Santa Fe Inn, Raytown, Mo; is open again! This time it's Stephenson's!

I'm pretty excited to have one of my favorite local haunts open again. Santa Fe Inn located at 6600 Blue Ridge Blvd. was a regular spot for many of my neighbors. The restaurant opened in the early 70's and was frequented by many Kansas City Chief's players and staff.

I've heard stories of War Paint, the Kansas City Chiefs mascot being ridden through Santa Fe Inn after a Chiefs victory in Kansas City. Warpaint was a paint Pinto horse who served as the mascot for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1963 until 1989. Warpaint would run the length of the field after a chiefs touchdown with his rider "Chief" in full Indian Chief garb. After the Chiefs won Super Bowl IV, Warpaint led the parade.

I've ridden with Mike Murphy and old War Paint in the Kansas City Cattle Drives; War Paint and Mike Murphy are retired now.

A few years ago the founder of Santa Fe Inn retired and moved to Florida to play golf, the restaurant was purchased and turned into Mark's Santa Fe Inn. Mark made a number of poor decisions and it wasn't long before he was out of business and the spot was closed.

Recently reopened by the renowned JL Stephenson, of Stephenson's Apple Farm fame, the restored Santa Fe Inn is cleaner, brighter and ready for business. I plan to take my staff there today to sample the fair.

I stopped by and picked up a menu and there it is that world famous Stephenson's brisket is back and ready to be enjoyed.

I hope to see you there, they just opened Labor Day, 2008.

I have the great fortune of having my Real Estate office only a few blocks away!

Of course the restaurant is in KC so we can no longer enjoy a fine cigar with our beverage, so we will have to stand in the parking lot, which is actually in Raytown, Mo to enjoy our stogie!