Photos and story by Pete Dulin
Anthony Dedmon moved with patience and pride during the mid-August soft opening of his 5,500-square foot sports lounge Culture X and restaurant Chixen Kansas City. Guests streamed inside and marveled at the stylish space. Located at 7502 Troost where longtime establishment The Epicurean Lounge once operated, Dedmon adapted the venue to suit his own vision as a place to gather in a relaxed setting.
Dedmon, a Kansas City native, Raytown High School graduate, and military veteran who served three tours, traveled a long road to arrive here. Dedmon had no prior restaurant experience in 2018 when he and business partner, chef Guroux Khalifah, opened Distrikt Biskuit House at the Adam’s Mark Hotel near Kauffman and Arrowhead stadiums. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck and the hotel closed, Dedmon shifted gears and in March of 2020 established Chixen Kansas City. He operated his startup business in a ghost kitchen, a commercial kitchen to prepare food for delivery and takeout with no dine-in option.
An opportunity arose to acquire the former home of The Epicurean Lounge, a treasured club and live music venue established and operated by brothers Benny and Calvin Shelby forty years ago. Dedmon made slight adjustments to convert the space into a sports lounge rather than a nightclub. Culture X features 32 television screens for viewing sports. Long high-backed booths and a small stage accompany two full-service bars on each side of the interior. A framed mural hangs on a wall and displays a subtle tribute to the Shelby brothers and The Epicurean. The mural is an homage to “The Sugar Shack,” a famous painting by Ernie Barnes of Black dancers in a dance hall. Some people might recognize the painting featured in the closing credits to Seventies sitcom “Good Times.”
Culture X also houses Chixen Kansas City, a restaurant that serves lounge guests as well as takeout customers.
“I’m not a cook. I have no culinary school experience,” said Dedmon.
That said, Dedmon knew he wanted to offer a fresh, healthy concept that stood out when he started Chixen four years ago. Dedmon uses halal-certified chicken for his succulent chicken burgers prepared on a 36-inch flat top grill. The flat top grill creates a crisp exterior that preserves the smash burger’s seasoning and juiciness. Burgers are made to order and prepared from scratch using fresh chicken ground in house.
Weighing in at a half-pound, The Culture Burger loads sliced tomato, citrus slaw, sliced red onion, Swiss cheese, and jerk aioli atop the burger. The Culture Burger, The Chief (loaded with beef bacon), and The Monarch (caramelized onions, sliced jalapenos, beef bacon, cheddar cheese, and bourbon barbecue sauce) also come in other sizes, ranging from quarter-pound up to 1 or 1.5-pound options. Made with red cabbage, the citrus slaw is crisp with a hint of orange citrus flavor as a refreshing alternative to more acidic vinegar-based or creamy coleslaw.
For lighter fare, Southwest, chop, and Caesar salads without chicken are available. Jerk chili on a cornbread waffle, loaded with grilled vegetables, beans, Caribbean spices, and Chixen ground chicken, sounds like a hearty meal perfect for cool weather and brunch.
Chixen also makes its lemonade, sweet tea, and desserts like blue velvet brownies from scratch.
“The concept is simple. We offer good food, drink, and service in a community space,” said Dedmon.
While a grand opening date for later this year is not finalized yet, the soft opening already generated a relaxed and positive community vibe. Friends and firefighters swung by for a tour of the space. Children with painted faces scurried and played outside near an inflated bounce house set up for the weekend. Two aunties chatted in chairs nearby and held voter registration forms. Couples inside visited and vied for the attention of the cutest baby ever attempting to walk. Later in the evening, the Kansas City Chiefs kicked off pre-season. The kitchen’s primed. The bar was stocked. The staff communicated about lighting adjustments, greeted guests, and prepared for the evening’s guests.
Soon, Culture X and Chixen Kansas City will expand hours from 3-10 pm to 11 am to 11 pm. Dedmon is ready and eager to serve the community.
“I’d like for us to become a sports lounge hub in South Kansas City,” said Dedmon.