In-A-Tub

First time trying it, wanted to try a regular pocket burger and tots. All cheap and delicious. Will try their tacos and other menu items in the future

They say it these days, IYKYK... IF YOU KNOW YOU KNOW. head there first for the best fried tacos in the country with the yellow powdered cheese! 2xta hour w/a burrito w/ everything! Try a pocketburger...yum

The first time I visited In-A-Tub was in May 2019. I went with my father and his friend for lunch. I thought the food we ordered tasted quite good, and the restaurant had an “old-school” interior design. The front of the restaurant proudly proclaimed it was “Famous for Tacos and Ice Cream.” My father ordered tacos with fried mushrooms, and they were excellent. To me, In-A-Tub feels like an old-school fast-food restaurant with a Mexican twist. Founded in 1957, In-A-Tub has been serving its seasoned tacos for decades and has played an active role in the community. Since 2012, the restaurant has sponsored the In-A-Tub Cycling Team, with its team colors featured on clothing sold at local cycling events. Although I have not personally participated in any cycling events, I am proud of In-A-Tub for supporting cycling in Kansas City. In-A-Tub's menu features a wide variety of items, including tacos, burritos, tostadas, taco salads, pocket burgers, hot dogs, chicken, sandwiches, and even ice cream treats. As indicated by the phrase “Famous for Tacos and Ice Cream,” In-A-Tub is best known for its deep-fried, seasoned tacos. Their ice cream offerings include a range of flavors for milkshakes, sundaes, and their Tub Tornado ice cream concretes. The pocket burgers are like loose-meat sandwiches but seasoned with Mexican spices. A burrito ordered "with everything" comes loaded with chili, cheese, lettuce, In-A-Tub’s special sauce, and onions. During my next visit in July 2021, I enjoyed their deep-fried tacos with fried mushrooms, as well as a fried burrito topped with chili and cheese. The fried mushrooms were served with ranch dressing, and the burrito was about the size of an egg roll, similar to those sold in the delicatessen section of grocery stores. I have always enjoyed the fried tacos, burritos, and fried mushrooms at In-A-Tub. If anyone is looking for a Mexican-style take on classic fast food, I highly recommend In-A-Tub, which is well-known for its deep-fried tacos and diverse ice cream treats. Furthermore, for any cycling group seeking a sponsor, In-A-Tub would be an excellent choice.

A local staple, highly recommend a extra cherry coke and some meat and bean tacos (they're deep-fried!); and extra powered cheese. Today we ordered 50 tacos for 7 people and even had a handful to take home. To reheat at home I suggest pan fry as-is for 3 minute on each side at medium heat.

In-A-Tub is a great place to visit, known for their deep-fried tacos topped with powdered cheese, which I like to call "space cheese." These little tacos are absolute gems and taste fantastic. They also have a great selection of sides, with corn nuggets being my favorite. And don't forget to try their shakes after the tacos! It's a must-visit spot for the unique food and experience.

Love it or hate it, you'll definitely remember In-A-Tub! The tacos they're famous for remind me of a larger version of Jack In The Box tacos made with better ingredients. Thankfully, unlike JITB tacos, the lettuce & tomatoes go on after frying as does the powdered cheese. I liked the corn nuggets as well.

If you have never tried In A Tub you need to. There are all kinds of tacos these days and they do just that. They put their own twist on their tacos between the powdered cheese and sauce. The prices have gone up over the years and that's my only complaint but I totally understand and still go there and load up. I normally get the beef, been, and cheese (no lettuce) tacos and some jalapeno poppers. They will also make you a custom shake if you ask. Just tell them what flavors and if you want some fudge in top or not. I love when I have to work up north because 90% of the time in stopping in and getting something to eat here. Highly recommend to try them if you haven't.

Not fancy, but DELICIOUS! I want to come back and try all the different burgers. Tacos were great. Funny signs over the toilets.

