Updates on the popular Wichita restaurants yet to reopen from coronavirus shutdowns
By now, most Wichita restaurants have reopened after being shut down amid coronavirus concerns from March to May.
But a few of the city’s most well-known eateries have remained closed, only now making plans to reopen to the public.
One is Doo-Dah Diner, the popular downtown breakfast destination that was one of the first Wichita restaurants to close in March. When I checked in with owner Timirie Shibley last month, she said she was finishing up a kitchen construction project and aiming for reopening on June 23, which is Tuesday. But that date is getting pushed back.
The new opening date is June 30, and it’s firm, Shibley said. But when the restaurant reopens, it will do so cautiously. The Shibleys have removed half the diner’s tables to promote social distancing, and people waiting for those tables will have to do so outside. The Sunday brunch has been suspended, and the menu has been trimmed down a bit.
They’ll resume business with their regular hours.
Here are updates on a few other holdouts:
Reverie Coffee Roasters, 2202 E. Douglas: Andrew Gough reopened for drive-through service a couple of weeks ago, and now, he’s preparing for the next baby step. He’s hoping to reopen the shop for carryout sometime next week, when he’ll have coffee and limited baked goods available for pickup inside.
Any decision on reopening for dine-in won’t come for another couple of weeks after he gets carryout service reestablished, Gough said.
The Anchor, 1109 E. Douglas: Owner Schane Gross offered carryout from her popular downtown bar and restaurant off and on during shutdowns but has been closed completely since the last week of May, working on putting in new safety measures. She’s not talking so far about when exactly she might reopen, but she’s been posting help-wanted ads on Facebook since early this month.
Sam’s Southern Eatery, 6600 W. Central: This restaurant, which wasn’t open long before the coronavirus pandemic arrived, just reopened from a long shutdown. Its first day back was Friday, June 12.
Chuck E. Cheese, 3223 N. Rock Road: People have been wondering about the future of Wichita’s Chuck E. Cheese after news of the company’s financial troubles were widely reported last week. But Wichita’s restaurant reopened this week for games and dining.
This story was originally published June 18, 2020 at 11:20 AM.
.jpg)