Wichita restaurants opening in 2024 will offer burgers, brunch, seafood, hot pot and more
If there’s anything Wichita can count on when a new year arrives, it’s that a whole bunch of new restaurants will arrive with it.
Though 2023 saw its fair share of restaurant closures, the 2024 calendar is already full of planned openings that will bring new places to sip coffee, meet for brunch, sample craft beer and indulge in burgers and barbecue.
If you’re needing something to look forward to, here’s my annual list of restaurants that Wichita can expect in the coming year.
Keep in mind that many more will pop up as the year progresses, but this list is a good start.
JANUARY
Dutch Bros, 4823 S. Washington: Wichita’s fourth Dutch Bros drive-through coffee shop will open sometime this month near 47th South and Broadway. It’ll be the Oregon-based chain’s first south Wichita shop.
Paisa Town, 2227 N. Arkansas: The restaurant space best known as the longtime home of Taqueria El Paisa (1998-2016) lost its most recent tenant, Villa Del Sol, at the end of the year. But a new Mexican restaurant owned by Rocio Ramos and Hector Martinez will take over the space this month. The owners, who are aiming for a Jan. 12 opening, say their business will serve “autentica Mexican food” and also will have a bar.
Auntie Anne’s/Jamba Juice, 10209 W. 29th St.: This co-branded store — featuring two mall favorites — will open around the third week of January in a free-standing building in the parking lot of the Hobby Lobby at 29th and Maize Road, said franchisee Derrick O’Keefe. He also plans to open a second location somewhere on Wichita’s east side by the end of 2024.
Mama Deaux, 6600 W. Central: Sam Eddine, who owns the restaurant building near the Big Ditch that also houses Casa Mexicana, plans to open a revived but smaller version of the seafood restaurant Mama Deaux that he operated at 606 N. Winterset from 2003 to 2006. He hopes to open in late January.
Knolla’s Old Town, 338 N. Mead: Sisters Darinda and Raelene Knolla are planning a new Old Town location of their family’s local pizza chain. They’re taking over the former Pinot’s Palette space on the north end of the square and will open a 2,500-square-foot restaurant that will have brick walls, concrete floors, raised seating and a patio. It should be ready by late January or early February.
FEBRUARY
Sam’s Southern Eatery, 2706 N. Amidon: Sam’s Southern Eatery operated in Wichita once before — from 2020 to 2022 at 6600 W. Central. But a new franchisee is now about to open a Wichita location of the Louisiana-based restaurant. Emanuel Ashiedu, who also has Sam’s Southern Eatery restaurants in Hutchinson and in Salina, plans to open a Sam’s in the old DeFazio’s space and says it should be ready by the first week of February. The full-service restaurant offers things such as catfish, shrimp, fried green tomatoes, fried pickles and Po’ Boy sandwiches.
Pennant Coffee, 930 W. Douglas: Leslie Coffee Co. closed on Dec. 30 after five years in business, but a new tenant will soon take over the space. The owners of Pennant Coffee, Fox & Ash barbershop and Good Company Taps & Spirits, which all operate at shipping container mall Revolutsia, are about to move in. By the end of February, they should have Pennant Coffee up and running, they said, as well as a two-chair barbershop in the meeting space at the back of the shop. This summer, they’ll add Good Company’s cocktail program as well. Pennant Coffee will serve coffee, breakfast pizza, breakfast sandwiches and pastries.
360 NY Deli & Grill, 11309 E. Kellogg.: The owners of Nas Kitchen, a New York-style Mediterranean restaurant that opened in October at 1920 W. 21st St., didn’t get their three to-go delis open in 2023 as planned. But they’re coming in 2024. Faisal Assaedi said that he and partners Naseem Allahabi and Muqnea Elaya plan to open their first deli at Kellogg and Greenwich in early February. This summer, Assaedi said, they plan to open the other two, which will be at 701 W. 21st St. and at Harry and West. The delis will offer sandwiches such as chicken salad, tuna salad, chopped cheese, chicken Parmesan, pastrami and roast beef as well as New York-style bagels, smoothies and a juice bar.
