HOME | ABOUT US | MEDIA KIT | CONTACT US | INQUIRE
HOME | ABOUT US | MEDIA KIT | CONTACT US | INQUIRE
Do you think that when Andy Reid was hired as the Chief’s head coach 11 years ago that, anyone in Kansas City ever dreamed of three Super Bowl wins and a booming national status? Well, someone probably dreamed about it at the time, and naysayers called it a pipe dream. And then, in 2020, came the Chief’s first Super Bowl win in 50 years. It’s a fluke, the naysayers said; there’s no way the Chiefs can ever do that again.
And then the Chiefs did it again. Twice.
Love it or hate it, Kansas City is getting national attention (at least amongst the NFL and Swifties.) Like so many of our Kansas City friends, Ingram’s is eager for the boost to our national profile. So we’re doing our part to make sure everyone knows about every fantastic facet of Kansas City. Sure, we’re known for our BBQ, but we believe that we should be known for the other restaurants unique to Kansas City, along with our artisan bakeries, breweries, coffee shops, and much, much more.
Guests to Kansas City should know about our other industries, the engineering firms, construction services, clothiers, spas, and wealth-management companies—trust us, it’s a really long list. But the Best of Business awards features only the best of the best, and from the most discriminating points of view from our influential readership: all the best in the categories of Wining and Dining, Entertainment and Culture, Business Products and Business Services.
When you tally up those votes, it’s pretty clear: Kansas City’s got it all.
After 39 years of reader accolades for the best companies in the Kansas City area, you start to see certain consistent winners. To naysayers, seeing the same companies consistently securing the Gold, Silver and Bronze prizes year after year might indicate a stagnant market. Au contraire: This consistency proves a devotion to quality that would drive most companies to envy.
And it’s not just the old hands that appear on this list (keep an eye out for our favorite kinds of companies, the small but mighty). Ingram’s readers have named their favorite companies, restaurants, events and more for 2024, and we proudly present them to you here:
Best Bakery
Our readers have brought the best of the best here for you, and for fresh-baked bread and pastries, no one does it better than McLain’s, our Gold winner. Its five locations offer delicious fresh coffee, cookies, cakes, buns, and yes, breads for any occasion. Silver goes to Best Regards Bakery & Café, known for its sourdough bread and sugar cookies. Yellow Brick Bakery in Olathe is recommended for its pies, cookie cakes, and pastries; good enough for Bronze.
Best Barbecue
How can you decide what the best meats are in a city where Barbecue is almost falling out of the sky? Well, we can at least recognize the most popular. If you want brisket, ribs, specialty pork, and chicken, our Gold BBQ winner Q39 is highly recommended. Joe’s Kansas City Bar-B-Que, world-famous for its Z-Man sandwich but offering so much more, snags the Silver. And never let it be said that Bronze medalist Jack Stack BBQ doesn’t deserve a place on our list.
Best Brewery
Like you, we at Ingram’s work hard and love a good brew at the end of the day. Small wonder that Boulevard Brewing has consistently appeared on our list of best breweries and earns another Gold. From a variety of styles and flavors, Boulevard has proved to be an innovative spirit that is not afraid to tackle hard seltzers and craft cocktails, which they’ll be more than happy to demonstrate on their brewery tours. KC Bier Co. takes Silver for crafting German-style beers using traditional methods. Taking Bronze by one vote, Crane Brewing of Raytown shows invention and tradition in its craft beers.
Best Burger
This was the most difficult category to count this year with—no joke—40 different nominees vying for a consensus. Vox populi: BRGR Kitchen & Bar is the Gold standard, with dozens of unique burger flavors. Silver yielded a tie between Five Guys and Austins Bar & Grill—respectively offering classic American burgers in an array of flavors. And our Bronze winner, Red Robin, always demonstrates the versatility of this traditional fare.
Best Business Breakfast
Where do you go for great food first thing in the morning? For most of our readers, it’s The Big Biscuit, which takes Gold. That’s an impressive achievement, as it breaks an unbroken string of first-place finishes for First Watch, which walks away with Silver. Bronze belongs to Harvey’s at Union Station, an elegant choice for brunch and more.
Best Business Lunch
Picture this: You need a quiet place with good food to impress friends or clients sometime around noon. Where do you go? Our readers recommend J. Alexander’s for steaks, burgers, salads and more. Or if you’re looking for more surf and less turf, try Bristol Seafood for delightful shrimp tacos, crab cakes or a massive mixed grill for the whole table. Or if you’re craving chicken, our Bronze selection Rye offers two locations on Mission Road and Mill Creek Parkway—and some of the finest fried chicken in a city famous for it.
