Price Guide (average entree): $ bargain - $6 or less, $$ inexpensive - $6 - $12, $$$ moderate $12 - $19, $$$$ expensive - over $19.
Quality Rating: Superb is the highest, considered the very best possible. Notes are qualifiers allowing insight into the reviewer's rating. Disclaimer
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Farm | Location: | Lee's Summit Road & Highway 40 |
| Cuisine: | Homestyle | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | tacky | Notes: | old-fashioned rooms in a maze-like environment |
| Food: | substandard | Notes: | Dry, overcooked and uninspired |
| Service: | poor; | Notes: | Brought the meals before the salads! |
| Favorites: | the water |
| Comments: | This place was all hype. We were really expecting a great, home cooked meal. What we got was a shock to the senses. The food is way too pricey for what you get. The porkchops were very dry. The baked potato was covered with a Velveta-like substance and the other side items were
miniscule and bland. We spent 20 minutes waiting for the salads and out came the pork chops! The waitress did apologize and said she'd take them back and bring the salads. We waited another 10 minutes and then got the salads! Another 20 minutes and the pork chops reappeared. It was an
obvious mistake, yet there was no offer to compensate us for the mix-up. Wild horses couldn't drag me back to that place. (I'd also recommend they invest in a duster. The antique look is quaint, but it really needs to be cleaned up a bit.) Don't waste your money here. |
| Reviewer: | Joseph |
Date: | 4/27/00 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Farm | Location: | 40 Hwy & Lee's Summit Rd., Independence |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | | Notes: | country decor |
| Food: | *** excellent | Notes: | never had a bad meal here |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | usually excellent, but VERY variable |
| Favorites: | Chicken & Cream, Sauteed Livers, BBQ Gizzards |
| Comments: | We love this restaurant, but we have had some very poor service
at times, also. We have decided to begin making reservations to always sit in Jerry's service section. He is AMAZING! We love the food, and when you have a great server too, what an experience! |
| Reviewer: | Elizabeth |
Date: | 7/3/00 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Farm | Location: | 40 HWY and Lee's Summit Road |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | Country Home inspired, though a little dark |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | It varies too much |
| Service: | *** excellent | Notes: | Your server is the key at this place |
| Favorites: | Marinated K.C Strip, Liver appit. |
| Comments: | Many people come to Stepenson's and come away disappointed. That is too bad. This place is truly a landmark in K.C. and should be tried out by more people. I have enjoyed many dining experiences there and intend on doing so again. When dining at Stepenson's the key to the whole evening is your server. There are only three main servers you want to use, ask for them and refuse anyone else. They are Jerry, Mark, or Sherry. All of these people have worked there for a decade. They are simply great at their job and these are the people that made this place great. They have a few long time servers who work once and a while that are good but the rest of their service staff STINK to be polite. Stephenson's has 4 rooms usually open during the week. Hank and Sherry usually work the middle back room, it's the one that is brown the "Porch", or something like that. Anyway, Jerry works in the Yard, it's the room with the stupid tree in it. On the food end of the evening think about ordering the Marinated K.C. strip, the Jumbo shrimp, or the Pork Chops. The strip is really good, if you order it medium or less. The shrimp are really large and the batter is good. The
pork chops are variable in quality but when done well they are great. If they are burnt or dry send them back they will get you some different ones ASAP. If you must try their hallmark chicken courses try the Smoked; stay away from the Baked chicken in butter sauce it is not that good and tastes
like they use half margerine half butter on it and has a tendency to taste like the top of it was burnt then that part of it turned back into the pan, either that or the taste may be from being under the heat rack too long. It is just bad to my tastes. Same with the Green Rice thing they give you with your meal. I would like to ask why they even bother to do this still. Most people don't touch it and when you do it really tastes like some did to it like they did to the Baked chicken. Not that good at all. Consider the livers or gizzards...I know, I know most people do not like these dishes but the ones here are quite good and one never knows
