Welcome Home: A review of the local, family owned restaurant, OurHouseKC

Because my parents, siblings and I are constantly busy with school work, jobs or extra curricular activities, a sit-down family dinner is something of a fantasy. But when we heard about OurHouseKC, founded by East alumni Maggie and Joe Zahner, we decided to set aside the time in our schedules to experience the music and food of their increasingly popular restaurant at 1815 W. 39th St. in Kansas City, Missouri.

Upon stepping inside the tall, old building, I instantly felt comfortable and “at home.” The owners planned for the space to be an appealing atmosphere for friends, family or strangers to bond through food and song, which was a definite success. The exposed brick and wood gave the space an almost rustic feel while maintaining the warm and welcoming feel the red front door hints at. 

Above all, the smell of the barbecued meat and the sound of the classic American tunes felt nostalgic — almost as if I was in a neighbor’s backyard on a summer night.

There were a considerable amount of people spaced out at tables throughout the open main level. A bar draped in calming pendant lights sat to the left of the majority of the seating. My family sat in a large booth beside a mural of a park painted by a local KC artist. On the lower level was a small bakery and coffee shop open Tuesday through Sunday — the perfect place to order a sit-down brunch or take a pastry to-go.

Sadly, the rooftop deck accompanied by a bar and mini-restaurant was closed, but odds are I’ll be back to see it this summer.

Both owners came from a background in barbecue-style cooking, so the menu is directed more towards meat-based entrees, but they made sure to incorporate items for many different tastes. As a family of six, we have a wide variety of preferences to say the least. Thankfully, Zahner took different diets into consideration when crafting the menu.

When ordering, I was pleasantly surprised with how many options they offered. There was everything from a classic Brisket Sandwich to a personalized pasta. I eventually settled on the OurHouseKC Burger topped with fresh tomatoes, lettuce and onions paired with a perfectly-cooked beef patty and melted cheddar cheese — a classic dish done just right. 

Despite the normalcy of the meal, the burger had a more homemade taste than any burger you would find at Q39 or Jack Stack, adding onto the home-like feel.

Family is incorporated into every aspect of the restaurant, including the menu where names of the Zahners’ kids and parents are used as names for dishes. A drawing of the two co-owners, their four kids and dog is also on the menu under their slogan, “The perfect harmony of good beats, great eats, and smoked meats. Step out of your house and into OurHouseKC.” 

The table markers encapsulated colorful drawings of artists like Jimi Hendrix opposed to typical table numbers, adding a fun touch. Other tables had similar signs on them with celebrities like JAY-Z, Beyoncé and Dave Matthews. Once I noticed this little detail, I could hear Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” playing in the background — tying it all together. 

After finishing my burger, I moved onto the skinny fries. Each individual fry was perfectly seasoned — not too salty or too bland — and perfectly cooked — crispy but not dry.

We couldn’t leave without ordering a to-go meal which we enjoyed together the next night. The Smoked Chicken Pot Pie had just as much praise as our meal in the restaurant did. It was a tasty twist on a classic American dish with smoked meat and a flaky and buttery crust. 

“Every day I see my friends, their families, my family and our regular customers creating these great friendships,” Zahner said. “And it has become just like a home.”

Although my meal didn’t require it, hot sauce called H Sauce from a local supplier was placed at each table. It was nice to see OurHouseKC supporting local businesses.

My family lost track of time as conversation flowed easily in the restaurant’s homey environment. When we realized dinner had taken nearly two hours, we all agreed to come back as soon as possible to get away from the distractions that home provides and enjoy a long dinner together. 

My family and I all had incredibly high praises for the food, atmosphere, music and overall experience. Anyone looking for a night out with friends, family or colleagues would enjoy the food and benefit from the easy-going nature of OurHouseKC.