Owner of upscale Lenexa eatery opening new 'casual' BBQ joint

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Locally-owned Sierra Grill is expanding with a new concept this fall, centered around a Kansas City culinary staple.

Ryan Edwards, chef and owner of Sierra Grill, will open Sierra BBQ next week — a “laid-back” sister concept to the popular City Center steakhouse.

According to a press release from Sierra Restaurant Group, the new restaurant will open its doors at 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

Sierra BBQ’s menu will feature “wood-fire grilled” meats like brisket, burnt ends, smoked turkey and baby back ribs.

The restaurant will also serve house-made side dishes like potato salad, cheesy corn and BBQ beans.

The space itself will be geared towards takeout and delivery but will still offer a “warm, neighborhood feel,” with counter service and a dining area seating 50.

“We’ve kept the space intimate and unpretentious, just as people fondly remember from our roots,” said Ryan Edwards, chef and owner, via the release. “It’s perfect for bringing people together over homestyle BBQ in a welcoming setting.”

Sierra Grill opened in its original Lenexa spot in 2016, after the space had been a Quizno’s sandwich shop.

The restaurant relocated to Lenexa City Center in 2023 — a move that, Edwards said at the time, had been years in the making.

Sierra Restaurant Group still kept ownership of the building at College Boulevard.

With the ongoing success of Sierra BBQ’s more fine-dining counterpart, Edwards said this felt like a good time to try something new.

“Sierra Grill gave us the chance to introduce upscale wood-fired cooking to Lenexa, and with its continued success, now feels like the perfect time to bring another passion to life,” he said. “I’ve always had BBQ in my heart — we grew up cooking with fire, and I’ve been smoking meats at Sierra Grill for years.”

In the company’s release, Tonya Mangels, Head of Marketing for Sierra Group, said the long-standing success of Sierra Grill in the community gives its owners hope that the new barbecue concept will drum up the same excitement from its customers.

“Their passion for our distinctive scratch-made food and unwavering support has helped us exceed industry trends and achieve remarkable growth,” she said. “We’re excited to see the same enthusiasm building around Sierra BBQ, where we’ll continue delivering the exceptional flavors and authentic experiences our guests love.”

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About the author

Hi! I’m Lucie Krisman, and I cover local business for the Johnson County Post.

I’m a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, but have been living in Kansas since I moved here to attend KU, where I earned my degree in journalism. Prior to joining the Post, I did work for The Pitch, the Eudora Times, the North Dakota Newspaper Association and KTUL in Tulsa.