CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. The concept: you pay a local farm a certain amount each week or month, and you get a selection of their produce each week. Rather than buying each item piecemeal from the farmers’ market, you just get a share of whatever the farm has available. It’s a cross between bulk buying and those “mystery grab bags” at the dollar store.

Though there are ups and downs to this method for the consumer, CSA programs are a way to make a stronger investment in a particular farm. There are many fine local vendors to choose from at Wichita’s farmers’ markets, but I was already a fan of Home Grown Kansas (a farm in northwest Wichita near Maize), so I was excited to learn that they were restarting their CSA program after a multi-year hiatus.

The cost may seem a bit daunting at first – about $100 a month – but keep in mind that you won’t be spending as much in the produce aisle as a result. Or, do what I do and split your share with a friend. This works especially well if, like Amy and I, you don’t have kids and/or just live with one other person; half a share is still plenty of food at a pretty good value.

So what do you get? The shares have varied greatly from week to week, and while some weeks have been more bountiful than others, I feel like I’m eating pretty well. Here’s just a small list of what I’ve taken home in the past 10 weeks: basil, mint, parsley, potatoes, green onions, tomatoes, sweet corn, Swiss chard, okra, collard greens, turnips, kohlrabi, thyme, peas, fennel, asparagus… you get the idea. If it’s locally grown, I’ve probably eaten it lately.

One aspect of the CSA that I really like is that it introduces me to vegetables I wouldn’t normally buy. I’m a picky shopper, usually making several rounds at the farmers’ market to determine who has the best produce at the best price, then buying a small amount from several vendors. Cabbage leaves, scallions and cantaloupe never would have made it into my bag that way, but thanks to the CSA, they’ve been great additions to my summer meals. My favorite items, though, have been “gifts” from Home Grown Kansas’ farming friends: blueberries from a farm in Southern Kansas and a jar of honey from a local apiary. I’m hoping for eggs at some point, too.

The program is full for this year, but check the Home Grown Kansas website next spring to sign up for 2011. Maybe other local farms will follow suit and start CSA programs of their own. Though it may not be the best option for everyone, CSA definitely works for me.

Are you a part of the Home Grown Kansas CSA, or have any other experience with the program? Tell us about it in the comments.

(Photo Credit)

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Bomber Burger (4860 S. Clifton) – This place makes a perfect burger, so it almost seems unfair that they would have the perfect fries too. But, it’s true. These homemade fries are at the top of my list, and I don’t think they’re in danger of losing that distinction any time soon.

Barn’rds (2037 N. Woodlawn) – Have I made it clear how much I love this place yet? Perfect roast beef, great atmosphere and the fries are awesome. They are always crispy and perfectly seasoned. Try dipping them in the dijon horseradish – it’s a perfect combination.

The Anchor (1109 E. Douglas) – My boyfriend first introduced me to these fries a few years ago. They are thin, crispy and delicious, and just another addition to the list of foods The Anchor does perfectly.

Nu Way (Various Locations) – Is there anything greater than a perfect, spiral curly fry? Nu Way’s got ‘em.

Spangles (Various Locations) – This fast food joint inspires strong feelings in people, and I’m sure some will scoff at it being included on my list. But, I would choose these crispy and well seasoned fries over McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s or Sonic any day.

Red Robin (The Waterfront) - Not a local place, I know, but Red Robin’s steak fries could not be omitted from my list of favorites. I mean, they’re bottomless!! Get yours with sides of ranch and honey mustard, and you’ll see what I mean.

(Image Credit)

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Recently I decided to search for delicious local chicken wings and enlisted the help of friend, cook, and self-professed wing nut, Jeff.  Our first stop was Neighbors Restaurant & Bar (2150 N. Amidon) for buffalo wings.

Jeff and I ordered 12 wings for $5.99.  The sauce for the wings was right on for heat; it builds as you eat, with just enough bite and kick with a vinegar finish. The wings had a good amount of sauce on them but still had crispiness to the skin.  The meat was juicy.  Jeff asked for blue cheese dressing, which he said was good, but the wings did not come with the usual accoutrement, such as celery.  When we asked about this, the server told us it depends on who’s cooking that day on how they’re accompanied.  Overall Neighbors has a pretty tasty buffalo wing.

