To longtime fans of the restaurant, 3904 Bell St. will always have echoes of d’Bronx.
Even now, with “Zhoug Mediterranean” signs in the window, the Volker building’s blue awning and historic exterior may remind customers of its previous life. The deli space has been shuttered for years, but Wednesday it reopened as a different restaurant.
“We’re really excited to get this spot,” said CFO Steven Jacobs. “Everyone we’ve talked to is also excited. We understand it’s a pretty iconic spot.”
Zhoug Mediterranean is open in the old d’Bronx space at 3904 Bell St. in Kansas City.
While Zhoug is making a debut in the Kansas City metro, fans may have tasted its cuisine before.
Its sister restaurant, The Fresh Mediterranean Co. in Lawrence, serves the same menu items — falafel, gyro, kabobs, etc. It was started years ago by Hanif Lakhani, who also owns Zhoug.
Jeremy Saunders creates a Chicken Shawarma bowl during a soft opening for Zhoug Mediterranean, 3904 Bell St., on Wednesday, May 14, in Kansas City.
The two restaurants’ parent company, Ethnic Food Concepts, is based in Olathe, where employees handmake all the sauces and shawarma cones.
Jacobs said they’ll pivot the Lawrence restaurant to having the same name and branding as Zhoug.
Meanwhile, Zhoug plans another spot in Lenexa City Center at 87th Street and Renner Boulevard, which will open in a few weeks. That location is part of a growing development dubbed “Restaurant Row.”
“We’re getting really close,” Jacobs said of the Lenexa location.
LaShaye Brooks, left, looks on as Karla Vazquez, right, makes a wrap during a soft opening at Zhoug Mediterranean’s new location.
Back at 39th Street, customers run through a Chipotle-style service line, where they pick a base (bowl, platter, wrap, etc.) then add different proteins, greens and toppings.
Add-ins include hummus, tabouli, tzatziki sauce, olives and other veggies.
A mural on the wall greet visitors at Zhoug Mediterranean.
Jacobs said the Lawrence gas station spot is a local favorite — and he and his team hope the excitement will be just as palpable in Kansas City.
“It’s really great food,” he said. “Check out our reviews for Fresh Mediterranean.”
Customers waited to place orders with Ryan Moody during a soft opening at the new restaurant.
D’Bronx held a space in the building for 32 years, serving fresh deli sandwiches and pizza. It was a popular spot for many years, former employees and owners said a few weeks ago.
“Those people. I never saw so many people actively waiting for hours to get food,” former employee Gail Loudner said. “The line on a cold January Saturday would be out the door … on a hot August day, the line would be wrapped around the corner.”
D’Bronx closed its original location in the 39th Street building in 2022. A few months ago, d’Bronx’s final area location shuttered in Overland Park at 7070 W. 105th St.
Zhoug will be open from 10:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.