Several local and national chain restaurants open in the southland (2024)

By Colette Panchot

Popeyes Louisiana Kitchenopened a newly built restaurant this month–emblazoned with “Love That Chicken” on the side--at the site it previouslyoccupied at 13049 S. US Hwy 71in Grandview. The new building features a lobby and expanded seating, as well as two additional registers and upgraded equipment for faster service. The team at this location did provide faster service than this reporter experienced before the remodel. The fresh look is part of the company’s nationwide strategy to re-brand its existing locations. Their menu includesBonafide Chicken, handcrafted chicken tenders, chicken sandwiches, popcorn shrimp, buttermilk biscuits, Southern-inspired sides, desserts, and kids’ meals.

Simply Grand Kitchen and Creamery, 504 Main St, opened in late August serving unique homemade shakes and ice cream. Chef Mary Ann Bader has now joined owners–and relatives– Zach Taylor and his mother Laurie Taylor. Bader was an award-winning chef in Belize at the Maya Beach Hotel and Restaurant. Her menu includes farm-to-table dishes at Simply Grand, such as chicken pot pie, Inside & Out grilled cheese w/ roasted pepper-tomato soup, meatloaf sandwich, or chicken gribiche salad.

Big-Belly’s Italian-American Kitchen opened in October at 8940 Wornall Road. This locally owned restaurant pairs Old World Italian cuisine with American comfort food. Its diverse menu includes pastas topped with homemade sauces, stuffed sliders, salads, flatbreads, chicken tenders, and chef’s specials that include chicken, salmon, sirloin, and shrimp. Their hand-rolled Italian eggrolls are a Big Belly’s exclusive. There is a kid’s menu, and kids eat free on Tuesdays. Big Belly’s also offers family meal deals, including one for Thanksgiving.

Shagan’s Chicken and Parathas opened in October at 8436 Ward Parkway. The locally owned Indian restaurant serves home-cooked food made fresh daily, with staples such as butter chicken, curry chicken, butter paneer, vegetable korma and lentils, and flatbreads. Most popular are the parathas stuffed with potatoes or cauliflower.

OMO Japanese Ramen & Sushi recently opened on the north side of the Ward Parkway Shopping Center at 8430 Ward Parkway in Kansas City. The menu features a wide selection of sushi, in addition to seven options for ramen, udon, and stir fry that are meat- or vegetable-based. For those who prefer something other than ramen or sushi, there are rice and salad options.

Cold Stone Creamery and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory opened October 26 at the former Starbucks location at Ward Parkway Shopping Center. The two businesses have combined, so if you feel it’s too cold for ice cream maybe a Rocky Mountain caramel apple or bag of chocolate popcorn will suffice. Cold Stone offers a variety of ice cream flavors and toppings, creative seasonal combinations, birthday cakes and pies.

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened a new location November 12th at 13628 Washington Ave. in Martin City. This fast-casual restaurant concept is known for its cooked-to-order steakburgers made with lean 100 percent ground beef, all-beef hot dogs, crispy shoestring fries, and frozen custard treats made with freshly churned chocolate or vanilla frozen custard.

The Rockhill Grille, which features classic American cuisine at its downtown location 20th and Grand, opened its second location at 4311 W. 119th Street in Town Center Plaza & Crossing in Leawood on November 16. The Leawood restaurant occupies the former La Bodega Tapas & Lounge.

Opening Soon

Nick the Greek will open its second Kansas City fast-food-restaurant location at Ward Parkway Center in the space next to the former Hurts Donuts shop. An early January opening is planned.

Joy Wok Super Buffet & Hibachi Grill, featuring a 150-item buffet, plans to open another location at 85th and Wornall in Spring 2023.

Café Europa, a café and bakery long established at Crestwood Shopping Center off 55th and Brookside Blvd., has moved to 4928 Main St., and will open a second store in the former Zoe’s, 4331 W 119 St., Town Center Plaza & Crossing in Leawood. cafeeuropakc.com.

WingStop will construct a new building at Truman’s Marketplace in Grandview at one of the pad sites near the outer road. Opening expected in 2023.

The Other Place, an American sports grill and pizzeria, will construct a stand-alone restaurant at the southeast corner of N. Cedar Street (Y Highway) and Givan Avenue in Belton early next year. This project is the first sit-down restaurant to be constructed along the Y Highway corridor near the newly built apartment complexes.

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