Flight 1868 Whiskey, Wine and Artisan Cocktails, 3700 E. Douglas: Derek Sorrells owns lots of businesses in Wichita, including Papa’s General Store in Clifton Square, Wichita’s two Just a Sip dirty-soda shops and part of The Arcade in Old Town. In February, he plans to open his latest business — a high-end whiskey, wine and tea bar. It’s moving into the spot just east of Papa’s General Store where The Teahouse closed in August. It will have an aviation theme with flight attendant call buttons on the tables and staff dressed in flight attendant garb. He plans to open sometime in February.
Taco Bell, 2707 W. 53rd St. North: The new construction next to the Dollar Tree at 53rd North and Meridian will, by mid to late February, be home to the city’s newest Taco Bell. The restaurant will be owned by Fugate Enterprises, which has around 75 Taco Bell restaurants throughout the Midwest.
MARCH
Artichoke East, 2959 N. Rock Road: They announced their plans back in May, and ever since, the owners of The Artichoke Sandwichbar —Uche Onwugbufor and Tracy Rutledge — have been working on a second location of the popular business that has operated at 811 N. Broadway since 1984. Artichoke East, which is tentatively scheduled to open March 1, will operate in the former Wendy’s space on the ground level of the Terra-Cotta Tower, the tall office building at 29th North and Rock. It’ll have the same menu of sandwiches — including the top-selling Famous No. 8 — during lunch, but during the dinner hour, Artichoke East will also offer a menu of Irish favorites such as baked potatoes, shepherd’s pie, mulligan stew, and bangers and mash. It’ll also have live music on the weekends.
Larcher’s, 3555 E. Douglas: The owners of The Belmont are opening a specialty market and restaurant called Larcher’s next door in the same strip center. The business is separate from The Belmont and will have a coffee bar; food for breakfast, lunch and dinner; grab-and-go items; and a full bar offering craft cocktails. It’ll have seating inside for about 30 and a walk-up bar that faces the parking lot. In addition, Larcher’s will sell specialty items and merchandise made by local vendors. It’s named after the famous Larcher’s Market, a grocery that opened at Erie and Central in 1922 and was a fixture in Wichita until 1989. It should open sometime in March, the owners say.
APRIL
Sickies Garage Burgers & Brews, 2424 N. Maize Road: Over the summer, North Dakota-based chain Sickies Garage confirmed that it was taking over the old Logan’s Roadhouse building on North Maize Road. Construction has finally started on the restaurant, which will serve 50 half-pound signature burgers — many with wild topping combinations — and 50 different beers. The restaurant has targeted April 15 as an opening date.
Sheet’s Creek, 1720 N. Webb Road: Morrie Sheets describes what he’s about to open at the Waterfront as “a very upscale Mort’s,” the popular bar he’s co-owned in Old Town since 1996. The business is taking over the space most recently occupied by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Alliance. In the past, the space also has housed restaurants including Ciao Italian Kitchen and Piztro’s. Sheet’s Creek will offer a menu that includes salads, sandwiches, seafood, pasta, burgers and steaks and also will have a full bar. The patio, which overlooks a “creek,” will have a designated area for cigar smoking. Sheets said he hopes to open sometime in April.
Barks & Brews, 1312 E. English: Kris and Traci Withrow are opening the city’s first “dog bar” on the site of a former service shop. It will be a regulated place where people with memberships can let their dogs run off leash while they enjoy adult beverages. The owners are basing the business of a dog bar they visited and loved in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, called Tucker’s Tap Yard. Winthrow said this week that he’s aiming for an April opening date.
Deano’s Grill & Tapworks at Pier 37, 7337 W. 37th St. North: The long-awaited west-side location of Deano’s — the popular bar that’s operated at 9747 E. 21st St. since 2013 — will be ready to go in 2024. Owner John Arnold said he’s eyeing an April opening for the restaurant, which will have two stories and will overlook a little lake called Pier 37. The upstairs will include a room that can hold about 75 people, and both levels will have patios that overlook the water plus 23 TVs, 23 beers on tap and a menu featuring burgers, wings, sandwiches, salads and entrees of sirloin steak, fried cod, salmon, and more. Arnold broke ground on the project, which is next door to Legacy Bank, over the summer.
MAY
Another Broken Egg Cafe, 4858 East 35th St. North: Wichita State University graduates Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson are opening this upscale brunch restaurant with Louisiana-inspired dishes in the new District 96 Development at K-96 and Oliver. It should be ready, they said, by late May or early June.
