New modern American restaurant opens in Johnson County: ‘Really approachable’
The walls of 135 S. Kansas Ave., once home to a tech company, are now lined with a turquoise back splash and televisions. In lieu of keyboards clicking, the sounds of chattering and forks scraping plates fill the space.
American restaurant Third Street Social opened Thursday, bringing a steady crowd to downtown Olathe, which has been long known as a sleepy area.
But no longer, says the city. The restaurant is one of several restaurants slated to open, bringing the area to life and pulling in more business for the city.
Domhnall Molloy, owner of Third Street Social, was at the soft opening Thursday and watched over kitchen staff and servers, who tended to a fairly full dining room. The community has been eager for the restaurant to open, Molloy said, and is now enjoying the space.
“Everything’s been really positive, and I think everyone’s excited to have a restaurant help activate downtown a little more,” Molloy said.
The menus are the same at each location, which consists of the Northland at 410 NW Legacy Drive, Lee’s Summit at 123 SE Third St. (the original location and inspiration behind the name), and South Plaza at 5031 Main St.
Menu favorites include the fried chicken for $25 with Yukon mashed potatoes (make it Nashville hot for an extra dollar), chicken pot pie for $23, Mississippi catfish for $24, and shrimp and grits for $29.
Handhelds like the signature Social cheeseburger with house sauce (single for $14) and a fried chicken sandwich for $16 are also on the menu.
Its array of cocktails includes the cilantro jalapeño margarita for $14, espresso martini for $15, blackberry gin cooler for $13, and several low or zero-proof options.
“The menu’s really approachable,” Molloy said. “People can come in and have a really nice anniversary or come in with your kids after a soccer game.”
Funny he should mention soccer: There’s a cocktail called the Soccer Mom for $13. It has Tito’s, pineapple, strawberries and simple syrup.
Third Street Social is owned by Summit Hospitality Group, which also owns Pearl Tavern, Summit Grill, and Neighborhood Café.
While there aren’t many surprises operations-wise at the Olathe location, Molloy bragged on the atmosphere, with its white tiled floors and high, industrial ceiling.
“It’s probably one of the prettier restaurants we have out of our nine restaurants across the city,” Molloy said.
They’re hoping the Johnson County spot won’t be its last. Molloy said the group is looking for more spots and is eager to see how Kansas responds to the concept.
“We’re excited to be in a new state and getting to expand,” he said.
The new restaurant is one of several in the burgeoning downtown Olathe area as part of an effort by the city to bring in more business. The city already welcomed Pizza 151’s newest location and is looking forward to a new Austin’s Bar & Grill, Char Bar, and Fifth & Emory.
Summit Hospitality, meanwhile, will soon open Italian restaurant Vertice on the Plaza, at 616 Ward Parkway, which hopes to open in early September.