Dorri Partain
Dorri Partain
Managing Editor
From hot, crispy fries to cold, creamy shakes and sundaes, the new menu at Harold’s Drive-In (1337 Admiral Blvd.) offers a nostalgic taste of the past — in more ways than one.
Last December, regular customers lamented the closing of this eatery named Harold’s — which had a 66-year run — and flocked to enjoy their favorite menu items one last time before doors closed on Dec. 31, 2024. The restaurant’s owner at the time, Deb Walker, wasn’t able to renew the month-to-month lease with the building’s owner or move Harold’s to another location.
However, the building didn’t sit vacant long before a new owner — a customer aware of the nostalgia connected with the restaurant’s name — began preparations to carry on its familiar menu, while rebranding and adding additional menu items.
After cleaning, painting and installing new — but retro — signage, owner Nate Bond was ready to reopen the establishment and offer up classic tastes to Harold’s customers on Friday, April 25.
During an interview, Bond said that he was excited to reopen and that business was going well, with customers rushing in to see the new look. Bond shared that he has a nostalgic connection to Harold’s — remembering when his grandfather, who owned Liberty Fruit Company nearby, took him there for lunch during visits.
This small, metal-framed restaurant building dates to 1948. Harold McBain purchased the building in 1958 and renamed the restaurant “Harold’s Dairy Supreme.” And when Nancy Smith, a former employee of McBain’s, took over operations 1999, the name and menu remained the same. Walker began assisting at Harold’s in 2003 and took over ownership in 2020, but stated in an interview before closing, that hardships during the Covid-19 pandemic saw a downturn in customers, which never returned to its previous levels.
To recapture the original style of this mid-century structure, Bond removed a wooden deck addition at the front of the building and painted the floor tiles in a checkerboard pattern.
Bond shared his focus on classic drive-in menu items is also based on providing fresh, made-to-order servings. Tenderloins (pork or chicken) are pounded and hand-breaded and fresh ground beef is smashed on the grill for burger patties. Only the french fries and tater tots are purchased frozen. Along with house-made chili, the menu offers fresh made, hand-breaded onion rings and mozzarella sticks.
Like previous owners, Bond is on-site, chatting with customers and helping prepare orders. His restaurant experience includes a few previous eateries around Kansas City — Messy’s and Crown Point Tavern.
“I wanted Harold’s to have that simple, drive-in feel, an old school look,” said Bond. “I’m excited to be in the neighborhood and continue to serve customers that will enjoy Harold’s for years to come.”
Harold’s Drive-In is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Orders can be called in at 816-518-2234. A full menu with online order placement is available at: https://order.toasttab.com/online/harolds-1958-llc-1337-admiral-blvd.
admin
Daisy Garcia Montoya
-
