Sporting Spotlight: Morty's KC

By Sporting Kansas City

May 11^th, 2026

Brian Newton, the owner of Morty’s KC, perfectly embodies the spirit of Americana through his journey as a local Kansas City business owner. Crafted with rich experiences, Brian’s story is not just about food; it's about the connections he fosters within the community.

The History

Brian was shaped like many kids by his parents. The son of a career Marine, Brian grew up in many military bases. His father, who served in both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, inspired Brian on a similar path that would take him to many places.

Brian served in the Air Force as a fighter jet mechanic from 1979 to 1989, being overseas from 1982 to 1989. From there Brian lived many other lives, starting businesses a trait he learned from his mother.

His first ever business was with his mother. Brian would describe her as “a super clever lady,” sharing that, as soon as he was old enough to pull a wagon, his mother would have him and his siblings pick up old bricks that she later covered in carpet remnants, then Brian would sell them door-to-door as doorsteps for a dollar.

That early entrepreneur spirit stuck, and Brian has started more than one successful business.

“I had the business before Morty's. I actually was an artisan broommaker,” Brian shared. “I made brooms, corn brooms by hand, from equipment from the 1800s.” These artisan brooms caught the attention of many; his craft was showcased across the country in stores like Anthropology. But being in stores was only the beginning; in 2017, Brian’s art caught the White House's attention.

“Surprisingly enough, in 2017, I was asked to come to the White House for the Made in the USA product showcase,” Brian shared. “So, somehow, I got picked to represent my state. I have no idea how that happened.”

His work can be found in American households, celebrity mansions, and even the home of a Supreme Court Justice. All a part of Brian’s incredible journey.

Mortyâs during the Americana Top Photoshoot in Kansas City, Kansas on April 7th, 2026.

Kansas City Here I Come...

So how did Brian end up in Kansas City? A classic reason. He fell in love.

“Coincidentally, we both ended up teaching at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, off the coast of Maine,” Brian recalled. “We were brought in from different parts of the country to present workshops, and that's how I met her, and it was just, you know, the rest is history.”

After falling in love, Brian moved to Kansas City in 2020. A move to a new city meant a new venture, and Brian was looking for his next step, thinking to himself, “What am I going to do now?”

With a love of cooking, he said, “Well, I won't go hungry if I have a hot dog.” This simple yet profound realization led to the birth of Morty’s KC.

At Morty’s, it's not just about the food; it's about the experience. But let’s be honest: the food is incredible. If you look up his business, you’ll only find rave reviews, and we get it, Morty’s is delicious food, but more importantly, it’s Brian’s connection to the community.

“The food is always super fresh,” Brian shared. “I mean, it's every day. The vegetables are cut every day. Everything is the highest quality I can get, you know, I ship the hot dogs and the buns from Chicago, and the relish, and even the pickles come from Chicago, so it's gotta be right.”

“If I ask people and it's a genuine question, I really want to know, how are you doing? Are you doing okay? How's your day? What's going on in your lives? And so, the service I provide is not just the really super yummy food. It's the personal interactions, too. And that's what you get at a small little stand. It's very personal.”

Sporting KC Defender Justin Reynolds #13 poses during the Americana Top Photoshoot in Kansas City, Kansas on April 7th, 2026.

More than just food, it’s memories

For Brian, hot dogs are more than just food; they’re a reminder of his childhood memories. “My earliest memories are, when I was real young, they were again on a Marine Corps base, and playing Little League, and we always had hot dogs,” he reminisces. “It was always hot dogs at baseball.” This nostalgia is part of why he chose to focus on hot dogs when starting Morty’s.

“Every season here is hot dog season,” he asserts. Despite Kansas City’s changing weather, people flock to his stand. “A large majority of the people that come to my stand are from Chicago, and so the winters here are pretty mild compared to what they’re used to. And they stand out in, like, in the snow, and, you know, rain, and so, every season, this hot dog season in Kansas City.”

Recently, Morty’s KC was the backdrop for Sporting Kansas City’s Americana-themed photoshoot, showcasing not just the delicious food but also the heart and soul behind it. Defender and Chicago Native, Justin Reynolds, was the perfect fit for this photoshoot.

“It was super fun,” Reynolds said. “The hot dog was amazing, Morty is a great guy, so it was really nice, you know, just talking to him and trying out the Chicago-style dog as well.”

Brian Newton’s story is about more than hot dogs; it’s about resilience, connection, and the true essence of Americana. Through Morty’s KC, he’s serving up not just food, but a sense of belonging and warmth to everyone who walks through his door.

Footnotes

Story by Samantha García, Photos by Alex Lorenzo

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FootNotes

Story by Samantha García, Photos by Alex Lorenzo