Update: A Wichita breakfast favorite is back after a COVID-19-related closure
With coronavirus cases on the increase in Sedgwick County, it’s likely that Wichita restaurants voluntarily closing after an employee is exposed to COVID-19 will keep growing.
To keep track of all of them, we’ve started this list, which we’ll update when necessary. We’ll also use this list to update you when these restaurants reopen.
The latest updates, as of Wednesday, Aug. 5: A breakfast favorite is back in business and a west Wichita sports bar ends its voluntary closure.
The latest
The Beacon, 909 E. Douglas: This popular downtown breakfast and lunch spot closed on July 27 after “a possible exposure of COVID-19.” It reopened on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Side Pockets, 600 S. Tyler: The owner of this popular west side pool hall, bar and restaurant closed it in early July as COVID-19 cases spiked. But on Wednesday, Aug. 5, he decided to reopen.
Restaurants that have closed after exposure, some reopened
Here’s the list of others who have publicly announced voluntary closures since June 11, including those that has since reopened.
UPDATED Paleteria La Reyna, 2925 N. Arkansas: This popular Mexican restaurant and ice cream shop has reopened as of Monday, Aug. 3 after announcing on July 20 that “due to exposure to COVID virus, we are gonna be closed for a few days to get tested.”
UPDATED Dog N Shake, Maple & Tyler: This locally owned fast-food chain announced last weekend that it had closed its store at Maple & Tyler until further notice after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. As of Monday, Aug. 3, it’s back open.
UPDATED: Pizza Ranch, 2121 N. Tyler: This restaurant closed July 20 after a couple of staff members were exposed to someone with COVID-19, the restaurant’s general manger said. It reopened on July 30 with masks required, social distancing guideposts and a few other new safety measures. No employees tested positive for the virus, the manager said.
UPDATED: The Barn, Burrton: This near-Wichita favorite restaurant, which closed after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, has since reopened.
UPDATED Juarez Bakery, 1068 N. Waco: This popular Mexican bakery has been closed since July 13 after a COVID-19 exposure but it is set to reopen on Monday, July 27.
UPDATED Marchello’s, 3107 S. Seneca: The restaurant announced on July 14 that it was temporarily closing “due to COVID-19 exposure.” It reopened for carryout and delivery only late last week.
UPDATED New Neighbors, 2315 W. 21st St.: This restaurant announced on July 8 that it would be closing for two weeks after a “possible exposure to COVID-19.” It reopened on July 23.
UPDATED Connie’s Mexico Cafe, 2227 N. Broadway: This longtime Mexican restaurant closed on June 22 after a couple of employees tested positive. The owner and her daughter were among them. But the restaurant reopened on Friday, July 17, for curbside service. This week, they’re resuming dine-in. Hours are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
UPDATED: Baskin Robbins/Nestle Tollhouse, 8919 W. 21st St.: This ice cream and cookie shop recently closed after an employee was exposed to COVID-19, according to a sign posted on the door. It has since reopened.
UPDATED: Tacos tj 664, 803 N. West St: This restaurant closed on July after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, it announced on Facebook. It has since reopened.
UPDATED: District Taqueria, 917 E. Douglas: This restaurant, which closed on July 6 when an employee was exposed to COVID-19, reopens on Tuesday, July 14, with several new precautions.
UPDATED: YaYa’s Eurobistro, 8115 E. 21st St.: Ty Issa closed down this Bradley Fair restaurant on Friday, July 3, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. The restaurant reopened last week, saying all its remaining employees tested negative for the virus.
UPDATED: The Barn, 307 W. Dean, Burrton: This restaurant, a favorite of Wichitans despite its location 42 miles northwest of the city, closed on Friday, July 3, after a kitchen employee tested positive for COVID-19. It’s set to reopen on Monday, July 13.
UPDATED: Deano’s Grill & Tapworks, 9747 E. 21st St.: A&M Management Group closed this restaurant on Thursday, July 2, after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. They said they’d reopen after their employees were all tested. They reopened Friday, July 10.
