A sign that’s gone up in downtown Wichita has sandwich fans pretty excited
Wichitans who remember the Metro Grill sandwich cart from Town East Square — and all the amazing sandwiches it used to serve — have reason to celebrate today.
The restaurant is making a comeback.
On Friday, Metro Grill signs — featuring the old Chrysler Building logo — went up on the Wichita Cheesecake Company building at 801 E. Douglas in downtown Wichita.
All day, said Wichita Cheesecake Company owner Mark Daniels, people have been streaming in his restaurant asking if he really is serving the Infamous BOB and Cuban sandwiches that Metro Grill was once known for.
The answer: Not yet, but he will be soon.
Daniels, who moved into the former Scooter’s space at Douglas and Rock Island in August, said that he’s partnered with Victor Hammond, who took full ownership of Metro Grill’s name and recipes from founder Michael Gonzalez back in 2014. Gonzalez originally founded the business as a hot dog and sandwich cart in the mall in 2004.
In 2015, Hammond closed the city’s last remaining Metro Grill, which was operating Central and Tyler. But he’s been waiting ever since for the right time to bring it back.
Daniels said that Hammond will offer all the sandwiches Metro Grill fans remember, and Daniels and his wife, Grace, will also continue to serve their cheesecake. The Daniels’ plans to start serving ready-to-bake Donna Italia pizza, which they announced in February, are now on hold.
Hammond said he’d fill in more details about his plans soon.
Metro Grill founder Gonzalez had a tumultuous time in Wichita, filled with lots of legal drama. At one point, he also operated Metro Grill restaurants at the Wichita Waterfront and in Andover. He closed the first and sold the second, which today is called Metro Bistro but is no longer related.
I’ll keep you posted as more information develops.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 5:49 PM.
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