Ah, the iconic deep-fried taco. If nostalgia had a flavor, it would be powdered cheese and childhood dreams dunked in hot oil. This taco isn't just a snack--it's a culinary time machine, wrapped in crispy shell and bathed in regretful bliss. It's childhood. It's smothered in that tangy neon-orange powdered cheese that defies science and all FDA labeling logic. Forget artisanal aged cheddar--this cheese was born in a lab and raised on flavor. Oh, and let us all bow our greasy heads for a moment of silence for the long-lost veggie stix. Where did it go? Why was it taken from us? And then there's the pocket burger--the underdog hero of the menu. A crumbly beef held together with mustard and sweet relish, cradled in a soft bun that squishes down like a comforting hug from Grandma. It's not trying to be fancy. It's trying to be fast, flavorful, and mildly suspicious. Mission accomplished. So yes, this menu might not be gourmet--but it is a sacred scroll of childhood glory. Deep-fried, dangerously cheesy, and full of memories... and possibly trans fats. Would eat again. Probably tomorrow. Probably in the parking lot. Like a legend.

I was in Kansas City for a conference and had read about In-A-Tub on Eater's 32 Best Restaurants in Kansas City. After reading about this spot, I couldn't resist stopping by for lunch after arriving in Kansas City! Open since 1957, this fast food/drive thru restaurant is famous (or infamous) for tacos that are deep-fried and cheese powder-coated (you know - that bright orange powder you put on Kraft mac and cheese). They also have Pocket Burgers you can add the same cheese dust to, but I was there for the tacos. And they were just what I wanted them to be. Cheesy and delicious and fun. The staff were nice, the food was fast, and there was something nostalgic about eating here even though I'm not from Kansas City and hadn't been here before. I had a really great time at In-A-Tub, definitely a treat to check it out while I was in Kansas City!

I saw this place and was fascinated by it. I tried to tacos with the cheese powder on them. They were not too bad. It's kind of like if you let a kid make a taco. I got one of the crumbly meat burgers, which I generally love, but there was something off about this one. The staff was very helpful and kind and the place was clean. My wife was not impressed and so we probably won't go back.

I've driven past this place so many times on my way to the airport. I know it is one of those places friends up north rave about and I've never been. On a recent weekend, I happened to be nearby running some other errands, and decided to go here for lunch. While I was really glad I tried it, the food is a gut bomb. The deep fried tacos with powdered cheese hit your stomach in a similar way to Jack in the Box tacos or a late night Taco Bell run. Not that there isn't a place for these things, but not the place you want to hit for a quick bite before your flight. I thought the tacos themselves were tasty, and the powdered cheese was a unique twist on it. I also tried a pocket burger, which is similar to a Maid Rite burger in Iowa. A place everyone should try once. Maybe just not on the way to the airport.

It's a northlander thing. And yes it's a greasy gut bomb meal but damn is it perfect! I love the powdered cheese on the tacos. Love the pocket burger. Been going since I was born. My belly isn't as resilient but my tastebuds and mind always win out!

The food is great at In-A-TUB and there Ice cream and the service is pretty fast and good and the ambiance is really good

This is not healthy food. But you're not coming here to eat healthy. You're coming here for powered cheese tacos, ground meat pocket burgers, and rich shakes and malts. And it does all of those very well.

Quick greasy food that brings back memories of the fried food you get at a fair. Very kind staff, quick with orders and fun decor.

I love this place (a very picky eater) it was great! I was very hesitant at first, but the food is always hot and great service.

I've being eating here for 25 years when they were originally at Metro North Mall. Today I could instantly tell the shells were cooked differently. Not near as good. Employees are always nice. I don't know if I will go back for a while. Maybe wait and see if they go back to the original fried shell

If you want to spend $20.00 on some tacos and the shells look empty this is your place. It was so comical I had to take pictures. What happened to the restaurants in The Northland? About 90% have gone so far downhill it is unbelievable. I went to the other In-A-Tub location months ago and they were not the same either. I won't be back.

I have heard about this place for years and finally made it there over the weekend. I wasn't really sure what to expect (other than the powdered cheese) so we ordered a few different things to try. We ordered the fried tacos, pocket burger with nacho cheese, tator tots and fried mozzarella. I was really expecting bigger portions for everything we tried for the price of each item so we were disappointed by that. Then we tried each item and it seemed like everything was only seasoned with salt. The tacos reminded me of the ones from Burger King or Jack in the Box. The meat consistency was similar in the tacos and burgers. After eating half of the burger, my daughter started to feel sick from all the salt and grease. I'm not sure why this place was so busy but I think it must be nostalgic for them because we didn't try anything that was worth returning for.