Our next stop for buffalo wings was The Port of Wichita (1548 S. Webb).  We had the half pound order for $6.75.  The wings were crispy which held up under the sauce whose flavor hits immediately with a black pepper finish.  These wings have terrific flavor and very juicy meat!  Yet again, no veggies on the side.  Jeff again asked for blue cheese dressing but he couldn’t really taste the blue cheese in it.

We didn’t want to leave out regular fried chicken wings so we stopped at Da Louisiana Chicken and Waffle House (1555 S. Bluffview).  We ordered combo #4, four chicken wings, a waffle and a drink for $6.49.  These wings were highly seasoned, salty but not too salty.  The wings had a super crunchy crust, not too hard.  The meat was juicy and delicious and made for a great pairing with the spiced soft waffle.  I detected cinnamon or nutmeg in the waffle.  I like a waffle with a crisp outside and soft tender middle but Jeff liked the soft texture of the waffle since the chicken was already very crispy.  Da Louisiana Chicken and Waffle House serves a whole meaty wing.  Jeff and I both enjoyed the hot sauce they serve with it, as it lived up to its Louisiana name in flavor as well.

Our last stop on our wing tour was Mr. Bigs (5132 E. 21^st).  We walked in and Jeff immediately noticed fried turkey wings on the menu.  He turned to me and said, “I know we’re doing chicken wings but I have to try those!”  Jeff ordered the fried turkey wing and side for $5.99 and two chicken wings ala carte for $1.60 each. Mr. Bigs also serves a whole chicken wing, crisp and juicy and served piping hot!  The wings were also well seasoned and had paprika and garlic notes to the crust.  Jeff’s professional palette detected a hint of celery salt, which he thought was a nice unexpected addition to the flavor.  Jeff enjoyed his fried turkey wing, which tasted “like thanksgiving!” and the skin was super crispy.

Jeff and I visited only a few of the places in Wichita that offer wings.  What’s your favorite wing spot?

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1. Cinnamon’s Deli (3 locations) – Great place to grab a quick lunch with a selection of soup, sandwiches and more. DeCesaro commented, “I didn’t even like egg salad sandwiches until I had theirs.”

2. College Hill Deli (3407 East Douglas Ave.) – The name throws me off a little each time, but this little joint near Hillside & Douglas has a rather Mediterranean feel to it. They also offer a daily special of an entree and a soup. I also recently learned that they serve the popular sweet potato fries as one of their sides.

3. B&C Creations (355 N Washington) – Reader Doug McQueary said, “[It's] a BBQ spot so hidden, you won’t visit unless someone invited you. You won’t regret joining this secret ‘club.’” Take your co-workers to B&C and wow them with a delicious buffet. You can only enjoy this gem of BBQ from 11-2, though, so get there early and get there hungry.

4. Watermark Books & Cafe (4701 East Douglas Ave.)  - Why not peruse a book or magazine while you eat your lunch? Watermark offers a plethora of sandwiches, daily soup specials, and great desserts. The cafe offers a clean atmosphere and friendly staff. Reader Ashley Christy commented, “They have a great chicken salad and a cottage cheese salad that sound disgusting, but is really tasty.”

5. Shorty Small’s (12112 West Maple St.) – For those of you that are west-siders, this is the place to be. You can grab something small or end up making it a long dining experience for lunch. Kane Oster suggests getting the “really good and really big chicken fried steak.”

6. Bella Luna (3 locations) – I don’t think I’ve found a single Wichitan who doesn’t like Bella Luna (maybe I just have Mediterranean-loving friends, though). Their hummus alone is worth going for lunch. Great food, variety, and options for vegetarians round out the menu.

7. Mike’s Wine Dive (4714 East Douglas Ave.) – Mike’s is fairly new to Wichita, opening in the former Caffe Posto space in late April. It’s become a fast favorite for the College Hill and downtown lunch crowd. Take time to sit down and enjoy tabletop s’mores with a group for a little dessert twist.

8. Dolci & Joe’s (3425 East Douglas Ave.) – Tucked in College Hill, this place offers many sandwiches, burgers and salads with many ingredients made in house. Get your caffeine fix with a unique twist; they made all their sodas by hand. They are also a local vendor for Delano Bakery and recently added an espresso bar.

