“What do you want to eat tonight?”
“Eh, I don’t know. What sounds good?”
“I’m not feeling like anything too fancy. Let’s just pick up something quick and easy.”
“Oh, cool! I know a little place…”
No doubt you’ve had this conversation many times. Those “little places” or better known as hole-in-the-wall restaurants are one of the best things about Wichita.
Those casual, familiar spots with the owner onsite greeting customers. The slightly wobbly tables with mismatched chairs scattered in a cozy dining area. The hand-written menus on the wall featuring tasty plates of one-of-a-kind cuisine that keep us coming back again and again – Wichita loves its hole-in-the-wall eateries.
That’s why we wanted to dedicate a blog to our favorite hole-in-the-wall spots. We didn’t include any burger joints or dive bars, or pizza places this time, but be sure to read those blogs as well. Here is our list, divided by cuisine, of Wichita’s best hole-in-the-wall restaurants.
Thai Food
Image Courtesy Thai House Facebook
Thai House
Thai House is the best little carry-out spot in town serving up great Thai dishes, and is even a favorite haunt of actor Harrison Ford. Located on West St. just south of 9th St. N, it sits back off of the west side of the street where you’ll have to be looking for it to see it. If you’re a fan of spicy foods, try the Gaeng-Khiao-Wan (number 29 on the menu).
Location:
969 N. West St map
Hours:
Tue-Fri – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Korean Food
Image Courtesy of Manna Wok Facebook
Manna Wok
Manna Wok is a Wichita favorite run by owner Kye Chon who is there running the show. When you go you’ll also notice the many pictures of customers hung up on the wall. Located on Harry just east of Oliver, it has a cozy living room feel with books on the shelves and tables close together. Try any of the 19 delicious Korean dishes and you won’t be disappointed.
Location:
4865 E. Harry map
Hours:
Mon-Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Chinese Food
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Fried Rice
Fried Rice is simply named, but it packs a tasty punch and excellent value. It’s a cash-only establishment on the corner of Oliver and Pawnee, so don’t show up paperless. They are best known for the $4 deal where you get chicken fried rice, two egg rolls and a can of pop. That’s hard to beat!
Location: 2419 S. Glendale map
Hours:
Mon-Sat – 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Vietnamese Food
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
My Tho
My Tho is another cash-only place, but don’t let that deter you. It’s a family-owned restaurant in an inconspicuous building on Central and Emporia north of downtown. They have many choices of delicious pho and sandwiches to choose from and you can’t go wrong.
Location:
500 E. Central map
Hours:
Thu-Mon – 10:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Tacos
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Taqueria El Fogon
If you want authentic tacos, Taqeria El Fogon is the spot for you. Located on Bluffview just north of Harry east of Hillside, this place has the tacos other places wish they had. They also have great tortas and horchata. They have seven different tacos to choose from, but choosing is hard so might as well get them all.
Location:
1555 S. Bluffview Drive map
Hours:
Tue-Sun – 11:30 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Burritos
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Tacos Lopez
A good burrito isn’t stuffed with rice and beans, and Tacos Lopez gets that. Located on West St. just north of Central, this carry-out spot has a great selection of big burritos filled with the ingredients you want and none of the filler. They also have a drive-thru and are open late for those pesky midnight burrito cravings.
Location:
795 N West St. map
Hours:
Every day – 6:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Seafood
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Wichita Fish Company
Most seafood lovers in town will tell you Wichita Fish Company is the best place for the freshest seafood. They feature the largest variety of seafood in the state and even supply most local restaurants with their seafood. Located on Douglas west of the Delano District, this is an absolute must for seafood lovers for a takeout lunch or dinner.
Location:
1601 W. Douglas map
Hours:
Mon – 11:00 a.m.- 7:00 p.m.
Tue-Sat – 11:a.m. – 8:00 p.m
Indian Food
Image Courtesy Passage to India's Facebook
Passage to India
Passage to India is everything you want in a small Indian restaurant – great entrees and drinks, lots of great Naan to try, a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. They serve a buffet at lunch and have too many good dishes to choose from for dinner. If it’s hard to decide, go with the classic Chicken Tikka Masala and enjoy!
