New Johnson County pizza restaurant and taproom opens. ‘Best quality’
The Kansas City area’s newest pizza shop has two notable features.
Firstly, a wood-fire oven crackles from behind the counter, where employees toss pizza dough that’s been made that morning. The oven cooks personal pan pizzas with prosciutto, banana peppers, olives, garlic and other toppings.
Secondly — and perhaps most notably — a self-serve tap wall beckons customers to grab a cup and pour their own beer. The machine, which is similar to an oversized soda fountain, pours 20 local beers.
The Florida-based concept, Smokin’ Oak, has opened its first restaurant in the metro. The Olathe location is the company’s eighth overall and lives at 15241 W. 119th St. It took over the former Smashburger spot in Olathe Station.
Smokin’ Oak is just a few days into its Johnson County journey, but co-owner Will Pratt said that things are going well.
“I think the community has responded extremely well,” he said. “We really have high standards and wanna make sure we’re putting out the best quality product we can.”
He owns the spot alongside his business partner, Lucas Roeske.
The pair hope the wood-fire concept catches a spark in the area. Smokin’ Oak is a full scratch-kitchen, they said, with its dough made every morning. There’s no freezer hidden in the back.
“Everybody who comes in here is gonna be treated right and receive good food,” Pratt said.
Its pizza options include the Alfredo-licious (Alfredo sauce, mozzarella, applewood bacon, chicken, red onion and red pepper flakes baked, then topped with spinach and cracked pepper for $12.95) and the buffalo chicken (buffalo sauce, mozzarella, chicken and banana peppers baked, then topped with green onions, blue cheese dressing and scratch-made raspberry sauce for $13.95).
Customers can build their own pizzas for $12.95, starting with a choice from seven different sauces, six different cheeses, six different meats, and 16 different veggies. Red pepper, oregano, black pepper and sriracha are also available.
For dessert, Smokin’ Oak offers an 8-inch cookie pizza loaded with chocolate chips and warmed in the oven. It’s $7.95.
Its self-serve tap machine offers pours from Strange Days Brewing Co., Vine Street Brewing Co., Boulevard, KC Bier Co. and several others.
Though the Olathe area has been good to Smokin’ Oak in just its first few days, Pratt said they’re hoping to open several more locations in the metro. Get ready, KC.
“We look forward to celebrating Olathe and the rest of KC metro area,” he said.
Smokin’ Oak will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
The company was founded in 2009, and its roots trace back to Rochester, Minnesota, where entrepreneur Linda Black opened Pi Wood-Fired Pizza.
After reconnecting with her childhood friend Matt Mongoven, the two developed Smokin’ Oak. Today it has locations in Florida, Georgia, Nebraska, Colorado, and Arkansas. It has one location in Washington, Missouri, near St. Louis.