Long time customer here. Although my whole experience was ruined tonight. I waited in the long line for an hour and a half as they are closing business for good, I wanted to have it one last time. I went to place my to go order, was told we aren't doing carry out, haven't been doing that for a couple weeks, no apologies, no signs posted in the restaurant, or at the entrance, or on their website. At least post it for your customers waiting in the cold outside. I was told I could order, the server was unsure if they had any to go boxes at all. I was told to keep it small, well you only got half my order. I literally had to box up my order myself, which in turn was a sloppy mess. Forget the chips and sophapias, the owner usually graciously offers those, My advice to the owner, at least post on the door of the building, or side of the building, so people don't waste their time and money. And seriously do your long time customers a favor, and accommodate them. How much does it cost to keep dinner size to go trays, and slip the food in them just out of the microwave, having to box up my food on one of your tables is horrible and embarrassing service, and I scalded my hands on the hot plate, adding to my frustration, no I didn't grab a tray, I expected them to at the very least box it up, as I was a long time customer. Do yourself a favor, don't bother coming here if you need carry out at the end. Just go to Taco Via. I won't be back anymore.
Tyler F.
My grandma and I have been coming here for 20 years. She used to worked at the bank across the street and as a kid I always loved this place, great dessert and playing mortal combat on the old arcade machine. I always get the pizza torte and she always gets the tostada don style with a side of guac. All you can eat chips and salsa also all you can eat soapipias. Don please don't retire we love you!! You are a Kansas City legend and deserve a historic monument.
Timmy Gibson
Don Chilitos is the Town Topic of Mexican Food here in Kansas City. I used to go to Don Chilitos every Sunday after church as a kid with my family, and I am 52 years young now. I am sad to hear they are closing, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone buys it to keep them around. They belong here. It's almost a tourist attraction at this point, and a must try at least once. It's unique and memorable.
Aaron Hammar
Love it here! Gonna miss it!
Ned Kelley
Love this place! Slated to be closing in December. I hope there is some way and somebody to keep Don Chilito's operating.
HOPE MICHELLE
First time eating here and the food was AMAZING! So sad that they will be closing in December!
Paul
Don Chillitos is for Johnson County "Karen and Ken" white people that think ketchup is spicy. Good riddance. Mexican food is NOT meant for the microwave if prepared in any way correctly. There have been times over the years that it has been closed by the health department where it was more closed than open. Taco Bell and double the price. Bye bye bye.And if over the years, one was able to hear private comments from the manager and or owner you would think they had the possibility of confederate flags and white sheets with hoods in the back.I have had the pleasure to socially interact with friends over the years, but many many years ago after food poisonings have never touched their version of what they call food. And let's not even talk about their far right wing political leanings that most recently came out before they decided to close.
meangirlhera
Wonderful food and atmosphere! Thank God the staff and customers are not wearing those useless, dirty face diapers! Let Freedom Ring! God Bless America! ??
Mark Duncan
I am sooo going to miss this place 40+ years as a customer.
Katrina B.
Senior year at SM North in 1978, I got high school credits for working at Don Chilito's during their lunch shift. Also got paid something like $2 /hr. Schoolmates always wanted me to sneak them CCQ sauce. Owner ran the cash register during the lunch rush and was classy & kind. Heard the son was closing the business in December 2021. Said goodbye to the establishment today. Fryer oil is way too low- the tortilla chips wouldn't snap in half & the sopapillas weren't puffed up. Just nostalgia, going back there - the job bussing lunch tables was infinitely better than the SM North classes I would have had to endure. There's so many other better Mexican restaurants up & down Johnson Drive - visit them, instead. Bring back Schlotzsky's!!!!
Most relaxed and comfortable people in town! our family loves this place. my wife and i used them for our wedding and my father n law took my mother n law on their first date here!!
Krista R.
Tried Don Chilito's for lunch today. The line to get in was pretty long but moved fairly quickly. The menu is posted on the wall as you walk in and when you get to the counter you grab your tray, napkins, and utensils and order cafeteria style. After ordering and receiving food, you carry your own tray and try to find an open table. I tried the daily special, which was Don's Plate. You have the option of chicken, beef or cheese enchiladas and I chose cheese. They were good. The cheese filling was great, seemed like cheddar and onion inside. The sauce was just ok. Decent tomato flavor, but no spice of any kind. The tacos were ground beef and the beef itself was flavored well, but basically wasn't much different from a fast food taco. The beans were sadly VERY dry and the rice was just ok, it could've used a bit more flavor. My favorite part was the sopapillas, which you can find at the tortilla chip and salsa bar. They were little fried pillows of deliciousness covered in sugar and cinnamon. I would eat here again, but likely wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
Roger Y.
Dad used to carry me in car seat in 1971 now I will see close in December,,,sad day my favorite place to eat,not the greatest slot of memorys
Marty M.
Have gone to dons even in the seventies. Love their cheese sauce. And love all dishes. Not greasy! It's the only Mexican restaurant that I love. Not overpriced.
BMWY62
Didn't know the owner defied mask mandate. Am glad I frequented this great American institution since it opened. Too bad you masked traitors don't know you're destroying the country and are (FAR) worse than Benedict Arnold. At least he wasn't an American yet. Keep fighting folks!
