Talk of the Town
After decades as a staple late-night dining option in the Crossroads, Town Topic Hamburgers (2021 Broadway Blvd., KCMO) is scaling back its hours. In a Facebook post, the diner announced that it will no longer operate 24/7; it will now close nightly at 8 pm. In the post, the owners cited safety concerns in the surrounding area, including a recent shooting nearby, as the reason for the change.
Last Call at Jalisco
After 61 years of operation, KCK’s Jalisco Restaurant permanently shut its doors at the end of May. The longtime State Ave. staple had a sign posted in its front door stating its closing date. It read: “Thank you for your patronage. Remember us, we will never forget you. The Hernandez Family.” Since opening in 1965, Jalisco has become a multigenerational gathering spot known for its classic Mexican dishes, margaritas and deeply loyal customer base. The Hernandez family once operated additional Jalisco locations in both Mission and Kansas City, Kansas’ Argentine neighborhood.
Moon Rising
Moon Bar (911 E. 5th St., KCMO) opened toward the end of May, bringing a Japanese-style cocktail experience to Columbus Park. The bar comes from Saranya and Zachary Hubbard, who first built a following through Moon Bar pop-ups before opening Tian Tea House last year. During the day, the space serves traditional Asian teas; by night, it transforms into an intimate 30-seat cocktail bar centered on Japanese bartending techniques and omotenashi, a hospitality philosophy focused on meticulous and wholehearted care and service.
Roll Call
KCulichi Sushi (542 Southwest Blvd., KCK) has officially opened its first restaurant location on Southwest Boulevard after building a following through its food trailer. The restaurant specializes in culichi-style sushi, a Sinaloa-inspired take on Japanese rolls that swaps raw fish for baked and fried creations loaded with steak, chicken, shrimp, cream cheese and melted mozzarella. Owners Jorge Sotelo Garcia, Fidel Lugo and Noel Lugo say the new space will also host watch parties and special events during the World Cup.
The Bar West
After years as a neighborhood sports bar staple in Shawnee, The Bar West (7174 Renner Road, Shawnee) is closing its doors. But the space won’t sit empty for long. A new mini-golf bar is set to take over, according to the Kansas City Star. Details are still limited, but it’s reported that plans call for a boozy indoor mini-golf experience.