Location:
6100 E. 21st St. N #180 map
Hours:
Tue-Sun – 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. | 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mediterranean Food
M.I.F. Deli
M.I.F. Deli has a lot of great competition for Mediterranean food in Wichita, but this family-run deli stands out for its unique dishes and fantastic flavors. Located on the corner of Central and Edgemoor, it’s a great place for hummus, salads, chicken and lamb entrees and awesome desserts. There’s a reason it’s been around for decades while others come and go.
Location:
5618 E Central Ave. map
Hours:
Mon-Fri – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
BBQ
Image Courtesy Bite Me BBQ Facebook
Bite Me BBQ
Located on St. Francis north of Douglas, this place does BBQ right and doesn’t leave a dry taste in your mouth. The meat is tender and flavorful and the sides are excellent as well. As the old joke goes, you know how good a BBQ place is by how many human-like things the pig on the sign is doing. The Bite Me BBQ pig is no exception, wearing a leather jacket, giving a cheesy grin and giving a Fonzi-esque thumbs up. No doubt you’ll be sporting the same expression after a meal here.
Location:
32 St. Francis N map
Hours:
Mon-Thu – 11:00 a.m – 9:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Soul Food
Image Courtesy Rachel's Kitchen Facebook
Rachel's Kitchen
Opened by Rhonda Williams as a tribute to her mother Rachel, Rachel’s Kitchen serves up delicious classic soul food for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Located on Mosley north of Murdock, the food is made from scratch with love and you can taste it in every bite. They have all the belly-filling temptations you’re looking for, but be sure to try their chicken wings and top-notch desserts.
Location:
818 N Mosley St. map
Hours:
Mon-Fri – 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sat – 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sun – 11:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m.
Cajun Food
Da’ Cajun Shak
Touting over 130 years of family food service experience, the Granger family from Louisiana moved to Wichita to provide the city with an authentic Cajun dining experience and that’s exactly what you get. Here you’ll find things you won’t find anywhere else in Wichita – fried gator, fried crawfish, excellent gumbo, Cajun meatloaf and New Orleans-style Po Boys. If you’re new to Cajun food, get one of the sampler platters and try it all.
Location:
6249 E 21st St. N map
Hours:
Mon-Thu – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Fri-Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
German Food
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
M&M Bierock
Wichita is woefully short on German restaurants these days, but M&M Bierock is there to fill the void. This drive-thru-only spot located on Central between I-135 and Grove sports a sign that says simply “Bierocks” and that’s their specialty. The do offer a few sides, but let’s face it – you’re coming for the bierocks. Perhaps someday Wichita will get a full-fledged German restaurant, but for now, we have these great bierocks and that’s a good start.
Location:
2065 Central Ave. map
Hours:
Mon-Fri – 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Sat – 10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sushi
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Ninza Sushi Bar
Sushi lovers all have their favorite places, but Ninza Sushi Bar wins best hole-in-the-wall suhi bar for one very good reason: simple yet delicious sushi at a reasonable price. Located on the corner of 13th St. and Tyler, this place is sometimes under-staffed but always worth the wait. The ingredients are fresh, the rolls are well made and the selection ranges from common to one-of-a-kind. If you’re in the mood for something different, try any of the tempura rolls fried to perfection.
Location:
8428 W 13th St. N #100 map
Hours:
Mon-Thu – 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Fri – 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sat – 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sun – 12:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Chicken
Image Courtesy Yelp.com
Krispy’s Fried Chicken and Seafood
If you’re looking for some good fried chicken in Wichita, you’re looking for Krispy’s. You can get a wide range of sizes – 2-piece, 3-piece, 5-piece, 10-piece, 15-piece and 20 pieces. They also have tasty chicken and waffles, a great selection of sides and other favorites like catfish, shrimp, gizzards, pork chops and po boys. But even though you might feel full, don’t leave until you’ve tried the fried ice cream!
Location:
3009 S Hillside St map
Hours:
Mon-Sat – 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
