Wichita Mexican restaurant forced to delay big move, changes Cinco de Mayo plans
The owners of La Chinita Mexican Restaurant had hoped to have their Wichita Mexican restaurant at 1051 1 N. Broadway moved to its new address by Cinco de Mayo, also known as May 5.
But that’s not going to happen after all, co-owner Abraham Sebastian said this week. The owners faced unexpected delays getting the licenses and permits they needed, so they’ve had to push their move to the old Want Bierock Company spot at 2615 W. 13th St. back by two to four weeks.
They don’t have an exact opening date in mind, Sebastian said, but they’re planning to stay where they are until late May or early June.
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But Cinco de Mayo must go on, he said.
“We’re planning to celebrate our last Cinco de Mayo at our current location this year, so we’re looking forward to making it a special one,” he said.
The restaurant will serve $1 street tacos and $2.50 Mexican beers on May 5, Sebastian said. A mariachi band will perform during dinner service.
In March, La Chinita owners began sharing the news with customers that they were leaving North Broadway. The restaurant started on that street in 1976, first operating at 1451 N. Broadway then moving to the bigger space at 1015 N. Broadway in 2019. The original La Chinita building was later demolished.
Abraham Sebastian, who owns La Chinita with his father, Eduardo, and his brother, Edward, said in March that many factors went into his family’s decision to move the restaurant. One is that they were able to purchase the building on 13th Street, which originally operated as a McDonald’s. They’re leasing the building on North Broadway, which was built to house a Burger King.
The changing landscape of the stretch of North Broadway south of 13th Street also played a factor in the decision. Over the past several years, he said, his customers have begun expressing safety concerns about the area, and the owners want their customers to be comfortable.
La Chinita was founded by Dan and Marta Norton. They owned it from 1976 until 2000, when they retired and sold it to an employee. Dan Norton died in 2010,
A temporary sign for La Chinita is now hanging on the front of its future home on West 13th Street. Stay tuned for information about an opening date.
This story was originally published April 28, 2026 at 1:37 PM.
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