The new Stroud’s South is open! After all the previous speculation about possible locations (e.g., Stephenson’s Apple Farm), they took over a building that has been several mediocre restaurants over the years at 4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway, right about where the towns of Fairway and Mission meet.

Business is apparently already good. I called as soon as I rented a car at the airport last week. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon and I asked if they took carry out orders. They said that they did and the next "window" for pickup was 7:30 PM! I called the Oak Ridge Manor location instead and was able to pick up immediately. Those iron skillets only hold so much chicken and the restaurant customers have to come first. Apparently, hours-long lines have been the norm since they opened. By the way, unlike the Northside location, this one is open for lunch every day and stays open through dinner.

So I can’t vouch for the food at the new place but the chicken I picked up at what is now the "old" location (the original location closed to make way for street construction and is gone forever), is still the best anywhere (that I’ve had anyway). Crisp (even after the ride home), flavorful and still comes with those decadent cinnamon rolls.