Shawnee’s Taco Hangover has undergone a transformation and is now known as Saints Express. The restaurant, owned by Brandon Bargdill and Kem Anderson, previously served popular dishes such as carne asada tacos, cheesecake chimichangas, and beef-stuffed burritos for 10 months. However, it failed to achieve the success of its sister brand, Saints Pub + Patio, which has been operating in the Kansas City area for 15 years. As a result, Taco Hangover recently closed down and reemerged as Saints Express, a sit-down and to-go version of the popular bar and grill.
The new location at 13655 W. 63rd St. offers a menu featuring customer favorites like “The Saint,” a burger topped with barbecue sauce, cheese, and onion rings, as well as bone-in wings. Saints Express has extended operating hours compared to Taco Hangover, now open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays to Thursdays, and 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. To complement its late-night service, the establishment also has a full bar that serves a variety of cocktails, including strawberry margaritas, Moscow mules, and spicy bloody Marys.
Despite the rebranding, Saints Express continues to offer the same margaritas and recipes that were popular at Taco Hangover. The owners hope that the transition will attract more customers and drive success for the new establishment. The previous occupant of the space, Sheridan’s Lattes and Frozen Custard, closed in 2021, leaving room for Saints Express to take over.
Saints Express joins other Saints Pub + Patio locations at 16804 W. 89th St. in Lenexa and 20220 E. Jackson Drive in Independence. However, the brand faced controversy earlier this year when co-founder Scott Anderson was federally indicted on charges including wire fraud, aggravated identity theft, and making false statements in connection with a loan application. Anderson maintains his innocence and believes the charges against him are baseless. While he still assists with Saints’ operations, he has reduced his involvement to focus on other business ventures and his law practice. His wife remains an owner at all three Saints locations, each with different partners.
As Saints Express takes over the former Taco Hangover space, the owners are optimistic about the future of their newest venture. With a familiar menu and the reputation of the Saints brand behind them, they hope to attract both loyal customers and new patrons to their sit-down and to-go restaurant.
