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 I know..I know...some of you are thinking, "he's a weatherman, why doesn't he blog about the weather?" While weather is my life, its not the one all-be all that dominates my life. I spend my time playing golf, studying football, riding my bike and eating good food. I could stand to lose a few pounds (25 to be exact), but I simply won't sacrifice my love of different foods. My mother was a very diverse cook and made me try different things. That is something that is lost on younger generations now. Being raised in this city for over 35 years, I've accquired an exhaustive list of Wichita born and bred places to eat. Wichita has an abundance of great local restruants for a city its size. These are NOT national chains like Chilis, Applebees or On the Border. These are locally grown and developed culinary centers that some people aren't going to know about. I'm going to list my top 5 in catagories, in no particular order. I'll try and list the street its on, but don't ask me where its at, that's what Google or your local directory is for, I'm not your tour guide. I wasn't paid for any of these "endorsements"..this is simply my list compiled over years..and inches..of "research"! :) Italian/Pizza 1.) Savutes on North Broadway (this north side staple of 60+years has the best lasagna in town!!) 2.) Lucianos in Mulvane (this is worth the drive south to partake in truly unique dishes like pasta carbonara) 3.) Defazios on North Amidon (the former Angelos' manicotti recipe..enough said! Their antipesto is very solid too) 4.) Knolla's Pizza (any location will do, the best pizza in Wichita..hands down!!) 5.) Dudleys Irish Pub on West 21st (the second best pizza in Wichita..and its 1/2 price on Mondays) Honorable mention: AJ's Sports Grill (the 3rd best..but the largest..pizza in town) ___________________________ Asian (this was hard to list) 1.) Thai Tradition in Carriage Parkway (this fine dining place has simply the best Thai food in Wichita and beyond! This place is better than most thai places I've eaten on the west coast!) 2.) Kanai on West Maple (this seafood haven on the city's western frontier has the most unique sushi in town! Wasabi in Old Town is quickly becoming a contender) 3.) Fried Rice on South Glendale (this no-frills building at the same location for over 20 years has a limited menu, fried rice, egg rolls, and a couple more things..hence the name Fried Rice, but what they make..they make extremely well. 16oz. of fried rice, an egg roll and a pop for $4 cash only..thats cheap!) 4.) Saigon on North Broadway (this staple on Broadway for over 20 years has the best spring rolls in town, and some light tasty dishes) 5.) Great Wall on North Tyler (becoming one of my favorites, especially for the egg foo young) Honorable mention: Yen Ching on North Rock Road (solid asian menu) ____________________________ Mexican (this was even harder) 1.) El Paisa on North Arkansas (If someone can tell me why this star-studded menu is NOT #1 in town..I'll be very surprised! Havn't had a bad dish here) 2.) Cortez on West 25th (It's pretty good when two places on this list are within a mile of each other..great carnitas dishes) 3.) Los Cobos on North Tyler (A very solid menu, including an excellant seafood enchilada dish! Their salsa is very good too) 4.) Taco Rio on West Douglas (the best fast food tacos in town! Also have very good mexican dinners with homemade salsa) 5.) Taco Pronto (Doesn't matter which location you go to, the taco salads are consistantly the best in town!--and their salsa is solid) Honorable Mention: Taco Shop (pretty good super tacos and sanchos) _____________________________ BBQ/Steak (I grouped these together because there's not a lot of "great" choices of either) 1.) Bubbas Nekked BBQ on West 13th (they have the best ribs in town..no one really comes close here, and ribs is what BBQ is all about!!) 2.) Mike's Steak House on South Broadway (this 30 year stalwart in the red light district has some great steaks at a reasonable price!) 3.) When Pigs Fly on West Central (this very new BBQ place is going to go far on the coattails of its brisket..wow!) 4.) Hangar One on West Kellogg (this place is a little pricey, but their ribeyes are really good! It's observation deck/bar upstairs is pretty cool as you get to hear pilots radio on final approach) 5.) Cy's Hoof and Horn in Sedgwick (If you can drive south to Mulvane for italian, then you can drive the same distance north for great strip steaks!!) Honorable mention: Scotch and Sirloin (you can't deny their talents, but paying over $25 for a steak just disturbs me, especially when I can marninate and grill one just as good for half that price..I'm a simple man) _____________________________ Homestyle (you know...meat loaf, mashed potatoes, etc. If you don't know what this is, you really need to expand your pallet) 1.) Town and Country at Towne West (meat loaf with mashed potatoes and gravy..eat it, love it, know it!! Other menu items are solid!) 2.) Strouds on North Hillside (the best fried chicken and mashed potatoes in town) 3.) Doc's Steak House on North Broadway (this throwback to the 70s has "ok" steaks, but the one-of-a-kind garlic salad is what makes this place special) 4.) Neighbors on North Amidon (could have the most underrated chicken fried steak in town) 5.) Riverside Cafe on West 13th (very solid and diverse menu, nothing is really bad here) Honorable Mention: Scotch's Resturant on East Lincoln (nothing really stands out on the menu, but nothing really bad either) ______________________________ European/Exotic (anywhere between England and India) 1.) Bella Luna (three locations for great hummus) 2.) British Banger Company on West Douglas (this place has been open for a few months, but the "bangers" are uniquely tasty and the cottage pie is fantastic!--The BBC is going places!!) 3.) Mediterranean Grill at Towne East (Great fattosh) 4.) La Monde on West St. (the best gyros in town and a solid hummus) 5.) Kabobs on North Tyler (Kabobs!!--and curry chicken dishes) Honorable Mention: Need more "research" in this catagory ______________________________ Breakfast (There is a lot to choose from) 1.) The Beacon on East Douglas (this "beacon" of breakfast bounty for over 50 years is simply awesome! Great gravy!) 2.) The Breakfast Club on South Seneca (a very diverse and entertaining crowd, their "garbage omelette" with hash browns is very tasty! They also have a surprisingly good salsa) 3.) Mike's Steak House on South Broadway (they are known for more than steaks..their breakfast menu is solid and affordable!) 4.) Toc's Coffeehouse on East Harry (good omelette and waffle selection) 5.) Spangles (for a fast food joint, their breakfast pitas are very good and filling) Honorable Mention: Solo's Diner on West Kellogg (Fried chicken and waffles..need I say more!) _______________________________ Burger/Sub (Anything fast food other than tacos) 1.) Nuway (multiple locations will provide you a truly unique burger style that even Rosanne Barr and Tom Arnold couldn't copy..and the root beer is manadatory!!) 2.) Bionic Burger (I think 2 locations--this old-time master of meat from the 70s always comes through, they also have the best onion rings in town!!) 3.) The Grinder Man on East Pawnee (This ain't Subway..this is the best italian sub sandwich place in town..the "grinder" is the reason this place has been in the same location since the 70s) 4.) TJ's Burger House in Delano (they have subplanted Jack's North Hi Carry Out for the best chili-cheeseburgers in town! I can't believe I said this) 5.) The Oasis Lounge on West Maple (there is a reason why they have won the newspaper's voters poll several years running!) Honorable Mention: Walt's, Stadium Burger, Charlies Famous, Jacks, Dog n'Shake, etc.) There is a lot of competition here. Ok everyone, this was two hours taken from my life in compiling this list and I know there are glaring ommissions. So, here's your chance to tell me your favorite local joints...and why! |
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