Grinders Pizza: NY-style slices, craft beer, and a cozy KC vibe.
Grinders Pizza is a neighborhood American restaurant, pizza spot and bar at 417 E 18th St, Kansas City. Known for NY-style thin-crust pizza, a wide beer selection, and a welcoming, college-bar-like vibe. The back patio is a friendly, well-kept gathering space, and the venue hosts live music events and even a holiday pop-up bar, Jolly's. Gluten-free pizza is available, and staff are praised for friendliness and timely service.
417 E 18th St, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
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Thin-crust pizzas available by the slice or whole pie, with classic toppings like pepperoni and margherita, plus gluten-free options.
Hearty dishes including cheesesteaks (with corned beef add-ons), smashburgers, Reubens, and salads with fresh ingredients.
Extensive lineup of beers, ales, and ciders on tap and in bottles, perfect for pairing with meals or enjoying solo.
Regular concerts and performances in a cozy venue setting, with details available on our website and social media.
Special themed bars like Jolly's holiday pop-up, offering unique drinks and a festive atmosphere in our back patio area.
Casual dining in our vibrant space or quick service for slices and meals to go, ideal for neighborhood stops.
Overall rating
Kelli Wheeles
We were going to the Jazz Museum and stopped for lunch. The food was delicious. My husband ordered the cheese steak (it had corned beef added), he said it was really good. My daughter thoroughly enjoyed her Ruben. I had the Caprese, no issue to change the chicken to turkey. We shared chips and tots. Service was slow, I wanted to get a side of blue cheese and the server didn’t come back until we were finished. Clean bathrooms.
Jana Marler
This place is amazing. Always one of my favorite KC spots! And Jolly’s, their holiday pop up bar is the best. I love their bar tenders. The key were so genuine and funny. They kept giving his friendly crap all night. We were great friends by the time we left. Their drinks are adorable. It’s a very cozy hidden gem. Make sure you visit Jolly’s behind grinders. I’ve never been to a concert there yet I have no idea how. But I’m excited to some day soon. They have spent a lot of time making their back patio a friendly atmosphere and well kept.
Jeff Marks
Seen this place on several food shows, had to give it a try. Huge selection of beers, ales, and ciders. Very friendly staff. We opted for gluten free pizza and a house salad to split. Salad was fresh and crispy, very good. Pizza was pretty good but the obviously not scratch made crust was very thick and doughy, and wasn't even cut all the way through for us. I'm sure they can do better than this, but it was just okay this time. The atmosphere reminds me of college bars where people scribble all over the walls, etc.
J. Hopkins
Cool local venue. We went to lunch on a weekday and half the tables were seated (good sign, IMO). The food tasted great. My husband got the pastrami cheesesteak and bombed a side of fries. I got a double smashburger and Cajun-seasoned fries. Weirdly enough, they charge a buck and half just to sprinkle some Cajun seasoning on the fries. I’ve never seen an establishment charge for that. Crinkle fries are my least favorite kind of fries because they tend to be undercooked, but the seasoning took it up a notch and this batch was cooked perfectly. I also like the lettuce they used on the burger because it wasn’t a huge slab of watery iceberg like other places. Server was meh, but we got the food in a timely matter. All in all, I recommend. They have live music events (not when we were there) so if that’s your thing, check their website and socials for those details.
YouGotHouses WeGotMahomes
Stopped in for a couple of slices quick. Had both pepperoni & margherita. Thin crust NY style pizza with real good flavoring. Didn't have much time, but enjoyed the food as well as the neighborhood feel of the place. No concert this visit, but will surely be back to try again!
