A Food Celebration Rooted in Quindaro
Quindaro Boulevard is tied to the 1850s free-state town of Quindaro, which served as an Underground Railroad port for people escaping enslavement. That history gives added weight to a week built around Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood. In a May 26, 2026 announcement, the Unified Government said its Quindaro Neighborhood Master Plan would identify ways to honor the site's role in important movements and preserve its legacy.
The storefronts along that same stretch proved their community value just weeks before the celebration began. Severe storms in mid-August knocked out power and caused widespread disruptions across Wyandotte County. Turkey Leggman fed utility crews working in the Quindaro area, while Wilson's Pizza & Grill offered free pizza and drinks to residents. The Unified Government is also pursuing CSO 14, a Quindaro-area project that will separate stormwater and wastewater lines to help reduce sewer overflows and protect local waterways.
What the Week Will Do
Kansas City, Kansas is rolling out its first-ever Black Restaurant Week from Sept. 7 through Sept. 13, with 11 Black-owned culinary businesses across Wyandotte County taking part. Select participating restaurants will offer special menu items priced at $9.13, and the week leads directly into the state of Kansas's annual 913 Day celebration.
The initiative was recognized through a proclamation by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and KCK Mayor/CEO Christal E. Watson, according to KCTV. Locals and visitors can explore a diverse array of flavors throughout the week, the station reports, as participating entrepreneurs play a vital role in Wyandotte County's culture and economy.
Where the Participants Are
The lineup includes three businesses on Quindaro Boulevard: Wilson's Pizza & Grill at 1801 Quindaro Blvd., Turkey Leggman at 1916 Quindaro Blvd., and Ms. R's Café at 720 Quindaro Blvd. Other participating restaurants are Q13 Sports Bar & Grill at 2724 N. 13th St., Nana's Kitchen at 7355 Leavenworth Road, John's Java & Jazz at 2003 N. 5th St., The Neighborhood Eats at 2100 N. 13th St., Jones Bar-B-Q at 6706 Kaw Drive, Holy Smoke BBQ at 8050 Leavenworth Road, and 1930 Classic Kitchen at 1930 N. 77th St., according to Visit KCK.
One of the participating businesses, Jones Bar-B-Q, is run by pitmaster sisters Mary “Shorty” Jones and Deborah “Little” Jones. The barbecue spot gained national fame and international visitors after it was featured on Season 3 of Netflix's Queer Eye in 2019, per KCUR.
The Civic Context
Watson, who was inaugurated in December 2025 as the county's 32nd mayor and 6th Mayor/CEO, made history as the first Black woman to lead the Unified Government, according to the Wyandotte News Daily. Before her election, she served as executive director of the Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce, where she led efforts to advance entrepreneurship for minority-owned businesses across the region, according to the Great Plains Annual Conference.
Black or African American residents make up roughly 18% to 19.7% of Wyandotte County's population, making them the county's second-largest racial demographic group, per Census Reporter. Against that backdrop, a week of dedicated promotion for 11 Black-owned kitchens amounts to more than a marketing push. From Fast Fred's Market to long-running barbecue joints like Jones Bar-B-Q, the participating businesses represent commercial anchors in corridors where local spending carries outsized weight. The Unified Government's DotteBiz directory points local businesses to support resources including grants, loans and tax credits.
From Black Restaurant Week to 913 Day
Black Restaurant Week culminates in the state of Kansas's annual 913 Day celebration on Sept. 13, honoring the people, culture, history, and small businesses of Wyandotte County. First established by the Unified Government in 2020, the event is named for the area's 913 area code and includes neighborhood tours, community festivals, and its own round of $9.13 promotional specials, according to KCUR.
While this marks the first-ever Black Restaurant Week in Kansas City, Kansas, regional Black Restaurant Week events across the broader Kansas City metro area date back to at least 2019. Those earlier efforts primarily focused on Missouri-side establishments, according to FOX4 KC.
