Peanut butter and bacon? Kentucky Bourbon? New JoCo spot has burger options, craft beers

Local BurgerIm franchisees were two weeks away from opening a new Overland Park location when the COVID-19 crisis hit.

While waiting for the end of the shutdown, they regrouped, dropping the BurgerIm concept for a smaller Wisconsin-based chain that offered a licensing deal.

Jonathan Langford and Brandon Rooks of R&L Restaurant Group opened Mr. Brews Taphouse this week at 8021 Metcalf Ave., on the first floor of the new Avenue 80 apartment building.

It features 34 mostly craft beers on tap (along with a few bottles) and made-from-scratch burgers, such as the Brews-chetta with tomato bruschetta and basil pesto mayo; the Kentucky Bourbon Classic with grilled onions, bacon, crispy french fried onions and Mr. Brews’ signature sauce — Kentucky Bourbon mayo; and the Mr. Brews Peanut Buster with peanut butter and bacon.

Customers can also build their own burgers by selecting the cheese, sauce, type of patty (hamburger, turkey, black bean, chicken breast, salmon or Impossible burger) and topping (fried egg, extra patty, bacon or beer cheese sauce).

Starters include wings, Wisconsin cheese curds, pretzels and beer cheese, chili fried cauliflower and sliders. Other menu items include chicken tenders, falafel and salads. It also has a children’s menu.

Langford and Rooks also own the Lawrence BurgerIm but may change it to the Mr. Brews concept.