Openings & Closings

Mexican restaurant opening in former KC Irish pub where owner was killed

Brady & Fox closed after its owner was shot and killed in August 2024. The space will soon become Muy Caliente Mexican Grill and Cantina.
Brady & Fox closed after its owner was shot and killed in August 2024. The space will soon become Muy Caliente Mexican Grill and Cantina. ecuriel@kcstar.com

Less than a year ago, tragedy struck a Kansas City Irish restaurant.

Shaun Brady — the owner of Brady & Fox — was shot and killed outside his business in August while taking out the trash. At first, the restaurant’s future was up in the air, but a “for lease” sale that went up in January signaled its fate.

Gepsiva Ramos, who’s now opening a Mexican restaurant in the former pub location at 751 E. 63rd St., realizes Brady and his restaurant were beloved by the community.

When Muy Caliente Mexican Grill and Cantina opens in three to four weeks, she plans to have a memory wall on display. There, customers can hang up old photos of the pub and Brady.

“What happened there with the previous owner, it’s very tragic,” Gepsiva said.

Shaun Brady, 44, chef and co-owner of Brady & Fox Restaurant and Lounge in Brookside, was killed by gunshot during outside his restaurant on August 28.
Shaun Brady, 44, chef and co-owner of Brady & Fox Restaurant and Lounge in Brookside, was killed by gunshot during outside his restaurant on August 28. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

Muy Caliente will sell typical Mexican favorites — tacos, quesadillas, quesabirria and more.

They also plan to sell a few specialty items, like the massive, plate-sized Caliente Burger made with bread imported from Mexico. It will serve up to four people.

The restaurant will also serve a variety of Mexican cocktails, including a spicy mango margarita.

“We just want the community to try our unique family recipes,” Gepsiva said.

Gepsiva and her father, Noel Ramos, have been in the food industry for several years. Muy Caliente will be the first restaurant all their own. Construction on the restaurant space is already underway.

Noel, who hails from Zacatecas, Mexico, is especially excited. He’s looking forward to joining bustling Brookside, which is also home to Homegrown, Cru Bistro & Bottles, Bacaro Primo and more.

“It’s his dream that he’s been having forever, and it’s coming true, so he’s really emotional about that,” Gepsiva said.

The Ramos duo is partnering with another father and daughter: Fredy Krivera and Saray Pilar Nonato, who own El Plato Mexican Grill & Cantina in Lee’s Summit at 22 SW Third St.

Updates on murder case

Brady’s murder case is ongoing. Not long after his death, two minors were charged with his death. One was released months later.

In May, a judge determined that the remaining suspect — identified only as initials K.H. in court documents — will not be tried as an adult. The trial is set for Sept. 23 and 24.

The restaurant and Irish community mourned 44-year-old Brady, who left behind a wife and two children.

“The community is reeling,” Mary Kate Gliedt, executive director of the Kansas City Irish Center, told The Star in August. “No one is sure what to do or what to say next. It’s awful.”

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This story was originally published June 4, 2025 at 3:29 PM.

Jenna Thompson
The Kansas City Star
Jenna Thompson covers retail news for The Kansas City Star. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, she previously reported for the Lincoln Journal Star and graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she studied journalism and English.
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