Some regulars at Independence Square’s 3 Trails Brewing Co. come in five or six times a week. They don’t get tired of its beers, or the brewing company’s new food operation.
The owner of Brewer’s Kitchen & Corner in Midtown and two partners recently opened the brewing company’s new food operation called Brewer’s: Wrap House. The walk-up window offers a variety of wraps, sandwiches, Brew-Ritos and more.
“It is fun to collaborate with other entrepreneurs who are trying to be innovative – fresh ingredients, good food, good quality beer,” says Matt Medley, the brewery’s owner. “That’s how we stay relevant.”
Brewer’s: Wrap House offers small plates such as jalapeno poppers, and hand-crusted chicken fingers.
Under Pork & Dawgs there’s Joe’s Secret Pulled Pork Sandwich on a hoagie bun, then topped with housemade coleslaw mix and barbecue sauce.
Brew-ritos (fork and knife encouraged): Bangin’ Thai Peanut Chicken, The Fire Flow Buffalo Chicken, Southwest OG and the Frito Chili Crunch.
It also has the BBQ Bounce Wrap (chicken, barbecue sauce, ranch dressing, romaine, tomato, cheddar cheese and hot sweet pickles), and burger wraps.
“All we are trying to do is make sure fresh is the standard. We find that bar food is typically the least fresh of food,” says Chris Riggins, Brewer’s: Wrap House partner. “We have so much fresh food around us throughout the Midwest. That should be our standard.”
Medley bought the building in the 100 block of N. Main Street in 2017, and opened 3 Trails Brewing with two minority partners in early 2019. It distributes its beers to more than 50 spots in the region.
The 9,000-square-foot first floor can hold up to 160 people. It serves only 3 Trails beers, made in-house, as well as wine and mixed drinks. Medley added the kitchen in 2020 but had no plans to run a food operation, wanting to leave that to the experts.
Another area company, Flying Horse Flatbreads, previously operated in the space for about three years. The owners also are closing their Flying Horse Taproom in East Brookside to concentrate on their liquor store and growing bar services business.
So Medley reached out to Riggins.
“Their fresh ingredients, you can really taste the difference in the quality of food and meat, and their creativity,” Medley says. “They are always adding stuff. Pushing their boundaries and finding what the customers like.”
Instead of him paying someone to run the kitchen, the three partners in Brewer’s: Wrap House rent the space.
Joseph Robinson was with Outback Steakhouse for 20 years and was managing partner for 11 of those years at restaurants in Lee’s Summit and the Northland.
His wife, Emily Ray, is the third partner. She operated kitchens for Outback Steakhouse and most recently was a server at Seasons 52 restaurant on the Country Club Plaza.
“Emily and I are huge fans of Chris and his kitchens. We went for date night and felt involved a little bit,” Robinson says. “He asked me to work on projects but I was too busy, or didn’t have time. I have three children. But I like the freedom, no corporate guidelines. We can build things the way we want to and have the freedom to make a mistake.”
The space does not have a commercial hood system or “big fancy oven,” so they created a menu focusing on wraps and sandwiches. Even their mayonnaise, Buffalo sauce, Thai peanut sauce and ranch dressing are made in-house.
Robinson is a bit envious that Emily and Chris came up with the four top-sellers: Southwest OG, Bangin’ Thai Peanut Chicken, Inflation Wrap and The Big Cheese Wrap. So he’s challenged to create a fifth one.
Riggins has been in the restaurant industry since he was a 16-year-old host at Outback Steakhouse and then moved up the ranks until he was managing partner of an Outback Steakhouse In Iowa City, Iowa, and then regional training manager for five years.
He founded Brewer’s Kitchen (3107 Gillham Road) in 2019, to showcase local craft beers – including 3 Trails – in drink and food offerings. Most menu items have a local craft beer as an ingredient.
Riggins opened Brewer’s Corner in the space next door in late 2023. The beer hall has a full bar, a variety of seating areas, board games, darts and a 150-inch projector TV. A back mural has the words: Grow Daily.
“I’m going to keep growing, I’m going to do things differently and trust my gut. That’s my life’s goal,” he says.
