Local

Nine unique restaurant concepts reshaping Johnson County’s food scene

Stories by Kansas City Star journalists, with AI summarization

Johnson County’s food scene is buzzing with new, diverse restaurant concepts. Dos Tequilas, a colorful Mexican sports bar, plans to serve tacos and boozy coffee drinks in a revamped Shawnee space. Downtown Olathe will welcome Char Bar Smoked Meats & Pickleball, Third Street Social’s comfort food and Pizza 51.

Cava is bringing Mediterranean bowls and pita wraps to Merriam’s Grand Station development, adding a drive-thru option for quicker meals. Tiki Taco is also expanding, promising bold flavors like sweet chili shrimp tacos in a bright, lively space in Olathe.

Father-daughter Yvan Duin and Dominique Young hope to open their Mexican sports bar, Dos Tequilas, by early August. By Jenna Thompson

NO. 1: OWNER OF A KC AREA RADIO STATION IS OPENING A MEXICAN SPORTS BAR IN JOHNSON COUNTY

It will have plenty places to catch big games because its owners are “really, really big Chiefs fans.” | Published July 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

The Fancy Falafels plate at Meddys: five falafel patties served with salad, hummus, pita and soup. By David Hudnall

NO. 2: GROWING KANSAS RESTAURANT CHAIN OPENS 3RD KC AREA SPOT THIS WEEK. A 4TH IS COMING SOON

This restaurant’s new Johnson County location opens Wednesday and will be much bigger than others in the area. | Published July 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Burnt End BBQ’s burnt ends bowl.

NO. 3: BARBECUE RESTAURANT CLOSES JOHNSON COUNTY LOCATION AFTER 10 YEARS. ALL IS NOT LOST

This restaurant is known for its brisket and burnt ends sandwich, smoked ribs and barbecue bowls. | Published July 30, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

CAVA is opening a fourth location in Fort Worth, this time near a southern shopping center.

NO. 4: MEDITERRANEAN FAST-CASUAL RESTAURANT IS ABOUT TO OPEN NEW LOCATION IN JOHNSON COUNTY

The restaurant is opening on the grounds of a former Kmart. | Published October 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Sierra BBQ will offer ribs, chicken, burnt ends and other barbecue favorites.

NO. 5: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY BARBECUE RESTAURANT TO OPEN SOON FROM SAME OWNERS AS UPSCALE GRILL

The restaurant will serve ribs, burnt ends, baked beans and more. | Published October 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Kansas City Star reporter Jonathan Shorman chooses The Burnt Heaven Sandwich from the Char Bar in Westport as his Let’s Dish favorite.

NO. 6: 3 NEW RESTAURANTS COMING TO DOWNTOWN OLATHE: BBQ, PICKLEBALL, COMFORT FOOD & PIZZA

The revitalized area will include a barbecue spot with seven pickleball courts, as well as two other popular restaurants. | Published October 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

Tiki Taco serves a Thai fried chicken taco, left, abuela pastor taco, Korean beef taco and more. By Emily Curiel

NO. 7: THIS KANSAS CITY TACO CHAIN HAS BIG EXPANSION PLANS. NEXT UP: NEW JOHNSON COUNTY SPOT

The chain named one of the “hottest startup fast casuals” earlier this year is living up to the designation. | Published November 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jenna Thompson

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

NO. 8: 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

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. 9: 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

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.