Brookside restaurant spot shifts from Irish to Mexican flavors as two families expand their dream

Two longtime friends and their daughters — all seasoned restaurant workers — are joining together in a new East Brookside restaurant they can call their own.

Muy Caliente Grill & Cantina is scheduled to open later this month at 751 E. 63rd St., Suite 110, in the former Brady & Fox restaurant.

Owners Fredy Rivera and his oldest daughter, Saray Pilar Nonato, along with Noel Ramos and his oldest daughter, Gepsiva Ramos, have all worked in Mexican restaurants across the area. Rivera and his daughter also own El Plato Mexican Grill & Cantina in Lee’s Summit. 

The Ramos father-daughter team will run day-to-day operations for Muy Caliente; Noel’s wife and son also will help out. 

The new Muy Caliente Grill & Cantina space at 751 E. 63rd St., Suite 110, in the former Brady & Fox restaurant; photo by Joyce Smith

The space has been downsized — from 5,000-square-feet to 3,900-square-feet with a new office tenant opening in the rest of the space.

ICYMI: Irish favorite won’t reopen after chef’s killing; Brady & Fox could never be replicated, building owner says

Muy Caliente is expected to feature two bar areas side-by-side; one with a sports bar flair, the other for the dining room.

The partners wanted to bring more authentic Mexican cuisine to the Brookside market and will showcase some of their favorite family recipes, they said.

“It’s a strong community and a really nice neighborhood that is expanding,” Gepsiva Ramos said. “This is my father’s dream.”

A specialty of Noel’s: the Caliente Burger, a plate-sized burger with cheese, sausage, ham, lettuce, onion, tomato and housemade sauce on artisan bread imported from Zacatecas, Mexico, and served with french fries. 

Another favorite: Quesabirrias, a crispy corn tortilla filled with birria, melted cheese, onion, cilantro and radish, and served with consommé for dipping.

Other menu items will include: 

• Street tacos — Carne asada, pastor, pollo a la parrilla, puerco, avocado, and fish.
• Molcajetazo — Grilled chicken, shrimp, and steak with Mexican cactus, cambray onions, jalapenos, queso fresco, chorizo and their special hot sauce, served with rice and beans and a choice of corn or flour tortillas.
• Menudo —  Traditional Mexican spicy soup made with hominy, beef tripe, broth, herbs and a red chili pepper base topped with onion, oregano, lime and a choice of corn or flour tortillas.
• Trio Fajitas — Steak, chicken and shrimp with grilled onions, bell peppers, served sizzling with rice, refried beans, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream, and a choice of corn or flour tortillas.

The drink menu is set to include a spicy mango Margarita, Dragon Berry Lemonade, Jarrio Borracho, and ice cold Micheladas.

Brady & Fox never reopened after the shooting death of popular Irish chef and owner Shaun Brady on Aug. 28, 2024. The 44-year-old father was killed outside the restaurant while taking out the trash about 5:15 p.m. that Wednesday. A 15-year-old boy has been accused in the killing. 

Muy Caliente’s owners plan to put up a memorial to Brady.

“For his friends and family and customers to bring pictures,” Gepsiva Ramos said.

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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.