A Morning Menu of LAF-Style Food News and Stories to Begin Your Day

HAPPY NATIONAL CLAM CHOWDER DAY!

Gates Bar-B-Q of Independence MO Burns Down

Shake Shack Coming to Japan Next Year

Graeter’s Coming to Tennessee and Cleveland?

Giordano’s, Stunned by Indy Success, Plans Further Indiana Expansion

Gates Bar-B-Q of Independence MO Burns Down

WFSB 3 Connecticut
The decades-old Independence, Missouri branch of the legendary Kansas City barbecue restaurant Gates was totally destroyed by fire last week. The fire apparently began when an employee was attempting to clean the fire pits, normally a two-person job. That employee escaped the blaze unharmed. The Gates family says they plan to rebuild on the same site, which is expected to take a year or more. There are five other Gates Bar-B-Qs in the region: four are located in Kansas City, and one is on the other side of the state line in Leawood.

Shake Shack Coming to Japan Next Year

Shake Shack burger

Shake Shack burger

Shake Shack expects their first Japanese restaurant to open in Tokyo sometime next year. They are hoping to have a total of ten Shacks in Japan by 2020. We eagerly anticipate the unveiling of Shake Shack’s unique Tokyo concrete flavors!

Graeter’s Coming to Tennessee and Cleveland?

Mint chocolate chip at Graeter's

Mint chocolate chip at Graeter’s

As Graeter’s continues their Midwest expansion, Rich Graeter, CEO of the company, said they are looking into possibly opening ice cream shops in Tennessee and Cleveland. They should also be in Chicago for the first time this spring. Read more about Graeter’s expansion plans here.

Giordano’s, Stunned by Indy Success, Plans Further Indiana Expansion

A Giordano's classic from Chicago

A Giordano’s classic from Chicago

Of course Giordano’s expected their recently opened pizzeria in Indianapolis to succeed, but they are stunned by just how successful it has been. Indy residents just can’t seem to get enough of that deep-dish Chicago-style pizza, prompting Giordano’s to find locations for further Indy expansion. They are considering stores in downtown and in Carmel, north of the city. The next Indiana Giordano’s could open as early as the end of this year.