Best Business Dinner
Now that we think about it, when have you ever seen a seafood restaurant that only offered surf without the turf? Ocean Prime certainly offers both. Their dinner selection offers everything from sushi to New York strips, with a tantalizing lineup of side dishes. Perfect for business or an anniversary, Silver goes to The Capital Grille on The Country Club Plaza, where you can expect steaks to die for and even vegetarian cuisine, plus cocktails to complement the evening. J. Alexander’s is a solid Bronze choice, just as delightful in the evening as in the early afternoon.
Best Caterer
Who do you call when you need the right meal delivered right to your office? Look no further than Brancato’s Catering, whose variety of menus and perfect service—and long Kansas City heritage—makes for an easy Gold choice. The best caterers are the places that make you believe you’re in their restaurants, even in your office, and Silver-winner The Russell certainly delivers. Finally, elevate your event with Scratch Gourmet Kitchen’s elevated comfort food, a solid choice for excellent service and the Bronze here.
Best Coffee House
Coffee does more than just wake you up; it’s a stimulant for conversation and bonding. Meet friends or host events at our Gold choice, Messenger Coffee, located Downtown on Grand Boulevard. If you’re in the Crossroads, you can see why Mildred’s snags the Silver, offering coffee and breakfast served all day. Our Bronze pick, McLain’s, is a Kansas City staple with five locations, from Waldo to Lawrence, with a new location coming to North Kansas City.
Best Deli
For these three delicatessens, sandwiches are more than just cold cuts and specialty cheeses, they’re works of art. According to our readers, Marco Polo’s Italian Market by Jasper’s is a Gold standard deli offering specialty hot and cold sandwiches with authentic Italian ingredients. The Silver pick, Carollo’s Grocery and Deli, brings imported Italian delicacies to Kansas City, just south of the river. And finally, Fareway Meat Market on 79th and Ward Parkway is the pick for Bronze, with its fresh butchered steaks, chicken—and yes, hot and cold deli.
Best Family Restaurant
Sure, business dinners are important, but where would you go when you want to put your family first? Start with Fritz’s, whose train aesthetics and classic burgers are icons. Aside from the main location in Crown Center, Fritz’s other locations in Shawnee and Kansas City, Kan., offer breakfast, making it an ideal family outing. Fun for the whole family (with grown children) Silver winner SERV’s is a bar and grill that also offers pickleball, live music and other entertainment. And for an all-around good time with a dollop of zest, Jalapeno’s in Brookside is good for the Bronze.
Best Grocery Store
Sometimes, the best dinner is the one coming right out of your oven. Our readers sure seem to think Hen House has the Golden goods as a one-stop shop for all you need: deli, baked goods, floral and all the staples of a kitchen. Our Silver and Bronze winners are closely intertwined: Price Chopper, a flag flown over the stores of four area family-owned operations, is loved for low prices and convenient on-the-way-home locations. After starting as a family grocery in 1948, one of those four enterprises, Cosentino’S MARKET has grown to multiple locations all over Kansas City.
Best Happy Hour
It’s after hours; you want to relax with friends. Might as well start with our readers’ Gold pick, Houlihan’s, a happy hour dressed to the nines. Enjoy a wide variety of craft brews, cocktails, wine and appetizers every weekday from 3-6 p.m. and from 1 p.m.-4 p.m. on weekends. We also enjoy our Silver pick, Nick & Jake’s, whose Real Food/Honest Drink policy is always attractive. Finally, Bronze goes to Harry’s Country Club in the River Market for a touch of Roaring 20’s class.
Healthiest Menu
Billie’s Grocery is an ideal starting point for healthy eating. More than just a restaurant and bakery, Billie’s offers cooking and dietary classes so you can alternatively eat and learn how to improve your lifestyle. Silver goes to a staple of the local health food scene, Enjoy Pure Food + Drink, whose staff and creative approach to health earns its reputation as premiere eatery. Modern Market Eatery takes home the Bronze after opening its first local store in Prairie Village last year.
Best Outdoor Dining
Nothing like fresh air to give you an appetite, no matter the season. Our readers enjoy the best of the Plaza while sitting under the iconic dome of our Gold pick, Gram & Dun, located on Ward Parkway. Silver goes to Trezo Mare, whose hearty Italian fare can best be enjoyed on the luxurious Northland patio. And who says you can’t play while you eat? Chicken N Pickle, with the Bronze honors, certainly thinks you can, offering pickleball and fried chicken for the restless.
