In the heart of Leawood is HomeGrown, a daytime eatery founded on the philosophy of cultivating kindness. Founded by Jon and Lauren Rolph, they envisioned a restaurant that goes beyond serving delectable dishes. Whether it's sprinkling toppings on pop tarts, sizzling bacon or crafting locally-sourced masterpieces, HomeGrown believes in the transformative power of kind acts, no matter how small. By starting the day right, HomeGrown aims to awaken a chain of positive acts that radiate throughout the community.
General Manager Jason Stephens, with an impressive background spanning over 30 years in the restaurant business, found his calling when an opportunity to join the HomeGrown restaurant group presented itself. Fortunate to be part of a team that shares his values, Stephens embarked on a journey that goes beyond serving delicious food.
Describing HomeGrown to someone unfamiliar is an invitation into a world where food is crafted from scratch using locally sourced ingredients. Crowd favorite dishes include the salsa verde pork and eggs, biscuits and gravy, Cuban sammie, and cinnamon swirl French toast, everything you could want from a brunch menu and more.
“When you visit a HomeGrown restaurant, you are supporting more than 20 local vendors,” says Stephens. “Our food is made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients. Our focus is not just on our food and service, but on making the world a better place one guest at a time. We partner with local organizations as well to help support our community.”
The focus creates a ripple effect of positive change. An example of this is the innovative kids menu that also serves as a postcard.
“Kids can add an address for a friend or loved one and place that postcard in the kindness box when they leave. We then mail those out weekly to allow kids to share some kindness with others. Our people are our legacy. We have high standards when it comes to who we allow to join our team. At the end of the day, it's our people that make us who we are.”
The restaurant is deeply thankful for the local partners and friends who have played a crucial role in its journey. With an emphasis on being "local when better" and affirming that "local is better," HomeGrown celebrates the collaborative spirit that makes it a true community establishment. The esteemed partners in Kansas City include Messenger Coffee, Scavuzzo's, Tom's Town Distillery, Farm to Market Bread Co. and Campo Lindo Farms.
Looking ahead, the Wichita-based restaurant has exciting plans for expansion. With locations already in Des Moines and Arkansas, two new Kansas City locations are set to open this year in the Power and Light District and Merriam.
HomeGrown Leawood is located at 11705 Roe Avenue. For more information, visit homegrownkitchen.com.
Article by Allison Swan
Photography by Janie Jones
Originally published in Johnson County City Lifestyle
