[eat] 10 Fantastic Wichita Lunch Spots
Instead of waiting 12 cars deep in line at McDonald’s for a burger and fries or eating a boring turkey sandwich at your office desk, take a step out of the box and check out one of these affordable lunch options:
1. Playa Azul (111 N. Washington): At this Old Town favorite, you can enjoy plenty of inexpensive Mexican food to get you through the day. The lunch menu is fairly extensive, offering inexpensive, authentic favorites along with vegetarian and seafood dishes. A new location is coming soon to the former Ajuua spot at Central and Rock.
2. Great Wall (410 N. Hillside): With approximately eight different locations in the Wichita metro area, it’s hard not to run into a Great Wall. For under $5, you can get enough Chinese food to last about two meals.
3. Zen Vegetarian Cuisine (3101 N. Rock Rd, Suite 150): An excellent new option for the vegetarians in your life. You get a plethora of food in a bento box for under eight bucks, including soup and tempura vegetables.
4. Caffe Posto (4714 E. Douglas): The Wednesday lunch special, Lunch with Lincoln, includes soup and a grilled cheese sandwich for $5. The sweet potato and red pepper soup is a favorite for regulars at this College Hill cafe. Ed note: A week after we published this post, Caffe Posto announced they were closing.
5. Thai Traditions (650 N. Carriage Pkwy): Bringing the taste of Thailand to the ICT, this east Wichita restaurant offers daily lunch entrees for $5.95, including steamed rice, soup of the day, a crab rangoon, and a crispy chicken wing.
6. Pho Hot Bistro (306 N. Rock Road, Suite 170): Feast on a some Vietnamese cuisine and try the “pho” (rhymes with “huh”) way of eating that combines beef, broth, rice noodles, vegetables, herbs, and spices into a delicious creation. Lunch specials start at $5.
7. Frida’s Mexican Grill (2705 N. Broadway): If you’re looking for an alternative to the Mexican chains, look no further. Try the $5.99 Steak Pirratas – “2 really big taco shells filled with meat, sour cream, guac, and the rest,” suggested Wichita’s Mel Gregory.
8. Genghis Grille (111 S. Rock Road): Mongolian stir fry with a twist. During the lunch hour, create your own concoction of meat, dry spices, vegetables and sauce–all of your choice for $8.99. “It’s pretty fast if you get there early and sooo yummy,” said Wichita’s Missy Gordy.
9. Da Cajun Shak (6249 E. 21st St N.): Their slogan – “Where a taste of Louisiana comes to Wichita” – comes true when you walk in the door. You may not feel exactly like you are at the Mardi Gras parade, but eating there will come close. The flavorful lunch selections start at $6.99, including fried catfish, red beans and rice, and gumbo. Definitely try this taste of the South.
10.Bionic Burger (660 N. Ridge Rd): They may sit like rocks in your stomach for the rest of the day, but the tasty, greasy burgers and fries in large quantities come with a drink for under $5.
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Nice article, Liz! I’m going to print out this list and keep it in my car, then I’ll be prepared the next time someone asks me to pick a place for lunch.
Nice list. I can’t imagine how tough it was to narrow this down to just ten. A few others worth checking out:
1) Marchello’s (3107 S Seneca) for some good Italian. Lunch is usually quick affair.
2) Hana Cafe (325 N Mead St) for some sushi, or my favorite, the L7 with beef.
3) Cinnamon’s Deli (209 S West Street). I didn’t even like egg salad sandwiches until I had theirs.
Yum! Is it lunchtime yet? Nice job Liz! I would like to add my own recommendations too:
1) Don’t visit Caffe Posto without eating a lemon bar. Luscious Lemon Lava! #LBMF
2) B&C Creations – 355 N Washington – A BBQ spot so hidden, you won’t visit unless someone invited you. You won’t regret joining this secret “club”.
3) Taco Rio – 1022 W. Douglas – Not sure why they call it number 1/2, it’s a full meal. Yum
4) Bella Luna – 2441 N. Maize (& others) – Hummus like no other!
I LOVE Playa Azul. Everything there is good, but if I am feeling naughty I have the “Super Burrito” with a cheese sauce that blows my mind.
I think on #7 you are thinking of Connie’s.
Frida’s (not sure the physical address) is on 21st just east of Amidon. Both are awesome. Especially love the Carne Asada at Frida’s.
Woohoo, lunch spots! Great work highlighting the local, non-chain options. Keep ‘em coming.
Another great option for great greasy burgers: Bomber Burger at 47th St and Clifton (west of K-15). It’s a hole in the wall, but well worth the drive south.
Even though I don’t eat meat anymore (well, most of the time), I gota give a shout out to TJ’s Burgers in Delano. They’re soooo good. My boyfriend gives them two thumbs up too.
This is a delicious list.
But where is The Anchor?
Everyone’s additions have been great! There should be a “to be continued” list for everything that couldn’t be named in just a list with ten great lunch spots!
This is definitely going to be a regular feature on Verb. So many great places to eat in this town!
Great list. Cafe Moderne is also a great lunch spot!
Jennifer
Great suggestions. I would add these:
1. N&J has such great Lebanese food. They bake the pita fresh and it is amazing.
2. Watermark Books and Cafe has some great sandwiches. Great chicken salad and a cottage cheese salad that sound disgusting, but is really tasty.
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