Pig In Pig Out
1003 E 13th St N
(316) 263-7474
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 53 Reviews The name says it all. Tasty BBQ. Huge portions. A strictly blue-collar affair, with cafeteria-style seating and plastic utensils. You’ll notice Pig In Pig Out is also a blue-ribbon affair once you walk in—the walls are lined with awards the spot has won for its mastery of low-smoked meats. The ribs are sweet and savory and sides like mac and cheese and slaw don’t slack. This is the basics done deliciously right.
Public
129 N Rock Island
(316) 263-4044
Yelp: 4 Stars - 70 Reviews Public at the Brickyard, in business since 1910, was about a century ahead on the gastropub trend. Dishes like house-made pickles, Wichita wings, and brisket tacos are all made to pair perfectly with a brew. Public is also known for killing it with their brunch (see above) and, as a bonus, is right next to one of the best live music spots in town.
Doo-Dah Diner
206 E Kellogg Dr
(316) 265-7011
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 92 Reviews Silly name, serious food. This breakfast-and-lunch-only joint is all about foods that expand the waistline but taste oh-so good. (Hey, any place that includes complementary cinnamon bread probably isn’t aiming to be Weight Watchers-friendly, so go hard or go home). Burgers, smothered breakfast burritos and banana bread French toast are house favorites for a reason.
Newport Grill
1900 N Rock Rd
(316) 636-9555
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 71 Reviews Wichita and seafood certainly aren’t synonymous given the city’s thoroughly landlocked position. But Newport Grill makes due and then some with their Southern California-inspired spectacular steak and seafood fare, that lands on pretty much every “Best of Wichita” list every year. See the salmon pictured above? It was flown in earlier that day. That’s called going the extra mile (or several hundred) for your customers.
My Tho
500 E Central Ave
(316) 262-5452
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 56 Reviews My Tho specializes in the two Vietnamese dishes Americans love most: the noodle and beef broth soup known as pho, and bánh mì sandwiches, featuring cold cuts and Vietnamese-style veggies on a baguette. Go for a Vietnamese coffee or iced tea on the side to round out the meal. Ambiance here isn’t a strong point—it’s a bare bones, family-run joint—but food comes fresh, filling, and surprisingly cheap.
Red Rock Canyon Grill
1844 N. Rock Road
(316) 636-1844
Yelp: 4 Stars - 90 Reviews It’s a chain spot (albeit a very small one), but don’t let that impact your view of Red Rock Canyon Grill, maybe the most popular all-around restaurant in Wichita. This American eatery crafts classics like pork chops, rotisserie chicken, and steak with care, making it no comparison to similarly-minded joints you’ll find in every corner or America. Portions are generous too—hey, what’s better than lunch leftovers?
Fizz Burgers and Bottles
7718 E 37th St
(316) 260-2888
Yelp: 4 Stars - 40 Reviews Every good food town needs a great burger spot, and Wichita has just the place in Fizz Burgers and Bottles. There’s a bounty of fresh add-ons to choose from, meaning you can go basic with bacon and cheese, or adventurous with toppings like fried egg and avocado. The juicy beef patties are taken to the next level with the unique handcrafted sauces, like whole-grained mustard and smoked pepper mayo. And, as the name implies, there’s a stellar bottled beer situation going on, too.
Wichita Brewing Company
8815 W 13th St
(316) 440-2885
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 48 Reviews Wichita Brewing Co is all about specialty personal pizzas. House favorite styles include Honeysuckulant BBQ, with barbecue sauce, chicken, fresh mozzarella, and drizzled honey, and the Banick, a meat lovers pie with capicola ham, chicken, pepperoni, bacon, and two kinds of sausage. The complex flavors work since the ingredients are so fresh and high-quality. And the pizza is only half the fun, considering the stellar lineup of beers brewed on site.
Tanya’s Soup Kitchen
1725 E Douglas Ave
(316) 267-7687
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 45 Reviews A local, soul-warming favorite for vegans, vegetarians, and carnivores alike, Tanya’s Soup Kitchen is a versatile soup spot, known for sourcing ingredients locally and rotating the menu seasonally for optimum freshness. The flight of soups, with a sampling of four daily selections, or a soup and half-sandwich pairing is an unbeatable choice for any first-timers. Plus, Tanya is known for being the friendliest cook in town.
Juni’s Cafe
2929 N Rock Rd
(316) 518-9957
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 42 Reviews For Korean soups, the marinated beef favorite bulgogi, and perfectly spiced kimchi, there’s no better place in Wichita than Juni’s. The small, family-run Korean outpost is also known for their indulgent, deep-fried banana dessert, which comes smothered in chocolate sauce, and every bit worth the calorie bomb. And if you’re familiar with Korean dinners, you know that banchan, a mix of Korean side dishes, comes complementary.
Thai House
969 N West St
(316) 941-4777
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 45 Reviews This is one of those never-judge-a-book-by-its-cover places: the digs are unassuming, but the Thai eats are crazy authentic and tasty. Inside there are only three tables and there’s a good reason they’re almost always occupied. It’s one of those places that pretty much has everything going on—a massive menu, outstanding noodle dishes, soups and curries, and welcoming and helpful service.
Mediterranean Grill
335 S Towne E Mall Dr
(316) 651-5599
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 35 Reviews Continuing with simply-named knockout Wichita grub spots, Mediterranean Grill is the best place in town for all things kabobed, teriyakied and feta cheesed. However, maybe the restaurants most popular item isn’t on the menu and doesn’t cost a penny: their complementary sweet biscuits have amassed a cult-like following in the area. For healthier fare, the baba ganoush and hummus options don’t disappoint.
Usuluteco Restaurant
1714 E Northern St
(316) 409-3820
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 22 Reviews Usuluteco Restaurant is your Wichita introduction to the cuisine of El Salvador. In particular, the Northern Street spot is known for traditional pupusas, which feature handmade corn tortillas filled with cheese meat and beans. Try an order of tamales and fried plantains with beans and sour cream to brilliantly round out one of Usuluteco’s rich, sweet and savory meals.
Sabor Latin Bar & Grill
309 N Mead St
(316) 201-4880
Yelp: 4 Stars - 4 Reviews A classy downtown Wichita spot, Sabor delivers Latin American fusion in a hip modern dining room. At about $15 to $20 an entree, prices are a little higher than most of the other choice Wichita spots on the list, but there’s no question you’re paying for high quality. You can’t miss with pretty much anything on the menu, which includes inspired takes on paella, polenta, and steak and seafood dishes.
Bella Vita Bistro
120 N West St
(316) 941-4500
Yelp: 4.5 Stars - 37 Reviews Dress to impress, take a date and eat like Italian royalty. Bella Vita is everything you could want in an upscale Italian restaurant. Steak, seafood, and pasta favorites like veal parmigiana and lobster tail with fettuccine alfredo are elegantly plated, and most importantly, stunningly delicious. Oh, and you’re definitely going to want to save some room for tiramisu. Featured Image Source: Flickr user Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson What’s your go-to for great grub in Wichita? Tell us in the comments below!
