Justus Drugstore - A Restaurant

Category:	New American Restaurant
Address:	106 W Main St, Smithville, MO 64089, USA
Phone:	+1 816-532-2300
Site:	drugstorerestaurant.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	Closed Closed 5:30–10PM 5:30–10PM 5:30–11PM 5:30–11PM 5:30–9PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

A Private User

Kansas City Restaurant Week – Justus Drugstore, A Restaurant.... Return of the Soup Nazi!! After our very pleasant evening at the American, we were looking forward to our first dinner at Justus. It was not to be. We were seated at 7, per our reservation. We were given a menu that did not contain the prix-fixe options for restaurant week, so we inquired of the waitress. She looked troubled, returned after a minute and informed us that the restaurant week menu was only offered “outside,” whatever that meant, and was not available at our table. Odd, but whatever. We were willing to move to another area. However, we were told, that area was full so there was no way to accommodate us. How could that be? We were sitting at a table in a restaurant, with a reservation, interested in ordering what had been advertised. We asked for an explanation. A more senior woman shortly appeared, and with an irritated attitude, told us that we had not made our reservations properly, (which made little sense – we had simply used the phone) and, again, the restaurant week menu was not offered at our table. Again, I expressed puzzlement. We had not done anything out of the ordinary in making our reservation. Was there really no willingness to accommodate us? She left in a huff. A few minutes later, a short grizzled rotund fellow with a stained chef’s smock, who did not introduce himself, but who I took to be Mr. Justus, came to the table. He sputtered. Somehow – it was never clear how -- we had violated the arcane rules of reservations at his restaurant, and were in the wrong place. Evidently, bringing food intended for the second-class citizens of restaurant week to this area infringed on its sanctity, and simply could not be done. The little man provided this nonsensical explanation with barely suppressed hostility. I didn’t precisely recall ever having such an experience, but still it seemed oddly familiar. Then I remembered: the soup Nazi! Incarnated in this unlikely location. We had violated unwritten rules. No soup for us! We left, appetites undiminished, but not for long. We had a good laugh about it at our next stop, a pleasant restaurant that has the more conventional approach of valuing its clientele, and treating them with courtesy. So, in respect to the food at this place, I have no report. I can recommend it as a place to get a nice helping of abuse.

A Private User

Dinner on 10/7/11 - 7 pm. This was our 2nd attempt at dining at Justus. It will be our last. Made reservations both times; the first time we came in, we were told our table wasnt ready and to have a seat at the bar, then 10 minutes later were seated at a table right behind us that had been open the entire time. Its bad enough that the table is in the aisle, but to sit at the bar and stare at the table that we were told wasnt ready is just poor service. The table was next to the door and in the aisle - nothing charming or romantic about it. We were disgusted and left. Fast forward 1 year later to last night. Made reservations again and arrived 5 minutes early. We were immediately seated this time, but once again were placed in the aisle, at the end, by the kitchen. What does it take to get a table that isnt subject to being bumped by restaurant staff as they walk back and forth through the aisle? Against my better judgment we didnt leave. My wife wanted to try the food. I had the ravioli, she had the brisket. The ravioli was served in a watery sauce and had no flavor. Barely stuffed, tasteless and had 5 raviolis. Hers was semi-tough, but at least had some semblence of flavor. Its laughable that the menu says served with peas, and there were 4 peas on the plate. Our waiter was attentive, however his tip suffered due to the quality of food and our seating arrangements. It ruins a meal when youre constantly being bumped by staff moving through the aisle. Never again.

Jonathon Maag

The Justus family used the drugstore my Grandma and I visited 20 years ago to turn my definition of "fine dining" on its head. And Ive never been so glad to be wrong. When I saw a steak complimented with such sides as "pine needle essence" and a shallot blue cheese sauce, I immediately assumed someone had lost their mind. "Why improve on a great steak? Let the meat speak for itself!" It did. Then, everything else spoke right along with it. The accents did nothing to detract from the main course, rather they served to add to what was already present. If I had to label the atmosphere, I would best describe it as "upscale hipster". The servers and staff are friendly and accommodating, without hovering or being overbearing. A warning if you bring your elderly grandparents: There are tattoos and epic beards (at least one) present. Bar staff is knowledgeable and almost as creative as the kitchen. Be prepared to be patient. They are very up front with the fact that this is not a fast food establishment, so bringing small children is highly dangerous to your sanity and that of your fellow diners. Even if the menu makes no sense, trust your chef and trust your gut feelings. You wont go wrong.

nohatmonkey

This is the best restaurant in the region bar none. Ive been going there off and on since they opened, but havent been back in a while and Wow, they have not missed a beat. Took my wife for our anniversary. A-MAZ-ING. Cocktails were phenomenal - you almost forget they are alcoholic. Service was impeccable - where you put them to really high standards, expecting them to not live up to them, then they totally blow your mind with attention to detail and memory and friendliness (without being too in your face bugging you all the time). And the food, as always, was unrealistically good. I had the pork two ways; cut it with my fork and it melted in my mouth long before it reached my throat. Seriously, this is the kind of food where you get mad at yourself if you take too big of a bite, because you know its that much less you get left to savor. Not too expensive at all; my wife and I did It up with four courses plus wine pairings, cocktails and coffee and it was less than $200. If this happens to you and you brought more money, expecting it to cost more for such artistry, go ahead and leave the rest as a tip, because they totally deserve it. Cheers!

A Private User

Im sure the food is good if you can get them to serve it to you, unfortunately we couldnt. After waiting 30 mins before even having a server come to our table, then another 30 mins for our drinks to come and still not seeing even our appetizers of soup and fried jalapenos a full 2 hours after we were seated we left. The table next to us sat a full hour and their order wasnt ever taken, they finally also left. The manager was nice and apologetic saying they were slower then normal due to restaurant week and that we should have expected a 3+ hour meal for 4 courses. I was ready to have a longer meal but when our first course hadnt arrived after 2 hours we didnt want to see how long it would take to get through all 4! We were compd a gift card and our drinks but honestly I dont plan on driving the 45 mins it takes to get there just to sit and not be served, no matter how good everyone says the food is its not worth it!