Wichita dining scene gets a writeup in a major U.S. newspaper: Here’s who was mentioned
What prompts a freelance writer for the Chicago Tribune to make a culinary journey to Wichita?
In this case, a writer with the Midwest Travel Writers Association came on a trip hosted by Visit Wichita. But it’s always interesting to see an outsider’s perspective on the Wichita dining scene, especially when that outsider is writing for an audience that has easy access to some pretty amazing food already.
Late last week, the Chicago Tribune published a piece in the travel section of its website with the headline “Where to eat in Wichita: Dig into these storied spots in Kansas’ biggest city.”
The article highlights five Wichita restaurants (and one bar) that “stand out for their back stories and reputation,” the article said, noting that Wichita is the birthplace of White Castle and Pizza Hut.
Among the restaurants that made the article: Siena Tuscan Steakhouse inside the Ambassador Hotel, 104 S. Broadway, notable because it operates in the space that once held the Dockum Drug Store, which as Wichitans know played a big role in the civil rights movement. The author also was impressed by Dockum, the prohibition-style bar with a pharmacy theme in the Ambassador’s basement.
Stearman Field Bar & Grill in Benton also got a mention, and the article notes that diners can “chow down on a flyover Philly cheesesteak” while watching small plane takeoffs and landings on the private airport runway 20 yards away.
Barbecue is an important food group in Wichita, the article says, and the author recommends both Delano Barbecue Co. at 710 W. Douglas and the recently updated B&C BBQ Pub & Grill at 355 N. Washington, where the lunch buffet is a solid option “though you might have to elbow your way into a queue of office workers from nearby businesses.”
Finally, the article recommends Georges French Bistro, 4618 E. Central, which the author is surprised to find in a strip mall. Georges “does a brisk business in the College Hill neighborhood, attracting the who’s who of Wichita,” the article says, and it recommends starting with oysters or escargot, moving on to a meal of seafood bouillabaisse, duck a l’orange or steak frites.
“Save room for crepes suzette or a classic creme brulee.”
You can read the full article, which ties in lots of interesting Wichita history, at this link.
This story was originally published March 2, 2020 at 11:48 AM.
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