Kitty's Café continues a tender Kansas City tradition through its pork tenderloin sandwich

Kitty’s iconic dish recently earned recognition from The New York Times, which called it “possibly the most delicious fried pork sandwich in the United States.” The Midtown restaurant was originally opened in 1951 by a Japanese-American couple who settled in Kansas City.
Nestled along 31st Street between Kansas City’s Midtown and east side neighborhoods, Kitty’s Cafe has become a cherished symbol of timeless comfort recipes and enduring family heritage, said Jenna Soulivong.

Its word-of-mouth popularity spread largely from Kitty’s pork tenderloin sandwich — a menu item that that earned the restaurant recognition from The New York Times as a favorite in 2022, calling Kitty’s fare “possibly the most delicious fried pork sandwich in the United States.”

But the charming mom-and-pop eatery isn’t just a flavor of the week; it opened its doors in 1951, remaining a vibrant hub through ownership changes, evolving tastes, and new expectations for today’s food service industry.

Soulivong, daughter of the owner Charley Soulivong, can be found greeting customers with a warm smile while delivering their food.