Chuck Eats KC - May 2024 Restaurant News and more!

Chuck Munson

Jun 2, 2024 — 4 min read

Band playing in the entrance of the recently opened World Fresh Market in Overland Park, Kansas

Upcoming Appearance

I've been invited to be a guest on Jasper Mirabile's "Live from Jasper’s Kitchen" radio show (KCMO). Should be aired this month. I'll send out an update when more details are available.

Openings, Closings, and Restaurant News

Aqua Penny’s has opened in Park Place in Leawood. The chefs behind the nearby Bamboo Penny’s, Penny and Doug Mufuka, have opened this concept which focuses on fresh seafood dishes. Entrees include “Seafood and Safron,” “Fire Roasted Octopus,” and “Scottish Salmon Wellington.” Also featured are steaks and meat dishes, so a turf and surf concept. My family are big fans of Bamboo Penny’s–I haven’t been to either restaurant yet.
The international Bikanervala chain is opening one of their Indian vegetarian outlets at 8669 W 135th St in Overland Park.
Longboards Wraps & Bowls is planning a June opening of a new location at 8150 W 135th St in Overland Park.
Muni, a Mexican-Thai fusion concept, has open in the River Market.
Mr. Wingz is planning a new location for 9532 Antioch Rd. in Overland Park.
I just found out that Empanada Madness moved a year ago from their original location on Southwest Boulevard to Crown Center. The restaurant features the cuisine of Venezuela and Colombia. Dining Companion #1, my Youth Review Crew, and I are fans of their empanadas, arepas, sauces, and fried plantains.
Chef J BBQ is planning a second location this year at the Pennway Point development. That’s the new Ferris Wheel in the Crossroads District West.
Kansas City BBQ favorite, Q39, is planning a location in Lawrence, Kansas. Set to open this Fall in the building on 6th Street formerly occupied by the newspaper.
Banksia has closed their downtown location on 9th Street, but are re-opening this week in a new location! "G'day! The 9th street location is now closed. The NEW location at 12 & Main will be open next week. This new space will be much larger with a 20 seat bar, a private dining/event room and an iconic patio."

Banksia has moved their downtown KCMO location

Aqua Penny's opens in Park Place, in Leawood, Kansas

Quik Trip Changes Coffee Stations

Quik Trip has started deploying a big change to its cappucino stations. I’ve been dreading this a little, as getting a QT hot mocha is part of my regular daily routines. When I got wind of the changes, I had concerns about the taste of my comfort coffee and the prices. I recently found the new machines at a Quik Trip in Raytown.

From the scarce details I’ve been able to glean online, the new system is called the Nitro Draft Coffee Bar. You can get cappucinos, cold brew, and iced cocoa. No, I don’t know if “iced cocoa” is just cold chocolate milk.

The new system goes with a “taps” concept which looks like beer taps and has clever design for each type of coffee beverage. I do like the overall look of the stations. The tap designs are very cute. Pouring a beverage feels easier and you can better control the pour. We’ll see how well this concept stands up to hundreds of daily users.

I’m not happy with the price increases. My daily medium beverage has increased from the market rate of around $2.20 to $2.69. A 50 cent increase for filling station coffee is a concern. The taste of the new blends are better, so that offsets some of my concern about price. My Mocha did taste smoother, less sweet, and more like a coffee shop mocha. Will be interesting to hear from QT fans who prefer the other blends.

The blends are available in two sets of taps. The “hot” beverages are designated by red LED light at the bottom of the tap. “Cold” beverages have an ice blue LED at the bottom of the taps.

New on Chuck Eats KC

Maps Coffee & Chocolate, Coffee Roaster in Lenexa, Kansas
Maps Coffee & Chocolate is an indie coffee roaster and shop located in historic Lenexa, Kansas. Tasty coffee and fresh chocolate.

Rey de Oros Taqueria – Flavorful Tacos in Martin City
If you are looking for tacos and fresh Mexican food in southern Kansas City, check out Rey de Oros Taqueria on Holmes, in Martin City. Great flavors, lots of options, fun casual space.

Rockin’ Wok Thai Room at RC’s
The food scene in Martin City has been growing, expanding and blossoming. So I was very intrigued when I herd that RC’s had added a Thai restaurant upstairs.

The 640 Pizza and Pints: Comfy Pizzeria in Weston, Missouri
640 Pizza and Pints in downtown Weston, Missouri may not just be a small town pizzeria, it should be a destination pizzeria for at least area diners living north of KCMO. I’ve been very impressed with my two experiences with their pizza in the past year.