After ‘three years of adventures’ in Kansas City, Americana restaurant has closed

Blu Hwy has closed on the South Plaza.

The restaurant opened in 2021 at 5070 Main St. on the ground floor of the 51 Main apartment complex. The address had previously been home to Black Dirt .

“Even the best road trips come to an end,” the restaurant posted on social media over the weekend. “Thank you for three years of adventures, Kansas City. We’ll catch you at the next Let’s Eat rest stop.”

Let’s Eat is the name of the group behind Blu Hwy, which is owned by restaurateur James Taylor, who also owns the Southwest Boulevard tapas restaurant La Bodega.

Taylor confirmed that Sunday was Blu Hwy’s last day but did not elaborate on the reason for the closing. In response to an Instagram commenter’s question Saturday about the closing, the Blu Hwy account responded, “I’m unable to speak of the specifics but we have unfortunately come to an impasse with the landlord.”

A representative with the Justus Companies, which owns 51 Main, said they were aware Blu Hwy had closed but did not have any information to share.

Named after the travel memoir “Blue Highways” by Kansas City-born author William Least Heat-Moon, Blu Hwy drew inspiration from the types of cuisine one might encounter on an Americana road trip. The menu featured fried pimento cheese, watermelon salad, Southern biscuits, East Coast corn chowder and a Campo Lindo Farms roasted chicken.

Mission Taco Joint, which recently rebranded as Session Taco, closed earlier this summer next door to Blu Hwy in the 51 Main building at 5060 Main St. The local cafe and coffee shop chain Mildred’s plans to open a location there later this fall.