14 updates on what's happening on the Wichita restaurant scene

Wichita's dining scene is bustling with new openings, updates and expansions. Fans of Southern flavors can look forward to Hey Y’all Creole Southern Kitchen, a ghost kitchen from chef Roger Cox, and the transformation of Hurricane Sports Grill into Todd’s Creole Kitchen, bringing a French Quarter feel and Cajun classics to the west side.

Express Kitchen downtown offers a quicker, healthier spin on fast-casual with bowls and wraps, while the brother-and-sister-owned James & Rye cocktail lounge adds a cozy spot for drinks, cocktails, and rotating food trucks. Not to be missed, Prost, the beloved German restaurant, is relocating to a larger space downtown with a beer hall and beer garden, promising more room for big Oktoberfest gatherings.

Hong Nguyen, right, is the owner of the new Da Nang Bistro at 1845 S. Rock Road. She’s pictured with Nancy Shih of Re/MAX Associates, who helped her lease her new space. By Courtesy

NO. 1: HER SPECIALTY IS SELLING WICHITA ASIAN RESTAURANTS. SHE’S NOW ON THE HUNT FOR SEVEN BUYERS

She’s been the go-to real estate agent for Wichita Asian restaurant owners for years, but this one has been busier than most, she said. Here’s why her clients are selling: | Published April 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Johnny Steven is one member of the restaurant-focused Steven family who hasn’t been in the business, but that’s about to change with three Teriyaki Madness franchises.

NO. 2: LOOK WHICH STEVEN FAMILY MEMBER IS GOING INTO THE RESTAURANT BUSINESS NOW

Johnny Steven is one member of the restaurant-focused Steven family who hasn’t been in the business, but that’s about to change. | Published April 3, 2025 | Read Full Story by Carrie Rengers

Austin and Manu English opened their German restaurant Prost in a shipping container mall in 2018. By Denise Neil

NO. 3: WICHITA GERMAN RESTAURANT PROST LEAVING SHIPPING CONTAINER MALL FOR LARGER DOWNTOWN SPOT

The new building will have two stories inside, a beer garden outside, and lots of antique charm. | Published April 30, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Natasha Gandhi-Rue, left, is changing the focus and the name of her downtown location of The Kitchen. She’s pictured with her husband and co-owner Scott Rue. Courtesy photo

NO. 4: WORRIED ABOUT EFFECTS OF NEW DOWNTOWN PARKING PLAN, OWNER CHANGES DIRECTION OF RESTAURANT

The 9-year-old restaurant, which is also getting a new name, is temporarily closed for the revamp. | Published April 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Longtime Wichita bar and restaurant operaters David Allan and Charlie Badeen are preparing to open Victory Sports Bar on Andover Road. By Jaime Green

NO. 5: NEW ANDOVER RESTAURANT OPENS, ANOTHER PARTIALLY OPENS, AND ANOTHER IS SLOWLY COMING ALONG

All three restaurants have Andover Road addresses. | Published April 10, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 6: BORED AFTER INJURY INTERRUPTS HIS GOLF OBSESSION, RETIREE BUYS POPULAR WICHITA RESTAURANT

He thought about opening a new restaurant, he said. But why do that when he could purchase one with a proven menu and clientele? | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Magnolia Cafe is now offering a special patio happy hour from 4 to p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.

NO. 7: OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH WICHITA RESTAURANT LURING CUSTOMERS WITH NEW ‘PATIO PARTY’ HAPPY HOUR

The owner doesn’t want people to forget that his restaurant also has a nice patio, so he’s reminding them with food-and-drink specials. | Published April 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

The most popular dish at both locations of The Easy Egg is the chilaquiles, says owner Eduardo Gonzalez.

NO. 8: WICHITA BREAKFAST RESTAURANT IS EXPANDING AGAIN, THIS TIME TO 37TH AND MAIZE ROAD

It will take over the spot that Chick N Max vacated in early March. | Published April 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Kristopher Rue assembles a bowl at Express Kitchen, a new concept by the owners of The Kitchen. By Denise Neil

NO. 9: REIMAGINED DOWNTOWN WICHITA RESTAURANT IS OPEN, SERVING HEALTHIER FOOD FASTER

If the concept is a success, the owners said, they hope to open more locations across Wichita. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Seven months after it closed, the DQ Grill & Chill restaurant at 1520 S. Webb Road is reopening under a new owner/operator. By Travis Heying

NO. 10: THE ‘PERMANENT’ CLOSING OF THIS WICHITA DQ RESTAURANT WASN’T SO PERMANENT AFTER ALL

The former franchisee was arrested in the store last fall. It closed weeks later. | Published April 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Meddys owner Alex Harb recently remodeled the downtown restaurant to match the look of the new Meddys he’s been opening in places like Tulsa. By Denise Neil

NO. 11: WICHITA-BORN RESTAURANT CONCEPT JUST KEEPS GROWING, NOW HAS 12 RESTAURANTS IN FOUR STATES

It’s one of the two fastest-growing concepts to come out of Wichita since Freddy’s. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Bobby Decker and Riley Hare are the brother-and-sister owners of the new The James & Rye cocktail bar and lounge in downtown Wichita.

NO. 12: BROTHER-AND-SISTER DUO HAVE JUST OPENED A CLASSY NEW WICHITA COCKTAIL LOUNGE

The bar, which specializes in craft cocktails, quietly opened its doors on Friday. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Chef Roger Cox plans to serve Creole, Cajun and Southern dishes at his new Hey Y’all Creole & Southern Kitchen

NO. 13: HEY Y’ALL: THIS WICHITA CHEF IS ABOUT TO LAUNCH NEW CONCEPT OFFERING CREOLE, SOUTHERN FOOD

It will start as a ghost kitchen then graduate to a food truck. | Published April 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

Chris Tincher, left, is almost ready to open his new Todd’s Creole Kitchen at 13th and Tyler. He’s pictured with his son, Hadden Tincher, who also is the restaurant’s general manager. By Denise Neil

NO. 14: OWNER OF WEST WICHITA RESTAURANT TURNS BEACHY SPORTS BAR INTO SLEEK FRENCH QUARTER EATERY

The restaurant, which will serve Creole fare and seafood, should be open by the end of the month. | Published May 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.