Best Pizza
It wouldn’t be the Best of Business awards for pizza without Minsky’s. Sure enough, it’s Gold again. For more than 45 years, Minsky’s has offered gourmet pizzas, salads, burgers, and more, all made to order and tailored to your dietary needs. It’s Kansas City casual dining at its very best, as is our Silver pick, SPIN! Neapolitan Pizza. Whether you’re in Lawrence or in Crown Center, SPIN! Offers pizza and brews that you just can’t resist. Our Bronze pick is the young but mighty Buffalo State Pizza.
Best Place to Take Out-of-Town Guests
Let’s face it, you can’t show off Kansas City all at once…or can you? Jack Stack BBQ is a solid Gold representation of Kansas City’s ’cue style. Neither too spicy nor too sweet, Jack Stack is the first place Kansas Citians and guests think of when they hear “barbecue.” Pierpont’s in Union Station brings home Silver. It compares favorably with the best of high-class eateries in Kansas City, and guests will be wowed by the food and service. And talk about leaving them wanting more, Q39 is an addictive Bronze-winning choice for guests.
Most Romantic Restaurant
Ah, the City of Love. No, not Paris, Kansas City has plenty of romantic locations to establish lifelong memories with your partner. Our readers’ Gold pick, Café Provence, is a 20-year-old, family-owned restaurant that makes classic French cuisine out of the best that Midwestern farms have to offer. Silver goes to Le Fou Frog, another classic French Restaurant, this one in the River Market. Our Bronze pick is Bristol Seafood where fine food and wine make romance a dream come true.
Best Seafood
Despite being fixed in the middle of America’s heartland, Kansas City may just have the best seafood this side of the Mississippi. Just try Ocean Prime for absolute proof. From oysters to lobster, king crab to sea bass, every dish is a perfectly crafted, Gold standard experience. Bristol Seafood is more than just one of the most romantic restaurants in Kansas City; its quality fresh ingredients add up to meals greater than the sum of their parts, earning Silver. Pearl Tavern rounds off our readers’ recommendations for Bronze, with fresh fish served daily across its eight locations.
Best Sports Bar/Grill
In a town where every citizen is a sports fan of some kind, there can never be enough public spaces to watch games with fellow fans (or friendly rivals.) At Johnny’s Tavern, rightly boasting 12 locations and Gold honors, you’ll find addictive hamburgers and enough beer on tap to slake any thirst. Kurt Vonnegut tried to define a granfalloon as a “proud and meaningless association of human beings,” but that doesn’t wash with our readers, who award Silver to Granfalloon, the Plaza’s premiere sports bar. And check out SERV, the Bronze-winning sports bar for the fan who wants to play—and watch sports.
Best Steak
Finding the best steak in a city known for it is difficult, but not for the discriminating tastes of our readers. Starting with Gold, 801 Chophouse is a staple of the Power & Light district. From choosing the cut to aging the steak in-house, 801 delivers quality cut after quality cut to garner Gold. Meanwhile, J. Alexander’s takes Silver for its steak offerings and gourmet specialty dishes. And who else but J. Gilbert’s, with Bronze, can round off the triumvirate of best steakhouses in Kansas City?
Best Sunday Brunch
A meal after church is a great way to start the week, and our readers have three to recommend. Gold belongs to Bristol Bar & Grill for its hearty buffet, combining the best of the land and the sea with shrimp, salmon, spiral-cut ham, Belgian waffles and more every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Harvey’s at Union Station is a clear Silver winner, not just for the buffet or world-class service, but also for the beautiful location in the heart of the metro area. Bronze goes to the Westside Local for its master of the farm-to-table concept.
Best Service
It’s a rare double header in our Best Service category as our readers vastly seemed to prefer two restaurants for the quality of their service, beginning with Ocean Prime, and it’s small wonder. From courteous recommendations to friendly assistance, the staff at Ocean Prime is a cut above. Silver goes to 801 Chophouse, where the staff’s prompt assistance and friendly smiles keep the place running like a fine watch.
Best Overall Restaurant
Always tricky to categorize, the best restaurant category had stiff competition this year. Coming in Gold, Ocean Prime where the steaks, seafood and atmosphere combine into an all-too-rare breed. And of course, there’s a barbeque restaurant on the best restaurant list, Q39 standing tall as our reader’s preferred site for barbecue and more. And J. Alexander’s takes Bronze as the sum of its food, service, and atmosphere is nothing but pure enjoyment.
