Red Door Woodfired Grill: Sizzling Specials and Neighborhood Ambiance

Red Door Woodfired Grill is my kind of place. It’s locally owned, stylish, fun, with a unique spin on contemporary American cuisine. Each of the three locations–Overland Park, Leawood, and Brookside–caters to their neighborhood, so they all have a unique vibe designed to make guests feel at home. It’s upscale enough to make you feel cool, but not so much that you can’t come as you are.

“We call ourselves the best little upscale neighborhood joint in Kansas City,” said Gary Zancanelli, owner and founder. “That may sound quirky, or like a contradiction of terms, but we want you to feel as comfortable coming straight from work in a tie or dress as you do meeting friends in jeans and a sweatshirt. It’s all about feeling right at home.”

When you walk through the door, the first thing that hits you is the aroma — fresh-cut pecan, oak and hickory wood, chicken and steaks grilling on an open fire, locally sourced vegetables being chopped — the smell is intoxicating. They call their wood blend the smoky trinity. It gives each of their famous woodfired entrees a distinctive taste that enhances each dish without overpowering the natural flavors of their scratch-kitchen ingredients.

Red Door is as welcoming for a family dinner as it is for a happy hour with coworkers. To capture your attention, Zancanelli provides multiple specials throughout the week that will have you coming back again and again. May marks their fifth anniversary, and it’s safe to say we will be walking through the Red Door for many more years to come. Partners Angela Mitchell, Neal Edwards, Chris Grohs and Executive Chef Nathan Holm have created a stand-out establishment reflective of Kansas City’s renowned hospitality and vibrant food scene.

Happy Hour runs weekdays from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. It’s starting to feel like spring in Kansas City, and all three locations have patio seating available. Happy Hour features include $5 margaritas, mojitos, mules and cosmos. There are great deals on appetizers, too, with prices ranging from $5 to 8. Ordering the Tavern Tots is a must; you won’t have anything like them anywhere else.

Mondays can be tough. Red Door’s answer is the $5 Burger, one of the best deals in town. The Classic burger is a flavorful, juicy, woodfired treat, made with a custom blend of beef brisket, chuck tenderloin and short rib. If you prefer a healthier option, make it a turkey burger for no charge. For an additional $3 on Mondays, you can give the Sweet Cheeses burger a try. It’s cheesy and enormous and sinful. Did I mention smoked bacon and sriracha mayo? As one of most popular items on the menu, the crowd speaks. It’s a must-order.

Thursdays at Red Door bring us Fried Chicken, and dare I say this ain’t your momma’s fried chicken? It is marinated for four days, hand-breaded and jalapeno dipped before being fried to perfection. Each meal is made to order, and there are multiple options to choose from based on your preference of white or dark meat and pieces. Choose two comforting sides: fries, rustic mashed potatoes, green beans, Brussels sprouts, coleslaw or cottage cheese. I love fried chicken, but I hate preparing it myself, which makes me especially grateful to be able to show up, eat my fill, and leave. No mess, no grease burns, just one happy tummy.

That’s not all. On Sunday, Red Door features whiskey-soaked, woodfired Prime Rib, served on toasted sourdough with rustic mashed potatoes, a wedge salad and half-price bottles of wine. The 12-oz. cut is $25 and the 16-oz. is $30. If for some crazy reason you don’t finish your bottle of wine, they will cork and bag it so you can take it home.

For those who brunch, you have to check this out. On Saturdays and Sundays at Brookside and Overland Park from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., they offer a mix of traditional favorites and signature items, all with a woodfired twist you won’t find anywhere else, plus drink specials like bottomless mimosas.

Red Door caters to the health-conscious as well. There are multiple gluten-free and vegetarian options throughout the menu, and they are always happy to customize a meal to suit your preferences. My favorite salad is one of the most popular, the Fried Coconut Chicken Salad. I have also had Broderick’s Black Magic Salmon, a guilt-free selection that doesn’t compromise flavor or enjoyment. It’s every bit as delicious as the more calorie-heavy items.

I must give a shout out to another of my favorite Red Door features. Meatloaf often gets a bum rap. I feel like it’s underappreciated, so I love that Red Door has created a Meatloaf Melt that raises this humble dish to an attention-grabbing level with white cheddar cheese, bacon, ranch dressing, cumin ketchup and grilled brioche bread. It’s simply delicious.

There’s so much to love at Red Door Woodfired Grill. They work hard to offer the kind of service, flavor and food that will keep you coming back, and with three locations around town, you’re never far away from Tavern Tots and Red Door Ale. ■

Visit reddoorgrill.com for menu previews, gift cards, reservations and to order online.