McLain's Bakery

Introduction / Overview

For generations of Kansas Citians, McLain's Bakery is not just a place to buy a treat; it's a cherished local institution, a source of sweet memories, and a central gathering spot in the heart of Missouri. Established in the Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City, MO, in October 1945, McLain's has been "Making Life's Moments Sweeter" for over 80 years. This longevity speaks volumes, cementing its place as a true community landmark. While the original ownership passed the torch, the current family owners, who acquired the business in 2014, have taken up the legacy with dedication, maintaining the classic recipes while expanding and re-envisioning the concept for today's customer.

The location on Gregory Boulevard perfectly blends history with modern convenience. It operates as a unique hybrid: a classic bakery, a full-service cakery, a bustling breakfast and lunch restaurant, and a cozy coffee shop. From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by the comforting aroma of fresh-baked pastries and house-roasted coffee. The mission is clear: to be a place for the community to gather, whether it’s for a mundane Monday morning coffee, a special birthday lunch, or a monumental life celebration. McLain's products are deeply woven into the day-to-day lives of Missouri residents, providing the backdrop for everything from a child's first birthday to an anniversary celebration.

In addition to their legendary baked goods, McLain's has evolved its offerings to include made-from-scratch food across the board—from the bread used for their sandwiches to the salad dressings—ensuring every item served meets their high standard of quality and freshness.

Location and Accessibility

The main and original location of McLain’s Bakery is located in the iconic Waldo neighborhood of Kansas City, Missouri, an area known for its local, independent businesses and strong community feel.

The address is:

201 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64114, USA

This corner location provides easy access for residents of Waldo, Brookside, and the greater Kansas City metropolitan area. The ownership has placed an emphasis on making the space comfortable and welcoming for all Missouri patrons, regardless of their needs. The premises are equipped with a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible parking lot, and a wheelchair accessible restroom.

For parking, customers have the convenience of both a free parking lot and free street parking nearby, making a quick visit or a leisurely dine-in experience hassle-free. The central location encourages its use as a communal gathering spot, fully equipped with a restroom and Wi-Fi, making it a perfect spot for meeting friends or working remotely while enjoying a fresh pastry and a cup of coffee.

Services Offered

McLain's Bakery offers a dynamic range of services, catering to nearly every dining and celebratory need for the local Missouri community:

• Full-Service Bakery & Pastry Shop: Daily production of classic items like butter rolls, cinnamon rolls, Danish, donuts, and their famous Cupcookies, all made with original recipes, including the historic butter roll dough.
• Custom Cakery Services: Specializing in high-volume, hand-crafted custom cakes, wedding cakes, birthday cakes, and specialty desserts, including mini cupcakes and flourless chocolate cake bites.
• Breakfast and Brunch Restaurant: A robust menu of hot breakfast sandwiches, savory bowls (like the Market Bowl and Chorizo Bowl), and breakfast burritos (e.g., Smothered Burrito and Veggie Burrito), alongside various toast options.
• Lunch Restaurant: Serving light meals made with simple, house-made ingredients, including sandwiches (Chicken Salad Sandwich, Smoked Turkey Sandwich, CBS), wraps (Market Wrap), and fresh salads (Waldo Cobb Salad, Berry Kale Salad).
• Full Espresso & Coffee Bar: Serving a complete range of beverages, including Drip Coffee, Latte, Cold Brew, and Hot Chocolate, featuring coffee from their proprietary brand, Sway Coffee Roasters.
• Catering and Private Events: Providing extensive catering options for meetings, parties, and larger gatherings. The space is also available for hosting private events like baby showers.
• Flexible Dining Options: Offering Dine-in, Takeout, In-store pickup, Delivery, and In-store shopping for maximum customer convenience.

Features / Highlights

McLain's stands out in the highly competitive Kansas City food scene due to its rich history and unwavering dedication to quality:

• 80-Year Legacy: Established in 1945, McLain's is one of Kansas City's most enduring and beloved local eateries, continually serving the community for over eight decades.
• The Infamous Cupcookie: A local treasure, this signature dessert is a shortbread-style cookie with a pecan sandy base, topped with fudge or white buttercream, and often sprinkled with nuts. It is a staple item and a major crowd-pleaser.
• The Cakery Expertise: The custom cake department creates hundreds of cakes every weekend, specializing in intricate, modern, and pop-culture-inspired designs, along with classic wedding and celebration cakes. They offer convenient sampling options, such as the take-home box of different flavors for wedding couples.
• Commitment to Freshness: They make all items fresh every day, including their house-made bread for sandwiches and all salad dressings, maintaining a high standard of taste and ingredient quality.
• Expanded Dietary Options: McLain's is recognized as a go-to bakery in Kansas City that also offers options for diverse dietary needs, including gluten-free and vegan choices, ensuring everyone can enjoy a sweet moment.
• Original Recipes Maintained: Despite ownership changes, core recipes, like the original butter roll dough, are still utilized for key pastries, preserving the classic taste that generations of Missouri residents remember.

Contact Information

To plan your visit, place an order, or inquire about custom cakes for your Missouri event, please use the following contact details for the main McLain's Bakery location in Waldo, MO:

• Address: 201 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64114, USA
• Phone: (816) 523-9911

This location is the historic anchor of the McLain's brand, making it the perfect starting point for enjoying the classics and the full range of their expanded menu.

What is Worth Choosing McLain's Bakery?

For residents of Missouri, particularly those in the Kansas City area, choosing McLain's Bakery is choosing a piece of local history, quality, and community heart. It’s an easy decision for several compelling reasons that go beyond the simple purchase of a pastry.

First, the unparalleled variety ensures that McLain's can satisfy any craving at any time of day. Whether you need a full, hot breakfast like the Smothered Burrito, a fresh, light lunch such as the Waldo Cobb Salad, a perfectly crafted Latte using their own roasted beans, or a box of classic Cupcookies for a family gathering, it’s all available under one roof. This convenience of having a bakery, cakery, cafe, and eatery in a single spot is invaluable for busy locals.

Second, the dedication to authentic quality is rare. The use of original, 80-year-old recipes for classics, combined with a commitment to making every part of their savory menu from scratch, speaks to a passion for food that elevates the experience beyond typical fast-casual dining. The cinnamon roll, for instance, is praised by customers for having soft, moist dough and being perfectly balanced—not too sweet—showcasing the care that goes into even the simplest items.

Finally, McLain's embodies the spirit of the local community. The staff is known for being friendly and service-oriented, with a core mission to be a welcoming space for Kansas Citians to gather. When you choose McLain's for your wedding cake, your child's birthday dessert, or your Saturday morning coffee, you are supporting a multi-generational legacy that actively works to make life's biggest and smallest moments sweeter for everyone in Missouri. For a truly authentic, high-quality, and community-focused dining and bakery experience in Kansas City, McLain's is the time-honored choice.

McLain's Bakery

201 E Gregory Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64114, USA