KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A popular restaurant at 87th Street and Blue Ridge Boulevard was a complete loss after a fire late Tuesday.
The Kansas City Fire Department believes a natural gas leak caused an explosion at Steak’M Take'M shortly before 10 p.m. No one was injured in the blaze.
On Wednesday morning, icicles melted on what was left of the building, and caution tape surrounded what once was a popular place to grab a bite to eat.
“I love it, their food is good,” longtime customer Roderica Bandy said.
While Bandy will miss the food, she said Steak'M Take'M meant much more than that to the neighborhood.
“It’s just sad because the community is looking around like, 'okay what happened?'" she said.
“It’s just a disaster to the community," customer Kyle Furman said. "It's a great place, and I would highly recommend the community to come together and help rebuild it."
Furman, who lives near the restaurant, said he was alarmed when he heard the blast Tuesday night.
“I was sitting in my bedroom and then next thing you know, I hear the windows rattle thinking someone was playing music, and then I get woken up this morning,” Furman said.
One day after the fire, customers said they hope the owner chooses to rebuild.
“It meant a lot to the people. Great customer service, great food, great people,” Furman said.
“I just hope they open back up,” Bandy said.
41 Action News reached out to the owner of the restaurant on whether there are plans to rebuild but has not heard back.
The restaurant has two other locations in the metro, one at 7702 Troost Ave. and another at 3120 Stadium Drive.
