Hereford House

Hereford House is a traditional Midwestern steakhouse founded in Kansas City in 1957, today a women-owned multi-location institution best known for 21-day-aged, hand-cut, charcoal-grilled steaks.

Description

Hereford House is a Kansas City steakhouse that traces its roots to 1957, when it opened in downtown Kansas City as a traditional Midwestern beef-and-chop house. Over nearly seven decades it has grown into a multi-location operation in the metro and built its identity around aged, hand-cut steaks cooked over charcoal — a presentation it still markets as “21-day-aged, hand-cut daily.”

The restaurant brands itself as “A Kansas City Tradition” and “locally and women-owned and operated.” It positions itself in the classic-steakhouse tier alongside long-running KC beef institutions, emphasizing local longevity (its branding and social presence use the line “KC local since 1957”).

As of 2026 the surviving metro locations are in Independence, Missouri and Shawnee, Kansas. Several other locations — including the original/downtown Kansas City presence, Leawood, and Zona Rosa — have closed over the years, leaving a smaller footprint than at the chain’s peak.

Ownership and history

Hereford House opened in 1957 in downtown Kansas City. Per multiple secondary accounts, the restaurant grew out of an earlier downtown food venture (the “Kansas City Serveteria” at roughly 20th and Main) that was reworked into a steakhouse; founders are commonly named as Jack C. Webb and Joe Marlo, with the steakhouse opening in fall 1957.

A fire is reported to have damaged the restaurant in the mid-1960s, requiring a rebuild.

Ownership is reported to have changed several times: a sale to the “Simpson family” circa 1980, and acquisition by Rod Anderson in November 1987, who ran the Hereford House brand through its multi-location expansion era. The current women-owned framing centers on Camellia Hill, who is reported to own the Independence location (and to have previously owned the now-closed Leawood location).

Tier classification

Tier 2. Hereford House clears the local-rootedness and tenure bars decisively — a genuine KC institution founded in 1957, currently women-owned and locally operated. The Tier 2 (rather than Tier 1) placement reflects the qualifier that it is a multi-location operation whose ownership has passed through several hands over the decades rather than continuous single owner-operator lineage, and current ownership may differ by location.

Menu

Last verified: 2026-07-24 · Source: official site (Popmenu) — Main Menu + Lunch Menu pages · URL(s): https://www.herefordhouse.com/menus/main-menu · https://www.herefordhouse.com/menus/lunch-menu · Confidence: High (full main + lunch menus captured directly from the official site; rotating seasonal/daily-specials, happy-hour, kids, and drinks menus also exist at herefordhouse.com but are not itemized here)

Traditional Kansas City steakhouse — “KC local since 1957.” Site-wide menu covers both metro locations: Independence (19721 E Jackson Dr) + Shawnee (17244 Midland Dr). Serves locally-sourced Certified Hereford Beef — hand-selected, aged 21 days, hand-cut in-house daily. Featured ranches: 4B Livestock (Lathrop, MO), Graves Cattle Company (Chillicothe, MO), Schu-Lar Herefords (Lecompton, KS).¹

Starters

• KC Hot Honey Boneless Wings — house-made ranch, celery — $14¹
• Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail — five poached jumbo shrimp, cocktail sauce — $18¹
• Hereford Sampler — stuffed mushrooms, spinach & artichoke dip, KC hot honey boneless wings — $38¹
• Calamari — cherry peppers, parmesan, tomato basil sauce — $14¹
• Stuffed Mushrooms — blue crab, pimento cheese, breadcrumbs — $14¹
• Jumbo Sea Hogs — four bacon-wrapped jumbo shrimp, creamy tomato-horseradish sauce — $18¹
• Goat Cheese & Habanero Jam — strawberries, grilled baguette — $12¹
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip — creamy melted cheddar, cream cheese, artichoke hearts, baby spinach, charred tomato purée, tortilla chips — $13¹

Soup & Salad

Add: grilled chicken +$8, salmon +$10, beef kabobs +$12. All dressings made in-house: creamy cheddar, creamy Italian, blue cheese, ranch, honey balsamic, caesar, white balsamic vinaigrette, chipotle raspberry vinaigrette.¹

• Prime Rib Stew — slow roasted prime rib, fresh vegetables, potatoes, hearty beef broth — cup $10 / bowl $12¹
• The Wedge — iceberg, red onions, grape tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese dressing, blue cheese crumbles — small $11 / large $15¹
• The 1957 Salad — romaine & iceberg mix, bacon, white cheddar, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, The 1957 Duo: creamy cheddar & creamy Italian dressing — small $11 / large $15¹
• Classic Caesar — romaine hearts, parmesan, house-made croutons, caesar dressing — small $11 / large $15¹

Handhelds

Served with choice of seasoned fries or sweet potato fries.