9. N & J (5600 East Lincoln St.) – Yet another fantastic spot that offers Middle Eastern cuisine. Many Wichitans will say that N & J wins the best hummus war, so you might as well find out for yourself. Be sure to try the reasonably priced falafel and schwarma while you are at it.

10. TJ’s Burger House (1003 West Douglas Ave.) – Take a trip down to the Delano district to soothe your burger craving. TJ’s cuts their fries fresh each day and promises to deliver that old-fashioned taste in a burger. verb [ICT]’s Shea Sylvia gives TJ’s Burger House “two thumbs up.”

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But, as you and I know, it doesn’t always go like that. Sometimes your water glass stays unexplicably empty for half the meal. The food comes out, and you have a fries instead of the side salad you ordered (or worse, vice versa). You leave feeling frustrated and grumbling, “well, I’ll never try that place again.”

With so many new restaurants popping up all the time, a positive dining experience is what every establishment strives to offer their guests. But it only takes one off night to turn customers sour. Unfortunately, there is one person who usually bears the brunt of a restaurant patron’s misery – no, not the chef or the manager. It’s the server.

I’ve had several jobs waiting tables. My first was at Pizza Hut in Park City and my last was at the now defunct west side Piccadilly Grill. I think serving is a job everyone should experience because it makes you a more forgiving diner. I now know that if food is not quite right, there is no need to take it out on the server. I know that the wait staff enjoys it when diners treat them as equals and not slaves. And I know that when you find service that seems effortless, you should tip big, because waiting tables is not easy.

I think I was a decent server, but not great. However, I have friends who were great waitresses in their day, and I know good service when I see it. So here are some of the things I really appreciate in a server, and some of the things that rub me the wrong way. (I’ll name names when it comes to places with good service, but the guilty shall remain nameless.)

Dislikes:

-Asking “Would you like more water/tea/pop?” or any other kind of refill that is free. If it’s during the meal, just refill. I probably don’t want to eat my hamburger as my mouth gets completely dry. The exception is after the check has been paid.

-Not communicating when food is taking a long time to come out of the kitchen. I have had servers refuse to meet my eye, or refuse to come near my table when service is slow. It’s always better to communicate when problems are going on in the kitchen. Offer a free drink or appetizer, or, if you can’t get away with that, just be sympathetic. It goes a long way.

-I think this was a more popular tactic a few years ago, but I hate it when servers squat down to table level to take your order. Very few people can get away with this without seeming disingenuous.

-When servers rush the table through the dining experience, that’s pretty annoying too. This is tough though, because most restaurants want high turnover for tables so they can serve more people and (duh) make more money. It is a balancing act to keep service smooth and not make it feel rushed.

Likes:

-Friendliness that seems moderately sincere is always nice. It seems like an obvious thing, but it’s appreciated.

-Anticipating needs. Keeping drinks refilled, clearing excessive dirty plates, bringing another loaf of bread without asking.

-Seeming like you enjoy the food. I love it when servers tell me “good choice” when I order. It builds confidence when a waiter seems to really like the food that they’re selling. I once worked with a girl who told a table who asked for recommendations, “I don’t know. I don’t eat here. I like McDonald’s.” Yikes.

Here are some local places where I pretty much always get great service:

The Candle Club - This private club at 13th and Woodlawn is really in a league of it’s own when it comes to food, atmosphere and especially service. The servers are almost invisible, and seem to know what you need before you can say a word.

Bella Luna - All the servers at all the locations of this restaurant just seem so cool. They are quick to fix a problem with your order, which is a rare occurrence.

Playa Azul – I’ve never had a server who couldn’t answer any question I have about this Mexican restaurant’s extensive menu. Also, they are great at keeping the chips and salsa flowing, and they can carry like 10 steaming hot plates at once. Impressive!

Waiting tables is hard, y’all. It just is. And it’s a pretty thankless job. People are usually quick to criticize and slow to praise. Even when a server does one (or several) of the things I dislike, I don’t use those as an excuse not to tip. I can only think of one or two instances in my life when I have left less than 15%, and I have never stiffed a server. 20% is my norm. These people make $2 an hour, OK? Give them their $5. Oh, and a verbal tip (i.e., “You were such a great server!”) is not a substitute for a monetary one.

And on that note, check back in a couple of weeks, when I talk about the does and don’ts of being a restaurant patron.

