Wichita’s long-gone Red Bean’s restaurant comes back one night a year, and it’s next week
Fat Tuesday is that annual bright spot that usually lands in February and always includes lots of Wichita shrimp boils, Mardis Gras parties and Hurricane specials.
And for the past five years, it’s also been that one day a year when fans of the once popular Red Bean’s Bayou Grill can taste the Cajun dishes they used to order there.
Fat Tuesday is next week, and several local restaurants, bars and venues are planning big events. The Red Bean’s party at the Villa Luna banquet venue is one of the biggies, and this year, it will be even bigger. Because of overwhelming demand last year, Bill Rowe is expanding the party by adding seating, staff and live Cajun music.
Here’s a list of events and specials planned for Fat Tuesday in Wichita. Did I miss one? E-mail me at dneil@wichitaeagle.com and I’ll add it.
Mardis Gras parties
Red Bean’s Bayou Grill Memorial Fat Tuesday celebration: It’s become a Fat Tuesday tradition in Wichita, and one that brings a favorite Wichita restaurant from the past back to life. Every year for the past five years, former Red Bean’s Bayou Grill owner Bill Rowe has been reviving the once-popular restaurant’s menu for a big Mardis Gras party at his banquet venue, Villa Luna, at 8406 W. Central. Red Bean’s, for those who don’t remember, operated for 16 years at 7447 W. 21st St. It closed in 2014.
The party has always been popular, Rowe said, but last year, it was “nutso.” His sales doubled from the previous year and he ran completely out of food. So this year, he’s making the party even bigger. He’s rented a big tent, which he’ll put up on the east side of the Villa Luna building, and he’s hired the Mudbugs Cajun & Zydeco Band to entertain customers who are waiting to get in the venue for dinner. He’s also adding about 30 percent more seating so people won’t be waiting as long, and attendees can also partake of an oyster bar.
The dinner will feature a buffet of favorites from Red Bean’s, including firecracker pasta, pork loin Thibideaux, jambalaya and fried pickles. The party, which lasts from 4 to 9 p.m., will also have adult beverages. Tickets are available at the door and are $28 for adults, $12 for ages 4-12 and free for ages 3 and under. No reservations will be accepted, but people can call 316-612-4694 for more information.
“We’re hoping for a big turnout,” Rowe said.
Doo-Dah Diner’s Fat Tuesday Cajun Feast, 206 E. Kellogg: The popular diner will have its seventh annual Fat Tuesday all-you-can-eat feast from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. (The restaurant will not be open for regular business that day.) This will be Doo-Dah’s first year putting on the party in its bigger, remodeled restaurant. The buffet is $30 a person and will feature things like shrimp etouffee, jambalaya, a crawfish boil, oysters, blackened chicken, jalapeno cornbread and King Cake. Proceeds benefit the Child Advocacy Center of Sedgwick County. Make reservations by calling 316-265-7011.
Oyster dinner at St. James: The annual St. James Episcopal Church oyster dinner, which always happens on Fat Tuesday, offers all-you-can-eat oysters on the half-shell, fried oysters, dessert, and beer and wine on tap. The dinner is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and tickets are $47 in advance at the church office, 3750 E. Douglas, or by calling 316-259-7587. Money raised supports Episcopal Social Services and Wichita Children’s Home.
River City Brewing Company’s Fat Tuesday Crawfish and Shrimp Boil, 150 N. Mosley: This restaurant sold out its Fat Tuesday party in less than three hours last year and decided to do it again. It’s importing crawfish fresh from Louisiana for a crawfish boil that will also include shrimp, andouille sausage, corn, potatoes, onions, mushrooms, and red beans and rice. The party also will include a special beer inspired by the flavor of Louisiana Hurricanes. A wristband good for the all-you-can-eat buffet is $40.
Chicken N Pickle shrimp boil: 1240 N. Greenwich: This restaurant and entertainment venue is putting on a Fat Tuesday shrimp boil from 6 to 9 p.m. Tuesday that will include live music from the Friends University Jazz Band. Tickets are $35 in advance at eventbrite.com and $45 at the door.
Emerson Biggins Old Town, 808 E. Douglas: This bar is throwing an all-day crawfish boil on Tuesday that costs $12 a person. It’ll also have drink specials. The hours are 11 a.m. to midnight.
AIWF Carnivale of Wines: The American Institute of Wine and Food’s Wichita Chapter is putting on a Fat Tuesday party that will feature a five-course meal with wine pairings at Larkspur, 904 E. Douglas. They’re describing the menu as a “Spanish take on the Fat Tuesday celebration.” Tickets are $60 for members and $65 for nonmembers. Reservations are due by noon Friday at aiwfwichita.org.
FAT TUESDAY FOOD AND DRINK SPECIALS
Cana Wine & Cocktails, 221 S. Broadway: The bar is serving its version of Hurricanes along with muffaletta boards on Tuesday.
The Rusty Nail, 1155 S. Washington: This restaurant and bar will be serving shrimp po’ boys and muffaletta sandwiches plus Hurricanes and Sazeraks all day on Tuesday.
Fat Tuesday at Whiskey Dicks: The bar at 801 S. Seneca will celebrate Fat Tuesday starting at 11 a.m. and will offer half-price appetizers, $3 Hurricanes and $9.99 Cajun platters with frog legs, jalapeno hush puppies and crawfish gumbo. Fat Tuesday happy hour will last from 3 to 6 p.m. with half-price drinks.
Two Olives Fat Tuesday menu: The restaurant at 2949 N. Rock Road is serving some Fat Tuesday specials from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Its happy hour menu will include French-creole inspired cuisine, cocktails, Hurricanes and traditional King Cakes.
Fat Tuesday at Mort’s: The bar at 923 E. First St. will celebrate Fat Tuesday with themed cocktails, food served around 5 p.m. and a Cajun-flavored performance by the Consiglio and Company and Fly By Night. It starts at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, and the bands will perform from 5 p.m. to midnight.
This story was originally published February 20, 2020 at 5:01 AM.
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