Justin Hernandez would like to put the rumors to rest.
The owner of Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant, a Brookside fixture for nearly three decades, has no plans to move or expand downtown.
“I would really appreciate any additional help you could give by getting the word out,” Hernandez said Wednesday when reached by The Star. “It has caused quite a stir.”
He was referring to a number of signs recently placed on the building at 1501 Grand Blvd., formerly home to Prime Bar & Grill.
On the north side, across from Truman Road, there is a large red sign that says “Jalapenos.” At Grand Boulevard there is a smaller white sign that says ‘Mexican Grill’.
No relation to the Brookside location. And neither, for that matter, to the Jalapenos Mexican Restaurant at 7729 W. 151st St. in Overland Park. (That was the first Jalapenos, founded in 1991 by Pat and Benny Hernandez. They opened a second location at 6318 Brookside Plaza in 1995. In 2013, the two men parted ways, with Pat taking over the OP location and Benny – the father of Justin – Brookside take.)
“I understand there’s not much we can do since they’re called Jalapenos Mexican Grill,” Hernández said.
He added, “I think it’s helpful that they put ‘Mexican Grill’ on the other side of the building.”
Who is behind Jalapenos Mexican Grill?
Jose Lainez incorporated Jalapeno KC LLC with the state of Missouri in September and was granted zoning approval earlier this month for a business license at 1501 Grand Blvd.
Lainez did not respond to a request for comment. That includes Joe Porello, owner of the building.
Prime Bar & Grill closed its doors earlier this summer, not long after a triple shooting outside the business left one man dead and two others injured.
A look through the windows Wednesday afternoon made it clear that the opening of the new restaurant was not imminent. Outside there was a sign in Spanish that read: “Dear customer, we are very sorry, due to restructuring and adjustments we will be closed, but very soon we will return to serve you even more eagerly.”
