The Snack Shack on Johnson Drive

From start to finish this places is a class act. It started with this amazing young woman who took my order, a true credit to her profession. I looked for a place to sit and saw these two gentlemen and I asked if I could join them. I didn't feel right being only one person at a table that seats four. They were extremely nice an extremely welcoming, they frequent this establishment. Trip and Kevin, two true blue genuine gentleman who engaged me with great conversation and a lot of positive reinforcement. That's the kind of people this restaurant attracts, really good down to earth people. I got my burger and my 50/50 (onion rings and french fry mix) and the famous cherry limeade. And I can see now why it is so popular, it was refreshing and delicious! The burger was fresh, the lettuce and tomato were fresh and the bun was fresh, big, fluffy and delicious. The Patty exceeded the circumference of the bun. Super nice people run this restaurant and they're doing a fantastic job, everybody was so nice, informative and helpful. Next time I come I'm going to get one of their new t-shirts. They're super cool! If you're in the neighborhood do yourself a huge favor and stop by, you won't regret it! I highly recommend The Snack Shack. It's finger licking Good.

Amazing burgers and fries! Cooked fresh and the fries and onion rings were flavorful and freshly cooked.

Burger was mediocre. Lacked much flavor. Not bad, just nothing to get excited about. Fries were seasoned well. The guy that called my name and handed me my bag of food was busy yapping on his cell phone and barely acknowledged me. I understand cell phones have become pretty integrated into daily life, but it’s a bit disappointing they have so much. Especially as the rest of the place is a nice throw back to the good old days diners. Maybe tell your help to call their friends when they aren’t working…

I saw this place on IG and a lot of folks talking about how amazing the burgers were. I was intrigued. I have had some good burgers in KC and some really good burgers. The Snack Shack is certainly the best and my favorite so far. We were in a bit of a time crunch and called ahead to place our order. They were very kind and had it ready when we arrived ten minutes later. I had the Bobby, which is a double with grilled onions and grilled jalapeños. I added mustard and pickles. It was delicious!! The burgers are smashed and have crispy and delicious edges and are juicy in the middle. I’m not a fry guy, but we got a 50/50. Their fries were okay. I preferred the onion rings. They were crispy and tasty. I forgot to get a cherry limeade which several people recommended. I will next time. We will absolutely return! The interior was very classic and the staff was super friendly and helpful. A+ all around! Five stars well earned.

It’s a nice little place. Few seats inside, gets a little congested. Hard to find a seat. I think there’s some outside seats. Menu is on wall by cash register. The burger is smashed. The food was good for a greasy spoon. There’s a tv on to watch. Definitely would come again. The limeade was delicious.

This is a classic burgers and shake restaurant. They have a fun 60's vibe to the place. the cherry lime-aid is very popular for a reason. My gluten-free wife had her burger protein style and had no issues. I'd go back.

A hidden gem with a whole lot of heart! Snack Shack may be small in size, but it serves up big flavor and charm. I ordered The Down Towner, and it was absolutely delicious. Juicy, flavorful, and clearly made with care. I also couldn’t resist the half-and-half (50/50) order of fries and onion rings (crispy perfection!), paired with a rich, creamy strawberry malt that hit the nostalgic sweet spot. The staff was warm and welcoming, and everything was made fresh to order. The cozy, retro diner vibes made the whole experience even better. Whether you're a local or just passing through, this spot is worth a visit!

Fav burger in KC area. Fresh to order, flavorful, great experience every time. Ice cream/shakes are a must as well. Drop in, order, sit down and enjoy a great burger in a unique dinner experience.

The Snack Shack is my new favorite spot for a chill Friday night. The vibe is very retro -- like an old school diner. And the folks that work there are always very nice. The food though, is the standout thing at Snack Shack. The hamburgers are so good. The burgers aren't too small -- ample thickness. The buns are yummy. And the drinks are stellar. I live for their cherry limeade with the lime sorbet to top it off. The shakes are awesome too. And if you have a kiddo with you, you can get a kid sized shake with their meal for a small up-charge. I highly recommend The Snack ShacK! Be sure you're nice and hungry so you can really soak up your meal!