I've heard about this place for my entire life about how good it is. Really?! Maybe back in 1987 when I'm out past curfew and had too many malt ducks, smoked something so I was high as a kite and I found the tacos were amazing. I had one of these nasty greasy tacos not too long ago to see what I was missing upon moving back to KC area and I still can't get past how awful it was. You could ring the grease out of them and the overly processed orange powder they put on them afterwards was just awful. I get why there are zero cars in the beat up pothole parking lot. Don't go here unless you have an acquired or throwback nostalgic taste for such a thing.

I got something old and something new to me. I had to have a taco. You can't come here and not really want a taco. But then I tried a new-to-me item, the Chili Pie. This is a good old fashioned frito chili pie like when I was a kid. Only this one is better. Their chili is decent! And the cheese is plentiful. I'd get this again! Everything was served hot and fresh.

Amazing food. Ensure when you come in to get the mushroom(don't forget ranch), and corn nuggets. These are FIRE!

I found this place on Google, I like to try local joints if I can. What can I say, there are some friendly and attentive crew members here. Right when I walked through those doors, I was greeted with a cheerful energy. I asked about to he fried tacos and pocket burger, never have I ever tried them before. A regular taco has powdered cheese and ground beef, deep fried. The beef & cheez taco has the same thing as a reg. taco but has american cheese too, I have opted for the latter. Then the pocket burger, is basically a sloppy joe with their sauce on a steamed bun. Fried taco taste just like jack in the box tacos, but a little better since the shell is thinner. JITB has these heavy hard taco shell made out titanium. Anywho, the powdered cheese in minute is surprisingly blends well with ground beef, something to try if you like fried tacos. Now the pocket burger is okay, needs some seasoning, but I think the softness of the steamed bun and the sloppy joe textured grounded beef creates this big mush of a sandwich, almost like an oatmeal. It just not my cup of oatmeal, erm...tea. Overall, I would go back for their tacos. Not so much for the pocket burger.

Always a consistent experience here. Not healthy food in anyway but food that tastes good and satisfies a certain craving. The wait is never very long. The prices are decent. Tables always available even when they're particularly busy. We are friendly Summit and so we only have the option to eat here when we are on our way to and from KCI airport. We always look forward to stopping in for some deep fried tacos!!

Epic. Ha I wish this concept was available where I live. Great price and experience. An original in a landscape of copy cat chains.

This is a nostalgic little spot that is much better than the exterior would indicate. The service is friendly, and the food is pretty darn good. Having never had a deep fried taco, or a taco with powered cheese on it, I didn't really know what to expect, but it works. I do have to say, it takes a moment to get over the looks of the food as at first glance, it does appear unappetizing.

This place is a north KC legend that I grew up on. The neon powdered cheese has stood the test of ages, and still graces the perfectly crispy tacos. All the foodie snobs can scoff, but sometimes you just need a taco. A taco with powdered cheese. Their pocket burgers are great as well, and features the same taco meat. So flavorful and tender, kind of blows your mind. I choose to ignore the burrito portion of the menu, you should too. Freezer burritos coated with nacho cheese and chili. Yuck. This place is nostalgic, and recalls drive thru visits with my mom, air conditioner blasting, hot tacos steaming. Call this a hyped up version of Taco Bell..... or even NKC original. It is, an original that is. Please visit and eat a taco.

What a find! I'm visiting the area for a wedding and staying in a nearby hotel. An ear infection took me to the urgent care that shares the same parking lot as this taco joint. Great crispy tacos are something I'm constantly on the hunt for and I hit the jackpot with this place. Delicious beef and cheese tacos that were flavorful, crunchy, and savory good. I also tried a bean tostada for the first round. The tacos were so good i sent my wife to get me some more a few hours later. I wish I could get tacos like this in Texas!

Ok. I have given this negative 2 stars!! I have gave this place 3 chances!!!! Each time horrible!!! How can u just over cook or fry chicken strips and fries all three times ?!! How !! So stale, dry and over cooked stretchy !!! Teeth breaking food!!

