The Eddytorial Dining Digest: 9/22/25

Welcome to the Monday dining digest of the Eddytorial. A weekly newsletter completely dedicated to the local dining scene.

Author

Wichita By E.B.
September 22, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 10 minutes

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Happy Dining Wichita!
Who’s ready to grub this week?

In today’s email:

  • Feature Event: Downtown Chili Cook Off

  • Community: ICT Restaurant Week

  • Mini-Feature: Lima Nation

  • Coming Soon: Serendibz

THIS WEEKEND
Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cook Off

This weekend marks the possibly the biggest foodie event in town, it’s the Wichita Wagonmasters Downtown Chili Cook Off.

Every year, around 10,000 people show up to downtown Wichita, purchase a $5 tasting kit and enjoy all the chili they can handle.

This year’s cook off takes place Saturday, September 27 in downtown Wichita starting at Noon.

Some of you may have heard, but I was invited to be this year’s Chili Potentate so I’ll be all over this Saturday checking out all the booths and filling my body up with chili.

The money raised from the cook off go to benefit the Good Life Grants which helps dozens of local charities and non-profits every year.

Don’t forget to enter the 50/50 raffle where the winner gets half of the pot and the other half goes to the Good Life Grants.

Last year's pot was almost $20,000. You have until 2:59 p.m. to purchase tickets which can be done at the cook off or online:

COMMUNITY
ICT Restaurant Week

Did you know one in seven Kansas are food insecure? That equates to about 71,000 people in Sedgwick County alone. Knowing that, The Kansas Food Bank has put together ICT Restaurant Week to help those people.

ICT Restaurant Week works similar to many restaurant weeks across the nation. Over 30 restaurants at over 40 locations have stepped up to help the Kansas Food Bank’s mission.

The event runs from Sunday, Sept. 21 through Saturday, Sept. 27. All participating restaurants have different deals that support the Kansas Food Bank, which can all be found at ICTRW.com.

I put together this handy guide to help you learn about all the restaurants participating, the location and what offers they have.

THIS WEEKEND
Michelada Madness

This Saturday after the downtown chili cook off, make your way over to the Kansas International Dragway at 7800 W. 61st St. N. in Maize, KS.

It’s the first ICT Michelada Madness that includes michelada tasting samples, live DJ sets, custom cars, street trucks and racing, and of course all the food and retail vendors.

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WEEKLY MINI FEATURE
Lima Nation

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

This week’s Mini-Feature was suggested by Jason Romero.

Over at 2146 N. Collective Lane, you’ll find Lima Nation.

This is one of two Peruvian restaurants in town. It’s one of those places you know a lot of love is put into each of the dishes; many of which you don’t see much of in Wichita.

I always try to support these restaurants that are unique to town because we have plenty chicken, steak and burger places. It’s important to support the niche places that some people may be too scared to try because they are stuck in their ways.

There’s literally something for everyone. Whether you love seafood, ribs, pork belly, there are plenty of safe dishes to those who are hesitant to try off-the-wall dishes.

Even better, Lima Nation is taking part in this week’s ICT Restaurant Week!

What do you rate Lima Nation?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

DINING SCENE
Openings and Closings

3700 N. Woodlawn

Wichita’s first Sri Lankan restaurant, Serendibz, is prepping to open at 3700 N. Woodlawn Blvd.

The space was most recently occupied by Eastern Gate, a Middle Eastern grocery store that closed earlier this year.

Now, Serendibz: Taste of Sri Lanka is currently renovating the space, anticipating opening later this year. Once open, diners can expect traditional dishes like kottu roti, rice and curry, hoppers, and more.

Coming

EVENTS
Food and Drink Events

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

All Week Long

Tuesday - 9/23

Wednesday - 9/24

Thursday - 9/25

Culinary Workshop: Surf & Turf Taco Night at Mark Arts
Wine & Dine-osaur at Field Station: Dinosaurs
Sip & Build at Exploration Place

Friday - 9/26

Oktoberfest at Elderslie Farm

Saturday - 9/27

Sunday - 9/28

Cars & Coconuts at Sharky’s Island Bites West
Open Streets ICT in Downtown Wichita
Shop & Grub at Exploration Place

MOBILE EATS
Food Truck Calendar

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