Former server buys iconic Kansas City, Kan., burger spot

Kimberly Rowland has taken ownership of a long-running Kansas City, Kan., restaurant.

Rowland, a former server at the nearby Dagwood’s Cafe, purchased Christy’s Tasty Queen, a burger and shake stand that has operated in the Turner neighborhood since the 1960s. The establishment was previously owned by Lowell and Marla Christy for 43 years.

The restaurant maintains its traditional small footprint with a red and white exterior and a walk-up counter. It features an old-school letterboard menu and no interior seating. The sign outside advertises the location as serving "KC’s Best Tenderloin."

Rowland credits her local roots for the community response to her purchase. She lives in the Turner neighborhood and raises her family there. Her previous roles included serving at Dagwood’s and acting as a fill-in server at Christy’s for several years. She also coaches youth sports teams and participates in PTA activities.

"I’ve always just been around," Rowland said. She noted that she was nervous about how customers would react to a new owner. The support she has received has been substantial, which she attributes to her longstanding involvement in the neighborhood.

Digital media has driven a recent increase in customer traffic. Rowland began posting short videos on TikTok at the suggestion of her children. One clip showing her outside the restaurant holding a pork tenderloin sandwich has received more than 200,000 views. Other videos introducing new items, such as the tender bender chicken sandwich, have also drawn large audiences.

"I’m blessed with how amazing [the community has] been and how much interaction I’ve gotten," Rowland said. She stated that the videos help draw visitors from across the region.

The business will retain its core menu items, including the pork tenderloin sandwich, which will be prepared using the same method as in previous decades. Rowland plans to launch Saturday breakfast service and a catering program. She intends to introduce a food truck next year. She also plans to host Friday football nights where local school teams can stop for ice cream after games.

The restaurant will officially change its name to Kimmie’s Tasty Queen. This marks the start of a new operational chapter for the business. Rowland now works behind the counter, a shift from her previous role as a server at Dagwood’s Cafe.