By Kevin Collison

The Grad School, a restaurant specializing in a take on classic diner food called “New School Americana,” has opened at 18th and Broadway.

The new place also offers an array of canned regional and local beers plus basic liquor offerings. It’s the first expansion beyond Springfield, where the original Grad School is about to celebrate its 11th anniversary.

Jacob Brewer, manager, said the restaurant at 1744 Broadway, opened quietly last month and is gearing up for longer hours and more days as it hires and trains staff. Right now, it’s open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Grad School’s owner, Danny Schlink, was born in the Kansas City area and continues to have local connections, Brewer said.

The Crossroads seemed to be a good place for the business to expand.

“It’s an up and coming area with a lot of development,” he said. “We wanted to bring our style of food.”

The New School Americana menu includes a variety of meat and non-meat dishes. Brewer recommended a burger called The Full Ride for newcomers. It features a double-patty burger with bacon, soft sharp cheese, caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato.

There’s also a veggie burger called The Codi Brah. Other sandwiches include Cuban, jerk chicken and steak. Starters include “wangs” (chicken wings), hummus and salads. There’s also tacos, burritos, pasta and chicken dishes.

As for beers, Brewer said The Grad School plans to bring one of Springfield’s favorites, Mother’s Brewing Co., to KC when its canned beers become available.

The place has a comfortable vibe with lots of booths and a long diner counter for eating and drinking too. The Grad School also plans to offer outdoor seating on the adjoining sidewalk.

As for the name, Brewer said many of Schlink’s friends in Springfield had continued their education past undergrad and he had to come up with something to say to his parents.

“He decided to tell his parents he was going to Grad School too,” Brewer said.

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