Article Susan Fotovich McCabe | Photography Angela C. Bond
On a surprisingly warm day in March, I decided to head to lunch where I could enjoy both good food and the sun. My first and only instinct was to try Coach’s Bar & Grill’s new location at 9089 W. 135th St. in Overland Park, just west of 135th and Antioch.
I could hardly wait. For months, Coach’s expansive rooftop dining beckoned me each time I drove by. Even though the restaurant sits back from 135th St., I could tell it would be a fun place to hang out for at least three seasons each year. When I arrived, I took a quick look around the inside of the restaurant and was quite pleased that it, too, would be a great place to dine and meet with friends anytime of the year. There were plenty of high-definition TVs and all the technology any sports fan needs to catch games. But on that day, the sun was calling, so I made a quick climb up the stairs to the outdoor dining.
Wow. Coach’s new rooftop dining was even better than I had expected. Firepits, heaters, TVs, dining tables and other outdoor furniture for easy lounging greeted me, as did the plants and other little accessories that make it feel like outdoor living at its best. The stunning outdoor furniture and décor were the result of collaboration with locally owned Seasonal Concepts. In fact, I think the ambience and sun made my appetite that much bigger. Certainly, the food didn’t disappoint.
This was a day to linger at lunch, so my husband and I started with Coach’s crisp fried zucchini strips appetizer served with ranch dressing ($7.99). The generous portion was enough to feed a group of friends. Other traditional appetizers looked just as tempting, including the Onion Strings, Potato Skins, Homemade Potato Chips, Mozzarella Sticks and deep-fried Mushrooms. What’s a bar and grill without those favorites? Order the Triple Play and friends can share a sampling of mushrooms, zucchini and onion strings.
For our entrée, it was difficult to choose from Coach’s menu of Mexican, Foul Play, In the Rough, Favorites, Game Plan, Birdies and Under Dawg selections. My husband always goes for the burger and the Coach’s Burger offered him just what he likes—no distracting flavors, just a perfect charbroiled burger ($7.99). Coach’s Hot Ham’n’Cheese sandwich was exactly the taste I was craving, with alternating layers of hot ham and melted Swiss cheese piled high on a toasted bun ($7.49).
I could see where a bowl of Coach’s Chili ($5.99) would be perfect on a cool day on the rooftop, nestled next to the outdoor heaters and watching your favorite college football game on one of many TVs that hang above.
And for those who are bolder then me, I suppose Coach’s Fried Chicken Livers or breaded Chicken Gizzards would be a treat anytime. But remember Coach’s when you’re looking for traditional tailgating wings in all tastes and types. Not to be forgotten are Coach’s many hot dogs. All “under dawgs” are one-third pound knockwurst from Fritz’s, cooked to perfection on the grill. There’s the just plain Dawg for the purist, The Works Dawg, smothered in Coach’s own chili, then topped with cheddar cheese, chopped onions, tomatoes and bacon bits, the Cheese Dawg, topped with fresh cheddar cheese and the Chili & Cheese Dawg, combining the two.
Whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. And if you’re a baseball fan, you’ll love looking out over the top of the rooftop patio and watching the action on Blue Valley Recreation’s baseball diamonds.
Coach’s opened its first Kansas City location in 1983, and is considered the first sports bar in the metro. It is owned and operated by Chris Carle, Brian Darby and Mike Darby. The 135th St. location is open and serving food, from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Check out its specials, menu, catering and more at Coach-s.com.
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