about us

R.C.'s Restaurant and Lounge, Inc. was started in 1973 by Raymond Charles VanNoy, Jr. (R.C. for short). A twenty-five year veteran of National Cash Register, he also worked part-time for his cousin nights and weekends at Jess & Jim's Steakhouse in Martin City.

The original building where the restaurant was located was formerly a machine shop. R.C. turned it into a restaurant which seated 100 in the dining room and 36 in the lounge.

R.C.'s first achieved recognition for its lounge and jukebox. R.C. then hired a well-known pan fried chicken specialist, redheaded Betty Lucas. Betty taught R.C.'s three sons, Chuck, David, and Mike, all the secrets of serving a homemade family style fried chicken dinner.

The restaurant became a family operation with R.C.s managing, his wife doing the bookwork, his daughter waiting tables and his three sons cooking. The fried chicken meals were so good that on Fridays and Saturdays, people waiting in line for a table would sit with strangers so they could all eat faster.

R.C. became the owner of Jess & Jim's Steakhouse, leaving his restaurant to be run by his three sons. The boys increased business so much that even though Betty moved on, they transferred the operation to a bigger and better building across the street from the original R.C.'s. The grand opening for the new location occurred on New Year's Eve of 1982.

The restaurant now has two stories - upstairs is Kansas City's most unique sports bar, R.C.'s Back Door Bar and Grill. The Back Door is open every evening featuring karaoke, local bands, and many daily specials.

• R.C's is still proudly family owned and operated.
• Ask about our private dining rooms.
• Carry-out available.