Cheese, chips, and cheers: Deez Nachos joins Parlor with its first fixed location

Dwight Tiller II is taking his family’s loaded nacho business from wheels to brick-and-mortar with its new spot — parked on the first floor of Parlor, Kansas City’s first modern food hall. 

Previously at the Crossroads-based Parlor as the former co-owner and head chef of KC Mac and Co., Tiller now is taking Deez Nachos to the same location. (KC Mac and Co. relocated to a more standalone space downtown on Petticoat Lane.) 

“Having more experience and working with the management here has been a lot smoother for this go-around,” said Tiller.

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Deez Nachos

Deez Nachos

Loaded for growth

Deez Nachos serves up a tasty menu with the Monster Nacho featuring brisket, grilled chicken, and pulled pork, topped with barbecue and ancho sauce. Other options include The Taco Nacho, chicken and bacon quesadilla, and loaded tater tots.

One of Tiller’s favorites on the menu: the Smoked Wing Nachos. The wings are the star of the dish and are a great blend of “smoke, flavor, and crispy deep-friedness,” he said.

“Everybody loves wings, but most businesses make them the same way. Other places they just pull them out of the bag and drop,” said Tiller. “We take our time marinating them, let them slow smoke down, and then we’ll flash fry them to order.”

Deez Nachos makes it a point to be seen out and about in the community, he said, noting collaboration with organizations like BoysGrow, a non-profit focused on agricultural mentorship. Tiller previously worked at the farm as a programming manager. 

BoysGrow

“That’s one of my favorite jobs, ” said Tiller. Deez Nachos’ partnership with the organization included being a part of its Farm Fest fundraising event and serving up private lunches for the BoysGrow.

From the archives: BoysGrow teaches urban youth entrepreneurship through farming

Tiller also teased an in-the-works collaboration with Vine Street Brewing Co., where his business will be serving the Deez Nacho’s menu 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Wednesday.

Rolling through

Deez Nachos food truck, opening in 2016, is still up and running.

“My dad bought a larger truck then, and we got a new wrap designed for it, so we came out looking top notch in 2018,” said Tiller. 

With the original food truck, Tiller noted it initially took time for customers to embrace the restaurant’s menu. Deez Nacho’s Smoked Nacho eventually gained the truck some needed momentum. 

“We struggled to sell it initially, and then it just took off at First Fridays one day,” he said.

Currently, the truck is reserved for paid events. Tiller highlighted its presence at events like First Fridays in the Crossroads and private corporate lunches. The truck is now on hiatus for the winter, but expected to be back in action this spring and summer.

Deez Nachos at Parlor; photo by Taylor Wilmore, Startland News

Family business

Tiller operates the restaurant alongside his parents and owners, Dwight Tiller Sr. and Rona Tiller. The close-knit relationship he has with his team and family is Deez Nachos’ real secret sauce, he said.

 “Being with my parents, it’s about us and building us up,” said Tiller. “The whole staff, we all know each other. So I’m just trying to be like, ‘Hey, y’all, we have an opportunity to do something, can you help me do it?’”

While Tiller manages day-to-day tasks, his father — a pitmaster for 30 years — brings the smoked wings to the table, and also seasonally runs the business’ food truck along with Tiller’s mother.

With his parents spending more than 70 years in food service, Tiller aspires for them to retire in the near future.

“My mom and dad, it’s time for them to thrive,” said Tiller.

“I’m hoping that over the next year or so we can see a nice little turnover profit, so then we push out more product, and hopefully, we’ll see an investor. So that I can say Mom and Dad, y’all are done.”