they may change your mind. Dessert is kind of an after thought, usually one has had one too many rolls and muffins with dinner. If you do have it the best things are: Apple Dumpling, Chocolate Cake, and Apple Pie. Overall it is a solid dining experience. If you get one of the three people I mentioned you will not be disappointed. If you get one of the
other people they have around all bets are off. If you have any problems the mangagment namely Rick Stephenson or Mike Turner will fall over themselves to correct the issue. In closing DO NOT order or consume their Mrs. Truman's Punch. It's true she may have liked it but it tastes like someone mixed a cheap Pink Chablis some triple sec or what not in a jug then stuck some fruit in it. Simple put it is horrible and should only be used to take the paint off cars not drank by people. |
| Reviewer: | John |
Date: | 7/19/00 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Farm | Location: | Lee's Summit Road and Hwy. 40 |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | strange decor, needs pulling together |
| Food: | * average | Notes: | don't order the stuffed mushrooms - YUCK! |
| Service: | poor | Notes: | I can be too critical, but, get with it, Folks! |
| Favorites: | brisket |
| Comments: | We have eaten at Stephenson's for the past three years for the
main reason of receiving a $10 coupon in the mail for our anniversary. This coupon helped us make our restaurant choice of Stephenson's since our drive is quite a distance. Sure, there is much better food and extremely better service than Stephenson's, but, a tradition is after all a tradition. You suffer through Aunt Madge's pecan pie every year at Christmas, don't you? The food is as good as you get at a special occasion food preparation at home. Some items are really good (thebrisket) and others just don't need to be on the table but you don't want to hurt your mom's feelings (the chicken cooked in cream is one of these items). Will we go to Stephenson's again? No. Not only is the coupon now no longer
honored, we couldn't even get the manager to talk with us. Rose was too busy to stop and talk to a faithful customer. She did finally talk to us on our second call...it was the principle of the matter at this point we were standing for. And, besides, why do we want to stand and wait to be seated (even with a reservation and plenty of empty seats available) and pay (with a reduction) for food that is just ok. Stephenson's should step up the beat a bit, train their servers better and try some new items for the menu. |
| Reviewer: | Elizabeth |
Date: | 10/21/00 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's | Location: | Lee's Summit Road and Hwy. 40 |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | **** superb | Notes: | Old Mansion converted to restaurant |
| Food: | **** superb | Notes: | Fabulous smoked items |
| Service: | **** superb | Notes: | Rolls brought straight from oven |
| Favorites: | Hickory Smoked Chicken, Frozen Fruit Salad, Apple Fritters |
| Comments: | This restaurant is spectacular. You would be wise to ignore bad reviews. One-of-a-kind place. Fancy atmosphere, candle-type ambiance, specials on Sundays. They are catering my upcoming wedding. That's how good they are. If you want loud, fast-paced Applebee's, don't bother. |
| Reviewer: | Kara |
Date: | 4/25/01 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's | Location: | Lee Summit |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | |
| Food: | *** excellent | Notes: | |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | |
| Favorites: | Briskit |
| Comments: | I could not believe when I read some of the reviews , apple farm is a tradition, the green rice is a must and the apple fritters are
excellant, I have been going to this lacation for 48 years, and never had
bad service. food was always top notch, and hospitality , Try the apple
daquiras!!!! |
| Reviewer: | Sande |
Date: | 8/26/02 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Orchard | Location: | Old 40 highway and Lees Summit Rd |
| Cuisine: | American country | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | ** very good | Notes: | Can sometimes be loud and too crowded. |
| Food: | *** excellent | Notes: | Um, baked chicken and cream and the green rice! Superb |
| Service: | *** excellent | Notes: | I have never had a bad meal or bad service here |
| Favorites: | Smoked brisket, chicken, baked chicken and cream, green
rice, apple fritters |
| Comments: | I think before people condemn a restaurant, they should eat there at various times of the day, and different times of the week. I have and I have never had a bad meal or poor service after 30 years. I like the ambience, but it does seem somewhat like a maze and the lighting could be better, but it could be better in every restaurant in KC. I love the fritters, rolls, too. It's just a nice place to dine. |
| Reviewer: | Joyce |