I want to know, where have you had great service in Wichita?

(Image Credit)

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So it was a few weeks ago when some friends and I traveled to Pops 66 in Arcadia, OK. The iconic diner is a great day trip (about a 2.5-hour drive) for any Wichitan who loves soda, diners and/or ’50s nostalgia. You can’t miss Pops once you exit I-35 onto Route 66; you’ll know you’re there when you see the giant soda bottle sculpture and futuristic gas station design. The slanted glass walls are covered in shelves of real pop bottles (but don’t try to grab one – they’re glued in place).

Pops is a diner, “soda ranch” and gift shop/convenience store all in one. You can dine in, grab sodas and snacks to go, or even fill up on gas. We arrived on a crowded Saturday afternoon, but still only waited about 20 minutes for a table for five. In the meantime, we checked out the coolers and brought our soda selections to the table with us when it was ready.

There’s a drink for just about every taste at Pops: dozens of varieties of root beer, cream soda, cola, citrus soda, fruit-flavored drinks, and the list goes on. (If you can’t swing a trip to Pops in the near future, I’ve also found some of the same unique sodas at The Donut Whole in Wichita.) From a citrusy drink called Kickapoo Joy Juice to a pink Leninade featuring Communist imagery on the bottle to a crisp, bubbly Grown Up Soda, there was more than enough liquid sugar to go around. Our server was more than happy to give us extra cups and ice as we all shared tastes of each bottle.

The menu is standard diner fare and includes fountain sodas to which you can add flavor syrups, Jimmie’s Diner-style, if none of the bottled sodas attract your attention. I had the grilled PB&J, which was surprisingly savory and paired well with the sodas. My dining companions had great things to say about the grilled cheese and the Pops Burger. Pops also serves breakfast on the weekends, as well as dessert and milkshakes if you feel your teeth are not yet coated in quite enough fructose.

After our meal and with hundreds of grams of carbs coursing through our veins, we wandered through the well-maintained grounds and checked out the gift shop before heading for home and a well-deserved teeth brushing. And much like after a night at the bar, I swore off drinking soda ever again, only to be tempted by its sugary goodness again later on.

Have you been to Pops? Where do you go to get your soda fix?

(Image Credit)

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Recently, two of our writers, Dani Stone and Carly Holmes, took a trip to Kanai. Here’s what they found:

Dani:

A few weeks ago, when I told my husband I not only agreed to review the west side sushi restaurant Kanai (12111 W. Maple), but that it was, in fact, my idea, he probably thought I was huffing Play-Doh again.  He knows I’m not a fish fan and avoid it at all costs.  I barely allow it in the house and the few times I do, I wash all dishes and utensils in such hot water I lose a layer of skin.  I prefer my fish in a tank, swimming around those little fake treasure chests rather than on my plate.

However, this year on my birthday I turned 39.  I’m not so bothered by the number as I am by the number of things I haven’t experienced.  This year I decided I would be more adventurous, take risks and put myself out there.  Yes, palate, that goes for you too.

Fellow verb [ICT] writer and friend Carly Holmes agreed to be my sushi date and promised she wouldn’t laugh at me if I held my chopsticks wrong (which I did) and hold my hair if things went terribly awry (which, thankfully, they did not).

If you’re a sushi connoisseur, Carly’s review is for you.  If the sight of sashimi makes you squeamy, read on to find out if I enjoyed my first experience with this popular rolled fare.

As soon as I sat down at the table, I was immediately intimidated by all the accessories in front of me.  No knife, fork OR spoon.  Instead, I had chopsticks, chopstick rest and bowl for mixing/dipping.  Next, it was time to check out the menu.

Carly explained I could always order veggie sushi and even pointed out a few rolls made with beef, including one called the Midwest.  In the spirit of adventure, however, I said, “Bring on the fish.”  Then I quickly begged her not to order anything that might be staring back at me.  A girl has her limits.

I’m a very delicate diner.  I take small bites and nibble.  Let me tell you, there is no place in sushi eating for nibblers.  My first few attempts left me with a ribbon of unfurling sushi dangling from my mouth until I finally took Carly’s advice to just grab it and go for it.

