Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes are used to winning on the field, but now they are making noise in a different arena. Their Kansas City steakhouse, 1587 Prime, has picked up serious award nominations less than a year after opening its doors. That kind of recognition does not come easy, especially in a city that takes its food seriously.
The news came straight from Mahomes himself, who shared the update on Instagram in early April 2026. Fans and locals quickly took notice, and the buzz around the restaurant picked up again. After months of mixed reactions, this moment feels like a turning point for the high-end dining spot.
1587 Prime has been named a finalist in four major categories for The Kansas City Star’s Best of Kansas City 2026 awards. Those categories include Fine Dining, Steak, Wine Selection, and Specialty Cocktails. That is a wide spread, and it shows the restaurant is not being boxed into just one strength.
Public voting opened soon after the announcement and runs through April 17, 2026. The awards have seen a surge in engagement this year, with more than 270,000 votes already recorded. That marks a sharp jump from last year, which means more eyes are on every nominee, including Kelce and Mahomes’ venture.
From Legal Trouble to a Key Win
Patrick / IG / The nominations come on the heels of a major legal break for the restaurant. In early March 2026, a federal judge declined a request that could have forced 1587 Prime to shut down right away.
The lawsuit came from a Boston-based sneaker company that claims rights to the number “1587.” The company argued that the steakhouse name and related merchandise could confuse customers. The number itself comes from the players’ jersey numbers, with Mahomes wearing 15 and Kelce wearing 87.
The judge pointed out a key issue in the case, which was timing. The sneaker company waited about five months after the restaurant opened before filing its request. That delay weakened the urgency of the claim and played a big role in the court’s decision.
The legal fight is not fully over, and the case is still moving forward. Even so, the ruling means 1587 Prime can keep operating without immediate changes. That stability matters, especially when a new business is trying to build its identity.
Mixed Reviews and Viral Criticism
1587 Prime / IG / Not everything has gone smoothly for 1587 Prime since its launch in September 2025. The restaurant faced harsh feedback from some critics and customers, and that criticism spread quickly online.
One TikTok review in mid-March pulled in over 600,000 views and did not hold back.
The reviewer described the visit as “the worst fine dining experience” they had ever had. Complaints included long waits for drinks, food arriving at the wrong temperature, and service that did not meet expectations. That kind of feedback can stick, especially when it reaches a wide audience so fast.
There have also been concerns tied to business partners at Noble 33, the group involved in running the restaurant. Allegations of misconduct created more noise around the brand, even though Kelce and Mahomes themselves were not accused of anything. Still, public perception can blur those lines.
Award nominations can shift how people see a restaurant, especially one that had a rocky start. Being named a finalist in multiple categories suggests that many diners are having a good experience. It also shows that the restaurant is connecting with at least part of the local crowd.
Kansas City has a strong food culture, and locals do not hand out praise lightly. The Best of Kansas City awards reflect real opinions from the community. That makes these nominations more meaningful than a simple marketing push or paid promotion.