Date: | 10/21/02 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm Restaurant | Location: | 40 Hwy & Lee's Summit Rd., Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cuisine: | American Family | Price: | ^^^ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | |
| Food: | substandard | Notes: | Declined greatly since last year |
| Service: | poor | Notes: | Had to request items normally provided |
| Favorites: | Was pork chops |
| Comments: | Last year, pork chops were 1", thick, and juicy. This year, they were 1/4", and dry as a bone. Service was poor. We never recieved apple fritters until requested. We had a large party, and it was close to the Christmas holiday, but this was no different from last year. My concern, is a general decline in the quality of food in restaurants. I am disappointed in other upscale restaurants in the area, but those are for
other reviews. I am tired of spending more money and getting less... much
less. Thank you. |
| Reviewer: | James |
Date: | 12/23/02 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm Restaurant | Location: | 40 Hwy & Lee's Summit Rd., Kansas City, Mo. |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | ^^^ moderate |
| Ambience: | **** superb | Notes: | Excellent-next to none |
| Food: | **** superb | Notes: | Excellent |
| Service: | | Notes: | Excellent-Jerry-Sherry-Mark |
| Favorites: | Brisket/Smoked Chicken/deserts |
| Comments: | I live 4-1/2 hrs. west on I-70 and have drove to Stephenson's just for their Brisket /Hickory smoked chicken. As long as
Jerry/Sherry/Mark are serving, my family has always had excellent
''SERVICE''. Between my wife and I we sent about 5-10 customers a year to
Stephenson's when asked where to stay in MO. and where to dine at.
Stephenson's is always our first choice |
| Reviewer: | Robert |
Date: | 12/31/02 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm Restaurant | Location: | Kansas City, Missouri |
| Cuisine: | american/ casual | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | *** excellent | Notes: | |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | |
| Service: | ** very good | Notes: | |
| Favorites: | Jumbo Shrimp/ Marinated K.C. |
| Comments: | |
| Reviewer: | Aaron |
Date: | 2/24/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm | Location: | 40 Highway & Lee's Summit Rd |
| Cuisine: | Home Cooking | Price: | $$$$ expensive |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | |
| Food: | substandard | Notes: | Steak ordered well done was bloody |
| Service: | poor | Notes: | Too many customers for waitress |
| Favorites: | Nothing so far |
| Comments: | Our second and last visit. The steak quality was poor for Filet Mignon and was not done. Baked potatoe was cold. The waitress could not given the serive to customers because she had to many. We did not blame
her, but the restaurant. Had to wait forever to get food. No sweetner on
table and had no refills of water We will not go back again. When you
spend $21.95 per person for dinner you expect a certain amount of service
and you expect something about the meal to taste good. |
| Reviewer: | Mary |
Date: | |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Old Apple Farm | Location: | Independence MO off 40 HWY |
| Cuisine: | homestyle cooking, american | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | **** superb | Notes: | like my grammys house |
| Food: | **** superb | Notes: | they must spend hours! |
| Service: | **** superb | Notes: | they all take pride in what they are doing |
| Favorites: | hickory smoked chicken |
| Comments: | I have been to Stephenson's probably over 100 times, the meals seem never ending so if you go skip breakfast and lunch because you are in for a mouth watering meal!!! The service is wonderful!!! I have been going with my parents since I was old enough to eat solid foods. However I have been a little disappointed in the change in the menu ever since the main owner Loyd Stephenson became sick, I am guessing the changes have occured because of his brother Les Stephenson putting more imput into things, in my opinion he should leave it be it seemed Loyd had things very much in control. However under some new management I have heard (I believe Loyd's son) things are returning to their absolutley delicious ways!!! |
| Reviewer: | Jennifer |
Date: | 7/23/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm Restaurant | Location: | 40 Hwy and Lee's Summit Road |
| Cuisine: | American Home Style | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | *** excellent | Notes: | The atmosphere makes you feel at home. |
| Food: | **** superb | Notes: | Green rice and apple fritters are BEST but all is very good! |
| Service: | *** excellent | Notes: | I have never had poor service in 40 years of going there. |
| Favorites: | Everything |
