items. We started with the crafted tacos. Jim Sheridan has traveled all over the United States and tasted a lot of tacos, many of which are packed with grated cheese and lettuce. That’s not what you’ll find at Unforked. “Our concept is really about having different types of typical foods made in a not-so-typical fashion,” Sheridan said.

First out and on our table was the Crispy Avocado; we couldn’t take our eyes off it. This shiny tempura-coated avocado was topped with seasonal tomato pico de gallo and a few micro greens. This was creamy deliciousness and not your normal taco.

I love a good fish taco and the Cali did not disappoint. Seared chile-spiked Regal Springs tilapia with pickled red cabbage slaw and topped with creamy avocado-cilantro sauce was almost as beautiful as it was tasty.

But our two favorites were the Barking Pig, crispy carnitas tossed in a shagbark bacon glaze with scallions and queso fresco, and the G.O.A.T. The maple flavor of the pork in the Barking Pig made this one a meat-lover’s dream. Then the G.O.A.T. is something completely one-of-a-kind. The cheese is placed straight on the grill and the tortilla is added to the cheese, creating a cheese-tortilla combination that’s out of this world. Inside the G.O.A.T. are grilled chicken, arugula, white barbecue sauce and pickled red onions, just my kind of flavor explosion! Wowsa!   

Moving on to the unwiches, we all loved the KC Hot Birdie, Unforked’s version of Nashville’s Hot Chicken Sandwich, crispy, all-natural chicken breast, manchego apple slaw and UNspread, Unforked’s spiced mayo, on a toasted egg bun. You pick your heat level, from no heat to burn baby burn! For anyone looking for gluten free, nearly all of the menu at Unforked can be made GF as well as low carb and can be made to meet other dietary and other allergy restrictions.

The Fried Egg BLT was absolutely divine. The only thing that might make this better would be to add a hamburger patty, which is an option. It’s a fried local/free range egg with applewood smoked bacon, baby arugula, sliced tomatoes and sharp white cheddar cheese on a toasted egg bun with UNspread.

The Akaushi Burger, which is known to have several health benefits and is consciously sourced, is served with crisp leaf lettuce, sliced tomato and UNspread on a toasted egg bun. Aside from being kind of hard to pronounce (ah-ka-oo-shi), this hamburger made my taste buds very happy.

The French fries at Unforked are fresh, crispy, crunchy, salty perfection! They cut fresh potatoes every day, then wash, soak and dry them before they’re blanched and cooled and put back in the oil. As Jim Sheridan calls it, it’s a multi-step labor of love, but it’s so worth it. For all of us who are in love with these fries, we beg Unforked to continue this daily laborious effort.

How can a restaurant be healthy and delicious? Check out Unforked and see for yourself. I promise you’ll leave feeling good.

Visit unforked.com for menu previews.

Written by: Megan Neher

Journalist-turned-PR-professional Megan Neher has never forgotten her true first love: writing. Today, Megan owns her own PR firm, Megan Neher Public Relations; she’s a wife, mom, marketer, student and spends a lot of time cleaning up after her four pets and two teenagers. Her dream is to live on a tropical beach somewhere where she can stroll barefoot to a nearby grass hut for a fish taco and margarita.