Long time customer here. Although my whole experience was ruined tonight. I waited in the long line for an hour and a half as they are closing business for good, I wanted to have it one last time. I went to place my to go order, was told we aren't doing carry out, haven't been doing that for a couple weeks, no apologies, no signs posted in the restaurant, or at the entrance, or on their website. At least post it for your customers waiting in the cold outside. I was told I could order, the server was unsure if they had any to go boxes at all. I was told to keep it small, well you only got half my order. I literally had to box up my order myself, which in turn was a sloppy mess. Forget the chips and sophapias, the owner usually graciously offers those, My advice to the owner, at least post on the door of the building, or side of the building, so people don't waste their time and money. And seriously do your long time customers a favor, and accommodate them. How much does it cost to keep dinner size to go trays, and slip the food in them just out of the microwave, having to box up my food on one of your tables is horrible and embarrassing service, and I scalded my hands on the hot plate, adding to my frustration, no I didn't grab a tray, I expected them to at the very least box it up, as I was a long time customer. Do yourself a favor, don't bother coming here if you need carry out at the end. Just go to Taco Via. I won't be back anymore.
My grandma and I have been coming here for 20 years. She used to worked at the bank across the street and as a kid I always loved this place, great dessert and playing mortal combat on the old arcade machine. I always get the pizza torte and she always gets the tostada don style with a side of guac. All you can eat chips and salsa also all you can eat soapipias. Don please don't retire we love you!! You are a Kansas City legend and deserve a historic monument.
Don Chilitos is the Town Topic of Mexican Food here in Kansas City. I used to go to Don Chilitos every Sunday after church as a kid with my family, and I am 52 years young now. I am sad to hear they are closing, though I wouldn't be surprised if someone buys it to keep them around. They belong here. It's almost a tourist attraction at this point, and a must try at least once. It's unique and memorable.
Love it here! Gonna miss it!
Love this place! Slated to be closing in December. I hope there is some way and somebody to keep Don Chilito's operating.
First time eating here and the food was AMAZING! So sad that they will be closing in December!
Don Chillitos is for Johnson County "Karen and Ken" white people that think ketchup is spicy. Good riddance. Mexican food is NOT meant for the microwave if prepared in any way correctly. There have been times over the years that it has been closed by the health department where it was more closed than open. Taco Bell and double the price. Bye bye bye.And if over the years, one was able to hear private comments from the manager and or owner you would think they had the possibility of confederate flags and white sheets with hoods in the back.I have had the pleasure to socially interact with friends over the years, but many many years ago after food poisonings have never touched their version of what they call food. And let's not even talk about their far right wing political leanings that most recently came out before they decided to close.
Wonderful food and atmosphere! Thank God the staff and customers are not wearing those useless, dirty face diapers! Let Freedom Ring! God Bless America! ??
I am sooo going to miss this place 40+ years as a customer.
Senior year at SM North in 1978, I got high school credits for working at Don Chilito's during their lunch shift. Also got paid something like $2 /hr. Schoolmates always wanted me to sneak them CCQ sauce. Owner ran the cash register during the lunch rush and was classy & kind. Heard the son was closing the business in December 2021. Said goodbye to the establishment today. Fryer oil is way too low- the tortilla chips wouldn't snap in half & the sopapillas weren't puffed up. Just nostalgia, going back there - the job bussing lunch tables was infinitely better than the SM North classes I would have had to endure. There's so many other better Mexican restaurants up & down Johnson Drive - visit them, instead. Bring back Schlotzsky's!!!!
Restaurantji Recommends
Most relaxed and comfortable people in town! our family loves this place. my wife and i used them for our wedding and my father n law took my mother n law on their first date here!!
Tried Don Chilito's for lunch today. The line to get in was pretty long but moved fairly quickly. The menu is posted on the wall as you walk in and when you get to the counter you grab your tray, napkins, and utensils and order cafeteria style. After ordering and receiving food, you carry your own tray and try to find an open table. I tried the daily special, which was Don's Plate. You have the option of chicken, beef or cheese enchiladas and I chose cheese. They were good. The cheese filling was great, seemed like cheddar and onion inside. The sauce was just ok. Decent tomato flavor, but no spice of any kind. The tacos were ground beef and the beef itself was flavored well, but basically wasn't much different from a fast food taco. The beans were sadly VERY dry and the rice was just ok, it could've used a bit more flavor. My favorite part was the sopapillas, which you can find at the tortilla chip and salsa bar. They were little fried pillows of deliciousness covered in sugar and cinnamon. I would eat here again, but likely wouldn't go out of my way to do so.
Dad used to carry me in car seat in 1971 now I will see close in December,,,sad day my favorite place to eat,not the greatest slot of memorys
Have gone to dons even in the seventies. Love their cheese sauce. And love all dishes. Not greasy! It's the only Mexican restaurant that I love. Not overpriced.
Didn't know the owner defied mask mandate. Am glad I frequented this great American institution since it opened. Too bad you masked traitors don't know you're destroying the country and are (FAR) worse than Benedict Arnold. At least he wasn't an American yet. Keep fighting folks!