Killer fried-in-the-shell tacos with powdered cheese and other burger and taco-related choices. This is a joint, and fits that bill perfectly. Friendly faces and a clean, low-key atmosphere round out a great non-chain fast food experience. There's a reason they've been around a long time.

It's SO weird! Part of me wants to give it 5 stars just for being so...odd. Took my youngest kid with me to try it since we're not native KCers -- everyone in the Northland kept saying how good it is. Powdered cheese on fried tacos?! Dear sweet Lord! I'm not doing it to myself ever again. I don't even like that powdered cheese in microwavable macaroni and cheese, let alone on a FRIED taco! And can we talk about the meat for a second? What is it? The texture of the stuff inside the taco just seemed off. Not off as in unfresh, off as in I'm not sure what I just ingested. If not for the ice cream I would have given it one star. I'm sorry Northlanders, I'm trying my very best to be one of y'all.

Great food. Tacos rule. Pocket burger is great. We have been eating these for years. I miss the one they had in Lenexa Im going to try the tenderloin next time.

Went for the first time yesterday late afternoon. This place is a divey kind of place with a simple menu. We had the beef and the beef and bean tacos along with fried pickles. The tacos shells were really greasy and the taco was covered in powdered cheese. So strange! It really doesn't add anything to the taco and it is just messy, I found myself wanting some real cheese. Their sauces are very mellow, would like some spicier option. The beef and bean taco is better in my opinion than the plain beef, but neither has alot of spice or flavor. The fried pickles were pretty good, typical like you get in any bar, but the horseradish sauce they served with them was delicious. I would love that on a roast beef sandwich. With all the options in the area, I doubt we will return.

Absolutely exceeded my expectations. The zona rosa area is overrun with corporate franchises. A pit of average expectation. I've been to in a tub a couple times before but tonight was special. I drove home, a 10 minute drive from the restaurant. Opening the foam box, the tacos were piping hot, ingredients rated at a 10. The hot sauce was exceptional. It takes alot if work to provide a quality product these days and in a tub nailed it. I will continue to drive by the corporate failures and go to this local business. The employees were very polite and provided the best of quality service. Its also well to observe that the drive-thru for in a tub always has cars in it while the hardees next door is never backed up. Great job in a tub.

In-a-tub is a Kansas City classic. They have greasy tacos that make great grub food. The restaurant is pretty small, but they offer seating inside as well as a drive thru option. You order at the counter, and the staff works quickly to get food out. They are known for having powdered cheese (similar to Mac and cheese mix in cheese) on their tacos. While it sounds odd, it is absolutely delicious. If you are looking for a good greasy meal, this is your place!

Ya know, I was pleasantly surprised by the powdered cheese tacos. I definitely think the tacos are the way to go. The pocket cheeseburgers are a bit too greasy, while the tacos are the perfect amount of grease. It is a smaller joint but it was packed on a Saturday afternoon. Definitely worth checking out at least once. I am now on the mission to find some powdered cheese to use on tacos I make at home!

If you want a deep fried taco with powdered cheese to top it off then this is the place to go. A Kansas City favorite for years. They have a large selection of deep fried foods, Sweet treats and drinks. In a tub is a must eat restaurant for those who want the full experience of Kansas City. It has been around for years and is a staple in the area.

I wasn't very hungry, needed something quick, and didn't want to get out of the truck, so I found this place on Yelp! This is a small establishment that's easy to miss if you're driving too fast. My Dodge ram 2500 was above the drive thru windowsill LOL! Deep fried tacos sounded like a small meal. I have to confess I like the 2/$.99 tacos at Jack in the Box, and these looked like the same thing. There's no harm in trying right? Honestly I like Jack in the Box better. At least they use real cheese. The powdered cheese used here gave the taco a funny texture and frankly, its taste. Without the cheese, the taco was bland, and this makes me sad as a Texan. I also ordered tater tots and a small strawberry milkshake. The former was extremely salty, and the latter was also tasteless. I think I only took about 5 sips, if that, and threw the rest away. Is it bad I like McDonald's strawberry milkshake better? The 3 items cost over $7. I can definitely eat 3 items cheaper at other chain fast food restaurants!