Classic old school burgers. This place is awesome. I'm a big fan of the classic smash burger style, and got a double cheeseburger with shack sauce. It hit all the great notes of this style of burger. I got the crispy edges on the patties, but they were still nice and juicy in the middle. The cheese was melted perfectly. The veggies were fresh and cold. I could see this place in an argument for best burger in the metro for sure especially if you are diving deep into the smashed style. If you enjoy Westport Flea Market or Cosmo, I think you'd like this burger as well. I didn't think the fries were as strong as the burger, but with the shack sauce to dip in, they were above average. Service was fast and friendly, and the place has an an old diner feel to it as well.

The Snack Shack on Johnson Drive is nostalgia overload and I'm not complaining. I popped in here to pick up some burgers and fries for a weekend lunch with friends as we had kids in tow, and anyone who has small children knows they love hamburgers. Looking for an alternative to the usual fast food joints, we decided to try out the Snack Shack. The last time I'd done the Snack Shack was probably more than six years ago back when their location was along Santa Fe in downtown Overland Park. I remember liking it, but they had messed up part of my to-go order and I wasn't blown away. That being said, I was pretty hyped up to give them another try. Walking in, the space is insanely charming. We actually tried to bribe the kids to stay and dine in but they were nearly to tears at the idea of not eating at home so we just enjoyed the vintage diner vibes while we waited for our food to cook up. I had a burger and onion rings, my husband and daughter both had burgers and fries, and my cousin also had the rings. The burgers here are solid. They came out within a reasonable amount of time and satisfied the craving for an old school diner style smashburger. The sides are enormous, which is great for value, but something I wished I'd known before as we had more fries than we could handle - again, NOT the worst problem! The fries were great, but the rings were honestly a bit of a letdown. They really lacked flavor. So ultimately 4/5 for ambiance, and solid burgers and fries. I'm sure we'll be back!

Love the 50s diner vibes this place has. I used to visit the location in downtown OP but I really like that there is a good amount of seating and parking here. The prices are reasonable and honestly their malts are top tier. We had a young man take our order, he was friendly but seemed a bit new. My sister and I ordered the chicken sandwich (I know, not the showstopper) and a side of fries. I thought the chicken sandwiches were well crafted, and the veggies were fresh. However the fries tasted quite off, like they had been fried in oil that really needed to be changed. I'll come back when I get a hankering for a shake, as I still think this is a little gem for Merriam.

Found this place by accident and decided to give it a shot. Very cute diner decor inside. You order at the counter and then they call you to grab the food when it's ready. I opted for the original burger basket - with cheese. The burger comes topped with lettuce, onion, pickles, and tomato, but no condiments. There is mustard on the tables and they provide a cup of ketchup with the basket. I'm more of a mayo person when it comes to burgers, but decided to try it as they serve it. The burger was ok. I understand the concept of a smash burger but this patty was so thin it almost wasn't there. It was pretty dry, even with the cheese so the mustard and ketchup helped there. The fries were hot a nicely salted. If you're a fan of smashburgers that get a little crispy, this is for you. For those of you that like a bit thicker, juicer burger, I would try someplace else.

It could be said that my favorite food item is a burger, so I'm always trying new places in a search for the best burger around. The Snack Shack in Mission, KS resides in the same building that used to be occupied by Town Topic, which is a Kansas City favorite. The building has had a facelift and the staff is SUPER friendly. There isn't a ton of room inside, but it keeps an old school diner vibe. They offer a few items, but I'd say that the smash burgers are their specialty. And it's a pretty decent burger. Not the best I've ever had, but it is FAR from the worst. It was good enough that I returned a couple weeks later for more. If you haven't been to Snack Shack, you should absolutely check them out. You can see more of our experience on our YouTube travel channel: https://youtu.be/XhnMehGdqes

What a a fantastic burger place! Walking through the door is like stepping back in time to an old diner counter. Menu is limited but that's what you want! I ordered the cheeseburger/fry combo and it did not disappoint. 2 smashed patties with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions and pickles. The perfect bite and overall meat was very flavorful. My only regret is not ordering a shake, will do that next time to dip my fries in! Cute spot for food. 5/5, highly recommend for everyone to stop in. Bonus it's in the old downtown Mission area which is already so cute to be in.

