In-A-Tub

A pretty interesting experience! Essentially a hole in the wall, counter service, known for fried tacos with this powdered cheese on top! It was tasty, but probably something you’d want when drunk or really craving something greasy. The ice cream “tornadoes” were delicious and had a great ratio of ice cream to toppings. Super cheap in general! Parking was easy. The inside was clean. Bathroom was clean too.

Love the fried tacos. Stop here when we go through Kansas City. Good service and yummy tacos.

We just love this place for over 50 years! Nothing like powder cheese! Nom Nom!

5 squad plus kc current staff back! Ot heavy today. Let’s do it. Two loaded tacos deep fried and a large pocket with cheese / beef burger. Tacos were perfect. Pocket was good. I wasn’t even hungry and I had to get this done. See pics. Parking sucks. Who cares.

Love this place. You’re not coming here to get authentic tacos. Here you’re getting something else that is just as divine, if not better. Cheesy greasy deep fried tacos loaded with lettuce, sauce, meat, and topped with powdered cheese. I’ll take this any day over some of the fanciest meals money can buy. You just can’t beat it. Note to the owners: If you’re reading this, me and all of my friends would do anything for a location in Johnson county somewhere. Please make it happen!

Great food. Best tacos and nachos around.

Don’t get to eat here often because out of our way but always tastes the same. Reliable and priced right. Friendly help!!

The food is great. Hot and fresh. Service was outstanding. It was a great value.

Context and expectation being critical here, this is a locally owned gem. We're not talking authentic specialties brought to you by first generation artisans from Guadalajara. We're talking Taco Bell before they became PepsiCo/Yum Brands suckatude! Tasty fresh fried tacos of decent portion size with a unique flavor combination. While I couldn't really detect their trademark "powdered cheese" topping as a separate component, perhaps it contributes to each satisfactory bite! But from my perspective the famous tacos were not even the best thing to come out of my grease stained paper bag. Their most basic burrito which is chimichanga style fried small burrito that reminded me of those I enjoyed as a boy at my local Southern Californian bowling alley cafe was the STAR! Crispy outside, molten blend of beans, cheese and who knows what inside. They offer the same base item in several other custom combinations that I look forward to trying on future visits. Thanks to the crew for a cool new "discovery"!

Decades later and everything tastes the same! A simple original greasy taco. Ohhh that cheese! My kids swore the sauce was ketchup, haha. Not super filling but keeps you until the next meal. Eating inside is a must unless you don't mind a messy car cuz they will dissolve into a greasy slop if you wait too long to eat.

I didn't catch the name of the guy working the drive through tonight but he had great customer service, was nice to see a happy face that knows how to talk to people kindly. Food was great as always.

Good customer service, but the food is all deep fried, which is ok but not a fan. Mozzarella sticks were definitely still froze nothing fresh at all

This is the first place I visit whenever I come to Kansas City I grew up here eating these tacos. Nothing like them anywhere. Some people who aren't from here don't understand but we love them and everything else about this place.

In a tub never seems to fail!!!!!! The best taco salad, and corn nuggets. Powder cheese can't go wrong the more the better. The inside looks new and remodeled and clean, it looks great.

Love the deep fried tacos with powdered cheese! A northland staple. The best soft serve sundae too.

Yaaasssssss. Now this is fast food done right, in my opinion. I came for their famed Kansas City styled tacos. Don't know what those are? They're sold here. They're just not called that. In the 50s and 60s, Italian and Mexican immigrants working side by side altered the taco by deep fat frying it and dusting it with what passed for parmesan cheese in the city at the time. Usually beef, sometimes chicken, it's a blast from the Kansas City past found (and enjoyed I might add) at places like Margarita's, Ponak's, P.R.'s Place and La Fonda El Taquito and, drum roll, In A Tub and a few others. I've been on a quest for awhile to try all of these places and In a Tub is the latest. With the long burgeoning street taco scene in the city, Kansas City style tacos have become out of favor, but I think it has a place, and when done right, they're sublime. I hope they never go away! Ordered two beef with cheese and one without. What a plate of heavenly fast food that's sure to please! The cheese on the outside here is a dusting of yellow/orange substance that, well, lets just call it a food product. Do we really care? What it is I have no idea. They're heavenly, and a blast from the past. And these fit in perfectly with In A Tub's personality, what with their stuffed burgers, retro grade fast food and tongue in cheek humor (napkins noted as "Powdered Cheese Removal Device"). Love it. Yea, I need to get here more often. And do yourself a favor. Read the article on eater.com titled "The Demand for 'Authenticity' Is Threatening Kansas City's Homegrown Tacos." It's great, and a bit of history every self-respecting Kansas Citian should be hip to. I'd come back here in a heartbeat for some more of these bad boy tacos. Simply delicious. Thank you, In A Tub, for continuing a Kansas City tradition not many know. I hope there's always a spot here for these.

