Lenexa’s Sierra Grill steakhouse moves to new City Center spot

Sierra Grill has relocated to the Lenexa City Center Central Green building. — The new Sierra Grill location in the Lenexa City Center Central Green building at 8659 Penrose Ln. officially opened its doors in early 2023 for dinner service. It also recently started its lunch-time service. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

A relocated Sierra Grill has officially opened its doors in its new home at Lenexa City Center, following a move years in the planning.

Previously, the restaurant, which owner Ryan Edwards describes as an “American steakhouse with a French twist,” was located at College Boulevard and Lackman Road.

But Edwards announced as far back as 2021 his intention to move to the more well-trafficked and visible spot in the Central Green Building off 87th Street Parkway.

It officially opened at the start of 2023

The old location was always intended to be a temporary starting place, Edwards said, but getting into the new space took a bit longer than expected because of the pandemic and some supply chain challenges.
The doors of the new Sierra Grill off 87th Street Parkway and Penrose Lane opened about seven weeks ago, but the restaurant is still ramping up, he said.
Edwards said dinner service has been busy so far, especially on the weekends, when the place is packed, but lunch service only recently started.
And later this spring, Sierra Grill plans to debut a new patio space.

Some new faces in the new space

Edwards, a KC native, is not the one leading the kitchen anymore, but has handed off the reins to chef Jay Enke.
Michael Welsh has also taken over as the general manager, as well.
These days, Edwards sees himself as more of a “curator” for the restaurant.
“I’m letting them try to spread their wings and do their thing,” he said.

Sierra Grill has relocated to the Lenexa City Center Central Green building. It now has a larger dining room and kitchen. — Sierra Grill has relocated to the Lenexa City Center Central Green building. In its new space, it has a larger dining room and kitchen, plus a bigger bar. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

The City Center menu is an ‘evolution’ from the old location

The wood-fired grill menu hasn’t changed much, Edwards said, though it has evolved some.
With a larger bar space, there are more cocktail options and an expanded wine list.
Plus, the larger kitchen made space for a frier, which Edwards said allowed the restaurant to introduce a new goat cheese poutine appetizer that he’s personally a big fan of and a steak frites entree.
There are also more seafood options on the menu than before.

Sierra Grill has relocated to the Lenexa City Center Central Green building. A larger kitchen means a larger menu. — In its new City Center space, Sierra Grill still serves an American steakhouse-style fusion menu and cooks with a wood-fired grill, but it has expanded its kitchen capacity to include more seafood options and some dishes with fries. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

Edwards still owns the old location

Edwards said he always planned to hold onto the old building and initially was interested in turning it into an event space.
There has been some interest from other business owners about leasing it, which Edwards said he may consider.
For now, he hasn’t decided what will become of the building at College and Lackman.

More City Center dining news: Southern eatery Tupelo Honey coming to Lenexa’s Restaurant Row