KANSAS CITY, Kan. (KCTV) – The owner of a Kansas City, Kansas restaurant is having a pinch-me moment after it made the New York Times list for the top 50 best restaurants in the country.
The star of the show? — The Turkey Leggman near Quindaro Blvd. and 18th Street.
The restaurant was the only one chosen out of all of Kansas and the owner said he’s on cloud-9.
“Constantly have to pitch myself, I don’t have words,” said Mathew Montgomery, the owner of the restaurant.
“That’s a great accomplishment for Quindaro and then for the Turkey Leggman,” said Gary Wilson, the owner of Wilson’s Pizza down the road.
Montgomery is still in shock after the publication named his BBQ joint one of the top 50 best restaurants in the country.
“Oh my god, so amazing, very humble, honestly, to tell you the truth, I hung up on them. I thought it was a scam,” explained Montgomery.
But it was no scam. They showed up and were ready to try what he’s known for – turkey.
The owner of a Kansas City, Kansas restaurant is having a pinch-me moment after it made the New York Times list for the top 50 best restaurants in the country.(KCTV5/Jiani Navarro)
“He got the full menu. He wanted our number one seller; it’s called the Bust Down. It’s a turkey leg stuffed with 4 cheese macaroni,” he said.
That’s not all they have sizzling on the grill; they also serve up turkey ribs, turkey wings, burnt ends, turkey nachos, and turkey-loaded fries. They even have freshly squeezed juice, like watermelon juice.
So, what’s the secret to a nationally recognized turkey leg?
“Just the love we put into it and our secret little sauce that no one knows, you got to be blood, got to be in our blood line,” said Montgomery.
Montgomery shared that his journey hasn’t been easy. Starting off his business with a borrowed $25 grill, he’s now being given one of the greatest honors.
After all the blood, sweat, and tears, all the late nights,” he said, “to see it, just be recognized, it feels so good.”
An honor like this doesn’t just elevate the restaurant; it puts an entire neighborhood on the map.
“I enjoy having light on the area, and I think if we keep getting this kind of publicity, then we’re going to get more businesses up here and more people are going to come visit the area,” said Wilson.
Montgomery said the calls and orders keep flowing in, and he’s feeling blessed.
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