Best Asian Restaurant
Barbecue, steaks and seafood are all well and good, but Kansas City has embraced a diverse sweep of cultures and cuisines. Our readers love Bamboo Penny’s, where traditional Thai cooking meets a contemporary kitchen under the tutelage of its chef, Penny Mufuka, to earn Gold. Silver goes to Bo Ling’s, a classic eatery that has been a part of Kansas City since 1981—and’ with consistent appearances here, will be for the foreseeable future. And for the Bronze readers
recommend Lemongrass Thai Cui-sine in Overland Park.
Best French Restaurant
Nothing can ever quite replace authentic French food, although these three selections make a strong case that they’re better than the real thing. Café Provence in Prairie Village grabs the Gold, offering locally farmed food prepared with classic French techniques. Le Fou Frog has been a much-loved part of Kansas City since 1996, with offerings more akin to works of art. That’s good for Silver. The Westport Cafe earns Bronze as an enchanting bistro where food and cocktails are served until late.
Best Italian Restaurant
The old country has produced a fine heritage of hearty food, and our selections take that grand Italian legacy well in hand. For 35 years and counting, Garozzo’s has brought simple Italian cooking to the region like it was freshly made in Italy. Silver goes to Jasper’s, an award-winning, long-running family passion project that makes fine dining elegant. Raggazza Food & Wine is a cozy establishment purveying fine wines
and fresh food close to the Plaza.
Best Mexican Restaurant
The race between our Gold, Silver and Bronze restaurants was so close it was almost a three-way tie, but clear winners came shining through. First opened in 2004, Mi Ranchito is the definition of homestyle cooking. You can get fajitas, burritos, and more traditional fare at any of its seven locations, but what keeps our readers coming back is the inviting atmosphere. Silver and Bronze go to K-Macho’s and Ponak’s, respectively, where high-class service at each makes for a friendly atmosphere the whole family can enjoy.
Best Art Gallery
For many Kansas Citians, there’s absolutely nothing better than the
Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art with its wide array of exhibits from many cultures in its goal of making wide culture accessible to as many people as possible. It’s a Gold standard for a reason. But it would be negligent to ignore the Blue Gallery on Southwest Boulevard, whose collection of contemporary art finds beauty in life through the eyes of modern artists, and Silver honors from our readers. And let’s not forget the Leopold Gallery, featuring a majestic, Bronze-winning collection of local artists.
Best Charitable Event
Kansas City has no shortage of generous citizens and no shortage of events where people can both help a good cause and have fun. Gold goes to Jazzoo, hosted by the Friends of the Zoo, which raises money for maintaining animal health while hosting local musicians and dancers. Just as popular is the Silver-winning Big Slick, where Kansas City’s hometown celebrity heroes hang out for a weekend every summer to raise money for Children’s Mercy Hospital. And rounding out our list with Bronze is the Snow Ball, hosted by Catholic Charities.
Best Casino
Living in Kansas City means you’ve already won the life lottery, so any one of these fine gaming establishments can build on your luck. Our readers are clear, Hollywood Casino at the Kansas Speedway is the perfect get-away-from-it-all weekend trip. Gold level, for sure. Take a chance at the 1,500+ slot machines or one of the many table games, and when you’re all played out, enjoy a meal at one of three amazing restaurants. Silver and Bronze belong to gaming staples Argosy Casino & Spa in Riverside and Bally’s Kansas City, a classic Riverboat Casino.
Best Theater
When the summer heat has you down, slip into an AMC theater for a level of comfort that has a hometown seal of approval. Which location? Well, our readers sure seemed to enjoy the Leawood locations (apropos, considering the corporate headquarters is nearby) and the dine-in Prairiefire location in Overland Park. Then enjoy a night out at our Silver winner, Starlight Theatre, whose summer season is in full swing with concerts and Broadway classics. And for Bronze, enjoy a movie at another local theater chair, B&B Theatres.
Best Family Outing/Venue
It may be hot out there this summer, but the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium still demands attention. Our Gold prize winner has recently upped its game with the Sobela Ocean Aquarium, housing over 7,000 aquatic animals—and your kids will love every one of them. Taking our Silver is Chicken N Pickle, where a combination of playing and eating has proved to be a popular pastime with families (so long as you don’t play with your food.) And for Bronze, where else can you go in the summer but Kauffman Stadium, where concerts and
baseball games abound?
Best Golf Course
Finding the right golf course can be a chore, so use this section as a handy guide for saving strokes on that game. Our readers have awarded Hallbrook Country Club the Gold prize for best golf course, not just for its remarkable fairways but also for beautiful greens, event space and relaxed atmosphere. Silver goes to Shoal Creek Golf Course with its 7,000+ yardage that has been four- star rated by Golf Digest. Bronze belongs to The National in Parkville.
