Happy Dining Wichita!
Fat Tuesday week! Who is ready to grub? We have a list of some of the foodie events taking place along with the return of the city’s only food truck schedule!

In today’s email:

• Influx of new restaurants: Who has opened in March?

• Mini-Feature: Las Vaquitas

• Giveaway: $50 gift card to Lottē

OPENINGS
Plethora of New Dining Options

March has seen an influx of new options enter the Wichita dining scene. And plenty more are still on the way for the month.

I want to make sure you don’t miss out on any of these openings, so here’s a quick run down of what has opened this month and some details on them.

Apollo Fermentations - 150 N. Cleveland
I’m very excited about this one. The kombucha brewery moved operations from south Wichita to be closer to downtown. There’s a larger tap room and food available from Mamacita’s and Big B’s Beef on select days. Best Buch in town!

Ibarra’s Mexican Food - 4041 N. Maize Road
This new quick service Mexican restaurant just opened Friday in the former Mr. Miyagi space in Maize. It’s similar to a Rene’s or Alejandros, but I think slightly better than them.

ICT Chicken - 4857 E. Harry St.
Open in the former Pho King ICT spot near Harry and Oliver, I think there may be some connection to that restaurant but not entirely sure. The menu features all things chicken (as if Wichita needs more chicken) such as wings, tenders, sandwiches. I liked it but also am fearful they will get lost in the shuffle of chicken spots.

Louis Fried Rice - 1710 S. West St.
Probably one of my favorite openings this month. This took over a building that’s been multiple Mexican restaurants and a Walt’s. The menu is limited to rice dishes, rice soups, banh mi and some Chinese dishes. And everything on the menu is $7.99 or less.

Moroccan Cafe - 301 N. Main St.
This one can be found in the Epic Center in downtown Wichita. They used to have a lunch buffet but quickly did away with it and now serve a small menu of Middle Eastern cuisine.

Wichita Brewing Company - 901 W. Douglas
Maybe one of the bigger openings in town that brought some big crowds. This is the third WBC in town and right in the heart of Delano. Expect this place to be a very busy spot during St. Patty’s Day weekend.

COMPETITION
Most Liked Wings in Wichita

We have reached the 2nd round of Wichita’s Most Liked Wings bracket. Who moves on to the Elite 8?

Voting starts Monday morning on our Facebook page.

WEEKLY MINI FEATURE
Las Vaquitas Mexican Food

This week’s Mini-Feature was suggested by Jennifer Coppola.

Its time to pass on some of the love to our neighbors in Derby, KS. Have you ever heard of Las Vaquitas Mexican Food?

Located at 128 E. Madison Ave, this restaurant opened in 2022 and is still chugging along.

I’ve only been once but want to thank Jennifer for putting them back on my radar.

The menu consists of enchiladas, tacos, fajitas, burgers, quesadillas, burritos and more. During my one visit, I had the burrito verde and really enjoyed it.

Las Vaquitas is very active on social media and from everything I’ve heard from friends in Derby, they continue to put out a good product and work hard. I’ll be back sooner than later to a revisited review.

Hours are Monday through Thursday 11am to 8pm, Friday 11am to 9pm, Saturday 11am to 8pm and closed on Sunday.

Who should we feature in next week’s mini-feature? Readers decide who we promote for free in the newsletter

DINING SCENE
Openings and Closings

Recent Openings

• See above for March openings

• Los Habaneros Mexican Food - 6401 E. Kellogg Dr.

