Duo will open a third Wichita location of this eatery on the east side — but with a twist
A third Sam’s Southern Eatery is opening in Wichita, but this one will have a slightly different approach.
Emanuel Ashiedu, who works as a software engineer in Salina, said his new restaurant will take over the building at 6121 E. 21st St. that was built as a Long John Silver’s restaurant in the 1980s but most recently was home to Clouds, which started as a daiquiri lounge in 2021 then transitioned into a Mediterranean restaurant.
This new location will be Ashiedu’s first drive-through restaurant, he said, and though it will be smaller than his other two Wichita locations, he’s been wanting to try the drive-through approach.
The restaurant, which should open sometime in mid- to late March, will serve limited items from the drive-though, Ashiedu said, things like fried catfish, jumbo fried shrimp and po boy sandwiches. Those who choose to dine inside will be able to access the full menu available at other Sam’s Southern Eatery restaurants. The chain originated in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2008 and also offers things like fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, crab cakes, chicken wings and fried oysters.
The restaurant space on East 21st is now being gutted and remodeled.
Ashiedu, who along with his brother-in-law, Charles Scott, also has Sam’s Southern Eatery restaurants in Hutchinson and Salina, expanded into Wichita in early 2024, opening a Sam’s Southern Eatery in the old DeFazio’s space near 29th and Amidon. Then, late last year, they added one at 6600 W. Central.
They’re not done with Wichita, yet, either, Ashiedu said. He’s hoping to find somewhere on the south side of Wichita where he can open another drive through.
This story was originally published February 10, 2025 at 2:18 PM.
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