Owner of popular brunch restaurant opening new Johnson County eatery: ice cream, more

With two locations that serve hundreds of hungry customers, AR’s Breakfast and Brunch has quickly become a success in Johnson County.

Owner Oscar Romero wants to build off that momentum and start another concept. Instead of serving horchata waffles and chorizo bowls, however, his new spot — Snack Bar — will offer Mexican street food.

Snack Bar, 7789 Quivira Road in Lenexa, aims to open in mid-November. It’s taking over the old Papagallo Gyro Cafe.

Menu items will include agua frescas, paletas (Mexican ice cream bars), elote (Mexican street corn), tortas and more.

Oscar is going into business with Norberto Romero. (Same last names, though they’re not related.)

“My family has always been street vendors in Houston,” Oscar said. “If they’ve done that for years, we can open a street vending business, an actual legit spot …”

Norberto’s sister was also a street vendor — she sold shaved ice in Mexico. Snack Bar will serve a few of her recipes.

The duo also plans to offer micheladas, or Mexican red beers, which typically include beer, lime juice, tomato juice and hot sauce.

While the location will have some seating, Oscar said his concept will mostly be grab and go.

Papagallo closed about a month ago, Oscar said. It had been open for at least four years.

AR’s first opened at 8021 Metcalf Ave. in Overland Park last June, serving brunch and breakfast items with a Mexican twist.

Oscar named the restaurant after his middle and last name — Anivar Romero. Lines were consistently out the door after opening.

“A month and a half into this location, we knew that we needed to have a bigger location,” he said.

So, last August, AR’s expanded to 105 S. Clairborne Road in Olathe.