I wish I would have discovered In-A-Tub years ago! the food is delicious and unique! I ate there for the first time yesterday. I returned today for lunch. Tomorrow I am going to pick up some more before I head back to Wichita! Lol I've this place! I think the name should be changed to "Taco Tub" that's what I call it! LOL

Best tacos in KC!! They taste soooooo good!! But they are deep fried so I would probably be careful how much you eat in one sitting unless you want a tummy ache. 110% recommend!!

A dive fast food stop with amazing fried tacos. You order at the counter and they call your number. The employees were super friendly and welcoming. I give it 5/5 stars because there's nothing I would've changed. I'll definitely return for the tacos.

It's not for everyone but I did get the tacos with everything it was good. The burger wasn't my cup of tea. But let it be a late night after the bar. I'd probably smash 3 of them and 5 tacos with a coke l.

So I finally tried In-A-Tub deep fried tacos. After driving by for several months, my curiosity and hunger got the best of me. I of course tried their signature item deep fried tacos. The crunchiness of the shell and the seasoned meat get a thumbs up. Now I am not usually a fan of powdered cheese but after it melts a bit, who's to know and it did have good flavor. Overall, if you have been hesitant about stopping at the Tub, don't be, give it a try. Oh and they have ice cream so there's that. Oh I have them a 4 star because they don't have Mountain Dew and everyone knows Mexican food is best with a Dew.

Ok, this is not mexican food, do not come here expecting it. In a tub has been a northland staple for years. Deep fried, greasy tacos topped with Silvas sauce and powdered cheese that looks like it came straight from a box of mac and cheese. A long time ago they switched to shredded cheese and the northland had a fit and they went back to powdered. Just order 5 meat and cheese tacos either mild or hot, grab some napkins and you're golden.

This place is tacoriffic. Exactly what is advertised. Delicious food and welcome atmosphere and fast. Had a variety of items and good. If you don't like this place there is something wrong with you.

First stop after pickup at MCI. Not for everyone but I love the powdered cheese. Welcome to KC!

This place didn't live up to the hype.. my KC friends love this place and recommended it. I went and I like the vibe, it has a very cute, local feel. The food wasn't crazy expensive, but it wasn't anything life changing. If you want a cute place to get average greasy food, here you go!!

This is one of my guilty pleasure places on a saturday or sunday after a rough night nothing better than some tacos, a taco burger, and some fried corn nuggets. Definitely a place to come.

There is something about these tacos that just makes you want to eat another 10 of them. Make sure and run a 5k before devouring these delicious fried tacos with powdered cheese. We have only used the drive through so I can't say much on service but DT was timely. They should really install an overhang at the order station and window for all the rainy days. This yelper LOVES her tacos and these can get addicting! I only ordered 2 but could easily eat 5. Taco eating contest anyone!?

The tacos I had were pretty good. The powder cheese is a pretty cool concept. Would have liked them to be a little bigger or filled a little more, but overall not bad for the price.

Deep-fried tacos covered in powdered cheese. That's really all you need to know. I didn't want to like this place.. I thought that both my mildly healthy leanings and my epicurean tastes would steer me away from a place off the highway called In-A-Tub. However the hype for this place pulled me in and I took a shot on it, and I have to say those tacos were pretty damn good. It was the hottest day of the summer so everyone was a little cranky, including the staff when I was in there. Some of the restaurant has that small-town, fast food joint charm, other parts have that road-stop bathroom in rural Missouri vibe. When the tacos came out they were hot as the day, drenched in grease, with little cups of hot sauce on the side. The powdered cheese was the part I thought I'd be most skeptical of but I couldn't get enough of it. It's like when you make a box of mac & cheese at home but somehow better. So it's pretty simple, it's pretty to the the point, and it's honestly pretty good if you like fried tacos. I totally see the cult appeal of this place, but doubtful I find myself back here now that I've checked it off the list.

