Former Kansas City area Applebee’s reopens as Mexican restaurant
The site of a former Kansas City, Kansas, Applebee’s is serving customers again — this time as a different concept.
Añejo has just opened its third location at 1700 Village West Parkway. It’s the Mexican restaurant’s first full week at the location in the Legends Outlets Kansas City.
The restaurant has dozens of booths and tables, a full bar and patio seating. Murals of a Mexican village on one side of the restaurant bleed into Disney characters toward the restrooms. Screens around the restaurant and embedded in the ceilings broadcast various sports.
In late 2021, Jaquelinne Ortiz opened the first restaurant at 16411 W. 119th St. in Olathe with her father, Angel Ortiz. They expanded more than a year later to the Northland at 8600 NW Prairie View Road.
In an interview last year with The Star’s Vahe Gregorian, Royals catcher Salvador Perez said he enjoyed dining at the restaurant.
Añejo’s menu offers fajitas, carne asada, street tacos, ceviche, loaded potatoes and a variety of cocktails including a margarita flight.
The KCK Applebee’s closed last year when several other locations shuttered overnight, leaving just two left in the metro: 6069 NE Antioch Road and 1100 NW Highway 7 in Blue Springs.
The local franchise, Apple Central KC LLC, made the decision to shut down the restaurants. Applebee’s corporate told The Star at the time it appeared to be because of financial reasons.
Weeks ago, a Pan-Asian restaurant All in One Eatery opened in a former Kirkland’s at 8654 N. Boardwalk Ave. It’s planning another spot in a former Overland Park Applebee’s at 11000 Metcalf Ave.
The area around the Legends has seen plenty of development in recent months. Margaritaville opened in June, and immersive art experience Atlas9 will open later this month.
This story was originally published September 16, 2025 at 3:32 PM.