Two vacant Wichita restaurant spaces get new life from one ambitious entrepreneur

Wichita restaurants move out, and this Wichita restaurateur moves in.

Thursday was the first day in a bigger, better space for Birrieria “La Nieta De Villa, the Mexican restaurant that Trancito Tobar opened more than two years ago at 2943 S. Hillside.

Tobar closed the original restaurant earlier this week so he could move right next door to 2959 S. Hillside. The new space, which was vacated by Angry Elephant in October, is significantly larger. (Angry Elephant has since reopened at 756 N. Tyler.)

“There’s more space and more parking for customers,” said Tobar, who said his new restaurant would have far more seats than his current 48.

Soon, Tobar said, he’ll be adding to his menu, which already boasts several authentic Mexican dishes. His specialty is birria, a spicy stew that’s often made with goat. But Tobar doesn’t carry goat: His birria is made with lamb. He also serves menudo and tortas, and his protein options include barbacoa, carne asada, carnitas and adobada.

When the move is complete, Tobar also will keep the restaurant open later — until at least 10 p.m. nightly, he said.

The Angry Elephant space is just the latest vacant restaurant Tobar has taken over.

In December, he opened a restaurant called Taco Loco at 2247 N. Broadway, which is the space that Tacos Porfias vacated in September before moving into the former Cortez Mexican Restaurant building.

At Taco Loco, Tobar focuses on gorditas. It’s open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This story was originally published February 27, 2020 at 5:01 AM.

Denise Neil

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6327

Denise Neil has covered restaurants and entertainment since 1997. Her Dining with Denise Facebook page is the go-to place for diners to get information about local restaurants. She’s a regular judge at local food competitions and speaks to groups all over Wichita about dining.