Look who’s back: Founder of Metro Grill has returned to Wichita to help with its revival

Back in April, a sign went up in downtown Wichita heralding the return of Metro Grill — a once-loved restaurant that started as a hot dog and sandwich cart in Towne East Square nearly 18 years ago then evolved into various bricks-and-mortar spots around town.

Now, there’s more news on the restaurant’s return.

When owner Victor Hammond reopens Metro Grill as a business within a business — he’ll be offering some of the restaurant’s old favorites from Mark and Grace Daniels’ Wichita Cheesecake Company at 801 E. Douglas — a familiar face will be at the grill.

Michael Gonzalez, the high-energy, New York-accented chef who founded Metro Grill back in 2004, has just returned to Wichita and will join Hammond in the Metro Grill revival.

Gonzalez, his fans will likely remember, opened several Metro Grill restaurants across town throughout the 2000s and 2010s. But he became consumed with personal and legal problems and moved back to New Jersey eight years ago.

Hammond, whom he’d taken on as a partner, then took ownership of the city’s last remaining Metro Grill, at Central and Tyler, and he also got control of Metro Grill’s name and recipes. But he closed the restaurant in 2015.

Hammond and Gonzalez hadn’t had any contact since, but when Dining with Denise reported that Metro Grill was making a comeback, a mutual friend who saw the article got the two men in touch. They agreed that they could work together to reopen the restaurant.

“I went through a lot, but my strength is back, my mind is fresh, and I’m stronger than ever,” Gonzalez said. “You can’t even imagine how excited I am and how blessed I am to be back.”

Gonzalez moved back to Wichita nearly a month ago and brought his elderly parents, whom he cares for, with him. Once he gets them settled, he said, he’ll be able to focus on the restaurant.

He and Hammond said they’ll bring back Metro Grill favorite sandwiches like the Cuban, The Infamous BOB and the mahi mahi sandwich, and Gonzalez said he’s also planning “a little surprise” for the menu.

Hammond said he’s still not sure about the timeline for opening, but he and Gonzalez are planning to utilize the drive-through window inside the Daniels’ cheesecake business.

“I just want to focus on what I used to do in the past and make it better and just give the city of Wichita what they deserve,” Gonzalez said.

This story was originally published June 9, 2022 at 10:20 AM.

Denise Neil

The Wichita Eagle

316-268-6327

Denise Neil has covered restaurants and entertainment since 1997. Her Dining with Denise Facebook page is the go-to place for diners to get information about local restaurants. She’s a regular judge at local food competitions and speaks to groups all over Wichita about dining.