In January, Kansas Citians welcomed several new fast-casual and casual dining options across the metro. In downtown Overland Park, Taco Naco Taqueria and Market quietly opened its first brick-and-mortar location after several months of winning over customers with fresh salsas and inventive tacos at the Overland Park Farmers' Market. On 135th Street, KC Thai also opened, offering guests familiar Thai favorites as well as a range of Thai specialties that are harder to find in Kansas City.
In Lenexa, Black Agave Tequila Mexican Cuisine & Bar now is welcoming customers to try a broad range of cocktails and Mexican specialty dishes – including some vegan options – in a plush, neighborhood sports bar environment.
Back over the state line into Waldo, the locally owned Strip’s Chicken opened its second location at 420 W. 85th St., serving fried chicken sandwiches and tenders in a newly-remodeled storefront that formerly was home to a KFC. Finally, further north in Parkville, The Exchange began serving its own grab-and-go dishes, as well as a selection of locally-made products.
Keep your eyes out for the opening of Third Street Social on Main Street (formerly Nick & Jake’s), as well as Cliff’s Tap House on Gillham (which will be managed and staffed by former staff from Nick & Jake’s). Up in the Crossroads, chef Keeyoung Kimi will soon debut Sura Noodle Bar, a Korean noodle pop-up shop that will be dishing out comforts from early February through April.
Openings
Black Agave Tequila Mexican Cuisine & Bar, 9720 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas, facebook.com/Blackagavetequilamexicancuisineandbar
The Exchange, 110 Main St., Parkville, Missouri, 816.200.7331, facebook.com/The-Exchange-In-PKV-105668857918061
KC Thai, 12250 W. 135th St., Overland Park, Kansas, 913.400.2281, kcthai.com
Taco Naco, 8220 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kansas, 913.730.8565, taconacokc.com
Strip’s Chicken, 420 W. 85th St., Kansas City, Missouri, stripschicken.com
Closings
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream, 7140 Wornall Road and 412 Delaware St., Kansas City, Missouri, bettyraes.com (owner is looking to sell the business)
Southern Charm Gelato Shoppe, 511 Nichols Road, Kansas City, Missouri
Coming Soon
Cliff’s Taphouse, 3044 Gillham Road, Kansas City, Missouri,
Cookies and Creamery, 533 E. Red Bridge Road, Kansas City, Missouri
Fountain City Winery, 1409 W. 11th St., Kansas City, Missouri, fountaincitywinery.com
Hi Tides Coffee, 519 E. 19th St. (inside of Collective Ex), Kansas City, Missouri
Providence Pizzeria Co., 415 Westport Road, Westport, Kansas City, Missouri, providencepizza.com
River Bluff Brewing, 201 Main St., River Market, Kansas City, Missouri, riverbluffbrew.com
Third Street Social, 5031 Main St., Kansas City, Missouri, thirdstreetsocial.com
West Bottoms Whiskey Co., 1321 W. 13th St., West Bottoms, Kansas City, Missouri