• KC Hot Honey Sandwich — crispy fried chicken breast, KC hot honey buffalo sauce, pepperjack cheese, creamy blue cheese slaw, brioche bun — $16¹
• Blackened Salmon BLT — grilled blackened salmon, candied bacon, habanero jam, lemon-herb mayonnaise, lettuce, tomato, brioche bun — $19¹
• Hereford Steakburger — 10oz signature blend of CHB ribeye, tenderloin & KC strip; bacon, blue cheese crumbles, HH steak sauce, brioche bun — $17¹

Handcut Steaks

Certified Hereford Beef, 21-day-aged, hand-cut daily; choice of one signature side.

• Center-Cut Filet — lean & naturally tender — 7oz $49 / 9oz $58¹
• The Ribeye — well-marbled for extra flavor — 12oz $54 / 16oz $62¹
• Bacon-Wrapped Medallions — single 5oz $31 / twin 5oz $49¹
• The Kansas City Strip — “the steak that made Kansas City & Hereford House famous” — 12oz $44 / 16oz $55¹
• Cowboy Bone-In Ribeye — 24oz signature bone-in cut — market price¹
• Hereford Prime Rib — signature rub, slow roasted, beef jus, creamy horseradish; limited quantities daily — 12oz $55 / 16oz $69¹
• Steak enhancements: béarnaise sauce +$3 · 6oz lobster tail +$28 · blue cheese & black pepper +$3 · jumbo sea hogs (2) +$9 · blackened & garlic butter +$2 · oscar style +$15 · brown sugar dijon glaze +$3¹

Traditions

• Herf & Surf — 5oz bacon-wrapped filet, 6oz lobster tail with drawn butter, choice of two signature sides — $53¹
• Grilled Pork Loin Chops — grilled thick cut pork chops, brown butter & sage cream sauce, roasted red potatoes, garlic butter green beans — $27¹
• Petit Oscar — 5oz bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, lump blue crab meat, béarnaise sauce, mashed potatoes, sautéed asparagus — single $43 / double $61¹
• Whiskey Medallions — 5oz bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin, whiskey bacon & onion marmalade, mashed potatoes, garlic butter green beans — single $34 / double $52¹
• Country Fried Chicken — buttermilk battered, deep fried chicken breast, country gravy, mashed potatoes, garlic butter green beans — $21¹
• Tradition Ale Fish & Chips — atlantic cod battered in tradition ale, tartar sauce, lemon, seasoned fries — $22¹
• Fire Grilled Meatloaf — CHB steak blend, HH steak sauce, topped with bacon & brown gravy, mashed potatoes, garlic butter green beans — $21¹
• Grilled Salmon — 7oz fillet, house-made rub, garlic butter, potatoes & parmesan broccoli — $28¹

Signature Sides — $6 each¹

Mashed Potatoes · Sweet Potato Fries · Roasted Red Potatoes · Garlic Butter Green Beans · Sautéed Asparagus · Creamy Goat Cheese & Jalapeño Corn · Seasoned Fries · Baked Potato · Cheddar Ranch Potatoes · Parmesan Broccoli · Caramelized Cremini Mushrooms · Smoked Gouda & Bacon Mac’n Cheese

Desserts

• Gooey Butter Cake — dense yellow cake, vanilla cream cheese, whiskey peaches, powdered sugar — $10¹
• Signature House-Made Carrot Cake — walnuts, pineapple, coconut, white chocolate cream cheese icing, caramel sauce, candied english walnuts — $10¹
• White Chocolate Bread Pudding — italian bread, white chocolate cream cheese icing, caramel sauce, brown sugar peaches — $10¹
• Billionaire Chocolate Cake — super rich dark chocolate cake, fudge icing, amarena cherries, whipped cream — $12¹
• Blueberry Lemon Trifle — crumbled ginger snaps, blueberry & basil preserve, lemon curd, whipped cream — $10¹

Lunch (Tuesday–Friday)

Lunch-only items and lunch pricing; starters, sides, and desserts as above.¹

• Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad — grilled chicken breast, romaine hearts, parmesan, croutons, caesar dressing — $20¹
• Dijon Glazed Beef Wedge Salad — beef tenderloin tips glazed with brown sugar dijon, red onions, grape tomatoes, bacon, blue cheese dressing, blue cheese crumbles — $24¹
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich — grilled chicken breast glazed with brown sugar dijon, swiss cheese, applewood smoked bacon, brioche bun, choice of fries — $16¹
• Classic Cheeseburger — 10oz signature blend of ground CHB ribeye, tenderloin & KC strip; choice of cheese, brioche bun, choice of fries — $15¹
• Beef Short Rib Tacos — braised beef short rib, pickled red onion & cabbage, pepperjack cheese, salsa verde, crispy flour tortilla, choice of fries — $16¹
• Prime Rib (lunch cut) — signature rub, slow roasted with beef jus, horseradish cream — 10oz $43 / 12oz $56¹
• Lunch pricing on select mains: Center-Cut Filet 7oz $49 · Ribeye 12oz $54 · KC Strip 12oz $44 · Country Fried Chicken $18 · Fire Grilled Meatloaf $18 · Grilled Pork Loin Chops $24 · Bacon-Wrapped Medallions single $31 / double $49¹

