Jenna Thompson

Kansas City, Lincoln

Writing for @KCStar about businesses + fun around JoCo and KC | Tweets ≠ endorsements | Lover of words/empathy/Christ | [email protected]

Articles

New steakhouse from Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce is taking shape. See inside

3 days ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Inside Look is a Star series that takes our readers behind the scenes of some of the most well-known and not-so-well-known places and events in Kansas City. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email our journalists at [email protected]. Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have spent the past few years amassing Super Bowl rings. But it appears the pair thinks it's time for a new challenge. The next honor they're hoping to win? Best steakhouse in Kansas City.
Highly anticipated soda shop opens first Johnson County location

4 days ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Johnson County is excited for its first Swig location - if the long drive-thru lines are any indication. The Utah-based company opened its Mission location on Saturday at 5959 Barkley St. But even on a Monday afternoon, the line for decked-out sodas (enhanced with cream, syrup, fruit puree and candy) backed into the street. The location is the company's fourth in the metro. Its first location opened at 448 NE Coronado Drive in Blue Springs in October.
Rooftop movie theater coming to Kansas City. 'The ultimate date night'

4 days ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

London, Los Angeles, New York City, Chicago, and soon - Kansas City. Rooftop Cinema Club is opening its first Kansas City location July 23. The company will offer panoramic views, snacks, and beloved flicks like "Grease" and "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days."It'll open at 2101 Broadway Blvd. in the Crossroads and will seat about 80 customers. Up until now, that rooftop space has only been used for events.
This KC suburb has been asking for popular ice cream shop. They delivered

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Fast-growing Betty Rae's Ice Cream is opening yet another Kansas City area location - this time in Lee's Summit. The location will open next month in the Cosentino's Price Chopper grocery store at 251 SW Greenwich Drive. The brand said it chose the Lee's Summit spot after "listening to customer requests and ongoing social media comments," according to a release from the company. This will be the Betty Rae's eighth area location. The spot will have an outdoor walk-up window.
Chick-fil-A is opening another Kansas City area location. Here's when and where

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Popular fast food chain Chick-fil-A is opening another location in Kansas City. The latest spot is coming to the Metro North Crossing development near U.S. 169 and Barry Road, according to a media release. The chicken-centric restaurant is anticipated to open late this year. It will be at the corner of Barry Road and Wyandotte Street next to Dutch Bros. Franchisees Amy and Andy Gallawa are opening the new location.
Bar with 'cold drinks, hot food, good hangs' is replacing a Kansas City taproom

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Brick River Cider Co. closed its taproom in November, at first saying that it was taking a "pause" from taproom hours to focus on operations. But it appears the pause at its 1701 McGee St., Suite 200, space in the Crossroads is now permanent. A Minnesota-based bar is taking over its spot. Beckett's, which opened in Minneapolis last year, is opening its second location - and first in Kansas City - in a few months. Owner Josh Immerfall said he's tentatively planning for mid-August.
New KC Mediterranean grocery, bakery, cafe (and sometimes buffet) opens

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

The owners of a longtime Mediterranean cafe have opened a new market, cafe and restaurant - all under one roof. The Olive Zaytoona ("zaytoona" means "olive" in Arabic) opened in a spacious building at 8015 Bannister Road. Jerusalem native Salah Mansi owns the building, while his wife Nijma Mansi owns Zaytoona. They also own Olive Cafe at 9530 James A Reed Road but are looking to sell that space. Olive Cafe has been around for 20 years.
This new restaurant serving ballpark-style hot dogs is opening in Kansas City

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

A new bar and restaurant serving ballpark-style hot dogs is opening in Kansas City. Owner Matt McLain is opening a spot at 320 E. 51st St. in the South Plaza neighborhood, according to city permits. Called Ding Dong Dogs, the quick-service restaurant will be near the University of Missouri-Kansas City's campus. It will replace former Mediterranean restaurant Sahara.
Southern restaurant and bar opening first Kansas City area location this summer

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

North Carolina-based Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar first announced it was coming to the Kansas City area in August 2023. Now it finally has an opening date. The 16720 City Center Drive restaurant in Lenexa's Restaurant Row development will open July 15, according to a media release. With a headquarters in Asheville, Tupelo Honey serves chicken and waffles, scratch-made beef and chorizo meatloaf, sweet potato pancakes, buttermilk fried chicken tenders and other Southern-style comfort meals.
KC's new vintage sports-themed coffee spot and eatery is opening soon

1 week ago | kansascity.com | Jenna Thompson

Le Champion opens next week in Westport, combining coffee, food and cocktails. Owner Amante Domingo blends retro sports decor with scratch food and cocktails. Menu features chef-led coffee, shared plates and locally sourced ingredients. Le Champion, opening next week in the old Westport Ça Va spot, doesn't fit snugly in a one- or two-word description. In the earlier hours of the day, customers will walk up to the front counter of the 4149 Pennsylvania Ave.