‘Nooooo!’ Popular Johnson County grill and cantina permanently closed after 10 years
Coco Bolos, a Mexican grill and cantina in Overland Park, has closed its dining room permanently.
The restaurant, 5621 W 135th St. Suite 2610 in the Prairiefire district, announced on social media that it would only be available for catering and private events moving forward.
“We’ve cherished every moment with you! Thank you for being part of our journey,” reads a post from the restaurant in late August.
Customers left dozens of comments expressing their disappointment:
“Nooooo! Best margaritas in town other than mine!!!”
“This is heartbreaking. My husband and I had our first date and got engaged here.”
“So so sad! One of our most favorite happy hour spots!!!”
The restaurant promised to post more information on its catering business soon.
Serving street tacos, fajitas, margaritas and more, Coco Bolos first opened in Manhattan, Kansas, in 1998. The original spot closed in 2022.
Its Prairiefire location opened in 2014.
Coco Bolos also once had a south Leawood location in 2006 at 151st Street and Nall Avenue, but that restaurant closed in early 2008.
One of its most popular entrees was a the Tijuana Trainwreck, a baked casserole with layers of corn tortillas, chicken and chili verde.
Prairiefire has struggled to generate enough sales in recent years, defaulting on its $15 million Kansas STAR bond several months ago.
Plans to open a new Messenger Coffee Co. location in the district fell through last year. In July, Fred Merrill Jr. — president of Prairiefire’s ownership group, Merrill Companies — told The Star that the district was no longer getting an Amazon Fresh grocery store.
Instead, the would-be grocery store at 6001 W. 135th St. will become a children’s play center called Lava Island.
The forthcoming College Baseball Hall of Fame, backed financially by Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, hopes to revive the struggling district. It’s slated to open next year.
Prairiefire’s other tenants include Chicken ‘N Pickle, Rock & Brews and the Museum at Prairiefire.
This story was originally published September 10, 2024 at 10:22 AM.