Where to eat in Wichita

[Thornir Alekeg]

I have to go to Wichita for business tomorrow for a couple of days. I will be staying in downtown Wichita near the Lawrence-Dumont stadium. This will be my first visit to Kansas and I was wondering if anyone could recommend some places to eat and if there is something I should try while I'm there. For instance, when you go to Maine, there is lobstah (or lobster for non-New-Englanders). In Boston, there is New England Clam Chowdah and there are the baked beans at Durgin Park in the Fanuiel Hall markets. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Probably won't have internet access while out there, so postings by tomorrow morning would be most helpful. Thanks.

 

[der_kluge]

First, I'm sorry.

Secondly, I have only been to Wichita a handful of times, and in those times, I've only been to what I believed were probably chain restaurants. I did eat at a pretty decent Mexican restaurant that turns into a dance club at night last time I was there. I'll try to get directions from my wife. She went to school there, and any other restaurants that she can recommend.

You would probably do well to venture into any barbecue or steakhouses while you are there. Kansas ain't known for lobster, but it is for steak and barbecue.

 

[der_kluge]

From my wife -

he will be right by old town. There are several good resturants in that area of town. I can't remember the name of the one I like the best, but it has a western "billy the kid" type theme with taxidermied animals everywhere.

She follows this up by indicating that the chicken strips are really good.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Thanks for the tip, I thought Old Town looked like it might be the place to go.

...and why does everyone keep saying they're sorry I have to go to Wichita? Not the most exotic location (meanwhile my boss is off to Stockholm, Sweden...it's good to be the king...), but I like to try and make the best of any trip I have to go on.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

OK, since I went on my trip I thought I'd put down what I found in case someone looks at this thread looking for the same information I was.

Old Town is nice and has a lot of potential, it just needs more people to head down there. Don't know if it's a little more alive on the weekends, but it was pretty quiet in the middle of the week. We ate at a place called Loft 150, The River City Brewing company. It was very good. Didn't drink that night since I was driving and exhausted from the travel, but they also brew their own root beer which was very good.

Next night we discovered a little more active part of the city on the Northeast side. Ate a place called Yia Yia's (corner of 21st and Rock Road). Excellent upscale contemporary dining. Excellent food, great wine list, nice atmosphere and the chocolate souffle with raspberry sauce was incredible (I am a chocoholic and this was about as good as it gets).

 

[der_kluge]

Interesting. I didn't know Wichita had a Yia Yia's. They have two of those in Kansas City. It's owned by a group called PB&J's, and they own several restaurants in this area that are somewhat eclectic like Yia Yia's is. I guess they have a presence in Wichita as well. Glad you had a good time.

Oh Wichita is ok. There's just not a whole lot there, really. Not the most exotic place in the world.