Owners of Waldo’s Summit Grill, Boru Ramen find middle ground with Mexican casual spot

The owners of Waldo’s popular Summit Grill and Boru Ramen Bar had a small event space in between the two restaurants that was underutilized.

So six months ago, they started converting the space, dubbed The Annex, to a casual Mexican restaurant called South of Summit Taqueria & Tequila.

It softly opened for happy hour Thursday and if the weekend crowd is any indication, the 1,300-square-foot restaurant is just what the Waldo neighborhood was waiting for. The space seats about 80 people.

“We had a very, very busy weekend,” said Domhnall Molloy, owner with Andy Lock. “It’s a real small space, but tables turned pretty quick.”

A tortilla machine in a side area along the front window showcases its made-from-scratch-daily corn tortillas. Summit’s culinary director, Po Wang, put together a menu that specializes in tacos — such as the Al Pastor with spit-roasted adobo pork, pineapple, cilantro, onion and radish on a corn tortilla and one with roasted mushrooms with onions and guacamole on a blue corn tortilla. Wang also offers a variety of sauces with different heat levels.

Menu: Items to share include queso, ceviche campechana (fresh fish, shrimp, scallops, habanero and avocado on crispy corn tortillas) and quesadillas. Plates include tortas, burritos and chicken enchiladas.

The machete quesadillas are in a long, thin shape (like their namesake blade) and filled with cheese, onions, meat or mushrooms, then griddled until crisp and served with a side of salsa.

For dessert, look for churros tossed with cinnamon and sugar with a side of chocolate dipping sauce (vanilla bean ice cream for $1.50 extra), and pastel de tres leches.

The drink menu includes a large list of beers, tequila, mezcal, specialty margaritas and cocktails.

Happy Hour: 3 to 6 p.m. and includes $4 house margaritas, $3 beers and half-priced select appetizers.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Location: 516 W. 75th St. East of Summit St.

Sister restaurants: Along with Summit Grill and Boru in Waldo, the owners have Summit Grill locations in Gladstone and Lee’s Summit, as well as three other Lee’s Summit restaurants — Lakewood Local, Pearl Tavern and Third Street Social.

This story was originally published February 11, 2020 at 12:55 PM.