Johnson County spot was known for burgers. Now with a new restaurant, it’s hummus  

Earlier this year, the beloved Snack Shack on Santa Fe closed in downtown Overland Park. The owners said their rent increased 50% and lease negotiations fell through.

But now a new tenant for the space, Mediterranean restaurant Hummus & Pita, said the rent is worth it.

“It’s a great location, right next to the park, which has a lot of activity,” said Dhiaa Eid, owner. “And it’s downtown. All the time you find people walking.”

He spent nearly four months remodeling the space at 8039 Santa Fe Drive and now helms the open kitchen, chatting with customers as he makes their order.

Items are made from scratch and include gyros, beef shawarma, wraps, falafel, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh, fattoush, Greek salad and frishawarma (crispy french fries with chicken shawarma, garlic, cheese and pomegranate sauce).

But hummus has been the most popular order since the July 25 opening, as well as kebabs.

Eid was born in Jordan, and his mother is Syrian. The family had long operated a restaurant in Jordan, but it closed during the pandemic. He moved to the Kansas City area in 2014 and has been in the restaurant industry since.

The Snack Shack on Johnson Drive opened at 6018 Johnson Drive, Mission, in April.