Mexican food is returning to the little snack shop in Wichita’s Riverside neighborhood
When Raquel Ramirez opened her new Roxie’s on the River restaurant in the Farm Credit Bank Building in November, she wasn’t sure about the future of her little snack shop, Roxie’s in Riverside.
Business had been slow in the fall, she said, and she’d need to think about whether the spot at 11th and Bitting was worth reopening in the spring.
Now, she’s made her decision, and on Friday, Ramirez will reopen Roxie’s in Riverside, a walk-up-snack stand in the former Chiquita’s Corner space, which she took over a year ago.
“I’m going to try it again this summer and see what we can do,” she said.
Ramirez said she’s changed up the menu at the restaurant, which is known for its colorful patio full of picnic tables. Though she started out with a menu that focused on hot dogs and shaved ice, this year, the offerings will appeal to people who loved Chiquita’s Corner. Ramirez will be serving up a more Mexican-inspired menu featuring tamales, deep-fried tacos, deep-fried burritos, cheese and onion enchiladas, and nachos. She’ll also still serve shaved ice and may offer the occasional hamburger special as well, she said.
Ramirez said she also plans to offer family games on the patio this summer, including corn hole.
The hours this weekend will be 5 to 9 p.m. on Friday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday. For the rest of the summer, she’ll be open from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, too. If things go well, she’ll add Wednesday evenings, Ramirez said.
People in the neighborhood have been asking Ramirez when she’s reopening for a while now, she said. A few people have even asked her if they can take over the lease on the place.
“I say, ‘No, I’m not ready to give it up,’” she said. “I’m going to try it one more summer and see how it goes.”
This story was originally published April 23, 2019 at 9:14 AM.
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