Urbana Sur
Urbana Sur is an authentic Mexican cantina set to open in Kansas City in early 2026, located in the Pennway Point district. It is led by Jose Luis Valdez, the creator of the Palacana ice cream brand, and his wife, Lucia Fonseca. Valdez brings over 21 years of culinary experience, including work in Mexican, Italian, and French restaurants in Chicago. The cantina will feature a vibrant atmosphere with live music, a high-end cocktail bar, and a focus on traditional flavors such as tacos, chilaquiles, carne asada, birria, and fish tacos. Its design emphasizes bold colors, floral murals, and an inviting outdoor space, aiming to become a major dining attraction in Kansas City.
News Summary
Kansas City is set to welcome Urbana Sur, a new authentic Mexican cantina, in early 2026. Led by Jose Luis Valdez, the cantina will celebrate Mexican culture with a vibrant menu featuring traditional dishes and a lively atmosphere. Located in the Pennway Point district, it aims to attract both residents and visitors with its fresh ingredients and diverse drink offerings. The development of the district will enhance the local dining scene, despite some delays in completion.
Kansas City is set to welcome a new dining experience in early 2026 as Urbana Sur, an authentic Mexican cantina, is set to open its doors. The cantina will be spearheaded by Jose Luis Valdez, the creator of the popular Palacana ice cream brand, along with his wife, Lucia Fonseca. Located in the vibrant Pennway Point district, Urbana Sur aims to capture the lively spirit of Mexico City’s streets, where Valdez was born and raised.
The cantina will feature live musicians, enhancing the ambiance and offering patrons a taste of Mexico’s rich cultural heritage. Esteemed for its culinary offerings, Urbana Sur will focus on a menu that embraces traditional flavors, including a variety of tacos, chilaquiles, carne asada, birria, and fish tacos, paired thoughtfully with a selection of tequila and mezcal drinks. In addition to these, the drink menu will offer crowd favorites like Palomas and margaritas, ensuring an enjoyable experience for all guests.
All dishes served at Urbana Sur will be prepared from scratch using high-quality, fresh ingredients, guaranteeing authenticity and flavor. Valdez believes that the unique atmosphere and commitment to authentic cuisine will set Urbana Sur apart from other Mexican restaurants in the Kansas City area. He envisions the cantina becoming a key attraction, referred to as “an explosion here in Kansas City” and aiming to become the “No. 1 place in KC.”
Urbana Sur will be strategically situated near West 25th and Pennway streets, adjacent to the KC Wheel, making it an accessible dining option for residents and visitors alike. The architecture firm Collins Webb is transforming a previously used storage building into this vibrant cantina, with designs highlighting a high-end cocktail bar. The finished space is anticipated to showcase a bold color palette, an eye-catching interior bar, and a distinctive display dedicated to tequila.
Renderings of the planned cantina reveal a striking long bar adorned with turquoise and gold accents, alongside floral murals decorating the brick walls. An outdoor space will also complement the interior, featuring tables and umbrellas for al fresco dining. This area will be connected to a walk-up Palacana ice cream stand, providing guests with another culinary treat.
Jose Luis Valdez has a long standing history in the food industry, having established his Palacana ice cream business 21 years ago. The popular ice cream brand operates five locations across the Kansas City metro area, offering favored flavors such as kiwi, pineapple chile, piña colada, strawberry with cream, and dulce de leche. Prior to launching Palacana, Valdez honed his culinary skills working in Mexican, Italian, and French restaurants in Chicago, bringing diverse influences into his cooking.
The development of the Pennway Point district aims to elevate the local dining landscape. In addition to Urbana Sur, the area will feature a variety of other restaurants, a food hall, popular BBQ options like Chef J BBQ, volleyball courts, and a neon sign museum. However, the completion of the district has encountered delays primarily due to issues with the underground infrastructure. These challenges were acknowledged by 3D Development in September, affecting the timeline of the district’s overall launch.
As Urbana Sur gears up for its anticipated opening in early 2026, the Kansas City community eagerly awaits what promises to be a vibrant and authentic Mexican dining experience. With a dedication to fresh, high-quality food and a lively atmosphere, Urbana Sur aims to create a memorable space for all who enter.
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Additional Resources
- Kansas City Star: Openings and Closings
- Wikipedia: Mexican Cuisine
- FOX4KC: Pennway Point Opening Timeline
- Google Search: Mexican Restaurants Kansas City
- Kansas City Star: Restaurant News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mexican Cuisine
