New Johnson County steakhouse, oyster bar opening in former Winstead’s
A former Johnson County Winstead’s that was most recently a dumpling shop is taking on a new life as a steakhouse and oyster bar.
Dick’s Steak & Oyster aims to open at 4971 W. 135th St. in Leawood, hopefully this summer.
Owner Kevin Timmons — who also owns local chain Nick & Jake’s — wants the space to be a go-to date-night spot, without all the marble and brass of stuffier options.
“We’re calling this a high-end steak joint,” Timmons said. “Deep woods, leathers, fabrics — it’s just a more comfortable look.”
The restaurant is named after not just one Dick, but two. Timmons’ late father and the father of his business partner, Doug Watkins, share the same first name. The tagline will be “established in 1938,” the year Timmons’ father was born.
Dick’s will serve both wet-aged and dry-aged steaks on a New York-style broiler, kissing some steaks with charcoal from a charcoal grill.
To pair with dinner, Dick’s will offer around 200 wines.
Its oyster bar will serve delicacies like lobster salad, smoked salmon, tuna tartare, hamachi, shrimp cocktail, as well as oysters from both the East and West Coast.
Acclaimed restaurant designer John O’Brien is beautifying the space. His resume includes designing Earl’s Premier, Voltaire and Golden Ox.
“The idea, you’re gonna walk in, and see it’s not like Nick & Jake’s,” Timmons said. “You’re gonna think it was built in 1938.”
The former burger restaurant will seat 148 people inside with two small private dining rooms. Timmons is converting the former Winstead’s drive-thru into a 138-seat outdoor patio.
Chef Dan Larson, who spent more than eight years as executive and regional chef at 801 Chophouse, will be heading up the menu at Dick’s. With just one day of test-running items under his belt, Timmons said he’s impressed.
“We had three winners today that will be on the menu, without a doubt,” Timmons said. “That’s fantastic for a day one cook tasting.”
While Timmons’ father has passed, Watkins’ father, the other Dick, is still living in Kansas City and will get to taste the restaurant’s menu when it opens, Timmons said.
Before Timmons took it over, the spot was home to Rakar Dumpling House for just two years. Its owners retired and sold the space.
Winstead’s was founded in 1940 and filed for bankruptcy in 2020, leading to the closure of its Leawood location and others. It still has a spot in Overland Park at 10711 Roe Ave. and near the Plaza at 101 Emanuel Cleaver II Blvd.
This story was originally published January 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM.
CORRECTION: A previous version of this story failed to include some detail about the restaurants’ owners and their fathers, the restaurant’s namesakes. It has been updated.