We have always thought that we were “A little bit of Italy in Old Westport”.

But most know us as the “Home of the Grinder”.

In 1904 this was a thriving horse shoeing business with the stables on the ground level and living quarters upstairs. Some of the rings used to tie up horses are still attached to our walls.  You know, it’s said that sometimes at night you can hear the ring of a hammer on an anvil and the crack of a whip.

The first hot dog stand in Kansas City occupied what is now Mario’s Grinder Co. carry out.

The Waid family has owned Mario’s since 1976. (Bob Waid was the founder of the Waid’s Restaurant chain in the KC area). Our philosophy has remained the same over the years.  We make as much as we can from scratch using the best ingredients available.

In 2007 Mario's made a big change.  After 32 years and many great memories, I decided to shrink the business.  By making a smaller foot print we could continue providing the Grinder, the most unique sandwich in the Kansas City area.  I own the building and have leased former dinning-rooms to other businesses and offices.

On your next visit take some time to view the old photos of Mario's past. They are located on the green wall in the Cafe seating area.  Going through the carry-out door will take you to many of the former wall hangings that were throughout Mario's.  The signed portrait of Sophia Loren is hanging there.  The picture of Sophia was at one time plastered to a wall, so to remove and frame it, the wall was cut out.  The pictures weighs almost 40 pounds.

We are glad to have served our customers all these years and look forward to the future.   

John Waid

Owner