Best Jazz or Blues Venue
There’s nothing that screams “Kansas City Classic” like barbecue and jazz. Our Gold jazz venue combines both into BB’s Lawnside Blues & BBQ, where pit-smoked ’cue meets live blues and jazz every day. Drop by for the meats; stay for the music and fun. Our readers sure love the Green Lady Lounge, bestowing Silver on this very definition of a jazz lounge: live music and classy cocktails. Bring a friend! Knuckleheads, with Bronze, rounds off our list with its mul-ti-building complex of stages. Catch a tune at the outdoor stage, gospel lounge, saloon lounge and garage stage.
Best Day Trip
Our Gold and Silver day trips are barely an hour away by car—so can you afford to not take the day off? Lawrence, Kan., remains popular for its museums, farm attractions, and nature parks—honestly, there’s so much to do in Lawrence, we can’t even scratch the surface. Weston, Mo., is popular for its historic Red Barn and Green Dirt farm and many American restaurants, earning Silver. For Bronze, Hermann, Mo., is slightly further away, about three hours by car, but is worth the trip for its historic structures and B&Bs, long history of vinification, and many seasonal festivals.
Best Weekend Getaway
If you’re going to Hermann, might as well go the full four hours and stop in at St. Louis. Our readers enjoy spending the weekend touring the museums, the aquarium or catching an I-70 rivalry ball game. Head south for our Silver winner, Big Cedar Lodge on Table Rock Lake. Play golf, enjoy the Cedar Creek Spa, or go boating at the Long Creek Marina at Table Rock Lake—there’s an endless amount of fun—and recharging—to be had. Our readers love the Lake of the Ozarks, where there’s so much to do you can’t just stay one weekend, so best to plan for two at this Bronze winner.
Best Performing Arts Venue
There’s a beautiful diversity to our readers’ picks in this category. Starting with the grandiosity of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, where the Kansas City Symphony, Lyric Opera, and Kansas City Ballet perform. It’s a Gold-winning, iconic location whose construction added to a Downtown redevelopment that continues to this very day. For an outdoor performance, check out Silver winner Starlight Theatre, where Broadway comes alive under the open skies. Our readers also recommend the Midwest Trust Center AT JOHNSON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE, which raises the curtain on Bronze.
Best Sporting Event to Entertain Clients
OK: Was there ever any doubt who the Gold winner would be? Maybe, because it’s a tie this year. Of course, the Chiefs were going to take Gold after their stellar performance these past few championship seasons, but our readers are also
enthusiastic about the Royals, and why not? Silver this year goes to Sporting KC, proving that soccer is just as entertaining to watch as American football. And with Bronze, we show much-deserved love to the KC Current, whose new CPKC Stadium opened this past March.
Best Accounting/Consulting Firm
This year, all of this category’s winners are branch offices from nationwide firms, so really, is it any wonder why they stand out? Take our Gold winner, Plaza-based CBIZ, a trusted independent accounting service for companies of any size and in any industry. Creative Planning takes Silver, not only for its nationally recognized financial planning, but also for comprehensive business services, from audit to insurance to payroll. RubinBrown checks in with Bronze under the direction of its new KC managing partner, Megan Knoblauch.
Best Small Advertising Agency
To get your ad, branding, or marketing message out—and with highly personalized service—our readers heartily recommend Trozzolo Communications Group earning them the Gold. From PR campaigns to strategic communication, Trozzolo has been trusted by the likes of GEHA, Children’s Mercy Hospital, and Boulevard Brewing Co. Novella Brandhouse, the messaging muscle be-hind The Big Biscuit and Abita’s marketing campaigns, earns Silver, while JSSM–Jennings Social Media & Martech–wraps up the Bronze.
Best Large Advertising Agency
Fun fact: All of this year’s large advertising firms appeared on last year’s list, though some now have slightly different names. VML takes the Gold for international creativity, with offices and bold ad campaigns all over the physical and digital worlds. See its recent coup at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, where 28 international campaigns won 57 awards. Another hometown powerhouse is Silver with the merged and rebranded BarkleyOKRP, an iconic agency with an iconic Downtown headquarters. Bernstein Rein and MMGY Global forged a tie for Bronze.
Best Bank
Choosing a bank is all about trust, and with almost 160 years of experience, Commerce Bank is most certainly trusted with Gold. Offering lending, brokerage, and a number of other services to consumers and commercial institutions, Commerce is a thoroughly Kansas City institution. Silver goes to Country Club Bank, which has proved to be a go-to bank, especially for small business lending. CommunityAmerica Credit Union takes Bronze, and while it’s not technically a bank,
it’s just as trusted with customers’ financial security.
