Genessee Royale Bistro

I’ve frequented this place since it opened, having loved Todd’s tenure at Happy Gillis. I’ve been here solo, with friends, family and I’ve brought my kids. I’ve had breakfast, weekend brunch, lunch, happy hours and small plates.
GR has never disappointed. The food is amazing. I can’t order the French fries because I’ll eat every single one and lick the cup they came in. I usually split entrees with my husband or friends, but not here. One, because I don’t want anyone else to steal a single morsel from plate. Two, because this place isn’t like Buca DiMacaroni Garden, serving a family of four with one entrée. You get the perfect amount of finger licking deliciousness.
And the drinks. Amazing. What’s on menu is fantastic, but if want a little adventure, ask your server to fix up something and you’ll be happy that you did.
Sure, it’s tiny, but that’s part of its charm. If you think you can waltz in with a big party and expect to be seated immediately, better hop back in your family truckster and head over to the all you can buffet at AppleChiliFridays.
For me, this place is one of my go tos. You should make it one of yours.

I had some high high hopes for this place. The menu descriptions appeared to be super tasty and interesting. Kind of sad when the food came out.
Nothing was amazing or outstanding.
Maybe it was an off day?

I like the food and the atmosphere of this place but when I came here for lunch today I discovered that the prices have gotten sky high! The burger isn’t as good as it used to be (for one I used to love how they served it on a Wolferman’s English muffin) and it is $ 12 with NO side included… unless you count a small side of greens.
I would probably come here again for brunch which is more reasonably priced because I think this place still has something to offer, but unless they adjust their menu and prices I will stay away for lunch.

I was so excited to try brunch here, but sadly I guess my expectations were too high.
I ordered the sprouts and eggs and received a cold Brussels sprout salad with two over cooked eggs. The sprout salad was good, but surprised me by being a cold dish which seems unusual. However, the deal breaker was the over cooked eggs. As I always say: over cooked eggs are a brunch sin.
I thought the place was very cute and had good service as my coffee was always full.
Overall though — paying almost $ 20 for over cooked eggs and coffee didn’t leave me feeling great.

Came here for brunch and while I found it a super cute spot, the food was mediocre and over-​priced.
As an egg person, I was excited by the Brussel sprout dish with two fried eggs. I didn’t read too closely I guess because I was surprised when it came out cold. I guess the brussel sprouts are supposed to be like a salad and the eggs are cold to go along with it?
My friend ordered the same and her eggs were way over-​cooked.
The flavors were good but I can’t recommend spending $ 12 on what I had here.

This is my kind of place. We stopped in for brunch and I wanted to stay for dinner it was so good. I ordered the pancakes and he had waffles. Both were great. The waffle batter is a chewy mystery to me but the texture cooks perfectly. I really enjoyed the crème fraîche topping on my pancakes. I wish they served more, actually, to offset the proteiny cakes and granola. And — oh — those roasted nuts, granola, and berries were hearty and absolutely delicious. Let’s not overlook the syrup either. Tasted so rich and velvety. The bacon was way too greasy but cut nice and thick. But I think the yukon gold potatoes stole the show. Needed more salt, but altogether, a fresh crisp twist on morning starch. Yum! Love the vibe too. I feel like I’m in a spaghetti western steampunk boxcar. Yah.
I give the food 4 stars. But I have to give the service 2 stars. This was the only real downer. The servers were the epitome of slow and they kept clanking and banging the china while clearing table plates for wash. No joke — they broke 2 glasses throughout our short brunch and swept up the messy drama. Seemed a bit passive aggressive. Clank clank clank — crack! And again.

