Bennigan’s left the KC area decades ago. But now, fans can taste their favorites again

It’s been 22 years since Irish-themed bar and restaurant Bennigan’s closed its location next to the defunct Bannister Mall.

Terry Larsen and her best friend, Heather Barber, remember it well.

“The Monte Cristo sandwich was our favorite,” Larsen said. “When (Bennigan’s) left, we cried.”

But all is well for the Bennigan’s superfans: The concept has returned to the Kansas City area, with a few changes.

A new restaurant — KC Craft & Co. featuring Bennigan’s On The Fly — is now open at 8787 Reeder St. in Overland Park. It’s connected to the Holiday Inn & Suites

The restaurant features 14 menu items from Bennigan’s, including Hogan’s Egg Rolls, the Turkey O’Toole Sandwich, and, much to Larsen and Barber’s delight, the Monte Cristo (a ham, turkey and cheese sandwich, batter-dipped, fried and coated with powdered sugar, then served with raspberry preserves).

KC Craft & Co. also features signature cocktails, like the KC Long Island (vodka, gin, rum, tequila, orange liqueur, lemon juice and Coke.)

The restaurant celebrated its grand opening Tuesday, weeks after it opened softly to the public.

There, servers handed out samples of menu items.

“People are loving the Bennigan’s stuff,” the hotel’s general manager, Heather Shull, told The Star Tuesday. “People remember it, and they want to try it, and they just love that they can have it again.”

Bennigan’s replaces Green Mill Restaurant & Bar, a Minnesota-based chain known for its pizza. Green Mill closed its Kansas City area spot last year.

Hotel management company Kinseth Hospitality is planning to open another restaurant in Wichita, called 54 Craft & Co. It will also feature Bennigan’s items.

Texas-based Bennigan’s opened in Texas 40 years ago and, at one time, had dozens of locations across the country.

The chain slowly declined and, in 2008, it shuttered its remaining locations.

Now, parent company Legendary Restaurant Brands is seeking to revive the concept by opening a handful of stand-alone Bennigan’s locations, as well as Bennigan’s On The Fly spots.

On The Fly restaurants are designed to operate in less traditional venues, like hotels.

Bennigan’s has a handful of locations in Texas, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and North Dakota, as well as some overseas.

KC Craft & Co. will be open 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays, 7 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays, and 7 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 10 p.m. on Sundays.