Openings & Closings

Kansas City-based taco chain is opening several more locations. Here’s where

Tiki Taco serves a Thai fried chicken taco, left, abuela pastor taco, Korean beef taco and more.
Tiki Taco serves a Thai fried chicken taco, left, abuela pastor taco, Korean beef taco and more. ecuriel@kcstar.com

Continuing its trend of expansion, Kansas City chain Tiki Taco is opening multiple locations.

The brand has signed leases in Metro North Crossing at Northwest Barry Road and Northwest Jefferson Avenue, as well as one in Liberty at 9711 N. Ash Ave., Suite A.

The Liberty location is expected around April, and the Metro North spot aims to open in September.

Additionally, CEO Eric Knott said he’s in final negotiations for spots in the Crossroads at 412 E. 18th St. (formerly Double Shift Brewing) and in Lee’s Summit at 1440 N.E. Douglas St.

The group is also looking to open another one in 2026: potentially in Leawood, Lenexa or Lawrence.

“What excites me the most is still the same thing that excited me about the first one, and that is bringing Tiki to the local communities, and trying to be involved as much as possible around each location,” Knott said.

Tiki Taco got its start in 2017 at 1710 W. 39th St.

Brothers Lyndon and Lindsey Wade bought the original location with their mother, Judy Rush, in 2020. The family then opened 5400 Troost Ave. in 2022, and 7514 W. 80th St. in downtown Overland Park in 2024.

Bright yellow and red umbrella patio sets adorn the outside dining area at Tiki Taco, on the corner of Troost and East 54th Street.
Bright yellow and red umbrella patio sets adorn the outside dining area at Tiki Taco, on the corner of Troost and East 54th Street. Emily Curiel ecuriel@kcstar.com

This year, gaining the help of Knott, the business opened spots in Shawnee at 11200 Johnson Drive and in Olathe at 14947 W. 119th St. It also now has a presence in Hy-Vee Arena and inside the Kansas Health Systems.

“Should be another year that we double in size,” Knott said.

Tiki Taco sells Korean beef tacos, sweet chili shrimp tacos, Thai chili pork burritos, cheeseburger burritos and more. Its drink menu includes frozen margaritas, Mai Tai, and other cocktails and mocktails.

This story was originally published December 16, 2025 at 2:57 PM.

Related Stories from Kansas City Star
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.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER