Wichita’s first Pizza Ranch sets a June opening date, but you can get a sneak peek now
Wichita’s long-awaited Pizza Ranch restaurant at 21st and Tyler finally has an opening date, and this week, the local franchisee gave me a sneak peek at the completed space.
Pizza Ranch, a popular buffet chain that serves not only pizza but also fried chicken and all the fixings, is set to open on June 29 in the former Jimmie’s Diner/Tommy’s space at 2121 N. Tyler. The restaurant, which sits just across the street from the west-side Warren Theatre, also will have a big “FunZone” arcade where kids can be set loose to play games and win prizes.
Wichitans who have dined at Pizza Ranch restaurants in other nearby towns have been closely watching the progress on the restaurant, which at times has felt slow. Doug Wessley first announced the project in March 2019 but then ran into several delays, including issues with the building, waits for equipment and finally coronavirus.
But the sign went up on the building recently, sparking a new wave of interest. Inside the restaurant, things are almost completely done, and crews are adding finishing touches. The game room is empty for now, but games should be arriving in the next several weeks, Wessley said.
Diners will be able to choose whether they want to order from the buffet or the menu, but the buffet — $12.49 for adults — will give them a gut-busting array of options starting with pizza made with a variety of toppings and four different types of crust: thin, original, a thick skillet-style and gluten-free.
People who want specific toppings can order a custom pizza at the counter and take a buzzer. It’ll be done within eight to 12 minutes. Then the diner will be buzzed and invited to take as many slices as they want.
They can also choose from fried chicken with sides like mashed potatoes, gravy and stuffing, and there’s also a fresh salad bar. A separate dessert bar will offer sweet pizzas with toppings like apple, blueberry, chocolate and cinnamon sugar. There’s also a soft-serve ice cream machine.
“If you leave here hungry, you’ve done something wrong,” said Clarence Wilson, a Pizza Ranch corporate trainer who is in town helping get the restaurant set up.
Parents will be able to set the kids loose on the game room before or after dinner and stay in their seats if they choose. Wessley is installing cameras in the game room that will broadcast onto television screens in the dining room so that people can keep an eye on their kids.
The 7,500-square-foot space has room for 216 diners. There are also three party rooms that can seat between 22 and 42 people each or be opened up to accommodate even more.
Wilson said he knows people might be concerned about buffet dining at the moment but insists his staff is doing everything it can to ensure safety.
“I know what’s going on out there. Everybody does: ‘Can I trust a buffet place?’” he said. “We’re doing everything we need to do, that Sedgwick County says we need to do, and we’re going to not only do that but go a step above.”
If coronavirus concerns cause the state to close buffets again, the restaurant is set up to enclose the food and have staff members serve it as customers point to what they want, Wessley said.
Food also can be ordered to-go, and Pizza Ranch will deliver.
Pizza Ranch will have kids nights on Tuesdays, where children 12 and under eat free with a paying adult. It doesn’t serve alcohol.
Once open, Pizza Ranch’s hours will be 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Stay tuned for more information as opening day draws near.
This story was originally published May 21, 2020 at 1:41 PM.
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