A classic in the Northland. I must try. It's truly something you've never had before. But you definitely need to try it the meat and she's hot or the best. As well as the burrito if everything, or the pocket burger. Go check it out. Everything is made fresh order.

Finally getting to try this place which is supposed to be an iconic dining spot. Originally an ice cream shop that sold tacos & loose meat burgers (pocket burgers). Evidently almost everything on the menu is deep fried. Hope I don't get a sore tummy! Sorry didn't take any pics because we did take out and wanted to eat it while it was still warm. Everyone agreed that it was surprisingly very good. Normally I prefer soft tacos, but tried the corn shells and they were delicious! The shells were thin and crispy. I especially like the jalapeño poppers, breaded mushrooms and onion rings. Best tacos? No, but it was unexpectedly good. Btw, the bean and cheese taco was whole beans.

This is the epitome of "an acquired taste " restaurant . The meat is greasy, the tacos are then deep fried, adding to the grease factor. Then throw powdered "cheez" on top to soak up the grease and become something else entirely. I understand that this is an institution in the Northland, but as a southlander I have to give a thumbs down.

Let me say Although the reviews were ok and they said the tacos had powered cheese I was scared. Powder cheese whaaaaat, but once I tried it was not bad it actually had a better cheese flavor than normal. But taco are just like jack and the box fried tacos.

It was Taco Tuesday. Friend said, let's try "In a Tub." Never been. Never heard of. Never again. This was probably the greasiest nastiest thing I've ever seen served as food. You have a choice of deep fried tacos... Deep fried. Unflavored "meat?" Lettuce. Powdered cheese???? OR the "healthier" choice of soft tacos for $4 each... Flour tortilla. Unflavored "meat?" Lettuce. Shredded Cheese. I guess people eat this stuff. Could probably throw a carcass on most tables and people would gnaw on it. This IS the Midwest. nough said.

One of my mom's best friends was Marion Carpenter who was the founder of in a tub. She drug me from fairway Kansas to North Kansas City to eat these tacos at age 6. They are a great taco unlike any other found anywhere else. I have been eating them for an entire lifetime, my current age is 64. Definitely worth the trip!

I've been going here for 40 plus years. The tacos are nothing like you have had before. They are really good. I haven't lived by them for quite a few decades now but when I go to Kansas City I always stop and get the tacos. Even some to go. Like 40 of them.

We get it: Fried tacos with powdered cheese isn't authentic, but it's fun and they've pulled it off well. Just about everything is fried here (with the name, In A Tub). Over several visits, I always get the regular tacos. On my last visit, the french fries tasted like the oil needed changed, but today's batch tasted fresh. The fried mushrooms are consistently good. They pop out the orders pretty quickly, and are reasonably friendly. An opportunity for improvement would be cleanliness of tables and bathrooms. Overall, i've had a positive experience here consistently and I usually cant go for long without another guilty pleasure trip to In-A-Tub. Oh, and they're closed on Sundays so dontcha dare try to order "your regs (regular tacos)" on the Lord's Day!

This made my son get food poisoning and they were soggy and burnt at the same time my wife got bowl problems after and is a bad mode

If you're looking for greasy and cheesy then In a tub is the place to go. A Kansas City classic every time. This is always a place that visitors from out of town want to try at least once. I know powdered cheese doesn't sound appealing but the marriage between the greasy meat and the powdered cheese is a match made in heaven. They also have other fried foods as well as taco salads and many ice cream dessert options.

