Pineapple shaved ice at Lilo’s Shaved Ice // Photo by Tiffany Watts
Lilo’s Shaved Ice
It’s hotter than the devil’s armpit here in Kansas City, so this week I stopped by Lilo’s Shaved Ice stand in Parkville to treat myself to one of their stuffed shaved ice cups.
Of course, your typical shaved ice refreshment is just shaved ice and flavored syrup. Although delicious by itself, Lilo’s adds a twist to some of their confections by stuffing their cups with flavored shaved ice and ice cream!
Ready to dive in, I browsed the menu and came across two options that stood out. The first was one of their specialty treats: the Love Triangle ($5.75). It’s a terrifically sweet mixture of chocolate cream, raspberry with banana ice cream, and drizzled with chocolate sauce.
The second was a cup of shaved ice with pineapple syrup ($3.75). I couldn’t decide which one sounded better so I just ordered both.
Lilo’s Shaved Ice // Photo by Tiffany Watts
The Love Triangle came out first and was just as it was described: a cup of cold, sweet, goodness. The scoop of shaved ice sat on top of the ice cream and my spoonful of both tasted like bubble gum and chocolate. The playful flavor pairing really hit the spot.
Next, I grabbed my cup of pineapple shaved iced which tasted like juice and childhood summers at the pool. As I sat under the umbrellas next to the shaved ice stand, the heat turned my iced treat into a drink and I found myself liking it even more as the water washed a bit of sweetness away, making the flavor just right.
If you’re a lover of sweet treats, Lilo’s is definitely a little gem worth trying! You can find their stands in Liberty and Parkville or book them for your private event. Unlimited shaved ice bar at your summer wedding? I think so!
Lilo’s Shaved Ice has two locations. Liberty: 8690 N. Flintlock Rd. Kansas City, MO 64157. Parkville: 6282 N Chatham Ave, Kansas City, MO 64151.
Latte at Fitti’s Espresso // Photo by Tiffany Watts
Fitti’s Espresso
A few months ago, I stumbled upon a cute little coffee shop tucked in the back of a parking lot next door to a burger joint: Fitti’s Espresso. Before entering, I looked it up online and realized that this woman and veteran-owned coffee shop was quite popular.
Aside from wondering how I’ve lived in the northland for years and never heard of this place, I also wondered if the coffee was as good as the reviews said it was. So I popped in, tasted my first cup of Fitti’s coffee, and since then it’s been a favorite.
Since I had a hankering for a slow morning this week, I decided to head in, find a comfy spot to settle into, and sip on a large sugar-free vanilla latte with oat milk ($7.81).
As I sipped my latte, I chatted with Jessi, one of the owners who shared a bit of their origin story.
While she and her husband, Jeff, now own Fitti’s, the original cafe was started in 1993 by her mother-in-law, Kathy Fithen, and her twin sister, Christy Fithen. Known as the Fitti sisters throughout their childhood, they opened the first Fitti’s Espresso in Kansas and made a name for themselves by operating the first drive-thru cafe in the area and providing a full menu of coffee, Italian roasted espresso from Seattle, and handmade baked goods.
Since their Seattle-made espresso and handmade scones and cookies were a hit back in the day, Jessi and her husband made sure to keep those items on the menu and say that they are still loved by their customers today.
As one of those customers, I can agree that their espresso is delicious. Its smooth taste has my taste buds hooked!
I also appreciate that as a veteran-owned coffee shop, they offer veterans and first responders 10% off every order. For civilians like me, their loyalty program offers a free drink after the 10th purchase, and boy oh boy do I love free coffee!
If you happen to stop in, grab something tasty to drink and snack on, and take a few minutes to check out the memorabilia on their walls to be transported back in time. You’ll see articles and snapshots of the Fitti sisters throughout their journey, along with the first-ever Fitti’s Espresso sign.
Fittis Espresso is located at 7612 NW Prairie View Rd Kansas City, MO 64151.