UPDATED: Greystone Restaurant, 9719 E. 21st St.: This restaurant, which closed on July 2 after an employee at its sister restaurant Deano’s Grill & Tapworks had a positive COVID-19 test, reopened on Thursday, July 9. The restaurant has been deep-cleaned, owners said, and all employees received “fit to work” letters from their doctors. The restaurant will be limiting dining capacity to 50 percent and doing pre-shift health screens. Owners say they hope Deano’s can soon reopen, too.
UPDATED: La Chinita, 1051 N. Broadway: This restaurant closed on Wednesday, July 1, after an employee’s family member tested positive for COVID-19. It is set to reopen on Monday, July 20.
UPDATED: Enigma Club & Lounge, 351 N. Mosley: Though not a restaurant, this Old Town night club also closed after a positive COVID-19 test. It closed on June 26 but has since roepened.
UPDATED: Stroud’s, 3661 N. Hillside: This restaurant closed on Friday, June 19, after an employee was in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. All employees were tested, managers said later, and none were positive. It reopened on June 27.
UPDATED: Cevicheria Y Botanas La Islas, 1935 N. Broadway: This restaurant closed on June 21 after an employee tested positive. It had all its employees tested and reopened on Friday, July 3.
UPDATED: Lotus Leaf Cafe, 251 N. Washington: This Old Town restaurant voluntarily closed on June 25 after an employee’s house guest tested positive for COVID-19. It said at the time it would close for 14 days. It is reopening Monday, July 13, for carry-out and patio dining; its dining room is closed.
UPDATED: Paleterias Tropicana, 2021 N. Amidon: This restaurant closed on June 15 after an employee tested positive for COVID-19. It reopened on June 22.
UPDATED: Jose Pepper’s, 2243 N. Tyler: This restaurant closed on Thursday, June 11, after a back-of-house employee tested positive for COVID-19. It reopened shortly after.
Restaurants that have re-closed or scaled back dine-in
Cana Wine & Cocktails, 221 S. Broadway: This popular downtown cocktail bar reopened in early June after the initial round of COVID-19 closures. But on Tuesday, it announced it would close again until further notice “due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in our community.”
Anahuac Tortilleria/Restaurant, 2729 S. Seneca: This south Wichita business announced on Tuesday that it would close its restaurant until next August. It will continue to produce and sell tortillas, though.
Alejandro’s Mexican Food, 1212 S. Rock Road: This Mexican restaurant is closing its lobby as of Friday but will remain open for drive-through and curbside pickup. Call 316-681-8166 to place an order.
El Ricardo’s Mexican Food, 503 N. West St.: This restaurant has decided to close its lobby again “as the number of positive cases continues to rise and in an effort to be able to remain open.” The lobby will stay closed until cases in the area stop rising, a Facebook post late last week said.
Knollas Pizza: The restaurants at 7343 W. Central and 4041 N. Maize Road discontinued dine-in service on Friday becase of the “increase in Kansas COVID-19 cases.” They’re still offering curbside, take out and third-party delivery.
Nortons Brewing Company, 125 N. St. Francis: No one at Nortons has tested positive for the virus, owners said in a recent Facebook post, but they are concerned about the growing cases in the county and have decided to “pump the brakes for a sec to ensure our staff remains healthy and safe.” They’ve closed the dining room and kitchen for now, though the beer garden is still open for beer and cocktails and the website is set up for online beer ordering and curbside pickup at nortonsbrewing.com. Beer garden hours are 3 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 3 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and 3 to 9 p.m. Sundays.
Broadway Burgers & BBQ, 1659 S. Broadway: This restaurant was set to reopen its dining room after July 4. But with cases on the rise, the owners have decided to wait. Their drive-through remains open until 9 p.m.
This story was originally published July 6, 2020 at 11:27 AM.
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