What’s new in Lee’s Summit? Plenty, if you’re up for cuisines from around the world
Looking for a new place to grab a bite or something to drink? Those with a craving for Mexican food have their choice of two new spots. If you’re heading out for a bite, you might also consider a new place for pizza, a Greek eatery, a Mediterranean fast-casual spot or a poke/ramen noodle shop.
In downtown Lee’s Summit, El Plato Mexican Grill and Cantina opened last spring and serves authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant, at 22 S.W. Third St., took over the space previously occupied by Sabor Latino, said to Mike Weisenborn, project manager for the city of Lee’s Summit Development Services.
True fans of the cuisine probably know about another new Mexican restaurant in downtown. Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, at 300 S.E. Third St., took over the space of Sonic Drive-In, which had been a longtime downtown fixture.
On the west side, Pizza Tascio recently opened in the Summit Woods Crossing shopping mall. The restaurant, at 1694 N.W. Chipman Road, is in the space that formerly housed Pinsa Pizza, Weisenborn said. The Lee’s Summit eatery, which serves New York style pizza, is one of seven Pizza Tascio locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Another restaurant launching on the rapidly growing west side is Cava, at 904 N.W. Pryor Road in the Streets of West Pryor. Cava serves Mediterranean dishes and has several hundred locations across the United States. The Lee’s Summit fast-casual restaurant is the first Cava in Missouri.
QZ Poke Ramen recently opened at 1313 N.E. Douglas St., across from Saint Luke’s East Hospital. The business is the second QZ Poke Ramen in the Kansas City area. The restaurant’s poke bowls and burritos feature raw fish with a variety of vegetables and homemade sauces. Create-your-own ramen noodle bowls include a choice of noodles, proteins, broths and toppings.
A new Greek restaurant offers curbside, catering and dine-in food. Chef Aristo’s Eatery can be found at 862 S.W. Blue Parkway. The family-owned restaurant, which has its roots as a food truck, serves pita pizzas, gyros, Greek salads and homemade dips, as well as baklava and chocolate tortes.
If coffee is your beverage of choice, Mother-daughter pair Shelly and Kiersten Graham recently brought Summer Moon Coffee to 699 N.W. Blue Parkway.
Another spot for coffee fans: At Summit Fair, Pura Vida Acai Cafe will open its first location in Lee’s Summit soon. It will feature Costa Rica-inspired açaí bowls and coffee. The café offers sustainably sourced açaí sorbet that features notes of blackberry, raspberry and chocolate.
Several other restaurants are opening soon or in the works, Weisenborn said.
Smoothie King is under construction at 1440 NE Douglas St., near Saint Luke’s East Hospital. The Lee’s Summit store is among more than 1,350 Smoothie King locations throughout the United States. The restaurant features smoothies and smoothie bowls that combine fruits, vegetables and nutritional enhancers.
International Tap House and Johnny Jo’s Pizzeria are located adjacent to one another at 228 S.W. Main St. in downtown Lee’s Summit. International Tap House is under construction. The pizza restaurant, which will serve International Tap House, is in the works.
Also currently under construction is a business offering tea products. Boba Bar is located at 616 N.E. 291 Highway.
Lee’s Summit is among several Kansas City area cities slated for a Swig dirty-soda chain location as the Utah-based company expands its franchises. Swig offers fizzy drinks with your choice of add-in creams and syrups.
To keep up with both commercial and residential development in Lee’s Summit, the city government offers a video series known as the “Development Minute,” available at this link.
