New KC bagel, coffee and breakfast sandwich shop with large following now open
Friday, Aug. 1, may have been Luca Bagel Co.’s first official day at its storefront, but the cult following for its bagels and sandwiches stared some time ago.
Overland Park Farmers Market attendees have likely seen the long lines outside Luca Bagel’s stand on Saturday mornings. The bagels and bagel sandwiches have been raved about since they hit the market two years ago.
When they first launched, Luke Salvatore told The Star his bagels would sell out every week. People went crazy for bagels.
“Like almost inexplicably,” he said at the time.
That’s partly why he kept the bagel shop’s opening relatively quiet. A friends and family test run took place Thursday, July 31, and the next day the 633 E. 63rd St. spot was buzzing for the public soft opening, thanks to word-of-mouth and whispers on Facebook groups.
All things considered, it’s been a successful start at their Brookside spot.
“It went far better than I expected,” Salvatore told The Star on Aug. 1.
The day’s top seller: the bacon, egg and cheddar sandwich with a scallion schmear.
More items on the shop’s menu: an avocado, egg and cheddar sandwich; a Jersey pork roll with hashbrowns, egg, American cheese, salt, pepper and ketchup; a pepperoni pizza bagel; a rosemary and salt bagel; and more.
Hot and iced coffee is also available with cream and sugar (though it doesn’t have all the syrup fixings like a Starbucks).
After the soft opening phase, Salvatore plans to roll out some sweet items to go along with the savory. Cookies and sticky buns are among the items planned.
Salvatore — who also owns Providence Pizzeria Co. with his brother, Aaron — started Luca as a pop-up side hustle in their pizza shop.
As it grew in popularity, Salvatore began to see a new business opportunity. The demand for his farmers market business became so massive that he started looking for a brick and mortar.
Then, vegan restaurant Mattie’s Foods closed last year. Salvatore looked at the space and thought it was the perfect place for a bagel shop — it holds just a few tables, so most of the items are taken on the go. Customers can order a dozen, half-dozen or just one bagel.
“We’ve been hoping to get open, so we’re glad to be here,” Salvatore said.
Luca Bagel Co. is open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Meanwhile, Brookside is readying for the opening of Muy Caliente Mexican Grill, a restaurant taking over the old Brady & Fox spot at 751 E. 63rd St.
Salvatore’s other spot, Providence Pizza, opened in Grandview in 2014 at 12925 U.S. Highway 71. Its other two locations are in Westport at 415 Westport and in Oklahoma City.
Another farmers market favorite with a cult following, Slow Rise Sourdough Donuts, is opening a spot in Overland Park at 11228 W. 135th St. An owner previously told The Star it would open in the fall.
This story was originally published August 1, 2025 at 2:46 PM.