Johnson County Mexican restaurant will close after 10 years. But another is opening
Mexican restaurant Jose Pepper’s is closing its Mission location in the next few weeks, the restaurant has announced.
The 6870 Johnson Drive location’s last day, however, isn’t set in stone, said Jody Sight, director of human resources for Jose Pepper’s and Cactus Grill.
“Mission Jose Pepper’s has meant so much to us over the last 10 years, and we’re sad to see it go,” Sight said in a statement to The Star.
The restaurant’s closing will be coordinated with the opening of the third Cactus Grill location in Lenexa at 8721 Scarborough St. It will be part of Lenexa’s new Restaurant Row project.
Cactus Grill and Jose Pepper’s share ownership.
Sight said the restaurant group is hoping to open the new Cactus in early December. Employees at Jose Pepper’s will transition to positions at the new restaurant.
“We want to turn this change into something positive for our employees and our guests,” Sight said. “We’re excited about our new Cactus Grill and want to ensure that everyone has opportunities, and no one gets left behind.”
Jose Pepper’s has nine locations and first opened in 1988, at 103rd Street and Metcalf Avenue in Overland Park. Menu items include tacos, burritos, enchiladas and margaritas.
In 1993, Ed Gieselman — co-founder of Jose Pepper’s — opened Cactus Grill, 11849 Roe Ave in Leawood. The slightly more upscale restaurant serves house chimichangas, flautas, salmon and brunch on Sundays.
Gieselman opened modern, fast-casual restaurant Tortilla Ranch with Ed Brownell in 2014, at 8617 College Blvd. in Overland Park.
Tortilla Ranch’s second location in Mission, 6029 Metcalf Ave., recently closed. It’s just down the street from Jose Pepper’s soon-to-be-closed location.
