New Johnson County burger, pizza spot opens. It has ties to this fine dining restaurant

Some customers at Crush Grill are wearing golf polos and athletic skirts. Others are sporting business casual.

That’s because — while the new restaurant is located on the Prairie Highlands Golf Club — it’s open to the public. A portion of the lunch crowd Tuesday afternoon has just finished 18 holes, but for many, the pizza and burgers are the main event.

If the concept at 14695 S. Inverness St. in Olathe elicits feelings of deja vu, it might be because it’s managed by the same group as Silo Modern Farmhouse.

Silo, a fine dining restaurant at 17501 W. 87th St. in Lenexa, is also located on a golf course. Like Crush, it’s open to the public.

Ali Ellis, a spokeswoman for the management group, said they were inspired to operate Crush the same way after seeing how well the community responded to Silo, which opened in 2018.

At first, management worried non-members of Canyon Farms Golf Club wouldn’t think to visit Silo. But the growing popularity of the restaurant quickly squelched their fears.

Now, two weeks after Crush’s opening, Ellis said they’re seeing the trend continue.

“We’re blown away by the public’s reaction,” Ellis said. “Sales have been really tremendous.”

While Silo sells high-end farm-to-table dishes — think steak and pasta — Crush offers a slightly more casual menu.

The menu has several burger options, including the Crush Burger ($17.50): topped with bacon, cheese curds, chipotle honey mustard, garlic aioli, lettuce, red onions and tomatoes.

Pizza options include the Detroit Supreme ($29), topped with pepperoni, Italian sausage, red onions, green peppers, mushrooms, Wisconsin cheese and marinara.

Crush’s full bar offers beer on tap and cocktails like its Crushsicle for $10 (Smirnoff vanilla vodka, mango puree, orange crush soda and cream).

Also available: tacos, mac and cheese, Philly cheesesteaks, salads and more.

The restaurant has an expansive deck and patio space, offering high-up views of the golf course.

Tucked in a quiet suburban neighborhood, the Prairie Highlands course was built in 2001. It’s been managed by GreatLIFE Kansas City since 2017.

In 2021, the course and clubhouse underwent an extensive renovation. Its clubhouse, which houses Crush, once contained a small concessions stand with roller hot dogs, chips and other small snacks. (Big upgrade, Ellis noted.)