Bar and entertainment venue coming to former burger joint in Westport
In Matthew Ortiz’s native Texas, a “greenhorn” isn’t a word you want to be called. Once meaning the green horns of a young cattle, the term is now used to describe someone who’s inexperienced and naive.
But Matthew and his wife, Tessa Ortiz, plan to reclaim the word, in a sense, with their new bar and entertainment space, The Greenhorn Bar & Grill.
“We’re all doing this life thing for the first time,” Matthew said. “We resonated with (this idea because) we don’t take ourselves too seriously.”
Matthew has some restaurant experience, having bartended his way through college and worked at a firm that invested in some restaurant concepts. Tessa’s from the world of urban planning. So they both admitted that they’re “greenhorns” when it comes to running their own business.
For some ease, they’re taking over the space of the former restaurant Green Room Burgers & Beer, which closed some time in the last year. When the Ortizes took over the Westport space, there were parts of the old restaurant they only had to make tweaks to, like the bar, the multiple tables and chairs left over, and a stage that Green Room formerly used for live music and improv.
The stage was a key piece in the idea the Ortizes had for Greenhorn to be more than just another bar and restaurant in the Westport.
“The big thing we’re trying to do is bring entertainment back to dinner,” Matthew said.
The first hire they made was a music director, Matthew said, someone who could help them plan out live entertainment or artist showcases every day of the week that the Greenhorn is open. That could look like Sunday football on a giant projector, paid open mic nights, comedy or live music.
Tessa said they also plan to highlight artists in other ways. The tables and chairs left by the owners of the former Green Room will be upcycled by a local artist. And inside the restaurant, the couple plans to hire a muralist to take over wall space in the main dining area, next to the stage.
They’re in the process of looking for employees who excel at their craft in the food and beverage space as well. For now, the Ortizes have hired a local butcher to provide menu items like Italian sausage and other meats.
The food and beverage menu is mostly finalized, Matthew said. The food will lean into American bar cuisine, offering dishes like fries, wings and chicken sandwiches. The menu will also have nods to the couple’s Mexican heritage, with items like a Mexican hot dog.
And Matthew said they plan to keep a sign posted on the property that came from Green Room, which reads “Best burger in Kansas City.” So naturally, they plan to serve top-notch burgers.
“I’m a huge burger lover, and that’s originally why we went into this space was because of that sign,” Matthew said.
The bar will likely sling cocktails, local craft beer and wine.
There’s ample seating throughout the 4,500-square-foot space, starting with the bar and lounge area that features classic leather stools along the bar and a separate comfortable set up of couches and coffee tables in a dark green room. This area can seat up to 45 people, Tessa said.
Then through a hallway and into another room, there’s the main dining area right in front of the stage that fits up to 60 seated guests, decorated with a few hanging chandeliers. Behind the dining section is a few bar-top tables and room for standing that could fit about 20 guests. On a good weather day, there’s also a patio with 20 seats.
The Ortizes have their sights set on opening the bar at 4010 Pennsylvania Ave. by mid-July, every Tuesday through Sunday. Tessa said they haven’t settled on exact hours just yet, but guests can follow Greenhorn’s Instagram for more updates.
