‘Happy and full’: Bringing a taste of home to the restaurant table this Thanksgiving

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Maybe you didn’t feel like whipping a big meal this Thanksgiving, but that’s alright because some restaurants in Kansas City were happy to welcome customers to their tables.

The home kitchen isn’t where all Thanksgiving magic is made. The kitchen staff at Lula Southern Cookhouse is just one of several across the metro who made out-of-towners feel at home for the holiday.

The Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball team came in Wednesday night, then Owner/Chef Bradley Gilmore welcomed the UMKC Roo’s program plus some 700+ others for Thanksgiving.

“I think we bought over 700 pounds of Turkey, 600 pounds of ham, it’s a lot,” Gilmore recalled. “We’re baking about 800 rolls.”

Gilmore’s grandmother is not only the namesake of his restaurant but the majority of Lula’s menu is made up of her recipes.

“When you come here to eat, when you leave, I want you to feel like you left your grandmother’s house - happy and full,” Gilmore continued. “And enjoy a great experience like you were hanging out with family.”

Lula’s staff showed KCTV the ropes of making a Thanksgiving meal. For them, knowing they made someone’s holiday special is why they’re here.

“This is all about the team, this is about Kansas City, this is what we do,” Line Cook Mohammad Mahali said. “We make people happy by bringing food to the table. That’s what we do as cooks, chefs, and even dishwashers.”

Bradley Gilmore and his team will be cooking it up again on Christmas Eve for holiday travelers coming through or anyone who just can’t find the time to cook at home.

ALSO READ: Here’s how long experts say a Thanksgiving feast can sit out safely

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