T-Rex Cafe in Kansas City, Kansas closes

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

So the T-Rex Cafe located at the Legends Outlets shopping district in Kansas City, KS has closed. The landlord of the building decided not to renew the lease so this doesn't seem to be a reflect of the company, Landrys, inc that owns T-Rex Cafe.

A bit of background: T-Rex Cafe opened in 2006 and the Disney Springs location opened in October 2008. T-Rex Cafe was started by the creator of the Rainforest Cafe.

Rainforest Cafe did operate in Overland Park, KS (approximately 20mins away from the T-Rex Cafe location or a little over 17miles away) from Feb 1999 to Jan 2009.

It will be interesting not seeing the outside decor when out and about at the Legends once a new place (assuming there is a reason the landlord decided not to renew the lease) opens up whatever that place may be.


http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cityscape/article166989632.html

 

[Mizzoufan]

We were never overly impressed with them

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We were never overly impressed with them

Me either. Haven't been to the one in Disney Springs (but I doubt I would do that when there are soooo many other options) but I did like the quirky decor and different to see in comparison to the other shopping buildings at the Legends. When we had the Rainforest Cafe in Overland Park we found the food quality to be lacking in comparison to the pricing but I will admit it had been years before it had closed when I had last went to the Rainforest Cafe.

 

[bcla]

I only heard of them when I got a Landry's gift card and their logo was on there. I kind of got curious because "T-REX" is the name of a local BBQ joint and I wasn't sure if maybe it was something I could use there. I'm just wondering how much of a customer base there can be for theme restaurants like this, especially at an outlet mall? I certainly get the appeal of a place like Rainforest Cafe or Bubba Gump at tourist spots.

I also really didn't understand much about Landry's. They didn't have much of a presence around here until their more recent acquisitions of several chains. I do recall that they did foodservice. The Oakland Coliseum was serviced by Landry's, but only in the two club areas, where one was actually open to the public during baseball games and other events, but only for club seating for football games. They were different than the regular concession served by Aramark. The club area had a sit-down restaurant where you could watch the game, along with a full-service bar. I think Landry's also serviced the luxury suites.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I only heard of them when I got a Landry's gift card and their logo was on there. I kind of got curious because "T-REX" is the name of a local BBQ joint and I wasn't sure if maybe it was something I could use there. I'm just wondering how much of a customer base there can be for theme restaurants like this, especially at an outlet mall? I certainly get the appeal of a place like Rainforest Cafe or Bubba Gump at tourist spots.

I also really didn't understand much about Landry's. They didn't have much of a presence around here until their more recent acquisitions of several chains. I do recall that they did foodservice. The Oakland Coliseum was serviced by Landry's, but only in the two club areas, where one was actually open to the public during baseball games and other events, but only for club seating for football games. They were different than the regular concession served by Aramark. The club area had a sit-down restaurant where you could watch the game, along with a full-service bar.

Don't let the Outlet aspect fool you (it used to be called the Legends at Village West)...it's not your run of the mill place.

Near it is The Kansas Speedway (NASCAR), Sporting Park (where Sporting KC plays), where the T-Bones play (minor league baseball), Great Wolf Lodge, Nebraska Furniture Mart, Hollywood Casino, Cabela's, etc. Corporations like Cerner are near there as well. Inside it is Dave and Busters, AMC theater, and countless other places (around 110 total of shopping and restaurants).

But Rainforest Cafe isn't really a Tourist-oriented thing. It certaintly is located in some touristy places but a lot of places are in malls (just like ours was when it was here) some of them being outlet malls. Rainforest and T-Rex though had the same sort of decor style. Honestly I think that type of style is more '90s-early 2000s style rather than what today's style is which lessens the appeal.

 

[bcla]

But Rainforest Cafe isn't really a Tourist-oriented thing. It certaintly is located in some touristy places but a lot of places are in malls (just like ours was when it was here) some of them being outlet malls. Rainforest and T-Rex though had the same sort of decor style. Honestly I think that type of style is more '90s-early 2000s style rather than what today's style is which lessens the appeal.

The only ones I've been to are in Anaheim and San Francisco in Fishermans Wharf. At the latter I just popped in an bought some cheap trinket for my kid. In Anaheim (back in 2003) I wasn't even particularly interested, but I was visiting Disneyland while my cousin was in town with his kids. They were leaving that day and I joined him with my other cousin and her husband. It seemed kind of silly, but I guess kids might find it interesting. One of my cousin's kids was actually terrified when the artificial thunder noise started and the animatronic gorilla started moving. I think it was before Landry's bought them.