Best Architectural/Design Firm
Architects have the enviable task of leading the charge to make dreams come true, and these firms have demonstrated excellence in leadership. PGAV is the epitome of modern, Midwestern design, bagging Gold with a strong record of success on projects ranging from the KC Zoo to the St. Louis Science Center. Helix Architecture + Design picks up Silver for its strong reputation as an integrated firm where architecture and interior design meet seamlessly. Hollis + Miller Architects rounds off the list with Bronze, to go along with 70-plus years of experience.
Best Small Commercial Contractor
All right, you’ve designed your building project, so how do you build it? Trust our Gold winner, Kissick Construction. After 30 years of reliable and enthusiastic civil construction, Kissick has more than lived up to the family tradition of quality construction. Monarch Build is less than a decade old, but earns Silver based on its reputation for quality work grounded in the fundamental principle of trust. A.L. Huber General Contractor comes in with Bronze and a long resume of commercial projects and satisfied customers.
Best Large Commercial Contractor
“Large” is relative, measured by the number of employees, locations, or revenue. Turns out all those qualifiers and more apply to these winners. McCownGordon Construc-tion takes Gold for its reach and employee ownership model. Always engaged with clients, McCownGordon seeks partnerships, a clear indication of success. Taking Silver is JE Dunn Construction, a literally nationwide example of progress and innovation. Bronze belongs to Turner Construction, which may not be based in Missouri but sure feels like a hometown hero.
Best Engineering Firm
“Build it and they will come.” Sure, but it’s an awfully difficult build sometimes. This is why readers embrace the expert engineers at Burns & McDonnell awarding them the Gold. More than just an engineering firm, it designs, builds and provides consulting services on projects large and small around the world. Silver goes to another global player, Black & Veatch, another deeply rooted local heavyweight in this space. PMA Engineering takes Bronze for its quality structural consultation.
Best Commercial Printer
Large-scale jobs are never an issue for the professionals. When it takes more than just an office copier to get the job done, our readers turn to Gold winner ProPrint, not only for graphic design experience, brochures, and other paper goods but also for corporate gifts and swag printing. And it’s been family-owned since 1981. Precision Printing notches the Silver, largely based on its reputation for quick, quality work. Bronze goes to Drexel Technologies for its office technology and expert solutions.
Best Commercial Real-Estate Firm
Newmark Zimmer is a powerhouse. There’s no other word to adequately describe this Gold winner’s place in commercial realty. With a presence in all 50 states, the firm continues to innovate through selling, renting, managing and investing in commercial real estate. Block Real Estate Services has done it all. With a history that goes back more than 70 years, its leadership has built a large portfolio of developments that includes schools, business parks and warehouses. CBRE is a Bronze worldwide player with an expanding presence in Kansas City.
Best Computer/IT Consulting Firm
Integra Technologies: not exactly the guys who call when your computer keeps crashing, but they are the ones to call when you want to build a better machine. Based in Wichita and Silicon Valley, Integra Technologies is trusted to bring quality semiconductors that are made right here in the USA and clocks in with Gold. The people you do want to call for IT consulting? CTS, with the Silver, provides technical support to small to medium businesses. Bronze goes to NetStandard, which offers IT and security support to clients like CBIZ and Kendall Bank.
Best Ground Transportation
If you need to move across the city, Overland Chauffeured Services will get you there in Gold-standard style. The family-owned Overland offers luxury, chauffeured rides in a limo, van, or bus and rental fleet services for any transportation needs. Agenda: USA, based in Mission, takes Silver for its high standard of mobility and affordability. And the Kansas City Streetcar takes Bronze for transporting commuters, visitors and pedestrians of all sorts all through the heart of Downtown and, soon, to the Country Club Plaza.
Best Health Club
Our health club Gold award winner knows what it takes to be a champion: Chiefs Fit is a huge facility (37,000 square feet!) designed to turn you into a champion. Every square inch of the building, from the free weights to the recovery room will have you working like you’re chasing a spot on the roster. Life time Fitness is more than a gym; it’s… well, a lifestyle. And Silver-winning at that. The Lenexa location offers dynamic personal training, personalized classes and club events to help you live your best life. And any list of fitness centers would be incomplete without Genesis Health Clubs, a booming local enterprise that earns Bronze.
Best Health Insurance Provider
Let’s be honest: Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City is easily the largest local health insurer for a reason, and not just for the insurance coverage. Blue KC works hard to give back to the community through various partnerships, locking up Gold here. Based out of Connecticut, Silver-winner Cigna provides coverage customized to client needs and affordability. Finally, our readers selected UnitedHealthCare for Bronze.
