Comments on Kansas City Lunch Spots: Red Bench Cafe: 7921 Santa Fe (OPKS)

Since Ed and Burnadette retired and sold the cafe ...

2010-03-07T14:08:23.049-06:00

Since Ed and Burnadette retired and sold the cafe it has been a disappointment. The first owners to take over were so unfriendly that many of us regulars who ate there almost every week quit going. The change in decor was so boring! and the atmosphere no longer felt welcoming in any way. Now the newest owners have done a better job but I still feel the atmosphere is missing the welcoming feeling it had and the food is uninspired. It is cleaner but I'd rather have the great food and wonderful atmosphere that Ed and Burnadette had when it was Farm to Market Cafe! It's hard to go in there. Everything seems more expensive for smaller bang.

Great location. OK food. Lentil soup good. Minestr...

2010-01-03T15:01:00.737-06:00

Great location. OK food. Lentil soup good. Minestrone soup - iffie. Agree on the temperature. Needs to be piping hot.Breakfast good.
The girls and I will continue to support the business.

Great blog and comments! I guess I'm not the only...

2009-12-09T16:40:32.864-06:00

Great blog and comments! I guess I'm not the only person that didn't care for the atmosphere created by the previous owners, although I liked the food. The new owner is friendly and took a genuine interest in my feedback on his vegetarian selections and how he could make sure vegetarians were well taken care of in addition to the carnivores. I've tried all the vegetarian items- my favorite it the roasted eggplant sandwich with the lentil soup (I like the whole beans- kinda different and good).

Thanks for the info drawer queen. I assumed it had...

2009-12-07T08:57:17.516-06:00

Thanks for the info drawer queen. I assumed it had changed hands quickly because of the name change. I too noticed that the first 'new' owners were a little on the grumpy side but I liked the food--perhaps better than what's offered now. Those salads were killer.

The Farm to market did indeed change hands again a...

2009-12-07T07:21:31.531-06:00

The Farm to market did indeed change hands again and thank GOD it did as the first purchaser was the most unfriendly, outright morose woman ever. They made the interior super ugly, leaving the old touches that sucked (like plastic tablecloths) and added a strange mix of quilt shop/homecraft decor that did not work at all. She sold quickly (when hearing about the new Clock Tower Bakery which opened recently a few doors down) and the new owner is a young man who is very nice, changed the decor for the better and I have best wishes for his success. I agree the food is a bit better but the prices are too high and he needs to find a niche. Check out the new Clock Tower Bakery nearby. They have some great lunch offerings and very nice people at the helm. I have not had a chance to eat there yet but I will soon as they offer mini pizzas that look great.

I am a big fan of soup and will go out of my way t...

2009-12-04T14:10:48.000-06:00

I am a big fan of soup and will go out of my way to try some. I am not sure if these warrant a special trip but good option in the area.