Best Chocolate Shake in KC Serving up some of the tastiest burgers in the metro. Located on Johnson Dr in Mission this diner gives you all the old school vibes. The snack attack is my go to order. Juicy cheeseburger, crisp golden fries and a drink. The hype may be all about the burgers, but I don't think enough attention is given to their shakes! The chocolate shake is my personal favorite. Smooth and just the right amount of chocolate. Yum!

Great burgers in a diner type feel! Small place so get there early during lunch if you want a spot inside. The burgers were quick and the service was nice and friendly. We would for sure come back if you are looking for some juicy smash burgers!

I would say this place is a solid 4 on food and wildly inconsistent with customer service. I've had extremely pleasant visits or instances when people just want to get the business done (can also appreciate that). Today's visit was just odd. I went around lunchtime and it was not as busy as usual. Usually around this time, the place is packed. There was a lot of seating available today. There were two people ahead of me when I walked in. The counter guy was incredibly nice to both of those guys, obviously regulars. When it was my turn, he did not say hi or greet me in anyway. I said hi there, to no response. After seconds of him awkwardly staring me down, he finally said, "What do you want?" I quickly made my order, to go, avoiding any additional interaction with that guy. The food came out quickly and the cook who made it was really pleasant and nice. This is what I mean about inconsistent service I got two snack shack burger specials, no cheese with everything on it. The BF wanted more meat (which is what he gets for not saying he wanted a double!) The fries were delicious and passed the test of waiting-to-be-eaten-at-home. The burger was fine, just a bit dry. All in all, a great quick lunch for 2 people under $20. They're also offering a $1 cone special from 3-5pm for happy hour. Will have to try the ice cream there in the future and see if that changes my overall score.

In spite of it having no public restrooms, this is our favorite local burger joint. The burgers, onion rings, and "twist" (vanilla and chocolate) milk shakes are the draw. They have specialty burgers, too; but we like the basics. Yum!

Food - Good tasty burgers, fries, rings. Didn't try the shakes or malts or ice cream floats and sodas but at $4 - 5 dollars per - tempting price. Had the sassy recently, good burger with beef, swiss, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles. !IMHO this place is better than the OG Town Topic. Service - good Ambiance - classic 50's or 60s diner with maybe 6 tables and round barstools. As of 9/1/2023 they're working on a patio but not finished yet.

This place really transports in time. Small old diner vibes. Mom and pop kinda place. Burger perfectly smashed. Fries and onion rings are delicious. Oreo shake to cool off a hot day. Highly recommend. PS: automatic 3% service charge for using credit card

I always love going to the track. It is one of my favorite burgers and fries in the Kansas City area. They have great meal deal. There is much higher quality than fast food restaurant. They have the best hand cut fries. I love the old-school Diner vibes they provide. Easy decor takes you back in time and give you the deal of an old school, Diner. Cherry Maids is the best I've ever had. And I always love giving getting a Chocolate dipped cone!

Stopped in here when I went to pick my cat up from the hospital today because I needed some dinner. I was really excited because I'd gone to the snack shack s couple times when it was in OP. It was not at all as good as it used to be. The fries were different and the burger was bland. The staff was nice & the food was ready pretty quickly. The restaurant is still cute in that old timey way, which was cool. I wish they were as good as they used to be.

The food was pretty good! Great smashburgers and Coke, though the fries could have been a bit hotter & crispier. The atmosphere is top notch too! Just like an old school roadside diner. The only thing that was off was the guy at the counter. He was honestly pretty rude. Each time I ordered, refilled my drink, or asked for another thing of ketchup (also, weird that they have mustard at the tables but not ketchup), I had to sort of force him to acknowledge I was there despite the fact that I was standing less than a foot in front of him. He was friendly to people who seemed to be regulars, just not so nice to everyone else. Overall, we'll definitely be back, but probably not with the expectation of great service.