SPRING
Barrel Boys BBQ, 2202 W. 13th St.: Buddy King has been trying to get his barbecue restaurant at the corner of 13th and McLean open for two years but has faced a number of delays. He said he’s hoping 2024 will be his year and is aiming for a spring opening — possibly March or April. King, a competitive pit master and food trucker, plans to serve ribs, turkey, hotlinks and sides like cheesy corn, slaw, potato salad and brisket beans.
Ziggy’s/Walnut River Brewing, 711 E. Douglas: PourHouse in Union Station closed at the end of the year, and in 2024, its owners — Walnut River Brewing Company — are teaming up with Ziggy’s Pizza to open a new concept that will combine the best of what both businesses do. Prepare for a new brew pub with Walnut River’s beers, Ziggy’s pizza and sandwiches and a few all-new “brewhouse bites.” The owners predict a spring opening.
Kyuramen/TBaar, 314 N. Rock Road: Sapporo owners Lee Li and Leo Lin are opening Kansas’ first franchise of a New York-based restaurant chain called Kyuramen/TBaar in a 4,800 square-foot-space just behind the Freddy’s Frozen Custard on Rock Road. It will have ultra modern decor and a separate area for the ramen (Kyuamen) and boba (TBaar) parts of the business. Construction involves lots of intricate wood work, Li said, and the restaurant probably won’t be ready until late spring.
Viva Tacos & Tequila, 9719 E. 21st St.: The owners of the Viva Tacos & Tequila in Leawood announced in July that they were taking over the former Jax building. Construction appears to be underway, but the owners say it could be spring before the restaurant is ready. Viva Tacos & Tequila is known for its high-end margaritas and tequila selection and stocks more than 100 tequilas, mezcals and sotol.
SUMMER
Mokas Cafe, 1344 N. Veranda Drive: Wichita’s second Mokas Cafe should open in Laham Development’s new 20-acre Veranda development along 13th Street between Greenwich and Webb sometime mid-year — possibly around June, company representatives said. The cafe, which serves inventive coffee drinks as well as breakfast items, sandwiches and salads, opened its first Wichita store in 2022 at 143 N. McLean.
IHOP, 526 Ridge Road: Ali Issa will move his longtime IHOP restaurant at 515 S. Ridge Road to a new, larger building he’ll put up on Ridge Road just south of Rib Crib. He hopes to have the new restaurant, which will feature the chain’s latest design, open by June or July and plans to keep the existing restaurant open until he’s ready to move.
Culver’s, 3210 N. Maize Road: The Culver’s chain announced over the summer that it would open its first Wichita restaurant, serving butter burgers and frozen custard, but it faced a few delays. It now estimates the restaurant will be open sometime this summer. It will sit next to the IHOP near 29th and Maize Road.
TapsNPaddles, K-96 & Oliver: A 35,000-square-foot pickleball venue that will also include a full-service bar and restaurant is set to open mid-year at District 96, the business park development near K-96 and Oliver that’s also home to an Aloft Hotel. It will include 12 professional-level indoor pickleball courts, a pro shop, a covered outdoor patio, locker rooms and a 1,000 square-foot private event space. The new venue will be built on a field just south of the Aloft Hotel.
TBD tapas restaurant: Developer Sudha Tokala plans to open a new Marriott AC Hotel at the former Broadway Plaza building, 105 S. Broadway, this spring, and when she does, it will include a coffee shop and a tapas restaurant. She said to watch for them to open midyear.
OCTOBER
Paris Baguette West, 29th and Ridge: The northeast corner of this intersection is the future home of Wichita’s second Paris Baguette bakery and cafe. (The first one opened at 21st and Webb in November of 2022.) Unlike the east-side, though, the west-side location will have a drive through. The west-side shop also will be larger — 3,500 square feet as opposed to 3,000 at 9780 E. 21st St. Franchisees Mike Issa and Moe Touffaha hope to have the cafe open by October.
FALL/WINTER
KPOT, lower level, Towne East Square: This restaurant chain specializes in Asian hot pot and Korean barbecue, and mall officials announced last spring that a Wichita location would open in the former Third Planet space near the southeast entrance of the mall. The restaurant, though, isn’t expected to be ready until the fall of this year at the earliest.
