Openings & Closings

How many of these 9 new Johnson County restaurants have you tried?

Burnt End BBQ is opening a location in De Soto.
Burnt End BBQ is opening a location in De Soto. File photo

Several new restaurants opening in Johnson County bring diverse dining options to the Kansas City area, such as traditional Mexican dishes at Red Kitchen KC and wings from Mr. Wingz, both in Overland Park.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists at The Star. All stories below were reported, written and edited by Star journalists earlier in 2024.

Alejandra de la Fuente promises her food is 100% authentic Mexican cuisine.
Alejandra de la Fuente promises her food is 100% authentic Mexican cuisine. Cien por Ciento Mexicana


No. 1: No Tex-Mex here. Authentic Mexican breakfast, lunch restaurant opens in Johnson County

The restaurant’s name boasts of its 100% authentic Mexican food. A sun-soaked patio, glasses of agua fresca and plates of chilaquiles — it’s the closest many Kansas Citians will get to a cafe in Mexico City. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Sickies Garage is known for its menu featuring “50 Burgers, 50 Brews.”
Sickies Garage is known for its menu featuring “50 Burgers, 50 Brews.” Courtesy photo

No. 2: New Johnson County burger, craft beer spot in former Red Robin now open

Selling 50 types of burgers and brews, the retro, garage-themed burger spot will operate in a former Red Robin at 7111 W. 95th St. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Tiki Taco serves a Thai fried chicken taco, left, abuela pastor taco, Korean beef taco and more.
Tiki Taco serves a Thai fried chicken taco, left, abuela pastor taco, Korean beef taco and more. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

No. 3: Kansas City restaurant named one of the ‘hottest’ in US. Next stop: Johnson County

This restaurant made a name for itself with two popular locations in Kansas City. Its first Johnson County spot is open, enjoying the (jack)fruits of its labor. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Taquiza will sell tacos, burritos, mezcal drinks and more.
Taquiza will sell tacos, burritos, mezcal drinks and more. Taquiza

No. 4: Now open in Johnson County: A new Southern California-style taco and tequila restaurant

The bar will serve Southern California-style small-plate tacos and burritos with fresh ingredients, as well as specialty cocktails — frozen drinks, mezcals and tequilas that are “harder to find.” | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Burnt End BBQ is opening a location in De Soto.
Burnt End BBQ is opening a location in De Soto. File photo

No. 5: This part of Johnson County didn’t have a barbecue restaurant. Now it does

An old Johnson County Burger King will become a barbecue restaurant. There’s a wealth of barbecue restaurants in the Kansas City area. But Stephen “Smokey” Schwartz’s newest suburban spot is in what’s arguably a barbecue desert. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

La Patrona Tacos & Tequila is open in Overland Park, selling made-to-order tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more.
La Patrona Tacos & Tequila is open in Overland Park, selling made-to-order tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

No. 6: Johnson County African restaurant closed. Made-to-order taco and tequila spot moves in

Think Chipotle, but local, and with cocktails. Being in the restaurant business might be an inherited trait — at least for Jesus Campos and Jorge Jimenez. Their restaurant took over the old Taste of Africa space at 11240 W. 135th St. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Longboards, offering menu items like its grilled cabo chicken, is opening another Johnson County location.
Longboards, offering menu items like its grilled cabo chicken, is opening another Johnson County location. Brandon Jessip Longboards Wraps & Bowls

No. 7: Kansas City ‘island-style’ sandwich shop opens another Johnson County location

The locally owned shop serves sandwiches like its grilled cabo chicken wraps (chicken, guacamole, pico de gallo, rice and chipotle ranch) and its pork luau wrap (pork, pepperjack, pineapple, vegetables, rice and teriyaki sauce). | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Emiliano’s will sell Mexican dishes like pollo ixtapa.
Emiliano’s will sell Mexican dishes like pollo ixtapa. Emilio Romero

No. 8: New Johnson County Mexican restaurant opening in this former pizza place. Here’s when

After growing up around his uncle’s Mexican place, K-Macho’s Restaurant & Cantina, Emilio Romero has caught the restaurateur bug. Romero, 25, is opening his own Mexican restaurant at 2137 E. 151st St. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Mr. Wingz sells buffalo chicken wings, shrimp and more.
Mr. Wingz sells buffalo chicken wings, shrimp and more. Jenna Thompson jthompson@kcstar.com

No. 9: New wings restaurant opening in Johnson County: Thai chili, mango habanero, shrimp

A Kansas City wing restaurant opened a location in Overland Park. The restaurant offers wing flavors like buffalo, Thai chili, mango habanero and Memphis sweet. It also sells shrimp, chicken tenders, carrot cake and more. | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

This story was originally published September 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM.

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