Very small cute burger place, seems to be always busy and bustling! I'm glad because this place has amazing burgers. So so good, I love the way they make them with thinner patties, but very good toppings and flavors. I'm very happy this place is still around. They relocated from Santa Fe in downtown OP. The man taking my order was pretty good at balancing taking orders and cooking at the same time. Very efficient and got my food in a reasonable amount of time. The seating is pretty crowded and close together because it is a small place, but it feels like one of those old-timey diners, and everyone was really nice and polite about it. I sat at the bar along the window looking out into the road and other shops on Johnson Drive. Will definitely plan to come back here many times. The Down-Towner was such a delicious burger!

As I've said in previous reviews, if I am in KC, looking for a great burger, and am not pressed for time, I will jaunt down to The Snack Shack every time. I have tried all of their different burgers, and while all have been good, the Bobby is still my favorite. It always comes out fresh, piping hot and delicious. I could write more of the same that I have in previous reviews, but just wanted to post another picture. Get down there and try it out!

Best Burgers in Town. This is our go to place! With our family! Great food, service and Shakes!

This place is always hopping! The lunch rush is real, but for good reason. The food is amazing and the atmosphere is like stepping back in time (without the racism!) The food is also like being back in time, before buns were chalked full of preservatives and the meat is fresh. My go-to order: The Down-towner, a 50/50 and a hot fudge shake (with chocolate as the base!) so good, can't go wrong.

Still a 5 since my last review. But I'm revisiting to add Franco's opinion. He recently turned 3 and normally gets a slider but we decided to mix it up. We ordered just a plain hot dog on a bun for $3. He really enjoyed it. I was actually a little jealous and wanted one. It was a perfect doggie snack. If you have kiddos, they'd probably enjoy it too.

I came for the first time last week since they moved locations. The new location is right down the street from where I work and I decided one day I was craving a good burger so we went. I am so sad they no longer carry the corn nuggets. It used to be my favorite thing on the menu! Instead I ordered the burger and fries and a shake. I am disappointed about the corn nuggets but I knew their other food is still good. It was packed when we walked in and had to wait about 10 minutes for food which wasn't long. I took some coworkers that had never been before and they were all really happy with their meals. I would def come back but not going to lie one of the reasons I love this place so much was because of the corn nuggets. Their burger and fries are still really good and their shakes are the perfect consistency.

I think the draw of this place is the same draw that makes us remember poolside hotdogs and lakeside burgers fondly: nostalgia. It's just as hot, just as loud, just as greasy-salty as you remember. It's got the old posters, the old counter, the old taste. I will say, bonus points for not cooking frozen meat pucks. These are properly smashed burgers, cooked on a black stone. For me, it was too loud and crowded to even think, so I just ordered a single burger in a "snack attack" basket and stood back to let the rest of my party/family get their orders in. It was a single patty burger with American cheese, onions, tomatoes, all the usual suspects. It was cooked well, and very juicy. It was REALLY salty though, from the cheese and the seasonings. The fries were golden, but to me had an overpowering "baked potato" flavor that I couldn't get past. I know, that's a strange thing to say, but I didn't end up eating them and gave them to my kids. The onion ring I snagged from my husband's plate was great though- crispy, golden, well seasoned. There was one snafu with our order, they just forgot to key in one person's food and none of us realized it. It took a LONG time to get it made after we re-ordered it, so we ended up with the entire family done eating and still waiting for my son's burger to come out. At that point I was waiting outside where it was quieter and cooler and didn't smell like burgers and humans. Snack Shack is obviously HUGELY popular, when I searched up a burger place on Yelp it was between this and Cosmo's and this was closer. The place was packed, with a line practically out the door. If you're in the mood for your childhood, or introducing your kids to your childhood, hit them up! It sounds like their shakes are awesome, and their specialty burgers are local favorites. I was just always a quiet child, so I probably won't be back.

The last couple times I went here, they forgot the side of shack sauce. Without that, I realized they REALLY need to salt their burger patties. The burger was pretty devoid of flavor without the sauce. I got a double with cheese, lettuce, onion, tomatoes and pickles, and it was still flavorless with all the toppings.

Food, food, food, and more food! The ambiance of an old school diner is a plus. Best to come with smaller groups. No more than four unless really it is nice out and you can wait outside. I would recommend this to friend and you. Come get you some on your next visit!

