Callahan’s: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Known to its regulars as Kansas City’s Cheers bar, Callahan’s embodies the friendly, home-away-from-home vibe that we all loved in the iconic TV show. The theme song’s lyrics describe a place to get away, to take a break, to share your worries, and they perfectly describe Callahan’s.

Jeff Brown, sole proprietor of the 87th Street location and partner in the 135th Street location, has worked in the restaurant industry for years, starting as a dishwasher when he was a teenager. When he took ownership of the already well-established Callahan’s, he realized a lifelong dream of owning a restaurant. “Once restaurants are in your blood, you’re finished,” he said. “Nothing else will do.” He worked in sales for many years, but about six years ago he decided it was now or never to follow his dream. After searching the area for the perfect fit, Callahan’s became available and it was exactly what he was looking for.

Jeff keeps things real. The food is hot, the beer is cold, and the game is on. “We say that we are Team Agnostic here, which means that we’ll turn on any team a customer wants to watch as long as we can get it.” Priority is given to local teams, of course, and with 16 HD TVs and two 100” big screens at the 87th location, there is optimal viewing from every seat in the house. Pinball, darts, Goldentee and Ms Pac-Man round out the quintessential sports pub vibe.

There are daily lunch and drink specials at both locations, and Jeff boasts one of the most affordable happy hours in town. From 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, you can get domestic pints and bottles for under $3, and microbrew pints for $3.50. The Happy Hour menu includes a wide selection of appetizers or a 10-inch one-topping pizza. If you’re more of a night owl, Callahan’s offers the same great deals for a Late Night Happy Hour from 9:00 to 11:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

The crowd at both Callahan’s tends toward mature, laid-back folks who want to enjoy great food with great company, many of whom are regulars. It’s family friendly, too. It can be hard to find a sports bar environment where parents can enjoy a game with their kids, but Callahan’s offers the camaraderie of a collective viewing experience without the rowdiness of some bars. It’s an ideal place to take in the March Madness action with the whole family. They’ll even take reservations for big games, a service most sports bars don’t offer.

The menu is diverse, including everything from salads and wraps to burgers and pizza. Nearly everything is made to order from scratch at 87th and 135th Street locations. Burgers, grilled to perfection, can be customized with an expansive list of sauces and toppings, and they’re served with delicious, golden fries that are hand cut, never frozen. There’s no shortage of deep-fried favorites, of course, including the popular Burrito Bites and my personal guilty pleasure, cheese curds. But you don’t have to break your diet to eat here; there are plenty of options on the lighter side. The fish tacos are a great waistline-conscious choice, along with a wide selection of salads, wraps and homemade soups.

Callahan’s signature thin-crust pizzas pair perfectly with any of the ten microbrews on tap and a bracket-busting basketball game. You can build your own or choose from an eclectic list of house specialties. The Margarita is my top choice for its zesty, vibrant flavors and simple composition. Their pizzas are great for carry-out, too; the tasty alternative to delivery pizza will class up your home watch parties.

And there’s more to March than basketball madness. Callahan’s does St. Patrick’s Day with the pride of the Irish. Festive green beer pours from the taps and you won’t find a better Reuben this side of the state line. Jeff also serves up slow-roasted corned beef and cabbage for the occasion, so good it will keep you coming back year after year. If you haven’t experienced St. Paddy’s at Callahan’s, now is the time. After all, isn’t everyone a little bit Irish in March?

Both Callahan’s locations are ideal for casual gatherings and semi-private parties and perfect for team dinners and birthday celebrations. The space is versatile and can be sectioned off to meet the needs of your event. Occasionally, live bands perform on the weekends; the website is always updated with upcoming events and performances. Every Wednesday evening, Callahan’s hosts Music Bingo, where you listen to snippets of genre-specific songs and identify them on your bingo card. Music lovers, you’ve got to try this, and the more the merrier, so grab some friends. It’s free to play, with great prizes for the winners.

When you need a little escape from the world or someone else to cook dinner, remember that Callahan’s welcomes you and your family just as you are. They’ll serve you a cold beverage and hot comfort food, and let you stay a while. Watch some games with Jeff, or join in the frivolity on St. Paddy’s Day, and you’ll discover why they’ve been a Kansas City favorite for the past 27 years. ■

Visit Callahan’s at either location, 12843 W. 87th Street Parkway in Lenexa or 11316 W. 135th Street in Overland Park, and visit callahanskc.com for menu previews, specials and hours.