One of my favorite Waldo restaurants is Summit Grill. In the Before Times, I would often take clients there for lunch, or meet friends for happy hour. They have an extensive menu, prepare their own salad dressings on site (very important to me!) and have the best French Dip sandwich I’ve tasted in KC. The food is always fresh and the service is good. Hubby and I went there recently for an early dinner.
Anyway, I was excited to hear the same owners opened up South of Summit Taqueria and Tequila right next door, in the former Summit Grill events space. I visited this new taco spot in early March, all ready to post a blog about it–then BAM, the Shutdown. Posting it now!
South of Summit is a smaller space than Summit Grill, with an open and casual vibe. The servers wear tee shirts that state Viva Waldo! printed on the back–gotta love the Waldo pride! After examining the menu, there are a couple of things to point out: all tacos are priced under $4, and sides are just $2-$4. The taco shells are made fresh in house, and can include a crispy melted cheese, grilled on the flat top. There are larger main dish items as well, including an enchilada and burrito. I appreciate the smaller portions–so you can have just one taco and a side–as well as a larger, full meal. If you are a tequila lover– South of Summit has a huge selection ! Happy hour happens every day from 3-6, featuring $4 house margaritas, $3 beers and a several half price appetizers plus discounted tacos. Dine in service is back; there is also a shaded outdoor patio. And you can order online for pick up.
South of Summit is open seven days a week, at 516 W 75th St, just west of 75th and Wornall.
Supporting our local merchants is more important than ever at this time…please considering checking out the annual Brookside Sidewalk Sale this weekend! Many shops will be offering special discounts and sales–some eateries as well–starting Thursday July 9 through Saturday July 11. A partial list of participants include 5B&Co Candlemakers, Tuesday Morning, Lady Bye, COCO Brookside and Charlie Hooper’s. 
Owner Spencer Woodard is a wholesaler by trade, owning Geo’s Foods. He’s been in the cheese business for fifteen years, was born and raise in Kansas City, and lives in Waldo. Spencer says he’s always wanted to open a gourmet cheese place in Kansas City, and after looking at a few other locations, decided on this spot at the corner of McGee and Gregory. “The word ‘cheese’ draws so many people” he explained. “ I always thought Kansas City needed a cheese shop. We love the neighborhood and being here, everyone is so supportive.”
As with just about every other locally owned Brookside/Waldo retail shop, there is an emphasis on personal service here. Chances are Spencer’s longtime friend Gary Seabaugh will greet you at the door and offer his assistance. If you call ahead, Geo’s will put together a special gift bag of cheeses, crackers, etc you can pick up ready to go. Or just stop in and browse—bring something special home for that last minute meal on a warm night!
So here’s how it works: bring in your jar, bucket, bottle, whatever (you can also purchase them at the store or take from the donated containers basket) and browse the shop, filling up on what you need: there are cleansers for your face/ body, laundry, and home. Weigh the contents on the scale and pay by the ounce—you can purchase as little as one ounce of product just to give it a trial run at home, or stock up large jugs to last several months. All soaps have no artificial scents and many are allergen free. There is also a “house brand” line of products that are mixed in Springfield. Annie and Adam also carry several essential oils if you do want to scent the soaps you buy. Both are very customer service oriented and will walk you through the options as to what would work best for your specific cleaning needs. This shop is perfect for your own personal shopping or to purchase special, unique scented gifts for friends and family. And of course, it’s very environmentally friendly!
Anne says ” We firmly believe that what we are doing is making a difference. We just want to be a utility for those who are already trying to make less impact on the planet. In less than two years our three shops together have kept over 30,000 containers out of the landfills, waterways, and even recycling centers.”
First, a little background on the house: Richard Wornall purchased the 500 acres of farmland in 1843, stretching from State Line to Main St and 59th to 67th Streets, taking out a loan of $2500. (These days that amount isn’t even a down payment on a Brookside home!) He and his family first lived in a cabin on the homestead until the house was built. They farmed the land, selling grain and animals in Westport. Eventually, Richard and Judith’s sons, John and Thomas, inherited the property. Soldiers took over the house during the Civil War and used it as a field hospital as the Battle of Westport was taking place nearby (in present day Loose Park). Pieces of land were sold off through the years, and finally, John Wornall’s third wife, Roma, sold the remaining 150 acres to JC Nichols. In 1963, the property was purchased by the Jackson County Historical Society and is now a free standing, non profit entity in conjunction with the Alexander Majors House at 8201 State Line Road.
This long time, locally owned business was what Waldo was all about: area folks who started a business from scratch, grew into a respected institution and earned a well deserved reputation for excellent customer service. Dave and his wife Bette ran the shop at 7432 Wornall for over fifty years. Dave started out with a few lamps and a willingness to learn by doing. Slowly, the business grew and the store expanded, with local guys who liked to tinker with parts helped out the owners. Bette added home decor to the huge inventory of lampshades and bases. Dave could make a lamp out of just about anything –customers came by with sentimental pieces such as an old bottle, toy, a piece of sports equipment or musical instrument and Dave would get to work, fashioning a unique, workable table or floor lamp. If you just needed a part, or a lamp repair–Dave and Bette were there as well, ready to help and tackle the job. Through the years, both were active in the Waldo business association, participating in promotions and neighborhood events. 
Although this can be the most boring time of year……there’s always 
Inside Brookside (And Waldo) 