FOOD Down-Towner: 1/4 LB topped with cheddar cheese, onion ring, grilled onion, mayo, pickles and signature DT BBQ sauce Good burger, could of use a bit more seasoning for my liking but it was great! 50/50: 1/2 fries 1/2 onion rings Onion were delicious, fries were fries, still good SERVICE The lady at the register who took our order was very helpful. The gentlemen who did our refills and bussed the table was so friendly and was all and all a good experience!

Wow! Every bit as good as I heard it was. Had a burger with 1/2 lb beef, grilled onions, grilled jalapeños, lettuce, tomato and pickles for less than $9! The onion rings were fresh and crispy. Can't wait to return!

This new location served up friendly service and tasty food during my dine-in lunch visit. My veg-n-out burger with cheese ($7.00) and fries ($4.00) lunch was served just a few minutes after I ordered at the counter, where the service was friendly and professional. The burger was reasonably sized with a thin but tasty veggie patty and fresh veggies on a fresh bun, while the generous portion of crinkle cut fries was meaty and tasty without being greasy or salty - nice. The dining area, which is larger than that of the old location, offered that classic old-style diner look with classic rock background music and one TV. I also noticed street parking on two sides and a parking lot in the rear. The prices weren't a bargain, and I wish they offered grilled chicken sandwiches, but the good service bumps me up from 3.5 to 4.0 stars.

Enjoyed stopping in today at the new location. Glad they have more space! Service was great and food came out very fresh and hot! Chocolate shake is a must!

Announcement: We finally made it to The Snack Shack! It's everything I've heard about it to be and more! The burgers were perfectly smashed and seared, with crispy onion rings and fries. I'm a believer!

If you want a delicious burger, fries, onion rings, and ice cream, this is the place to eat!! The food is soooo good. The staff have always been very kind and helpful. This is an old diner type establishment with very small dining area. You are there for the food, not the ambiance. Although I dig the ambiance of this place. Highly recommend!!

Really great diner vibe. The ambiance is fantastic. Great people there, they're always super helpful and nice. The burgers are smash burgers and they're fantastic. You have a choice of different types of cheeses, grilled onions, and other toppings. The fries are always fresh and great. So are the onion rings. My only gripe is that their 50/50 only has like 3 onion rings most of the time.

DO NOT GET THE TENDERLOIN. It's just an average factory formed meat disk. These guys make a good smash-style burger. They do. But I'm giving them 3 stars because they lied to me looking in to my eyes. I am a connoisseur of pork tenderloin sandwiches, and was pleased to see they had one on the menu. They also claim it's "hand breaded". I asked the kid taking our order, "are your tenderloins made here?" And he replied, "I think they're frozen, but I'm not sure". I said, "would you ask for me? It's key. I'd appreciate it so much" And the kid asked one of the guys at the griddle, who my wife recognize as one of the original staff, possibly an owner, from downtown Overland Park. And the guy looked up and smiled at me and said "oh no, they are made here. They are hand breaded." I gave him the thumbs up and ordered it. As you can see from the photos, it's absolutely not true. I don't use the word "lie" lightly. But he looked me right in the eye, and he told me something that was not true. The sandwich itself was OK. There was nothing bad about it, but it was obviously a formed and processed pork patty. It was not a hand breaded loin or tenderloin cutlet. My wife liked her veggie burger. Her Oreo shake was poorly blended; I took a sip, and the bottom of the shake was milk with Oreo sediment. The fries are OK. They look to be hand cut, in the house. Not particularly fresh, crispy or worth 4 bucks

*Video review @Steve.N.KC on Instagram & TikTok* A little hidden gem over in mission. A old school diner vibe with that mom and pop charm. The staff was great and greet you as soon as you walk in. The owner Jack is there daily and is making sure to provide the best! Everything is fantastic but if I had to recommend a few things it'd be the down-towner burger and the onion rings. Get all 3 sauces on the side and you're set. Check the hours as they close early but you should be able to make it!

Love Snack Shack! The Downtowner & The Bobby are solid burgers. Fun diner feel with quick turns. Always nice to support a local place that is also the best burger.

