Chubby's on Broadway
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Although Chubby's is simply a glorified diner, the atmosphere is fun, upbeat, and lively. The food can be really great, especially for the price, or mediocre, depending on what you order. Open 24 hours, it's one of the few places you can go late at night and have a good meal. Compared to some of the other late-night diner venues like Winstead's, Town Topic, and Denny's, it stands out head and shoulders above the rest for food, service, and atmosphere. Try the patty melt, big burger, ice cream float.
Atmosphere
Chubby's re-creates the 50's diner experience with a color scheme of black, white, and red. A long diner counter is lined with red leather and chrome stools, the obligatory pies in the display case, the walls are flanked by roomy black leather booths and shiny formica tables, and the walls are covered with old photos of 50's stars. Each booth is equipped with its own mini jukebox and the sounds of everything from Garth Brooks to the Beatles play over the speakers.
The space is large and even when busy it seems there is always a booth available if you want one. We've only gone to Chubby's at night, late usually, but it always seems bustling and lively.
The space is large and even when busy it seems there is always a booth available if you want one. We've only gone to Chubby's at night, late usually, but it always seems bustling and lively.
Service
The servers here are always friendly and accommodating, some of the best I've seen in KC, especially considering the food is not expensive and the checks most likely do not yield big tips. Good for them! That said, there have been a few times where we've had to wave our hands to break our waitress away from a chatty conversation with a coworker. And, one time, our server told us she couldn't hear us because she was sick- EW! And, sometimes as you walk in, the servers are outside smoking. I don't care if they smoke, but I'd rather not see it before I eat. Still, overall, very good service, from the cashier, to the counter, to the servers. Everyone is always pleasant, happy, and full of energy.
Food
Chubby's has a nice selection of regular diner fare: burgers, breakfasts, meatloaf, chili, but the selection is large enough that you can eat as poorly or healthfully as you desire. Personally, I love the patty melt ($4.89), a hamburger patty with grilled onions, cheese, lettuce, and tomato, on grilled rye bread. It's perfectly crisp and toasty on the outside but never greasy inside. I get it a la carte, but you can also get fries, curly Qs, or tater tots, all of which are good. The tater tots especially were crispy and hot outside, soft and tender inside, reminding me of my childhood, when I could eat those things without guilt. Instead of the fries, I go for an ice cream float, vanilla soft-serve and soda. I get diet Dr. Pepper. It's always delicious. On occasion, we've tried other things, 'The Big Meal', a huge burger with potatoes and a malt for $10.59, fries with gravy, chili ($4.19) and all have been OK, though it's the burgers that stand out for me, not gourmet but always good and reasonably-priced. The malt we tried was cherry and it tasted a little too fake-cherry for me, also it didn't have any malt powder in it, which technically makes it a shake, I guess. Vanilla or chocolate may have been the better choice. But, still, you can't beat the quality for the price, especially late at night. One day I may venture out and try an omelet or salad, or something, if I can bypass my favorite patty melt.
Cleanliness
Always clean, Chubby's is kept in excellent condition.
Pros
If you're hungry late at night and want a friendly, casual place with good food at very reasonable prices, then Chubby's is for you! The service is always friendly and the atmosphere buzzing, even late at night. The atmosphere is fun and cheerful.
Cons
Some of the food can be hit and miss, the cherry 'malt', for instance, the chili is so-so. The servers smoke outside as you walk in and have no problem telling you they are sick as they hand you your food.