There were a few rolls with raw fish splayed across the top that gave me pause, but I was happy to discover a few others that had me grabbing for more, including Survival (spicy hamachi), Mucho Caliente (spicy crab) and Flatland Dream (crab/scallop/shrimp/cream cheese).  As a big fan of spicy food, I think the heat kept me in my comfort zone.  It was also my first experience with wasabi, and I couldn’t get enough of the green pasty stuff.

Well, check it off the list!  I did it; I ate sushi, and it was better than I thought it would be. Like many new things, the company I was with made the experience more enjoyable. Carly encouraged me to be brave and only giggled at my sushi ignorance a few times.  I may have to take her on all my 39th year adventures.  I wonder how she feels about skydiving?

Carly:

I didn’t have a list to check off when I first ate sushi years ago, but I did have something that made me want to try it – …a boyfriend. Sushi was his favorite, and before dating him I was perfectly content with not putting raw fish anywhere near my mouth. One year for his birthday, though, I decided to take a chance and just go for it. Despite the relationship failure, I’m happy to report it was love at first bite for sushi and I. Since then I have become obsessed and would eat sushi for every meal if I could. Am I an expert? No. I’d say I’m more of a sushi lover who has yet to master the art of chopsticks, but will happily spend every day for the rest of my life trying.

When Dani suggested we get together to review Kanai, I was ecstatic. Not just because she makes for an excellent friend-date companion, but also that I had a reason to go back. I’ve been to Kanai several times since its opening and it has quickly become one of my favorite ICT places. The menu is extensive and includes many signature rolls and varieties of fish, including shrimp, squid, lobster, crab, salmon and tuna. The fish is flown in fresh daily, which makes it even more delicious.

Chef Kanai is a culinary genius who delivers an exquisite presentation with every dish. One such dish is the Invader, a combination of deep-fried jalapeno, cream cheese and spicy tuna. I also highly enjoyed the rolls Dani mentioned above, with an honorable mention to the Roppongi Roll –  a spicy tuna and shrimp roll topped with tuna, masago, scallion, mayo and tataki sauce. Basically, everything on their menu is a win. Try it and thank me later.

For this particular visit I made a list of my favorite moments with Dani, the first timer.

1. When they brought out the appetizer of green beans and tuna,  there was a moment when I’m pretty sure she was trying to decide, “How much will Carly hate me if I just grab my purse and make a run for it?” Thankfully, she stayed.
2. The moment when she first tried the appetizer and promptly gulped it down, grabbed her ice tea, turned her head and swished the tea around to make the tuna taste go away. She did so while ensuring the chef couldn’t see what she was doing so as not to offend him. She’s classy like that.
3. When the chopsticks were brought out and there was a realization that forks would not be making an appearance at the table.
4. Her decision to go for it and not just stick to the California roll. You have to admire her sense of adventure.
5. Her attempt to eat the sushi in a delicate manner. And her subsequent decision to forget that nonsense and one-bite-it instead. It must be noted that the rolls at Kanai are larger than rolls made elsewhere, so eating the roll in one bite can be challenging. She did it, though. That’s my girl!
6. The giddiness on her face when she first tried wasabi. Mama liked.
7. Our discovery of the fabulous drink menu. We tried the Akuma, which is made with red pepper, mint, lime juice and something called krogstad aquavit (a Scandinavian spirit made with star anise and caraway seed). It’s not something you can really recreate at home, but man, I wish it were. It had such an interesting flavor and it was strong.

As you can see, this trip was one we will not soon forget. Whether you are a sushi virgin or a sushi lover looking to add a new place to your list, Kanai comes highly recommended by both of us. Try it and let us know what you think.

Oh, and Dani, bring on the skydiving!

(Image Credit)

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1) Braum’s Ice Cream and Dairy Store is fantastic for numerous reasons. They have several locations, a large variety of flavors, they can make ice cream sundaes and banana splits, and they are reasonably priced. Added bonus: they will make you a shake out of any flavor of ice cream.

2) Old Mill Tasty Shop is also a good choice when it comes to needing a cold treat. While they only have one location and a few different flavors of ice cream, they come up with some pretty tasty creations. My favorite is their old-fashioned banana split.  Old Mill also makes a delicious root beer float.