| Comments: | Anyone who gives Stephenson's a less than excellent review must not have very good taste in restaurants. This is my favorite place in the Kansas City area. |
| Reviewer: | Bonnie |
Date: | 7/25/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stephensons Old Apple Farm | Location: | Lee Summit & Hwy 40 |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | cute atmosphere |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | |
| Favorites: | Brisket and applie pie |
| Comments: | We invited 2 friends from omaha to join us to celebrate our anniversary and all 4 of us loved the restaurant and the food. Best apple fritters ive ever had! |
| Reviewer: | Mary |
Date: | 9/9/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Farm Restaurant | Location: | Old Lee's Summit Road & 40 Highway |
| Cuisine: | American Home Cookin' | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | ** very good | Notes: | Falling Into Disrepair. What a Shame. |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | Undependable. |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | Not like it was 30 years ago. |
| Favorites: | Shrimp, steak, gizzards. |
| Comments: | "You can't go home again." This applies to so many areas of our lives. I worked at the Old Apple Farm back in from 1969~71 when Les & Lloyd were there in person almost daily. Son Steve (a jovial, hard-drinking college boy) was also there and even then, I had serious concerns about what would happen to the place once "the twins" were no longer around. I moved away from Missour and lived elsewhere until several years ago. On our 18th anniversary, I took my wife for a surprise dinner there. We'd had a number of dates in the restaurant and it was one of the few places in K.C. still open after being away for 20 years. What a shock! We asked to be seated in the Parlor, my old "haunt" as a busboy. It was so elegant back then with white tablecloths, real sterling silver flatware, deep upholstered chairs,and heavy ruby red stemmed goblets. Now, I saw cracks in the walls, water-stained sagging ceiling tiles, mismatched globes on the chandeliers sitting askew and covered with dust. The water glass was filmy and the stainless was unclean. How sad!
The salads were the only thing that had not changed, especially the superb Bleu Cheese dressing! The gizzards were a delight to the palate. Unfortunately, much of the remainder of the meal was a disappointment. The pork chops I recalled as being succulent and tender were dry and tough. The Baked Chicken was bland and overdone. The Green Rice (which I have personally prepared for banquets using the Stephenson's recipe . . . and always get rave reviews) was not sufficiently cooked with the wet consistency of a pudding.
I only wish someone at Stephenson's cared enough to correct these problems. As an employer myself, I know it's hard to get good help these days. But other restaurants are able to find high quality staff. Why can't the folks at Stephenson's? It's become so spotty and uncertain that the last time we were in town, we opted for the Olive Garden just a mile down the road from Stephensons. What a shame that such a "grand ol' lady" has fallen into the dust. |
| Reviewer: | Ron |
Date: | 10/21/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stepensons | Location: | Kansas City MO |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | |
| Ambience: | *** excellent | Notes: | cozy. maze like |
| Food: | *** excellent | Notes: | |
| Service: | | Notes: | |
| Favorites: | green rice, hickory smoked chicken |
| Comments: | I love the different rooms, it is like a lot of little restaurants all together. Food is great. Service can be pretty bad although I usually go when I am not in a big hurry so I tend not to notice it as much
|
| Reviewer: | Jesse |
Date: | 12/24/03 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's | Location: | Independence |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | depending on which room |
| Food: | * average | Notes: | apple fritters are excellent |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | _ |
| Favorites: | It was the chicken with cream sauce until last night |
| Comments: | Everything was perfect the first time, but now I would not go again. |
| Reviewer: | Tasho |
Date: | 8/14/04 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's Apple Orchard | Location: | 40HWY & Lee's Sumiit Rd. |
| Cuisine: | Homestyle | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | tacky | Notes: | painting & cleaning would make a big difference |
| Food: | substandard | Notes: | Terrible selection, terrible quality!!! |
| Service: | ** very good | Notes: | Service was the only good part of the meal. |
| Favorites: | Nothing |
| Comments: | Went with some friends for Des Moines, was very dissapointed. Poor selections, very high prices. We paid $20.00 per person & would have done better at Waids for $7.00.
