KC restaurant closes in historic location. Owners hope to change concepts
A Lawrence-born Mediterranean restaurant has closed a Kansas City location — but its parent company hopes to reimagine the spot.
Zhoug Mediterranean opened in the former d’Bronx space at 3904 Bell St. in May.
Jeremy Saunders, director of operations, said Olathe-based parent company Ethnic Food Concepts closed the location this weekend after deciding a different concept would work better in that spot. While much is still up in the air, he said the company is thinking through what could replace Zhoug.
Two other Mediterranean restaurants live just a few doors down from Zhoug — Kari’s on 39th and Aladdin Cafe.
Meanwhile, the Lenexa location of Zhoug will remain open at 16728 City Center Drive. It serves Chipotle-style, made-to-order Mediterranean bowls, pitas and more.
Its sister restaurant, The Fresh Mediterranean Co. in Lawrence, serves the same menu items — falafel, gyro, kabobs, etc. It was started years ago by Hanif Lakhani, who owns Ethnic Food Concepts.
D’Bronx held a space on Bell Street for 32 years, serving fresh deli sandwiches and pizza. It was a popular spot until the original location closed in 2022. Earlier this year, d’Bronx’s final area location shuttered in Overland Park at 7070 W. 105th St.