Phys. Rev. D 99, 035021 (2019) The $t\bar t$ plus missing energy channel is one of the most efficient to detect third-generation leptoquarks (LQs). It offers an important test to models which explain flavor anomalies in $B$ meson decays. We outline a search strategy in the channel, relying on tagging the tops and on observables constructed out of the tops, and we assess the reach on LQs of the future high-luminosity LHC program. We find that with 3 ab$^{-1}$ a vector (scalar) LQ decaying 50% (100%) to top and neutrino can be excluded up to masses of 1.96 TeV (1.54 TeV). We also indicate several observables that, in case of a future discovery in the channel, can be used to distinguish a scalar LQ from a vector LQ. The implications of our findings to models addressing the recent flavor anomalies are finally discussed.