Take your Pick(y): Three Restaurants that Cater to the Wants of Picky Eaters

PB&J for lunch. Pasta, no sauce, for dinner. My routinely childish diet has made one thing clear: I’m a picky eater

Before going out for dinner, I stuff a handful of Tostitos in my mouth because who knows if i’ll be able to tolerate anything on the menu? If they don’t have a menu with dozens of options or don’t mind order modifications, all bets are off. I’ll either face the glare I receive from the server while ordering off the 12-and-under kids’ menu or just munch on the bread they bring to the table before the meal is served.

In my 17 years and counting of being a terribly picky eater, I’ve accumulated a small list of the places that suit my unique tastes. Here are a few of the rare restaurants where I can almost always find something I’m willing to eat, while also knowing that whoever I’m with will find something to enjoy as well — even if they don’t have the palate of a 6-year-old.

BD’S Mongolian Grill

Trust me, I know the term “Mongolian BBQ” sounds daunting. I don’t like American BBQ, so when I first heard about Mongolian BBQ, I was sure the additional “Mongolian” aspect would leave me feeling sick.

Instead it left me wanting seconds. Near Oak Park Mall, BD’s Mongolian Grill is a buffet-style restaurant that caters to each guest’s specific cravings — even if that’s just chicken and rice noodles.

BD’S Mongolian Grill incorporates a buffet that allows patrons to piece together their own bowl of stir fry. Photo by Catherine Esrey.

Once you’ve picked your ingredients, you take your bowl over to the grill and watch as chefs prepare your meal. They mix in the sauce you chose as they cook, and the Teriyaki sauce I chose gave my otherwise plain bowl of chicken, rice noodles, carrots and broccoli a tang of extra flavor.

BD’s Mongolian Grill gives you the opportunity to dine out with friends without hoping the waitress remembers you don’t want mushrooms, green beans and garlic on your stir fry — but if stir fry isn’t for you, they also have an unlimited soup and salad bar which you can use for $7.99. Although one bowl of stir fry for $14.49 may seem a bit pricey, you can stuff your bowl full with whatever you want, to make it worth the hefty check.

Bella Napoli

While Bella Napoli is just a quaint Italian restaurant from the outside, the inside contains one of its most valuable assets: the deli. Subway, Mr. Goodcents and Potbelly are all fine for picky eaters like me, but none compare to the sandwich or dining experience I had at Bella Napoli.

Located in the heart of the Brookside shops, Bella Napoli is just about as close as you you’ll get to authentic Italian at a reasonable price in KC, since it was opened by the son of a native Italian. Their Italian-style Margherita pizza has the perfect balance of cheese and sauce on the ever-so crispy crust at only $9, and their Pomodoro Pasta (aka noodles and tomato sauce) is perfect for picky eaters who love spaghetti, but can’t handle the mussels and eggplant they might find in another dish.

Bella Napoli features a deli in it’s restaurant that serves turkey sandwiches. Photo by Catherine Esrey.

But their picky eater attraction lies in their sandwiches. If tomato is too adventurous for you — as it is for me — they can easily make a turkey and lettuce sandwich just as tasty as it is simple. Served on French bread, the fresh ingredients combined with the perfectly chewy baguette compelled me to finish the sandwich in one sitting. The whole thing. Half would have been fine, but this was exceptional.

If you’re adventurous enough to order off the ~adult~ menu, you can choose from one of the nine sandwiches they offer, all very affordable at either $8 or $9, but I think I’ll stick to creating my own sandwiches — Bella Napoli has always been happy to do special orders.

The only downside: their deli closes around 4 p.m. If you’re just in the mood for Italian, Bella Napoli can be your go-to all day, but if you’re just looking for one of their incredible sandwiches, you’ll have to make it a lunch date.

Room 39

Ah, brunch. Every girl-group’s favorite meal and every picky eater’s nightmare — the mix of the sweet, fruity flavors and spicy tabasco sauce is just too overwhelming.

But Room 39 provides a breakfast-lunch safe haven for “foodies” with my specific tastes. Their picky eater’s appeal: their wide array of brunch options, ranging from the simple Granola and Yogurt to the more extravagant Seasonal Frittata, and they’re happy to let you make the meal the way you want it. The diverse menu with 14 different breakfast options and an additional 11 for lunch is sure to have something for everyone.

Room 39’s Challah French toast with breakfast potatoes, berry compote and without the usual bacon. Photo by Catherine Esrey.

Since bread is my favorite food (it goes with everything, but it’s also delicious on its own), the Challah French Toast and Bacon sung my name. Of course, I asked for no bacon, please — it’s just pig fat — and with the berry compote on the side. See? Good for accommodations.

Although the wait was a bit long since it was a busy Saturday morning — it took us almost 30 minutes to get our food after ordering — it was worth it. For $12, I got two slices of fried Challah bread, lightly dusted with powdered sugar, a side of crispy potatoes and a metal cup of syrup to use as I pleased. The sweetness of the syrupy toast and the savoriness of the potatoes contrasted each other well, and the variety of flavors left me feeling like I had eaten a far more mixed meal than I actually had.

So the next time your group chat decides it’s time for a “brunch date,” you can assure them that Room 39 will have something delicious for even the most difficult eaters.