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New restaurants opening in Johnson County this year offer unique menus

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Johnson County’s dining scene is buzzing with exciting new spots and unique menu options. Emiliano’s is bringing Tex-Mex classics like molcajete and pollo ixtapa to Olathe, replacing a former Pizza Hut. Snack Bar in Lenexa offers Mexican treats like paletas and boozy smoothies, perfect for family outings.

Pokeloha is taking over an old BBQ location in Overland Park with fresh sushi and ramen options. Meanwhile, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream opened a new shop in Overland Park, scooping favorites like ooey gooey butter cake and lavender honey flavors.

Emiliano’s will sell Mexican dishes like pollo ixtapa.

NO. 1: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY MEXICAN RESTAURANT OPENING IN THIS FORMER PIZZA PLACE. HERE’S WHEN

“It’s authentic, of course, but a little Tex-Mex,” the owner said. | Published June 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Snack Bar in Lenexa offers Mexican cocktails, snacks and more.

NO. 2: JOHNSON COUNTY SNACK AND BAR CONCEPT OPENS: BOOZY SMOOTHIES, MEXICAN ICE CREAM, MORE

The owner is also behind a popular Johnson County brunch spot. | Published January 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Five Four Restaurant and Drafthouse is getting a new space in Lee’s Summit and Lenexa.

NO. 3: OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT RESTAURANT COMING TO JOHNSON COUNTY, LEE’S SUMMIT. ANOTHER CLOSING

The new restaurant will have two golf bays, two pickleball courts, yard games and outdoor seating. | Published January 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Denver hot chicken eggs benedict has lightly fried chicken, roasted chili buffalo sauce, buttermilk biscuit, ranch, hollandaise sauce, bleu cheese, celery and carrots.

NO. 4: BREAKFAST CHAIN WITH KC TIES EYES AGGRESSIVE EXPANSION IN METRO: JOHNSON COUNTY, MORE

The founder used the lessons he learned while working at Houston’s in KC to open his chain. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A mixed plate of barbecue at J’s BBQ in Olathe on Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025. The location recently switched ownership after the departure of longtime favorite, Johnny’s, closed up shop. The owner, Josh Deal, claims to have “the best burnt ends in Kansas City.” By Dominick Williams

NO. 5: JOHNSON COUNTY BBQ RESTAURANT CLOSES, ANOTHER REPLACES IT. ‘THE BEST BURNT ENDS IN KC’

The KC institution is gone after almost 50 years. But don’t fear BBQ fans, something else is here. | Published March 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

A great combo at HomeGrown: the West Coast Wake Up omelet, paired with the Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, at right. But you can’t go wrong if you swap in the coffee cake with caramel sauce, top. By Emily Curiel

NO. 6: POPULAR BREAKFAST SPOT, BAR & GRILL EXPAND TO NEW JOHNSON COUNTY DEVELOPMENT 

The site was once a Kmart. Now it’s home to two new restaurants. | Published April 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Betty Rae’s is opening another spot in the Kansas City metro.

NO. 7: KC AREA-BASED ICE CREAM SHOP SETS OPENING DATE FOR JOHNSON COUNTY SPOT

The first 50 customers in line get free scoops. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Pokeloha is opening another location. Sushi will be on the menu.

NO. 8: FORMER JOHNSON COUNTY BBQ SPOT TO BECOME SUSHI, POKE, RAMEN RESTAURANT

The new spot will be different than its other metro locations. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.