City: Kansas City, MO

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (816) 756-2300

Address: 4855 Main St.

Description: The pretty proprietor of the Mixx comes by her culinary instincts naturally. Jo Marie Scaglia’s dad, Mario, is part of the family that brought Kansas City the grinder—an Italian roll stuffed with meatballs, sauce, and cheese. Jo Marie’s legacy is introducing the most inventive way to order a salad or sandwich since . . . well, since sliced bread. The fun starts at the counter, when diners order a basic salad, then customize it from 50 ingredients ranging from orange wedges to fried capers. Add roasted chicken or other goodies, choose a house-made salad dressing, and then watch the chef assemble your fresh masterpiece. If you’re not feeling creative, stick with a specialty salad like the Knife & Fork with grilled steak, roasted potatoes, and caramelized onions. At less than 10 bucks it’s slightly more moolah than a fast-food joint, and the portions at the Mixx are big enough to share. Sandwiches are also DIY affairs, or choose a proven winner like the Thanksgiving Favorite with roasted turkey, cranberry chutney, and lettuce on a ciabatinni roll. The Mixx also shines with savory stews and chowders and a daily pasta special. Kids get grilled cheese sandwiches or Mom’s Buttered Noodles, and everybody needs to grab a cupcake or cookie. Wine and beer are available as well. Jo Marie is now sharing the love at a second location in the Power & Light District. Expect lines at both places at the noon hour; both are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. And check out Jo Marie’s sister Kathy Scaglia Green’s hip bistro in the Freight House District, Twenty 20.