If you want to eat out, stop by McDonalds. You will be more impressed. |
| Reviewer: | Julian |
Date: | 8/24/04 |
| Restaurant: | 10/6/04 | Location: | 40hiway&Lees Summit Rd. |
| Cuisine: | _ | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | * average | Notes: | Could be cleaner |
| Food: | substandard | Notes: | Ribs were dry and overcooked and tough |
| Service: | poor | Notes: | Service was good til I complained |
| Favorites: | _ |
| Comments: | This was my birthday luncheon. I ordered ribs and when I got them they looked dry, but I tried to go on and let it pass. After eating one, I told the waitress I couldn't eat them. She told me she ate them at times and they were always good. She then brought my bill and took the plate. I left and at least reduced the price of my meal by her tip |
| Reviewer: | Chuck |
Date: | 10/7/04 |
| Restaurant: | Stephenson's | Location: | Lee's Summit Road and highway 40 |
| Cuisine: | homestyle | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | ** very good | Notes: | each room a different homey decor |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | food still good, but has slipped |
| Service: | * average | Notes: | nice waitresses, but very forgetful |
| Favorites: | brisket, smoked chicken, zucchini souflet |
| Comments: | Our family has frequented this restaurant for years and alhtough it has not retained the quality of years past, it was still a natural choice for my grandma's 80th bday. On arrival, we were told that whoever had taken our reservation had not written it down, so although they were expecting 15 of us, they didn't know when and could we please sit in the lounge or smoking. They then managed to find us a non-smoking table, but it was up a tall flight of steps for an 80 year old, a man w/a pronounced limp, and a man in need of a knee replacement. We order the escargot and received the tongs five minutes after it arrived and the little forks that go w/ it 5 minutes after the tongs. They didn't give my husband and I what we had ordered and to correct it our waitress actually took porkchops off our plate w/ her fingers at the table. One member of our party received his entree a full 10-15 minutes after the rest of our party had received ours. My husband never got the bbq sauce he requested and my uncle never received the baked potato that is to come w/ every entree. Our apple butters didn't have a spoon to dish them from, we never saw the corn relish, and our dinner rolls were hard. I spoke to the manager who gave no response to any of my complaints except the touching of the food w/ fingers. After we arrived home we looked at the bill more closely and realized we had been charged for an extra entree! Will I go there again? Yes, but not w/ a large party and not for an occassion as special as this one should have been. What happened to this once KC treasure? |
| Reviewer: | Erin |
Date: | 6/5/05 |
| Restaurant: | Stephensons | Location: | Kansas City |
| Cuisine: | American | Price: | $$$ moderate |
| Ambience: | ** very good | Notes: | atmospher depends somewhat in what room you are seated |
| Food: | ** very good | Notes: | Order items that are their specialties |
| Service: | poor | Notes: | Do not be in a hurry when you dine here, enjoy it! |
| Favorites: | All chicken items |
| Comments: | We have been going to Stephenson's for almost 20 years. We love the place; however, we have learned some secrets. Go for lunch rather than dinner since the prices are more reasonable, and do not go at peak times. The waiter who helps you is very important; most of them are quite good. Do NOT be in a rush here to eat, as the service is more relaxed. If you expect fast service, you will be disappointed! Also, enjoy the various special free items such as the wonderful fritters. The most expensive items are not necessarily the best; for example, all of the chicken dishes are heavenly, but steaks can be so-so. Reservations for Friday and Saturday nights are a good idea, but on other days you should be able to get a table in 5-20 minutes. |
| Reviewer: | Christopher |
Date: | 6/12/05 |
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