Top Keto-Friendly Restaurants to Try in Kansas City

Finding Keto-Friendly Restaurants in Kansas City

The ketogenic diet has exploded in popularity in recent years as a way to lose weight, improve health, and simply feel better. But sticking to a very low-carb, high-fat diet can be challenging when dining out. Luckily, Kansas City offers many excellent keto restaurant options to choose from.

What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The ketogenic or "keto" diet emphasizes getting 70-80% of calories from fat, keeping carbohydrates very low (5-10% of calories), and getting adequate protein (15-20% of calories). This macro nutrient balance helps the body enter a metabolic state called ketosis.

In ketosis, the body switches from primarily burning carbs for fuel to burning fat. This promotes fat loss while keeping you satiated. It also stabilizes blood sugar and provides neurological benefits.

Keto Dining Guidelines

Here are some tips for staying keto-adapted when eating out:

• Choose non-breaded, grilled, baked or roasted proteins like chicken, steak, salmon, etc.
• Opt for salads with low-carb dressing options like olive oil and vinegar.
• Ask for vegetables sauted in butter, olive oil or cheese instead of starches.
• Request no sugary sauces or glazes on entrees.
• Avoid breaded appetizers, sugary drinks, desserts, and high-carb sides like bread, potatoes, or rice.

Best Keto Restaurants in Kansas City

Here are some of the top keto-friendly restaurants in the Kansas City area:

Eggtc.

This breakfast and brunch spot serves up delicious low-carb morning fare. Try their eggs and meat skillets sans hashbrowns or toast. They also offer steak and eggs, omelets, breakfast bowls and sandwiches you can request wrapped in lettuce.

Urban Caf

Their "protein style" burger wrapped in lettuce is a customer favorite. Urban Caf also has turkey or ham wraps in lettuce leafs and makes a mouthwatering keto-friendly Philly cheesesteak. Salads, wings and meat plates round out the menu.

Antons Taproom

This upscale steakhouse is a carnivore's delight. Load up on prime beef cuts, racks of lamb, veal chops and more, paired with low-carb sides like creamed spinach, roasted Brussels sprouts, or cauliflower mash.

The Cafe at Deer Creek

Set on a golf course, this scenic cafe crafts keto plates like the "Protein Power Breakfast" with eggs, bacon, chicken sausage and avocado. Their buffalo chicken salad topped with blue cheese crumbles is also easy to keep keto.

Tannin Wine Bar & Kitchen

Wine-lovers can rejoice at this chic downtown hotspot. Beyond their stellar wine list, Tannin serves bunless grass-fed beef sliders, charcuterie boards piled high with cured meats and cheeses, tuna tartare, and other keto bites.

The Better Cheddar

This quick cafe has bowls and wraps that can be customized to be very low in carbs. Try their grilled chicken bowl over spinach instead of rice with salsa as the dressing. Their salads are also prime keto meal options.

Keto-Friendly Chain Restaurants in Kansas City

In addition to unique local eateries, Kansas City has plenty of chain restaurants accommodating low-carb lifestyles, such as:

Chipotle

Skip the rice, beans, and tortilla to enjoy a keto-friendly burrito bowl with meat, salsa, cheese, sour cream, and guacamole.

Blanc Burgers + Bottles

Build your own bunless burger or try one of their burgers served wrapped in lettuce. Side salads are also low-carb.

Granite City Food & Brewery

Order one of their hearty steaks alongside low-carb roasted asparagus. Just be sure to avoid menu items that come pre-sauced with sugary glazes.

Bar Louie

This gastropub has wings, flatbreads made with cauliflower crust, and numerous salads and bowls that can be customized to be keto-approved.

Bonefish Grill

Seafood lovers can feast on wood-grilled, blackened, or pan seared fish and skip the rice or pasta sides. Load up on the veggies instead.

Keto Fast Food Options

When grabbed for time, Kansas City fast food joints like these let you stick to the keto plan:

Jimmy John's Unwich

Any sub can be made into an "Unwich" wrapped in lettuce instead of bread. Go for meats and cheeses only with mustard.

Five Guys

Order a bunless burger or hot dog bowl with all the toppings. Add extra bacon and cheese for more fat.

Wendy's

Try their burgers without a bun including the Baconator. Salads with grilled chicken are another good low-carb option.

Hardee's Low Carb Thickburgers

Select from their range of no bun "Low Carb Thickburgers" to maintain ketosis on-the-go.

Chipolte

As mentioned, burrito bowls omitting rice and beans are keto go-tos. Load up on the extras like guacamole.

Keto Desserts in Kansas City

Just because you're eating keto doesn't mean missing out on something sweet. Kansas City offers some delicious low-carb dessert choices like:

Keto Brownie Cafe

From brownies to cupcakes and donuts, this bakery whips up heavenly low-carb, low sugar desserts using keto-approved ingredients.

messenger coffee

Sip sugar-free cold brew coffees with MCT or heavy cream. They also make keto-friendly quiches and egg muffins.

Livin Low Carb Bakery

Find keto cookies, bagels, cinnamon rolls, and more to satisfy your sweet tooth without the sugar crash.

The Laborers Coffee House

In addition to bulletproof coffees, they serve freshly baked keto treats like lemon poppyseed muffins and cheesecake fat bombs.

Tips for Keto Dining in Kansas City

Here are some parting tips for sticking to the keto plan while dining in Kansas City:

• Peruse menus online and look for low-carb tags or indicators.
• Call ahead to ask for certain dishes to be modified.
• Request extra fat like butter, olive oil, avocado, etc.
• Bring your own low-carb condiments.
• Check labels for added sugars in sauces and dressings.
• Focus on getting enough protein and fat to stay full.

With the growing keto movement, Kansas City offers endless options for low-carb, high-fat dining. Try new restaurants and customize orders to discover your favorite keto meals.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.