Greeted by a red head young lady who is an Ambassador for this business, In A Tub on North Oak. wife and I were dating in the later 60's frequent ing the earlier location south of here. Today we ordered our old order of 6 hot tacos, burrito w/cheese and a large tenderloin. We come here every time we are in town. It is like they have the same great friendly service, the same great quality of food over 50 years later!! Do not see that from many other businesses! Bravo

Passed by this place for years omw to the airport, and so glad I finally stopped to try when I did. Now whenever I'm in that area I like to make a stop when I can. The beef n cheez tacos are amazing. Had a chocolate milkshake here once and loved that too. Food real good

Love In A Tub. It's like coming home. It makes me happy. Tacos are delicious but the burrito with everything is my favorite!

Tacos like no other, absolutely worth a visit. Feels like America. Definitely not healthy food, but perfect for some indulgence.

So amazing and quick. Came for the tacos, stayed for the fried pickles and shakes. Their tacos are superb and unlike anything you can get anywhere else. This is a must try place if you are anywhere in Kansas City!

I got three beef and cheese tacos, jalapeno poppers and fried pickles. Everything was hot and freshly cooked. I liked the tacos the best but the hot sauce was not spicy at all although it did have a good flavor

I've heard so much about this place over the year and was in the neighborhood and gave it a try. I don't see what all the fuss was about as these were just average tacos at best. The draw is the powdered cheese they put on top but I was not a fan. The taco itself was greasy and the meat lacked flavor. I had the mild sauce which was sweet and didn't taste much like tomato. Just an average fast food restaurant with average food. I have also been told if you didn't grow up eating these when you were younger you probably wouldn't like them.

The BEST tacos I've had!!! Yes greasy, hot and amazing! First time here and I wish I lived closer. Definitely recommend this place!!!

If you like or think you might enjoy eating space cheese then keep reading... In-A-Tub gets 5 stars for nostalgia as well as the food. And I'm NOT talking about the decor here... Plus the amazing butterscotch shakes get them a few bonus points too! Small fried tacos with orange powdered cheese like the stuff they shake onto cheesy popcorn! And do NOT forget about the taco burgers and amazing onion rings! Or the fried tenderloin sandwiches! Stoner freaking heaven! If you grew up in the Northland then you grew up eating tacos and drinking shakes it this hole-in-the-wall. If not, then they are definitely worth a try for a quick, cheap meal.

Love there tacos! Little on the greasy side but what fast food place isn't! Love there corn nuggets one of the main reasons I come for tacos !!! Definitely recommend

In A Tub is one of my favorite places in Kansas City to eat some deep fried tacos. The Pocket Burgers are excellent as well

If you appreciate consistency in a restaurant, this is the place for you. This is the first time I've eaten here in 30 years and the food is exactly as I remember. I got a large pocket burger and an order of fries. The pocket burger is a really tasty loose meat sandwich. The bun was fresh and the meat was hot and tasted fresh. The fries were hot and crispy. My wife got a couple of the tacos. They are deep fried and dusted with powdered cheese... just like they were in 1970. As far as service, we used the drive thru. There were 4 cars in front of us. From the time we got in line until we got our food was about 5 minutes. Admittedly In a Tub may not be for everyone, but since the prices are wallet friendly, the food is good and the service is fast and friendly , I highly recommend trying it.

This is one of those love or hate places. I love it. Been coming here for so many years. Great, great tacos. I always eat way to much. Some people haute the cheese but I love it. Nice, greasy tacos. Not "health" food but we need this sometimes.

In the tub tacos have taco have the best tacos I have every Ate. I have been going there for over 50 years. I recommend it to anybody and all my friends that come through Kansas City! I can't wait to go back and have some tacos!

In A Tub......a Northland favorite. I'll admit I was skeptical and wasn't really that impressed my first go around. The deep fried tacos are something I would imagine myself eating at 3am after a night out at the bars. BUT I came back (& a couple more times after that) and now I'm a believer that powdered cheese tacos are bomb! I don't think I got extra sauce on the side the first time, which really made the difference for me in helping to "melt" the powdered cheese. These crispy, deep-fried, greasy, delicious tacos give me life.

NOT FOR THE HEALTHY... lol... but really all junk food, fried food, bad food. I ordered the frito pie and it's canned chili on Fritos (to be expected), and the a plain burrito (deep fried frozen burrito). This place literally just deep fries the food you can get at the grocery store for you. Nothing special. If you're wanting their type of burritos Texas toms offers them 3 for about $4 and here one of them is $4. I'd say save your money unless your extremely drunk or too lazy to make your own junk food. I gave this place 3 stars because the food was warm and packaged well. They also gave me condiments, napkins, and utensils without having to ask. The service it's self was nothing to rave about but competent.

