Johnson County chef’s burritos named best in Kansas. Now she’s opening a restaurant
Red Kitchen KC — a Mexican food vendor in the Lenexa Public Market — will open its first brick and mortar restaurant.
The new spot will be called Red Kitchen: Cien por Ciento Mexicana (or 100% Mexican) and will open in downtown Overland Park at 7926 Santa Fe Drive in early 2024.
Red Kitchen’s last day in its Lenexa stall will be Dec. 26, according to Denise Rendina, a spokeswoman for the city of Lenexa.
Specializing in burritos and tamales — even claiming the title of best burritos in Kansas by Food & Wine in 2018 — Red Kitchen has served its Mexican dishes in its small public market spot at 8750 Penrose Lane since 2017.
Food & Wine highlighted its bacon breakfast burrito and chicken tinga as “great options.” Other menu items include its tacos de guisado with rice and huevos rancheros.
“I am grateful for my loyal customers and can’t wait to welcome them to my new restaurant,” owner Alejandra de la Fuente said in a release from the city of Lenexa.
Red Kitchen’s new Overland Park location will focus on breakfast and lunch.
The space was once home to catering company The Table, which moved to 6301 Glenwood St. earlier this year.
Lenexa Public Market features several vendors, including African Dream Cuisine, Kimchi and Bap, and Cosmo Burger.
Redina said one of the public market’s goals is to open opportunities for would-be restaurant owners by introducing their food to the public. Butterfield’s Bakery & Market opened Kate Smith Soiree in downtown Overland Park this year, then closed its public market stall.
“We’re sad to see (de la Fuente) go, but we’re excited for her opportunity,” Rendina said.
