Kansas City Restaurant News September (and early October) 2024

Chuck Munson

Oct 16, 2024 — 3 min read

Tacos from Rey de Oros in Martin City (KCMO)

Restaurant Openings and Closings

Let's take a look at the restaurant news for Kansas City for the month of September and the first week of October. I see several concepts on this list that I really wanted to check out, but it is closing. And another that I visited this summer and found was pretty good.

Smitty’s Garage closed this past weekend at Ward Parkway Shopping Center.
Mesob Restaurant & Rhum Bar announced this week that they are closing their second location in north Kansas City on October 25th. The Ethiopian / Caribbean concept still operates on Broadway in KCMO near the Uptown Theater.
Kitty's Cafe has re-opened after being closed for much of the year for remodeling. You should go pick up one of their world famous tenderloin sandwiches. (810 1/2 E 31st St, Kansas City, MO)
Extra Virgin Grab & Go is a new concept at 19th and Main in the Crossroads District (KCMO).
Rockhill Grille has closed their location in Leawood at Leawood's Town Center Crossing (119th and Roe).
Frannie Frank's is a popular vendor at the Overland Park Farmer's Market that sells coffee cakes. They are opening a store location on the east side of Town Center in Leawood (11828 Roe Ave). Around the corner from Barnes and Noble and across the street from Joe's KC BBQ.
BLU HWY has closed. They were operating at 5070 Main, in the 51Main building, just south of the Country Club Plaza.
The Salty Iguana has closed its location in Olathe. The other locations are still open.
Go Chicken Go is opening a new location next year at 380 N.E. Vivion Road.
Buffalo State Pizza Co. is moving down the street to a bigger space in downtown Overland Park.
Rockin' Wok Thai Room at RC's is closing. The owners also own Thai House at 99th and Holmes.
Coast to Coast Pub in Martin City closed this month. It was part of the Martin City Brewing Company.
It appears that the Pan-Asia Market at 119th and Metcalf, may have plans to move across the street to 12035 Metcalf Ave, in the space that used to be Bed, Bath & Beyond. A new sign has gone up at that location. Whole Foods opened a new location this year next to the Pan-Asia Market. Aldi recently announced plans to open a location in the same complex, in the space where Borders Books used to be.
25 grocery stores in the Kansas City area are being turned into employee-owned stores by current owner Balls Food Stores (BFS). This change affects all Hen House Markets and Sun Fresh Markets, and some of the Price Choppers.

*Pad Thai from Rockin' Wok Thai Room at RC's*

**Frannie Frank's** *coffee cakes at the Overland Park Farmer's Market*

Celebrity Foodies

Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are undoubtably Kansas City's most famous couple right now. With the Kansas City Chiefs' season in full gear and Taylor Swift visiting during a pause of her Eras Tour, the couple have reportedly visited a few local restaurants. Various news sources, including the British tabloids, report that the couple and friends dined at Noka, on 31st Street in KCMO (Martini Corner). It's possible that Swift treated Kelce to dinner as part of his weekend birthday celebrations. News reports also say that Brittany Mahomes also celebrated a birthday there this year.

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