According to FlipKey, the restaurants "deserve to be a stop on your next vacation" because of their "impeccable service, adventurous menus, a prime location, a distinct atmosphere or some combination of all of those items."
Q39, which has been working on expansion plans, racked up the honor in Missouri.
In April 2014, Rob and Kelly Magee opened their first restaurant at 1000 W. 39th St. in Kansas City. Since then, they've been drawing critical praise, including scoring a spot on Zagat's list of the 15 "hottest BBQ joints" in the United States
On the other side of state line, Story in Prairie Village continues to build on its narrative with the new honor.
The Kansas winner was opened in May 2011 by Carl and Susan Thorne-Thomsen. The upscale neighborhood restaurant at 3931 W. 69th Terrace has developed a reputation for serving up contemporary American cuisine and winning awards.
Story, which has won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence for the past few years, moved up to the next level of recognition with a "Best of Award of Excellence" in 2015. Previously, the restaurant was named to OpenTable's list of top 100 American fare restaurants.
Carl Thorne-Thomsen, the restaurant's chef, won Food & Wine Magazine's "People's Best New Chef" in 2014 and was a 2013 James Beard semifinalist nominee for Best Chef Midwest.