Best Hospital/Medical Center
Trust is the operative word of Hospitals. Though we all never want to end up in one, we all want the reassurance of professionals who take their jobs and our lives seriously. That’s why our readers have chosen The University of Kansas Health System for the Gold award. The growing system, now reaching into the Northland, has earned high honors for education programs and cancer treatment facilities. Silver is a tie between Saint Luke’s Health System (recently merged with BJC HealthCare of St. Louis) and Advent Health. Both are highly regarded for comprehensive health services. Finally, North Kansas City Hospital takes Bronze, a leader in heart
care among other specialties.
Best Hotel
Here are the perfect places for out-of-town guests—or a nice staycation, if you’re so inclined. Loews Kansas City Hotel neatly packs up Gold, offering amenities that include a business center (coming soon) and access to the Kansas City Convention Center. Connected to the Overland Park Convention Center, the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel is big, bold and comfortable, enough so to earn Silver. And the beautiful Inn at Meadowbrook in Prairie Village easily cinches Bronze.
Best Janitorial Company
Confirming that the title of best janitorial service is not limited to any one client or industry, City Wide Facility Solutions easily takes Gold. There is literally no industry it can’t service—auto dealers, logistics centers, hotels or schools. It has set a nationwide cleaning standard for a reason. Clean Heart Maids are here for you, bringing a personal touch to every project they clean, and dusting off the Silver.
Best Law Firm
This category always sparks fierce competition, and emerging with Gold from that fray is Armstrong Teasdale, a full-service master of all matters legal. Silver belongs to Shook, Hardy & Bacon, whose handling of product liability and related business law is legendary. Lathrop GPM rounds off our list with Bronze and a reputation for successful strategic litigation.
Best Meeting/Conference Center-Facility
At first glance, it seems one could hold a conference anywhere with a big room, but there’s more than elbow room at the Overland Park Convention Center. With its amenities, staff, location, and logistical convenience, OPCC has proved worthy of this year’s Gold. Right on the edge of Downtown, the Silver winning BARTLE HALL/KC Convention Center is the meeting location of choice for diverse draws that include the Kansas City Develop Conference and Planet Comicon. And for a touch of art deco style, check out Bronze winner Union Station.
Best Remodeler
There can only be one. KCBR Design Remodel technically takes the Gold, blowing away the competition in this category. How? Perhaps with its extensive portfolio of successfully renovated kitchens, living spaces and bathrooms. Family-owned and constantly growing, KCBR is a dynamo that keeps on giving.
Best Residential Real Estate Firm
There are plenty of great places to call home in KC, and ReeceNichols has the Gold-level expertise to help fit you into your aesthetic and budget. Re/Max is trusted all over the nation, and that confidence is no smaller for readers who assign Silver honors. Keller Williams, whose market presence has grown considerably in the last few years, racks up the Bronze.
Best Small Business Lender
Entrepreneurs take note: Kansas City banks are open for business, especially at Country Club Bank, where services for small businesses are a top priority. Take control of your future with an SBA loan, regular banking services, financial advice, or credit services—all good enough for Gold. First Business Bank in Leawood earns Silver as the place for financial guidance or strategic risk management. Arvest Bank gets the nod for Bronze, no doubt based on 60 years of experience with customers here.
Best Spa
Randy Newman once sang, “It’s a jungle out there,” and with all the day-to-day stress from work, commutes, inflation, and—oh, yeah, that little election in November—it certainly feels like a jungle. Fortunately, Sunlighten understands and offers the latest technology and techniques to help customers relax and renew, and that’s Golden with our readers. RSVP Med Spa has a Silver-winning reputation for skin treatments and techniques. And for Bronze, take in a day at the Spa at Briarcliff’s baths and massages.
Best Wealth Management Firm
Creative Planning now manages more than $300 billion in assets, offering comprehensive services from insurance to legal advice, this financial titan more than deserves Gold. FAS Wealth Partners takes Silver this year for its strategic planning and active portfolio maintenance. Buttonwood Financial Group notches the Bronze for its focus on helping clients maximize opportunities to grow their financial wealth.
Best Auto Dealer (Domestic)
The leaders here are both Ford dealerships, with diverse inventories of the full range of new and pre-owned models. Moving up from last year’s silver, Olathe Ford takes the Gold on the strength of more than 25,000 transactions in 2023. Blue Springs Ford is a close Silver thanks to its family-owned operation that has
been trusted by Blue Springs for more than 40 years.