I have always had a soft spot in my heart (and stomach) for this place! Ever since I was a little kid coming back to the city from KCI, we would stop at this quirky, cool, and yummy little dive right off the interstate. They do not have a huge selection of things here, but that's not an issue! You order one item here (at least I do) the taco! It's a crispy hard shell (think it might be deep-fried) filled with either just ground beef or ground beef and beans and then topped with lettuce and the infamous In-a-Tub powdered cheese. I went here a few days ago, for the first time in a long time, after dropping someone off at the airport. I had actually forgot about their odd use of powdered cheese till I started reading the reviews in Yelp; and yes I became I bit skeptical about how this whole adventure would turn out. My skepticism was unneeded because these divey tacos with powdered cheese are so delicious! They are like the slider equivalent of the cheeseburger (kind of). I ordered six tacos, they are only $1 a piece so...I thought I could eat all six, but hit a wall at my third one. Anyway, if you haven't ever tried In-a-Tub's tacos I would highly suggest that if you are out by KCI sometime that you go through the drive-thru sometime and grab a taco (powdered cheese and all) and see if it creates the same food memories that they have for me!

Had the in the tub burrito. Found rather small yet interesting. Ok over-all. Hot sauce more of a mild sauce "my opinion". Too many other choices to return to eat again. Might return for the ice cream sundae but remains to be seen.

Love In-a-Tub! Have to get my fix whenever I'm up north! Best fried tacos with the lovely sprinkle cheese!!

In an effort to branch out and embrace the culture of the strange breed known as Northlanders, I agreed to attend a lunch outing at In-A-Tub. In-A-Tub is apparently a Northland tradition, likely because no other KC suburb wants to be attached to the franchise. The basic premise is that a number of the items are fried in a tub. The menu is full of "tex mex," hot dogs, loose beef sandwiches and a wide array of fried side items which includes a number of vegetables. They apparently have also brought back ice cream. Having never been here before, I did not know that it left. The Tub Tornado ice cream might be a better description of what your guts will feel like after dining. At this location, you can dine-in or drive-thru. When entering, you have only booth seating to your left and to the right is a hallway leading to the bathrooms and the counter you order and pay at. There are three flat panel TVs in four of the establishments corners. Overall, the place looked clean enough. The bathroom hallway smelled of wet dog, which is great for when you stand there to fill your drink. I also enjoyed it when the counter girl walked through the seating and sporadically sprayed some lemon pledge for me to enjoy with my meal. I ordered a wide array of items to get a good feeling for the place. I first went with the fried cauliflower, which comes with a side of cheese for dipping. It was pretty much what you would expect. I next moved to a meat, bean and cheese taco. For those not familiar, they put soft, velveta-like cheese in the shell along with the taco meat, then chili beans, lettuce, sauce and powdered cheese. This was one of the worst food-related items I have ever put in my mouth. There are many things taco meat should be described as, and creamy is not on that list. The beans were an awful addition, and I don't know what in the hell the sauce was. But the topper is the bright orange powder cheese. One of my co-workers got a tostada, which I don't think I would have been able to raise to my mouth with its orange glow. I then ate a corn dog, which they actually have on the menu as korn dog for whatever reason. It was pretty large and fried up well. I thought it was good, but another co-worker almost spilled the contents in-his-stomach because of how nicely the dog glistened in its own juices after biting into it. I finished things off with an everything burrito. I always thought a fried burrito was a chimichanga, but they still call it a burrito. It's basically a microwave, chili burrito topped with more chili, cheese, lettuce, onions and sauce. There is so much lettuce on the thing, you need to stab the tray it comes in just to know something is in there. It kind of reminded me of something my grade school cafeteria would have served. From other trays, I had a veggie stick and some apple sticks. The apple sticks were pretty good; just diced up apples in cinnamon sauce. The veggie stick was the worst of everything I had. They are basically sticks comprised of the contents of a bag of frozen mixed veggies. Completely wretched. Pricing is not horrible, unless you actually want to get full here...which I'm not sure you do. My four items and a drink were around $13, which is ridiculous since the food was only in my person for 2 - 3 hours. The afternoon following this meal was one of my longest in recent memory. I can't honestly say I will never eat at In-A-Tub again. I would highly recommend this place to those looking to shave decades off of their lives. Apparently, Northland traditions involve things that cause you to keep in close proximity to a toilet for a number of hours after.

I Did LOVE that they were completely open and no masks on anyone HOWEVER the tacos were tiny, no flavor, and POWDERED CHEESE ON TOP. No flavor.