«Waffles, friends, work… or friends, waffles, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third»
Brunch is a must on the weekends in KC, and Genessee Royale does it right! I had wanted to go here a long time and decided to go one Sunday around noon (after free yoga at Lululemon). I was meeting my friends and I got there early, the hostess was great and let me sit at a table and wait… so j could wait and drink coffee. Perfection. The coffee was good and was refilled promptly throughout the meal.
I debated a while; though the menu is small, it all looks intriguing. I decided to get Quinoa pancakes with berries and granola with a side of thick cut bacon… even the waitress commended my decision! The pancakes were perfectly portioned and delicious. The bacon was hearty and cooked to crispy perfection. My friends got a Croque Madame and an omelet, which they both really enjoyed. As well, they had a Bloody Mary and a mimosa. The cocktails were great, a slice of bacon goes in the Bloody Mary and the Orange juice in the mimosa was super fresh.
The café itself is pretty small, but big on character. The chairs are mismatched dining room chairs at eclectic tables. One of the walls is covered in a myriad of blank frames and mirrors. They have a good-​sized patio out front which was open even while it was raining!
Definitely put this place on your list, and go… time and time again.

Let me just holla at ya for a sec on this lil sweet spot in West Bottoms. With all affection I loved the entourage I rolled up with but I will never bring a gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, kosher/​halal representitave again. Putting this out there the menu is saturated with wheat and pork maybe one or two aren’t.
The place vibes mustaching hipsters like its their mecca. Truth you do not mess with hipsters and their brunch. Saw a couple get a little short with the hostess when they could not distinguish or navigate how to get there names on the wait list. Hostess was a smooth operator though and obviously not her first time talking the RayBans, local KC shirt wearing, skinny jean sportin fellas off the brunch cliff.
I got the this spicy egg and tomato, lil watery, low on the flavor (canned tomatoes might have been why), looked really good though. I wanted to add a pancake, no can do. Ordering a full stack was required. Should have just ordered this because I’m trying to think of a place that they have ever been so damn good. Perfectly golden and slightly crispy, topped with berries granola, cream, and real maple syrup.
Noise level inside like sittin in a blender. Sweet relief an outdoor patio. Arrived at 10am on a Saturday morning, waited maybe 10min. By 10:30 the line was a 30min out the door wait.

Genessee Royale — you’ve officially earned my #1 spot as my KC favorite.
A girlfriend was visiting from Minneapolis this past weekend, and after a laborious Saturday of partying, we decided to regenerate with a Sunday brunch with my man accompanying us. Naturally, I turned to Unilocal,and was absolutely sold on Genessee Royale Bistro upon first sight (well… first sight on my app).
Genessee Royale is a smaller building, so there was a short wait when we arrived, but it was well worth the 15 minutes of stomach growling. The interior is a dream, with an assortment of tables and chairs, large shabby frames on the wall, and tiny vases with succulents on the tables. Swoon.
Once we were seated on the patio, we promptly tossed in our orders. Shortly thereafter, our server brought out our starter: the roasted asparagus with goat cheese and pistachios. It was incredibly tasty and kept our stomachs happy while we waited for our entrees. I ordered the Quinoa Pancakes while my two brunchmates ordered the Fremont. The pancakes were sensational. Not only did they look beautiful (check out my pic if you don’t believe me), but they tasted incredible each and every bite.
Service was on point, food was stellar, and the interior décor and patio stole my heart. I can’t wait to go back many times to try their dinner and lunch options. Hats off, Genessee Royale.

Taking a tip from a fellow Unilocaler Elite, my wife and I ventured to the West Bottoms to check out the brunch at Genessee Royale Bistro.
When we arrived we were surprised that we were able to be seated immediately as this is a relatively small venue. Its eclectic style is homey and welcoming as were the servers and hostess.
The menu is short but has great range from a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon to quinoa pancakes with mixed berries on top. I ordered Raul’s Huevos which was fantastic! Medium spiced chorizo with beans, cheese and eggs sunny side up all with corn tortillas. This dish was as pleasing to the eyes as it was the tongue! My wife raved about her breakfast sandwich which was simple but executed to perfection with crispy bacon, egg and tomato jam!
A little on the high end side for pricing but definitely worth it! We will be back here again for sure.