801 Chophouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Steakhouse Built on Conviction

Since its founding in 1993 — with the original location at 801 Grand Avenue in downtown Des Moines — 801 Restaurant Group has operated on a single, uncompromising premise: only the best, of the best, of the best. The Leawood location carries that same standard to the Kansas City area, offering the kind of steakhouse experience that, in the group's own words, had "largely disappeared" from American dining.

The concept draws its inspiration from the great steakhouses of the 1920s — lively, attentive, committed to craft — and sets itself against what it calls the "watered-down facsimiles" that replaced them. The result is a steakhouse that takes its identity seriously without taking itself too seriously: 1920s ambiance, genuine energy, and hospitality that adapts to each table rather than following a script.

The Meat Program

At the core of the 801 Chophouse experience is an in-house meat program that sources exclusively from the top 1% of U.S. beef. Every cut served is 100% aged USDA Prime or better — not occasionally, not on weekends, but all day, every day. The restaurant operates its own dry-age coolers and uses in-house bone saws, with proprietary aging methods designed to maximize flavor and tenderness.

The steakhouse menu anchors around classics — filet mignon and richly marbled ribeye — alongside a rotating selection of domestic and imported A5 Wagyu. The A5 designation represents the highest possible grade for Japanese beef, evaluated on yield, firmness, texture, coloring, and marbling. Chefs source from multiple acclaimed Japanese prefectures, each with distinct tasting notes shaped by bloodline, rearing method, and region.

Beyond beef, a daily Fresh Sheet brings in fresh fish, oysters, live Maine lobsters, and seasonal sides — each curated to the location. An in-house pastry chef handles desserts, and small-batch bourbons and scotches round out the beverage program.

Recognized for Its Wine List

The wine list at 801 Chophouse earned a Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence — recognition that reflects the same careful curation applied to the food. The list is described as award-winning and hand-selected, designed to complement the depth of a serious steakhouse menu.

The GreenCoat Standard

Service here operates under what the restaurant calls the GreenCoat philosophy — a commitment to personalized, "just say yes" hospitality. Staff are trained to read each table's particular dynamic and tailor their approach accordingly, guiding guests through dishes and pairings rather than reciting a standard sequence. It's a detail-oriented model that treats hospitality as a craft in its own right, parallel to what happens in the kitchen.

Private Dining and Events

The Leawood location is well-equipped for private occasions, with dedicated private dining rooms, banqueting facilities, and catering options. Whether for an intimate dinner or a larger hosted event, the same standards of food and service apply.

For anyone who takes a great steakhouse seriously, 801 Chophouse in Leawood makes a clear and well-supported case for itself.