Hawaiian fast-casual concept is replacing Paradise Diner in Overland Park’s Prairiefire

Prairiefire’s Paradise Diner closed at 3 p.m. Sunday and will reopen later this week under a new concept.

Owner PB&J Restaurants Inc. said it hopes to open Paia Fishmarket in the space at 5501 W. 135th St., Suite 2310, Overland Park, at 11 a.m. Thursday.

PB&J said the new restaurant is “inspired by the amazing town of Paia in Maui.”

“Under our Off the Hook we’ll have six to eight fresh fish options, and you can have fish prepared four different ways — grilled, sauteed, Cajun or blackened. They come with Hawaiian crunchy slaw and coconut jasmine rice or french fries,” said Patrick Khoury, president.

Other menu items will include fish tacos, poke bowls and tempura “island style,” as well as Paradise Diner’s specialty Paradise burger and its chicken salad. Entrees will range from $10 to $19.

“The idea behind this concept is it’s fast, it’s fun, it’s fresh and it’s hip. And a lot of value and it’s affordable,” Khoury said.

The Overland Park restaurant will have a grab & go selection of ready-made salads and meals, as well as fresh fish and steak to prepare at home. Carry-out parking will be available directly in front of the patio.

Khoury said fresh fish will be delivered Monday through Saturday. The bar will feature a selection of Hawaiian and craft beers, as well as wine and specialty cocktails. It will offer breakfast from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, featuring favorites from the Paradise Diner menu. Lunch will start at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and dinner also will be served.

Hours will be 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Happy hour will be 3 to 6 p.m. daily.

“Paradise Diner wasn’t as profitable as we predicted. But we think the space is perfect for this fast casual concept, Paia,” Khoury said.

PB&J’s first restaurant was a Paradise Diner that opened in Oak Park Mall in December 1987. But the Prairiefire restaurant was a modernized version using mostly fresh, local ingredients for its made-from-scratch menu.

It opened next door to its sister restaurant, the more upscale Newport Grill, in 2014, on a coveted corner location at 135th Street and Nall Avenue. The two operations share a kitchen, servers and bartenders.

Paradise Diner has a marble-topped, horseshoe-shaped bar and exposed ceiling with reclaimed wood beams from Elwood, Kan. The decor will be refreshed for Paia.