Q: "I saw your blog post on the Kim's Magic Pop snacks sold in local Dillon's stores. I love them! Noticed on the company's website that they make a cheddar flavor, but I can't find them anywhere. Any idea where I can find them?"--Rachel

A: Rachel: I actually heard from the Kim's Magic Pop people last week. They'd also read my blog post, and I took the opportunity to ask them that very question because the cheese flavor sounds great to me. I was told that so far, Kroger (the chain that owns Dillon's) doesn't carry that flavor. The nearest place that does is Hy-Vee in Kansas City. So far, I've tried the cinnamon flavor and gotten decent reports on strawberry and onion. The Magic Pop folks said they'll try to persuade Kroger to pick up the cheddar flavor. I'll let you know if that happens.

Question of the week: Which restaurant products do you buy to serve with home-cooked meals?

And a few answers to my last question: Which Wichita restaurant makes the best ice?

"I have used baked potatoes from Spangles and Jason's Deli (plain) when we are in a rush to make them at home, or realize we don't have any at home. Also have used KFC's mashed potatoes when we do chicken noodle soup. I obviously need to keep more potatoes on hand, but mostly it is just a convenience factor for us. --jeff christensen

"BBQ sauce from Hog Wild. We really like the flavor, and they've got great take home bottles available." --WebGrandma

“I love the ice at the Old Mill Tasty Shop. I have it on good authority that they use filtered water -- one of many reasons I love that place!"--kedgington

“I purchase in bulk, uncooked italian sausage from Defazio's to keep in the freezer. Whenever I am in need of sausage, the best is at hand. They make it on site, so call ahead for bulk orders." --suepearce

"The closest I come to 'convenience products' is buying fried rice at Egg Roll King when I'm making stir-fry or noodles as a main course at home." --podunkboy

"I go to Il Vicino (for pizza crust.) Their dough balls are $2 each and you can get them balled or rolled. I use them for mini calzones or pizzas. I also buy their cheesecake when I'm doing cheesecake-stuffed strawberries." --brandik

Recent reviews

Comings and goings

Restaurant review: Shoeless Joe's

Former Player's owner Dave Chaffin now has Shoeless Joe’s Old Fashioned Burgers and Phillys, a neighborhood restaurant and bar he opened in November in the space at 2315 W. 21st St. previously occupied by a Jimmy’s Egg and Clear Lakes Cafe before that. Though smaller, the restaurant looks a lot like Players did, and the menu includes many of its old highlights.

Dining panel review: Paleteria La Reyna

Paleteria La Reyna at 29th and Arkansas is best known for its delicious homemade frozen treats, including ice pops and ice cream. But the restaurant also serves some very good savory food.

Three restaurant construction sites

1. BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, Kellogg and Rock Road: The outline of the future restaurant has taken shape, and it’s big. The construction zone is visible at the corner of Kellogg and Rock, and when finished, it’ll be home to the California-based chain, which specializes in handcrafted beers, steak, burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and more. The restaurant is scheduled to open July 19.

2. Chick-fil-A west, 10515 W. 21st St.: Wichita’s second Chick-fil-A also is taking shape. The outline of the building is clearly visible (provided you can get past the road construction at 21st and Maize to see it), and it has a different shape from the east-side store that opened in March. The new Chick-fil-A should open in late July.

3. NuWay, 2135 W. 21st St.: At the moment, it’s just a pile of rubble that used to be Lotus Garden. But soon, the site will contain a new NuWay, home of the crumbly-but-good burger. This will be Wichita’s sixth NuWay. The original Twin Lakes NuWay closed 20 years ago. The restaurant should be ready to go by September.

Taste & See dinner

It started as a cooking school and party venue. Then last year, executive chef Jason Febres started to serve lunch at his Taste & See at 3825 E. Harry. Now, he’s about to achieve a long-held goal of adding dinner to his offerings. Starting June 1, Taste & See will be open for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. Febres said he will serve a long list of tapas, plus lighter options such as sandwiches and fish tacos. The heavier entrees on his menu, which he’s perfecting right now, will focus on global cuisine — Italian dishes, Spanish paella, Argentinian steaks, etc.

Febres, who has a full bar, also will serve several exotic drinks, such as sangria, Limoncello and Brazilian caipirinhas. Taste & See’s dining room recently has been remodeled, and there are now more booths, tables and a bar. Febres is moving his cooking classes and private parties to an adjoining room with 1,200 square feet, which is being fitted with a kitchen and should be complete this summer. He also hopes to add patio dining this fall. Taste & See will continue to serve lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. For more information, call 316-771-7393.

Yoga and beer

Firefly Yoga Studio at 8336 E. 21st St. is putting on a yoga and beer event, and space is filling fast. The studio, which in the past has paired yoga with wine tastings, recently arranged with River City Brewery to put on a beer tasting after a hot flow class. The class will last from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. June 1, followed by a sampling of three beers. The cost for the event is $15. Make reservations right away by calling 316-978-9191.