Chiquita's Corner is gone, but Wichita can get its famous tacos, enchiladas again
More than a month ago, I reported the news that Chiquita's Corner, the popular enchilada and taco stand that had operated at the corner of 11th and Bitting since 2015, was not going to reopen.
Riversiders were sad, particularly because so many had grown addicted to the business's deep fried tacos and cheese-and-potato enchiladas.
But all is not lost.
David Sandoval, whose taco and enchilada recipes were used at Chiquita's Corner by his daughter, Stephanie Sandoval, is back in business with his other daughter, Pilar Sandoval, and Pilar's boyfriend, Priness Bennett. The trio has just opened a food truck called Sweet P's Love Machine.
Pilar and Priness own the truck, David said, but he's staffing it and doing the cooking. For the past couple of weeks, they've been opening it several days a week in North Riverside Park, right near the Park Villa at 1029 Bitting St.
The truck, which is painted all black and hasn't yet been decorated with its logo, is selling the same tacos, enchiladas, rice and beans Riverside fell in love with at Chiquita's Corner, David said. The menu also features street tacos, a burger and a Philly cheese steak sandwich.
The truck was named for Dave's nickname for Pilar when she was growing up: Sweet Pea.
Priness bought the truck at an auction in Salina, and it's taken the trio a while to get it up and running. They hope to keep opening it in Riverside and also set up at food truck rallies and at other lunch- and dinner-friendly spots around town.
On Thursday, the truck will be back at Park Villa from 11 a.m. until dark.
David said he grew up cooking and learned recipes from his mother. Now, he just wants to help his daughter get her business going.
"That's my way of trying to get everyone together and get the family together and get my kids together," he said. "I'm 54 now. I don't care about me too much. I'd just like my kids to be happy."
This story was originally published April 11, 2018 at 3:48 PM with the headline "Chiquita's Corner is gone, but Wichita can get its famous tacos, enchiladas again."