Closings

• David’s Express Mexican Fast Food - 2110 N. Maize Road

Coming

• Super East Buffet - 7607 E. Douglas (March 10)

• 54 Craft & Co - 549 S. Rock Road (March 12)

• O’Larney’s - 126 N. Mosley (March 15)

• Small Sliders - 13th and Greenwich (March)

• Mena's Donut House - 343 S. Greenwich (March)

• Abode Bar & Bistro - 837 N. Andover Road (Winter 2025)

• Todd’s Creole Kitchen - 8641 W. 13th St. (Winter 2025)

• Paris Baguette - 1320 N. Tyler Road (Winter 2025)

• RAHA Mediterranean - 4956 E. 35th St. N. (Spring 2025)

• Parlor Doughnuts - 8020 W. 21st St. (Spring 2025)

• 360 Deli & Grill - 701 W. 21st St. (Spring 2025)

• Point Nine - 1533 N. Andover Road (Spring 2025)

• Chicken Chicken - 13th & Mosley (Spring 2025)

• Sam’s Southern Eatery - 6121 E. 21st St. (Spring 2025)

• The Big Biscuit - 2330 N. Maize Road (Spring 2025)

• N&J Cafe - 8448 W. Central Ave. (Spring 2025)

• Taco Bell - 3233 E. Harry (Spring 2025)

• KVH Steakhouse - 2926 N. Tyler Road (Summer 2025)

• Golden Chicken - 1705 S. Webb Road (Summer 2025)

• Small Sliders - 37th and Maize Road (Fall 2025)

• KPot Korean BBQ & Hot Pot - 2243 N. Tyler Road (Fall 2025)

• Culvers - Patriot Ave & Rock Road, Derby, KS (Late Fall/Early Summer 2025)

• Jersey Mikes - 217 S. Ridge Road (Fall 2025)

• Raising Cane’s - 350 S. Ridge Road (Fall 2025)

• Morgan’s Landing - Derby (Fall 2025)

• Mokas - 3853 N. Ridge Road (Winter 2025)

• Chipotle - 520 E. Cloud Ave, Andover (2025)

• Viva Tacos & Tequila - 9719 E. 21st St. S. (2025)

EVENTS
Dinner and Drink Events

Here you’ll find special dinner/drinking events or classes around town that you otherwise may not even know about.

Tuesday - 3/11

Beer Dinner: St. Paddy’s Day Edition at Hopping Gnome
Culinary Workshop: Cook Like The Bear at Mark Arts
Taste Test Tuesday at Wichita Wagyu

Wednesday - 3/12

Culinary Workshop: Zinfadel at Mark Arts

Thursday - 3/13

VinZant Winery: Wine Tasting Experience at Plymouth Congregational Church
Culinary Workshop: All Things Dumplings at Mark Arts

Friday - 3/14

Culinary Workshop: Greek Gourmet at Mark Arts
Knight of Columbus Fish Fry at Church of the Magdalen
Friday Night Flights at Bubbles Champagne Bar

Saturday - 3/15

Culinary Workshop: Espresso 101 at Mark Arts
To view our list of St. Patrick’s Day parties head here

Coming Later

Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon Tasting at The Humidor (3/25)

UPCOMING
Win $1,000 in gift cards to Old Town bars & restaurants

The Wichita Wagonmasters are preparing to host the Wagon O’Masters Paddy Party this Saturday at Naftzger Park from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

A $1,000 in gift cards will be given away!

Anybody can enter leading up to the days of the Wagon O’Masters Paddy Party on. Just stop by the following restaurants and bars on the following days, grab a bite to eat, or check out the new Keeper’s Heart and Una Vida Tequila cocktails and most importantly, scan a QR code displayed at the restaurant.

• The Depot - 711 E. Douglas Ave. from March 10 - 11

• Public and The Brickyard - 129 N. Rock Island St. from March 12-14

The winner will be announced at 2:30pm on March 15 at Naftzger Park. Must be present to win.

MOBILE EATS
Wichita Food Truck Schedule

With the warmer weather this week, it’s a great time to visit a food truck.

See the Food Truck calendar

GIVEAWAY
Lottē

We want to show some love to what, we feel, is not just a top date night restaurant in town but a top ten restaurant: Lottē.

The food is wonderful, and I understand it may be out of the price range for some folks. So lets giveaway a $50 gift card to Lotte to help lighten the load. Just click the link below to enter, a winner will be announced 3/17.

Enter To Win