FÜD in Kansas City, Missouri is the perfect example of why it’s so gratifying to support small businesses.  There is a sense of personality and a way that the consumer feels like she/he is directly supporting a family that is really satisfying.  When my husband and I stopped in at FÜD for lunch, there were just a few people working at the restaurant.  We were immediately greeted by a very perky and outgoing lady behind the counter.  She asked if we’d been there before and proceeded to go over every menu item.  In place of menus, they have a chalkboard, and she explained the way that each item in their entirely vegan and partially raw menu is prepared.  It was clear that she was excited about each item and had a sincere love of the food.

We started with a Red Cooler, which is a mixture of Rooibos (African Red Bush tea) and apple juice.  Rooibos is a favorite tea of mine, but it had never occurred to me to mix it with juice.  It was a sensationally refreshing combination.

While we waited for our orders, we had a chance to look over the intimate restaurant.  It is a small space, but the large front windows give it a lot of light.  From the gold walls to the spoon-shaped door handle, every detail gives an idea of their fun take on food.  This would be an inviting place to come with friends, order several dishes, and try a variety of flavors.

They are open to customization of their menu items, and so I ordered their Portobello Wrap but with a collard leaf instead of the standard flour tortilla.  Delicious sautéed strips of Portobello mushroom, red bell peppers, onion, and chard were laid on a leaf, covered in a goji cheddar sauce and served with a side salad.  The rich, full-bodied sauce had me practically licking my plate clean.

My husband had the Jackphish tacos.  Typically I see jackfruit smothered in barbecue sauce in Southern-style dishes.  It was nice to see it getting used in a completely different way.  Fried corn tortillas were folded around spicy jack fruit and topped with cashew cheddar and sour cream and a small side of guacamole and pico.

For planning future dining, their online menu is extremely handy.  It has pictures of most of their entrees, and each entrée is clickable.  From the link they have information about the ingredients in each entrée, which aspects are organic, local, raw, gluten free, nut free, soy free, sugar free, and salt free for further customization.  I noticed while checking out their online menu that since I was there they have added a jackfruit reuben.  What’s that I smell?  I think it’s a future Kansas City weekend ahead!

FÜD is located at 813 W. 17th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.