KVH Chophouse, Wine & Whiskey Bar, 29th and Tyler: The southeast corner of this intersection will be home late in the year to pilot and entrepreneur Greg Hiser’s fine-dining restaurant that will include a large glassed-in wine room, a grand piano in the bar and 5,000 square feet of space where customers will be able to entertain their corporate clients, celebrate special occasions or just relax after work. Construction is underway, but Hiser — who also founded Hangar One Steakhouse — predicts it will be late 2024 before he’s ready to open the restaurant.
Alex Eftekhar diner, Third and Wabash: In the summer of 2022, Station 8 BBQ owner Alex Eftekhar purchased the former Walt’s Klassics building — a prefab metal structure that had operated as a burger restaurant at 616 S. Tyler since 1997 — and announced plans to place it across the street from his barbecue restaurant at 1100 E. Third St. and turn it into a diner offering specialty sandwiches over the lunch hour. In September, he got the building in place. Then, in November, thieves stole three industrial air conditioning units worth $60,000 — which he later found out insurance wouldn’t cover — and now he has to come up with the money to replace them. He recently said he hopes he can have the diner ready to open by the end of 2024 but can’t say for certain.
SOMETIME THIS YEAR
Knolla’s West, location TBD: Dan Knolla has lost the lease on his restaurant at 7020 W. Central, where he’s served pizza since 2005. He has to be out by Halloween but is planning to build an all-new restaurant space at a nearby intersection — though he’s not ready to share exactly where yet. The move will happen sometime before Halloween.
Hawaiian Bros, location TBD: Local franchisees are still planning to open a Hawaiian Bros restaurant in Wichita in 2024, but they can’t discuss where or when just yet. Zach Fugate is partnering with Nick and Nathan Blasi to bring the chain to Wichita and has said he hopes to eventually have two Hawaiian Bros in Wichita — one on the east side and one on the west. The restaurants specialize in Hawaiian “plate lunches” served with chicken and pork and macaroni salad
NICHE Food Hall, 124 S. Broadway: WSU Tech’s National Institute for Culinary and Hospitality Education building has a completed-but-empty food hall, but by the end of the year, it will be open and include vendors selling Indian street food, coffee and fresh-made pastries, said developer Sudha Tokala.
DERBY
Layali, 236 W. Greenway: Developer Brant Dumford and his longtime friend, chef Roni Attari, are opening a new Mediterranean restaurant in the space that once held Electric Pizzeria. It’ll be called Layali, which is Arabic for “nights,” and it will offer high-end dinner with a more modest lunch menu focused on things like shawarma sandwiches and kabobs. Dumford said it will start its “soft openings” in March.
The Waffle Bus, Windmill Drive and Rock Road: Cang Phu co-owns the Waffle Bus concept in Houston, and now that he and his partners are planning to start franchising, they’re using Derby as a test market. They hope to open Kansas’ first Waffle Bus restaurant sometime this summer. It will serve sweet waffle sandwiches, smash burgers, wings, cereal milkshakes and more.
Morgan’s Steakhouse, Freedom and South Rock Road: Wichita restaurateur John Arnold is planning a steakhouse for Derby, but it won’t be open until 2025, he said this week.
AUGUSTA
Park Bench Brewing, 414 State St.: Craft brewer Adam Kraft and his wife, Julie, are opening their own craft brewery specializing in old world European-style beers, especially German Pilsners, Hefeweizens and Oktoberfests, sometime this summer.
Red Bud Brewery, 418 State St.: The owners of Walnut River Brewing Company and Augusta entrepreneur Shane Scott of Sugar Shane’s Cafe are partnering on a new brewery in a two-story brick building in downtown Augusta. They plan to open sometime in 2024.
ANDOVER
Dutch Bros, 423 S. Archer Drive: Andover’s first Dutch Bros drive-through coffee shop should open sometime in January, representatives from the chain said.
Starbucks, 301 S. Andover Road: A new stand-alone Starbucks with a drive-through is set to open in Andover in June.
Livingston’s Cafe, Heritage Way and Founders Parkway: This cafe, a sister restaurant to the one at Lincoln Heights Village in Wichita, will open sometime in late spring or summer at Andover’s Heritage development east of Andover Road and north of Kellogg.
