Exploring Wichita restaurants from the past

This curated collection of stories revisits Wichita's iconic restaurants that shaped the city's dining scene over the decades.

NO. 1: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: WICHITA LOVED THIS OLD TOWN SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT IN THE LATE 1990S

The restaurant was owned by one of Wichita’s most recognized families and run by its matriarch. | Published April 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 2: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: REMEMBER APPLEGATE’S LANDING? HERE ARE 2 RECIPES FOR ITS GILBERTINI

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wichita loved to dine at Applegate’s Landing, a restaurant that specialized in pizza, pasta and sub sandwiches. | Published April 19, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 3: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: THIS RESTAURANT WAS ONE OF WICHITA’S TOP-RATED STARTING IN THE 1950S

It served Maine lobster and offered a rolling smorgasbord cart. But it fell out of favor in the late 1970s and early 1980s. | Published April 26, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 4: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: EAST WICHITA HOTEL OFFERED ROOFTOP DINING IN THE ’70S, WANTS TO AGAIN

Wichita used to enjoy shrimp boils, New Year’s eve parties and prime rib buffets at this now-abandoned restaurant with a view. Now, owners are searching for a tenant to bring it back to life. | Published May 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 5: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: IF YOU ATE OUT IN 1970S WICHITA, YOU SURELY DINED AT THIS SANDWICH SHOP

Dr. Redbird’s Medicinal Inn, which spread across town from the early 1970s through the mid-1980s, cured what ailed Wichita’s taste buds. | Published June 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 6: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: 1950S WICHITA SPENT SUNDAYS WATCHING PLANES FROM THIS AIRPORT RESTAURANT

Many Wichitans remember Dobbs House, which featured white tablecloths and a “portable beef cart.” | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 7: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: THIS RESTAURANT MADE NO SECRET ABOUT WHAT IT WAS SERVING: DEAD COW

The 1980s restaurant’s name didn’t cow customers, who loved its food. | Published July 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 8: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: GEN X GREW UP AT SHOWBIZ PIZZA, HOME OF SO-SO FOOD, AMAZING ROBOT BEAR

ShowBiz Pizza was founded in Kansas City in the 1980s. The home of cult-favorite band Rock-afire Explosion, it burned bright then burned out. | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 9: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: PAT O’BRIEN’S WAS A STYLISH SPOT FOR DINING, DANCING IN 1970S WICHITA

The business was known for its St. Patrick’s Day crowds and for surviving a dramatic, headline-grabbing armed robbery. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 10: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: NOW-EMPTY WICHITA BUILDING WAS HOME TO 96 YEARS’ WORTH OF CAFES, CLUBS

When it opened in 1929, the 10-story building represented hope for downtown Wichita. Over the years, it was home to a string of fascinating cafes, nightclubs, restaurants. | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 11: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: ’80S RESTAURANT WAS ONE OF FEW THAT COULD DRAW EAST WICHITA TO WEST SIDE

It was built as a perk for new retirement center but also welcomed the public for crab legs, lobster tail and tender Canadian baby back ribs. | Published May 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Denise Neil

NO. 12: FLASHBACK FRIDAY: THE FARM SERVED ’50S FRIED CHICKEN FROM A BIG HOUSE IN WEST WICHITA

The elegant restaurant was one of many tenants to occupy the late-1800s colonial-style house. | Published March 21, 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 and written by Denise Neil and edited by McClatchy journalists.