Best Auto Dealer (Foreign)
Get a taste of luxury with Aristocrat Motors in Meriam, winner of the Gold here and Kansas City’s home for Alfa Romeo, Jaguar, Maserati, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche. BMW South KC brings the goods with coupe, convertible, and SUVs, both gas and EV variants, all while offering the best service, and the best parts for the best price. That’s good for Silver. Tied for Bronze are Molle Toyota & Jay Wolfe Acura.
Best Corporate Gifts
Whether they’re gifts for clients and employees or prizes for corporate events, you can trust Made in KC to deliver. Our Gold winner offers customizable mugs, shirts, and other apparel, and official KC merchandise. KC Elite Marketing, your go-to printer for branded sunglasses, mugs, thermoses, mousepads, and other office projects, takes Silver. Meierotto Jewelers dons the Bronze for its elegant array of watches, knives, pens, and, yes, jewelry.
Best Florist
It doesn’t matter the occasion; no celebration or commemoration is complete without a flower arrangement. So say “Happy (insert your occasion here)” with an arrangement from the Fiddly Fig. Our readers have awarded them a Gold prize for arrangements that fit any occasion, any season. Big, bold and always in season, Toblers Flowers takes 120+ years of experience and philanthropy to fashion Silver honors. Studio Dan Meiners closes out this voting with Bronze, a well-deserved award for crafting chic arrangements and long-lasting client relationships.
Best Jeweler
Our three winning candidates deal in Gold, Silver and Bronze, too. Gold belongs to Joslin’s Jewelry. Family run for almost 50 years, Joslin’s offers everything from gems to precious metals and exclusive collections, helping clients find the perfect piece at the right price. Meierotto Jewelers takes Silver, and is there a more iconic name in Kansas City Jewelry than Bronze-winning Tivol? It has offered fine jewelry and watches since 1910.
Best Liquor Store/Wine Seller
If you’ve noticed a community theme in this year’s Best of Business list, good. It was not intentional, but it’s quite apropos, especially for this section. A drink livens any occasion, and where else can you find the right drink but Total Wine? Our Delaware-based Gold winner has more than 240 stores nationwide, but as a recent addition to this market, has already made a splash. Silver goes to Gomer’s, a staple of Kansas’ adult beverage market. Mike’s Wine and Spirits is the Bronze pick, in part for its promotion of local beer and alcohol brands.
Best Office/Interior Furnishing Firm
Just like in architecture, form follows function in interior design. Take Contract Furnishings, who can design an office just from their furniture. They take design seriously here, creating workable spaces as a complementary service to their Gold-winning furniture and décor services. Noble Designs brings a quiet, homey look to your spaces through its Silver-level designs. For Scott Rice Office Works, the whole is always greater than the individual parts, bringing a holistic level of comfort to its designs to earn Bronze.
Best Women’s Apparel
Bring confidence through style and keep stunning at any of our three winners. Halls Kansas City is a verified Kansas City tradition. Since opening in 1916, Halls has blown the competition away with luxury brands and designer experience, and 108 years later, it continues to stun. Gold? You bet. Von Maur in Overland Park offers everything from general wear to evening dress, as well as all the accessories, bagging Silver in the process. And finally, our readers recommend Clairvaux at their Fairway or Hawthorne locations, snagging Bronze.
Best Men’s Apparel
Men’s clothing seems easy on the surface, but it’s so easy to mess up. Fortunately, Halls Kansas City makes it easy to look your best. From suits to sweaters, from summer to winter apparel and accessories, Halls has the goods…and the Gold. Déjà vu: Von Maur takes Silver for men, too. You can literally find anything at Von Maur’s, from comfortable casual clothes to spic-and-span suits. And don’t overlook Bronze winner Geno’s, offering the latest styles since 1979.
Best Wireless Phone Service
This presented a strong contest between two carriers, both favored for the quality of their service and their affordability. T-Mobile takes Gold—appropriate, given its strong Kansas City presence. (We still remember Sprint when it was United Telecom.) Thankfully, T-Mobile has shined as a carrier thanks to their quality service and value. Verizon
dials up Silver, easily outdistancing candidates for those honors.
Best Team-Building Venue
Take a gander at the connecting theme of our favorite team-building venues. That’s right, they all combine food, sports and drinking. With a large event space just perfect for work opportunities, you can enjoy good food, good drinks, and the
beguiling sport pickleball at Chicken N Pickle. That’s good for Gold. Par down your game at Top Golf, whose Overland Park location is newly renovated and has all the Silver trimmings. SERV rounds off the list serving up Bronze with so many games and activities to choose from you won’t know where to turn.
