Hayes Hamburger and Chili — Restaurant in Kansas City

Absolutely amazing food. But absolutely horrible server. My husband and I went out on a date night and decided this place which we regretted after going. I left a 25% undeserved tip under a plate because I don’t trust people not to take the cash tips I leave. Undeserved because my husband had to go get our plates and drinks at the front counter because she decided to not bring it only to our table but she took others theirs. She went off on me and made snarky comments because she thought I didn’t leave a tip. I decided to take my tip back and she cussed me out. She ran outside to take a picture of my vehicle so I decided to call the manager and ask why. The manager said we weren’t welcome there because I apparently from what the server told her went off on her and left no tip. I explained what really happened that I hid my tip for her so it didn’t get stolen as I work in the restaurant industry and have had that happen to me numerous times. Which then the manager changed her mind and said we are welcome to come back after realizing I did leave a tip and the server was lying. She said she just must have been having a really bad night which then I said even if she was that was uncalled for and that’s how you lose business. I will never return to this restaurant because of how we were treated. I absolutely love their food but that’s the first and last time I will ever go there. I recommend people not going there unless you want some junkie looking server cussing you out, taking pictures of your vehicles and lying to...

This greasy-spoon esque joint did not disappoint! They are keeping the history alive on the corner of Vivion and Antioch in Kansas City. Hayes is a pocket sized counter style short order diner with a two person team. All the way down to the fact they are cash only! The older lady running the joint is the perfect mix of gruff but appreciative and there to make every customers experience what it should be! It was fun sitting in a booth watching them serve the customers. The food was great too! I ordered a double cheeseburger with chili cheese tots and got a single cheeseburger but it hit the spot! I mean what else is a first timer going to order at a burger and chili diner? It was just enough for lunch! The burger is a smash burger style with cooked onions smashed into it as well. Everything was cooked right in front of me and super fast! The chili cheese tots were banging as well. The chili is definitely an old school homemade tasting chili and on top of the tots with the cheese was great! They have old school pellet ice in their sodas as well! I didn’t get dessert but they had a whole list of pies and ice cream by the scoop as well as cinnamon rolls and a few other things! I bet they are amazing but I didn’t want to totally overload! I will definitely be back to experience more...

I've been to Hayes a couple of times. Back in 2010 they were featured on a local PBS show called Check Please Kansas City. What I recall from the show was the nostalgia for roadside burger joints, which I completely agree with. Around that time, I had my first experience which demanded a burger and fries. The fact I still remember what I had says something, but I also recall comparing it to all of the other burger joints up the road and came to the conclusion that the food was fine and equal to the fast-food options nearby, but prices were higher. I found myself going back recently. I was in the neighborhood and wanted someplace local and was in the mood for something small to snack on. I was happy that they sell chili without beans so I got a cup along with an order of onion rings. I'm confused because what you get is a dish of ground beef in grease. No tomato, chilis, onion or spices. Just beef and grease. Oh, and crackers which are just bad sponges for the grease. This was horrible. Although not as greasy but still fried in grease were the onion rings. Far from made fresh: more like delivered frozen. Based on these items, I really wanted to rate this a 1 star (hated it), but added a star for...