Manila Bay for south KC, Westport Imo’s Pizza still ‘temporarily’ closed

Valley Broasters started out selling broasted chicken in a Grain Valley strip mall two years ago. Broasted chicken is a trademarked process for deep-frying using a pressure fryer.

The owners, Phil and Norma Thayer, also began adding some Filipino dishes from Norma’s homeland, one or two items every Friday, then expanding the offerings to other days — lumpia (egg rolls), pancit (a vermicelli noodle dish) and more.

But the place was too small to offer the dishes every day. Most of their customers also were making the long drive from other areas of town — Olathe, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit.

So when their lease was up they relocated to a more centralized location, a former Long John Silvers building at 4800 E. Bannister Road, just east of Interstate 435. They opened in September and changed the name to Manila Bay Ihaw-Ihaw to better reflect their specialty while keeping broasted chicken on the menu.

It is having a grand opening from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday with a special buffet, a fire dance in the parking lot at sunset and other entertainment.

Westport’s Imo’s Pizza

After two decades in Westport, Imo’s Pizza “temporarily closed” in September at 4037 Mill St.

The franchisee could not be reached for comment, and corporate officials did not return phone calls. A message on the answering machine at the restaurant says: “Thank you for calling Imo’s. Unfortunately, we are temporarily closed. Please check back for further updates.”

There also is an area location at 11552 W. 135th St. in Overland Park owned by a different franchisee.

This story was originally published October 23, 2016 at 1:09 PM with the headline "Manila Bay for south KC, Westport Imo’s Pizza still ‘temporarily’ closed."