Been eating at In-A-Tub for some 50 years. Ate there last night and the tacos were the worst I've ever had there and they are normally 'to die for' good. I'd guess someone didn't change the cooking oil. They tasted old and 'heavy' rather than the usual tasty and light taste they have... even with the frying. We'll be back but hope that someone does their job and freshen's up things.

The best taco's in town and the powered cheese gives the tacos something special. You will not be disappointed. I've been coming to In-A-Tub since 1976.

Still solid after all these years. Unique tacos with flash fried shells and mystery cheese dust.

Rosedale BBQ, Smaks, and In -a-Tub are my earlist childhood food memories of Kansas City. In-a-Tub just likes Rosedale was originally in a much smaller and dingy location yet has survived unlike Smak's. There is not much more to be said about this scrumptious little grease pit that hasn't been said by someone else. They use metal hair clips to hold the shell together when they deep fry the taco then add the famous powdered cheese. I always get a couple of cheese and meat tacos and a nacho tostado. I dare anyone to finish eating a nacho tastado without it collapsing into giant cheesey and saucy mess. Thats what is great about this country, we can take another country's national dish, completely debase its appearance and add powdered cheese and call it our own. Viva In-a-Tub may you survive another 60 years!

I just moved to Kansas City from Knoxville, Tennessee and was taken back by the lack of local restaurants in the area. 3 months in and I guess I overlooked in-a-tub because I simply didn't know what it was and when I found out it was tacos I overlooked them again because if there's one thing this road has, it's tacos. At first I was a bit overwhelmed because I wasn't sure what to get as a first time customer but I ended up with 3 beef and cheese tacos, a side of fries, and a butterscotch shake. The tacos were great, the fries were good and I could've made a whole meal of the fries because they gave me a whole basket, and the shake was alright (the base was good, but it my as well have been a vanilla shake. I'm glad I gave them a chance and will be back at some point.

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

Great tacos! The cheese powder is something that you did not know that you needed on your tacos.

I was very skeptical before my friends dragged me here and I have to say that I wasn't impressed. It had a good crowd for Friday lunch so maybe there's something I'm missing here. But the place is a little dirty and run down (which I understand is part of the charm for some) but isn't really my thing. The food itself is fine. Prices are very cheap, I paid less than six bucks for two regular tacos and a medium sized drink. The tacos tasted like something you might get at a Taco Bell. Also my drink, the lemonade, was very warm and tasted slightly odd. If you're looking for some nostalgia and really like divey places with mediocre food, then this is the spot for you.

Dude three tacos and a sm pocket burger. Wow it's greatest atmosphere. Old school doing their own thing. The is memorable.

In a tub is life changing. The powdered cheese is like fairy dust! My advice never drive by in a tub with out stopping and getting a taco and a burrito with cheese. Lastly anyone that thinks they are getting authentic Mexican cuisine on North Oak Traffic-way in Kansas City Missouri with a name like In-a-tub might want to reconsider and go to Taco Bell.

Came here a couple weeks ago through the drive threw and had some tacos , love there deep fried tacos !

This place has always been good. The tacos are fried and delicious. Don't waste your time paying extra for the "Beef & Cheez" taco but the plain beef taco is phenomenal. They need an update in their building but it's always clean. Check this place out when in KC!

This is one of those places that just has your heart. You have to know what you are getting into when you go. It is a diner style atmosphere with the most delicious fried tacos. They have many other items on the menu. Most of which come from a deep fryer. Pure deliciousness but don't go if you are health conious.

I finally tried this place and it is now my new fave. I had a nacho pocketburger and my husband had the tacos. We are officially hooked. One of the best tacos I've ever had! And you cannot beat the prices! I will definitely be back here. I've been hearing so many good things about this place so I am excited that I finally got to try it.

This place is a Kansas City favorite. Glad I don't live in KC with a place like this. I had the burrito, fully loaded. I've never seen powdered cheese. Not Cheetos type a cheese but cheese like the dust in a West Virginia coal mine. The burrito I had traveled heavy with me and provided me a great amount of gastric entertainment for me but not my mother in law on our journey to Denver. Her taco looked ok but it was really deep fried making it super crunchy. Not bad if you like hearing yourself eat but not my style. This place is somehow a gold mine and for that I congratulate them on this business model.