A fabulous addition to the growing downtown Mission area. Fun, traditional diner setup with limited seating inside. A double burger with cheese is a must and they are always consistent. The fries have been a bit more "well done" than I would like each time we've gone, so I guess that's just their style. Not a deal breaker by any means. Great to stop in for a burger and then jump across the street to Rockcreek Brewery for a patio beer!

Service was fast. There's a nice old school diner vibe. I ordered a double cheeseburger, fries and a malt. It was just shy of $19. WTH?! The food was good, though certainly nothing spectacular. It's just really hard to justify spending nearly $20 on a burger, fries and a malt. A family with kids and you're looking at $50-$80+ for cheeseburgers! I wish them well, but I question the sustainability of the business with these prices. I imagine it must be incredibly difficult to attempt to run a small business these days.

Food is always amazing. the cherry limeaide is my favorite thing on the menu! The woman that takes the orders always has a smile on her face. What disappoints me is the woman in the kitchen always on her phone. Everyone is running around working and she is leaning against the counter with her phone out. Poor image. Also love the decor! I find something new to read every time we eat there.

This place really transports you back in time. It's the perfect addition to Johnson Drive, an already perfect little street. We loved our burgers. The kids burger is like a little slider and perfect for the kiddos. I was pretty basic and ordered a vanilla shake for dessert... chef's kiss . The burgers taste very fresh and old timey style. It was a beautiful day and this placed filled up quick. Get there early if you want seating. I will be back to try the onion rings!!

I found out the other week they moved to johnson drive and I wanted to check out the new spot. The space is larger and they also have a parking lot which is way better then the last location. They redid the menu and added more items that seem great, but I was there for the burger. And just as I suspected the burger was still spot on! They have good fun people working there, it's a fun friendly environment with music playing. It reminds me of an old diner and I love it! Soda: those pebble ice cubes they have, makes the soda taste very delicious. (Yeah soda review BOOM) I just never seen these small ice pebbles before. Suggestion Box: They definitely perfected the burger so the only thing I would like to see a change in is their hotdogs they are kinda bland. If they could make a dog like "super dawg" in chicago that would be next level tbh. Anyway sorry to diss the dog! U guys are doing great. Love the new spot....

Good burgers, just a little pricey. Service was quick, though, even though they were busy.

This was our first time going and we are already planning our next meal there! The burgers are 11/10, the fries are perfect, the onion rings had the perfect crunch, and the service was excellent!

I'm so glad my friend and I stopped here. The shack is like stepping back in time in the best way. Everyone working was so friendly. The burgers are incredible! They're thinner patties with a great taste. The buns and cheese were awesome, too. The fries were good. Next time I'm trying a shake!

A must go to every time we visit our son in KC. Friendly staff. Great burgers. Love looking at the decor of older photos throughout the restaurant.

Price is fair and the burgers very well might be the best I've had. The place is pretty small but the service is fast and friendly.

I don't understand. On the outside it's a little burger joint on an unassuming corner. Inside looks like a step back 50 years in time, except for the picture of Marky Mark and Will Farrell by the door and the on-trend teenagers behind the counter. But it was easily the best burger of my life. The menu is simple. Burgers. Fries. Ice cream. But when I tell you it's the best burger I've ever had, I'm not exaggerating. I've had wagu patties 4x more expensive that didn't have the flavor this one did. Even the veggies on top - a perfectly firm tomato and crisp lettuce. And as someone who considers themselves a condiment connoisseur of sorts, I would never consider ruining that with sauce. Never did I think I would find myself writing so passionately about a burger place, but this was really that good.

love love love this new location on Johnson Drive for the awesome space & seating! Snack Shack is my FAVORITE burger place! definitely 5 stars, which is a huge deal coming from a Texan PSA: DOES NOT have a high chair. only booster seats. i had to hold my baby as i 'try' to enjoy my delicious burger. hopefully they will have a high chair soon though!

Great setting. Incredible food. Even better service. Loved everything about this place. Super affordable too. Will definitely go out of my way to come back next time I'm in town.

If you want THE BEST burger in Kansas City, this is the spot. I normally get the DT burger but I've had the single and the double cheeseburger. By far one of the best burger. However they season their grill or the burgers is just amazing!