Full menus (incl. seasonal, daily specials, happy hour, kids, wine & cocktails): herefordhouse.com

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Links

• Website: https://www.herefordhouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herefordhouse/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerefordHouse/
• Locations (official): https://www.herefordhouse.com/locations
• Independence page / menu: https://www.herefordhouse.com/independence
• Shawnee page / menu: https://www.herefordhouse.com/shawnee

See also

• independence
• garozzos-ristorante
• kc-steakhouse-tradition
• Registry

Sources

1. Hereford House — official site (Home / About / Locations / Independence) — https://www.herefordhouse.com — accessed 2026-05-30
2. RestaurantKansasCity.com — Hereford House profile (founding, founders, fire, ownership changes) — http://restaurantkansascity.com/herefordhousesteakhousekc.html — accessed 2026-05-30
3. Johnson County Post — Hereford House (current locations, Camellia Hill ownership of Independence, Leawood/Zona Rosa closures) — https://johnsoncountypost.com/2025/08/28/hereford-house-contamination-case-hanson-hearing-267337/ — accessed 2026-05-30
4. Hereford House — official Instagram (“KC local since 1957”) — https://www.instagram.com/herefordhouse/ — accessed 2026-05-30
5. Hereford House — official Locations page (confirms current 2-location footprint: Independence + Shawnee) — https://www.herefordhouse.com/locations — accessed 2026-06-23
6. Yelp — Hereford House Independence, MO (listing live, “Updated May 2026,” 194 reviews) — https://www.yelp.com/biz/hereford-house-independence-3 — accessed 2026-06-23
7. Yelp — Hereford House Shawnee, KS (listing live, “Updated June 2026,” 234 reviews, owner replies Apr 2026) — https://www.yelp.com/biz/hereford-house-shawnee-3 — accessed 2026-06-23

Verification

Drafted 2026-05-30 from web research; 4 sources. Unverified/secondary items flagged: founder names (Webb/Marlo), 1965 fire, Simpson-family and Rod Anderson ownership eras, and whether current ownership is unified or per-location. Official herefordhouse.com/about returned HTTP 403 to automated fetch; founding details corroborated via secondary KC restaurant source and the brand’s own “since 1957” / women-owned positioning.

PASS-4 operating-status re-verification (2026-06-23): registry_status: active re-confirmed. Both locations verified open against the official Locations page and live Yelp business listings with recent 2026 activity — Independence (Yelp “Updated May 2026,” 194 reviews) and Shawnee (Yelp “Updated June 2026,” 234 reviews, owner replies dated April 2026). Official site’s Locations page lists exactly these two; the previously-noted closed sites (downtown KC, Leawood, Zona Rosa) remain closed, so the page’s footprint already matches reality — no reconciliation needed. Added Shawnee address/phone (17244 Midland Dr, 66217; (913) 268-8000), official Locations/Shawnee links, dated per-location status footnotes, and status_last_verified: 2026-06-23. Note: herefordhouse.com and Yelp both return HTTP 403 to automated fetch; status corroborated via WebSearch result snippets (listing freshness, review/menu dates) rather than direct page fetch — no dead/hijacked domains found.

Footnotes

1. Hereford House — official Main Menu and Lunch Menu pages (Popmenu) — https://www.herefordhouse.com/menus/main-menu and https://www.herefordhouse.com/menus/lunch-menu — accessed 2026-07-24. Menu is published site-wide (not per-location). Local-ranch sourcing note from the same pages. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶ ↩⁷ ↩⁸ ↩⁹ ↩¹⁰ ↩¹¹ ↩¹² ↩¹³ ↩¹⁴ ↩¹⁵ ↩¹⁶ ↩¹⁷ ↩¹⁸ ↩¹⁹ ↩²⁰ ↩²¹ ↩²² ↩²³ ↩²⁴ ↩²⁵ ↩²⁶ ↩²⁷ ↩²⁸ ↩²⁹ ↩³⁰ ↩³¹ ↩³² ↩³³ ↩³⁴ ↩³⁵ ↩³⁶ ↩³⁷ ↩³⁸ ↩³⁹ ↩⁴⁰ ↩⁴¹ ↩⁴² ↩⁴³ ↩⁴⁴ ↩⁴⁵ ↩⁴⁶