(816) 531-0550
3904 Bell St and Crown Center Shops
Kansas City,
MO
64111
39.0572
-94.6062
Neighborhoods: Volker, Midtown - Westport
Last updated 2.19.11
Category:
Delis And Delicatessens, Catering, Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, Diners Club, MasterCard
Cuisine:
Smoking Permitted:
Yes
What People Are Saying About D'bronx
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – Though D'Bronx has since spread, this original Bell Street shop draws the biggest crowd of urban neighbors and suburban schleppers. Owner Janet Bloom says that this spot is reminiscent of her dad's Bronx deli, with old hardwood floors, tin ceiling, graffiti-filled brick walls and friendly counter service. While widely considered the best pizzeria in town for its whole pies and single slices, D'Bronx gets still more cheers for high-stacked deli sandwiches and subs, including a Reuben potent with sauerkraut. Save room for some of the sweeter touches, like fresh limeades,…
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Order at the counter, then hold onto your receipt. You'll need it to claim your meal.
One of the best
by roman2010 at Citysearch
d'BRONX enjoys high ratings overall and some people claim it's the best pizza in Kansas City. Located at 3904 Bell St, they claim to have New York-style pizza. While it's certainly not as thin as real NY-style pizza, it definitely is good. The place has a nice atmosphere and a friendly staff. They are known for their 30" pizza pies ($45-75), which are large enough to feed a family for at least a couple of days, but they also sell their pizza by the slice ($2.85 - $4.95 per slice). Their menu says about their pizza: "may take 16-20 minutes, but worth the wait" and I would agree with that. Of all pizzas in Kansas City, this is my favorite one so far.
Rating: A-
If you enjoyed this review please visit my pizza blog: worldpizzatour.blogspot dot com.
- Pros: Great taste, largest pizzas in KC
- Cons: A bit pricey
Average Pizza and Subs (Crown Center location)
by jkboston1050 at Citysearch
When I walked in, I kind of got the feeling that this wasn't the place for me. After browsing the food, I became a little skeptical. But right before I walked out, I saw some really favorable Zagat reviews on the back wall. Sadly, the food did not live up to the reviews. The pizza was bland. The crust was pretty good...yet the cheese and sauce lacked any zip. Like the pizza, the meatball sub was bland and briney (yes, they packed a pickle with the sub...which was a first for me). The host was not too friendly, but wasn't rude. My order was processed pretty quickly...however, some of their items take at least 20 minutes (lasagna, calzones and pizza). If you really want pizza and are in a hurry, get the premade slices. All in all, a little disappointing.
- Pros: Average Food, Decent Price, Boylans Soda, Location
- Cons: Average Food, Not the Friendliest Place, Long Waits
Decent food, slow service, rude management, recent price hikes, often under-cooked - not NY, but ok (review of all 3 locations)
by Wes1964 at Citysearch
I'm a local - I live in Westport & work downtown, often lunch here (until recently), & know each location intimately:
Pizza:
Not really NY style (I agree w/ the other reviewers), but still in top 10 pizza shops in KC. Pizza would get 4 stars except for two things: Takes way too long to get a slice (again, in agreement w/ other reviews). 2nd, they hiked the prices on the part pizzas - $60 for a cheese only xlarge pizza? Get real.
Party Pizzas:
1-star...overpriced!
Sandwiches:
Probably your best bet. Nothing terribly unique about their ingredients (hot & cold, on a line, Subway-style), & often difficulties w/ special orders. Ingredients are fresh, decent overall - 3.5 - 4 stars.
Lasagna & Eggplant:
My favorite dish...HOWEVER, often undercooked. In fact, 2 out of 3 times it's FROZEN in the middle (yes, ice cube frozen), even when I specifically ask them to PAY ATTENTION! And, because they are from the freezer, these dishes take minimum 25 minutes, so it doesn't work for lunch hour. If it's cooked properly, 4 - 4.5 stars...but let's be fair & honest. If they are under-cooking nearly 70% of the time, this is a pretty severe problem. I hope there are no raw ingredients in there!
Management:
Here's another 1-star. The Metcalf location is chaotic, & nobody seems to care if the order is wrong. At Bell, the gray-haired woman, & at Crown Center (Suzy?) are pretty rude & snotty most of the time, even to regulars. Recently @ Crown Center, the cashier was helping make sure I got the order exactly how I wanted, and the manager stepped in, interrupted me, & she started berating the poor guy. Major improvement needed.
Staff:
Pretty good most of the time, except (as I said) they often under-cook & get confused by special orders. 3 stars.
Bottom Line:
Used to be a special place. Pretty sad to watch these restaurants devolve. Now I tend to avoid.
- Pros: cold sandwiches are fast, best bet. if ordering pizza, get a pre-made slice or wait forever
- Cons: sometimes under-cooked, rude staff/management, sometimes long waits
Crown Center Location - A sammich, piece a pie and a smile
by foodadikt at Citysearch
While I love the Bell street location, it's the Crown Center spot that keeps me coming back for more. I work downtown and walk to D'Bronx for lunch about twice a week for a great made to order deli sammich or a couple pieces of pizza pie...not to mention some great soups. While I love pizza, all kinds and styles of pizza, D'Bronx carries a great tradition of NYC style pizza, mind you it's not true NYC pizza but they've captured the essence and gave it the flare needed to make KC proud of this home town spot. The main reason I continue to come to D'Bronx is the staff, while the food is always excellent which I expect, what I don't expect and don't receive in many other joints I spent time in is the service and personal friendliness that's carried within the NYC deli like atmosphere. Where they know how many times you come in during the week, remember the things you order, smile and ask how your day is and maybe even do a little dance while they hop to the music playing in the background always appearing to be having a good time while kicking out food to a line of people waiting 25 deep. It's the people and the continued treatment on top of the great food that will continue to draw my business.
Oh yeah...if you like their sauce...try the lasagne sometime...you'll get your money's worth I guarantee it but call ahead or you'll be waiting for 20 minutes easy...
- Pros: Great friendly atmostphere, good food and great deli menu
- Cons: They can get busy over lunch (with good reason)...so come early or late but if at noon, be ready for a wait.
Not worth the long wait
by MarkusZ at Citysearch
Something's wrong when it takes 17 minutes to get a slice of pizza. It's good pizza but, c'mon, get it together. I would recommend d'Bronx when you have plenty of time to hang out, but if you're in a hurry, forget about it.
- Pros: good pizza
- Cons: it takes them forever to bring the fod


