Inside this century-old Kansas City eatery Jason Kelce called a ‘must stop’

You never know who will stop by Peter May’s House of Kielbasa.

The Polish sausage eatery on Kansas City’s East Side has seen its share of celebrity visits in the century it’s been open. Former Chiefs quarterback Len Dawson would visit before his death, as did other former players.

Even so, owner Mike Loges never expected former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce to walk through the door, much less give Peter May’s a glowing review on Instagram. But on Saturday, there it was: a post that’s now amassed more than 70,000 likes.

“It was totally out of the blue,” said Loges, who’s not sure how Kelce found his business in the first place.

More than a month ago, a member of Kelce’s team walked in on a quiet Friday afternoon and asked for permission to film in the space. He didn’t mention who would be conducting the interview until the last second.

“’Oh, by the way, it’s Jason Kelce,’” Loges said nonchalantly, quoting the team member.

And then, in walked the star player and brother of the Chiefs’ Travis Kelce.

Videos and photos of Peter May’s shared on the former Eagles player’s Instagram show sizzling sausages, sandwiches and Jason Kelce posing with Peter May’s staff.

“It is an absolute gem of an establishment, with people and patrons that give it character you won’t find elsewhere,” he wrote in his post. “It’s a must stop for anyone who loves smoked and cylindrical meats …”

Loges served Kelce several popular sandwiches featuring his kielbasa.

“Very juicy, tons of flavor. It’s just really good,” Kelce said in his Instagram video after biting into a Double Polish Sandwich. It contains a half-pound of sausage for $8, such a steal in Kelce’s eyes that it sent him chuckling.

And likewise, Loges’ review of Kelce was nothing but positive.

“It was like just a good friend showed up again,” Loges said.

While Peter May’s may have earned a new customer in Kelce, Loges said it’s on its sixth and seventh generation of customers.

Loges’ great-grandfather, Peter May, opened the shop in 1929 at the exact same spot where it lives now — 1654 Bristol Ave. It’s one of the oldest businesses in the city.

May immigrated to the United States from Poland several years before he opened the shop. Kansas Citians have been coming to the humble white building in the middle of a neighborhood since.

“We were your typical immigrant family,” Loges said. “We were the corner store for the community.”

Hamburgers, kabanosy (Polish meat sticks), turkey clubs, Reubens and other menu options are sold at Peter May’s.

But the star is its kielbasa, or Polish sausage, made from an old family method that’s been handed down like genes. It can’t be found on recipe cards anywhere around the shop. May’s descendants have committed it to memory.

“That recipe’s been handed down from generation to generation,” Loges said. “It’s from the heart.”

In the middle of Kelce’s visit, Mike Loges’ daughter, Reghan Loges, called from North Central Missouri College for her daily chat with her father before softball practice.

When Mike picked up the call, he asked if she wanted to talk to “Jason,” a new customer. Reghan innocently said, “yes.”

Reghan’s surprise bubbled over when Kelce, a dad of four daughters, began to speak.

“At that point, I run across the hall and I’m knocking on one of my teammates’ doors like, ‘Come listen to this,’” Reghan said.

After talking to Reghan for a few minutes, Kelce asked to speak to the rest of the softball team. Reghan walked over to the practice facility and clicked the speaker phone button.

“Hey, guys, have a good practice,” Kelce said over the phone. “Work hard.”

“He was so down-to-earth,” she said. “Total dad vibes … It was like having a conversation with someone I’d known for 10 years.”

Kelce’s favorite Polish sausage shop in Kansas City is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.