Brothers bringing Jerusalem Cafe, Chick-In Waffle, sober bar mashup to Power & Light
April 29, 2025 | Joyce Smith
The Kansas City Power & Light District is getting a new flagship venue that will combine two popular local restaurant brands and a new mocktail bar/coffee shop concept.
Brothers and second-generation restaurateurs, Dennis and Adam Alazzeh, are taking a 6,300-square-foot space at 131 E. 14th St. and — after a major renovation — plan to open the three concepts in late August or early September. (Famous Dave’s Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que had once operated in the spot, between what is now Blue Sushi and Rally House.)
The brothers said the new venue will showcase the legacy of their family’s longtime Jerusalem Café, the vigor of their newer Chick-In Waffle concept, and the innovation of Virgin Rebel, making for “an incredibly exciting chapter for our family and a testament to our shared vision.”
“P&L approached us. They wanted local brands,” Adam Alazzeh said. “It’s the main stage of Kansas City. This is a way to get our name out there and showcase what we can do.”
The Alazzehs’ father, Farid Alazzeh, founded Westport’s Jerusalem Cafe, an authentic Mediterranean and Greek restaurant, in about 1990. The brothers also have a location in Independence, and recently expanded with Jerusalem Cafe on the go inside World Fresh Market in Overland Park, as well as a new restaurant in Mission. They also are looking at possible locations in Belton, Raymore and south Kansas City.
RELATED: Jerusalem Cafe returns to JoCo; Overland Park restaurant unwrapping this spring
The menu includes gyros and shawarma sandwiches, hummus, manakeesh, Greek salads, curry chicken, vegetarian combo plates, and fresh-squeezed lemonade.
The chicken and waffle concept opened in early 2020 in the original Jerusalem Cafe spot in Westport. Now there are locations in south Kansas City, Independence, and Lawrence. Another location is scheduled to open by mid-May at 8667 W. 135th St. in Overland Park.
Chick-In Waffle fries and sauce
It offers fresh-off-the-iron waffles ranging from savory to sweet, as well as a global spin with such flavors as Asian chili, tikka masala, and queso. It also has a dozen different options of loaded fries, along with milkshakes.
The new Power & Light location will not only offer customer favorites from the two brands, it will offer Jerusalem Cafe and Chick-In Waffle mashups such as chicken shawarma loaded fries, and chicken on a fresh Greek salad.
Virgin Rebel
A non-alcohol bar (also called a sober or dry bar) that will specialize in mocktails in the evening, and serve as a coffee bar with fresh pastries in the daytime.
Customers will be able to order from central kiosks and servers will deliver food to their tables. It will have a to-go section and offer delivery. The venue will have about 100 employees and hiring will start in late July.
“Whenever I go to another city — Austin, Nashville — in the tourist destinations you see the local brands shining bright,” Dennis Alazzeh said. “Power & Light is Kansas City’s statement piece. That’s where all our major events, concerts happen. And with the World Cup around the corner, it is important to highlight our local brands.”
Locally owned Clockwork Architecture + Design plans a new look for the combined brands, one that will evolve the space from a relaxed daytime setting to high-energy environment for late-night bites and mocktails. But the design will include subtle nods to each brand’s heritage, and “playful accents.”
The Alazzehs also are opening a new headquarters in Independence for Culture Concepts, the parent-company of the brands.
In a statement, John Moncke, president of the district, said the new tenant underscores Power & Light’s commitment to offering diverse culinary experiences.
“The Power & Light District has become a place with everything you’d want in a city in one walkable neighborhood,” he said. “We are thrilled to welcome this innovative, local concept to the District.”
Other new tenants at Power & Light include The Yard Milkshake Bar, and Besos y Abrazos restaurant. Tropical Smoothie Cafe is opening in late May.
Startland News contributor Joyce Smith covered local restaurants and retail for nearly 40 years with The Kansas City Star. Click here to follow her on Bluesky, here for X (formerly Twitter), here for Facebook, here for Instagram, and by following #joyceinkc on Threads.
Featured Business
2025 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Porter House KC’s new ‘Alchemy Sandbox’ grants 20 main street businesses with up to $5K each
A newly launched program by The Porter House KC is aimed at providing small business owners with as much as $5,000 for their back office, equipment cost, rental assistance or general system needs, detailed Dan Smith. “We’re really excited about this Alchemy Sandbox program. ‘Alchemy’ is a word that just kept coming up at the…
Their exclusive Chiefs hoodies sold out in less than three hours; How you can snag a tee before it’s too late
Chiefs playoffs tickets might be the hottest-selling item in town, but there’s a close second. Lines started forming at 4 p.m. Friday outside MADE MOBB’s headquarters in the Crossroads as fans eagerly awaited the release of the premier KC streetwear brand’s exclusive post-season collaboration with the Kansas City Chiefs. And the crowds didn’t let up…
Taste 200 restaurants in 10 days? Why your stomach (and hungry neighbors) will thank you
Curious Kansas City diners can step away from their kitchens for the next 10 days, teased Carlos Mortera, as chefs at 200 restaurants across the city plate their latest trending tastes during the metro’s most-anticipated culinary showcase. “It’s a big deal in Kansas City. Many of the restaurants feature items they don’t usually have on the…
After years searching for belonging, new VFA director discovers like minds within startup workforce fellowship
Craig Moore’s new role at Venture for America gives him even greater opportunities to boost representation for entrepreneurs and workers of color, the Black Excellence KC co-founder said. And VFA already has been doing the work, he added. “This is probably the most culturally aware group I have ever been a part of,” said Moore,…