3) Freddy’s Frozen Custard makes a delicious creation called a Freddy’s Famous Concrete. It’s either chocolate or vanilla ice cream and a mix-in of candy or nuts. They also have ice cream cones, sundaes, shakes, and malts.

4) While I know Playa Azul isn’t exactly an ice cream place, I think everyone in Wichita should try their fried ice cream. It is the best fried ice cream I have ever found in Wichita. It comes in a cinnamon- and sugar-coated shell, is coated with more fried cinnamon and sugar, and topped with chocolate sauce, whipped cream and a cherry. It’s also very affordable and filling enough to be a meal.

While these are just a few of my favorite places to get my ice cream fix, I’m curious to know what other may recommend. So when you scream for ice cream, where do you go?

(Image Credit)

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Among the many options at Thanksgiving dinner growing up were the sweet potatoes, or the orange mushy stuff, as I liked to call it. I remember my mother’s reiteration that I should I least try them because they were healthy. Didn’t she realize that she was talking to the girl who usually just took a few bites of turkey and then tried to beat her pie-eating record from last year? The sweet potatoes remained untouched as I would leave the dining room looking for the whipped cream in the fridge.

That was before I knew that the orange mushy stuff could be fried and seasoned into my latest obsession — sweet potato fries. Finding a restaurant in Wichita that serves them is a rare treat, and they are a wonderful substitute to the same ol’ potato fries.

1) Dolci and Joes gave me my first taste of the sweet potato fries that the ICT has to offer. I had heard through the grapevine that these fries were all the rage at his place, but I did not expect the options. Did I want the fries sweetened or salted? After deliberating whether or not my taste buds would prefer a little brown sugar or a sweet and salty mix, I opted for the salty fries. The best of both worlds, right? When my order arrived, the fries lacked that orange color that I expected, and were a bit more mushy than crispy, but they definitely had flavor. Plus, they give you a large serving for a relatively low price. Next time, I look forward to trying the sweetened ones.

2) The Anchor had some fries that were especially satisfying. They provided the sweet, orange-colored crispiness that I expected. The half basket is the perfect amount to share between two people. Two or more people may want to share the full basket to avoid fighting over that last fry. I also recommend the honey mustard to use as dipping sauce, as I think it enhances the flavor (as my dad always says, ketchup just makes the flavor disappear).

3) Mike’s Wine Dive seems to have it all—an extensive wine list, a College Hill location and the coveted treasure of the sweet potato fry. Their thin and crispy exterior accompanied by big chunks of salt kept my mouth wanting more and limited the conversation with my company. I ate them slowly so as to enjoy them for as long as possible. I didn’t even bother with dipping sauce; the flavor was that good.

4) Timberline, although not an ICT original, should not be ignored when you get that sweet potato craving. Hot and ready within two minutes, they went home with me. They tasted as if they were homemade, even after they had spilled all over the passenger seat of my car. They were doused in outstanding seasoning and had a little more of a kick than the other fries I had tried. A good mix of salt and pepper made these fries different from the others; the pepper set them apart. I’ll be honest and tell you I was scraping the bottom of the container with my finger just to make sure I didn’t waste any of that fantastic flavor.

You may have been an anti-sweet potato kid like me, but take a chance and try the fry.

(Image Credit)

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Editor’s Note: Several hours after publishing this article, we learned DK Kitchen is now closed. We hope we haven’t become the death knell for Wichita restaurants.

Summer time! It means quite a few things to people, depending where you are in your life journey: school vacation, time for grilling out, and, if you’re me, it means beer and wine on the patio. I’m taking a little summer vacation from Tanya Tandoc’s recommendations and venturing to some restaurants that weren’t on her “favorited” list.

Recently a reader, Owen Strawn, suggested I check out DK Kitchen, located in the heart of downtown, 217 E. Douglas. The restaurant was opened in February by chef Douglas Pitts, formerly of the restaurant 626. Strawn said 626 was in the top two finest restaurants he had ever at at, even adding that he’d lived in Los Angeles for 13 years. So after a statement like that, I had to give DK Kitchen a try.

DK Kitchen is only open for lunch, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. I found parking to be a problem, since I’m not a downtown worker. If you work near in the Douglas & Main area, though, it would be a perfect stroll for lunch. The atmosphere is similar to a contemporary diner, including small tables with red chairs and a black, gray and white color palette on the walls.

The menu seemed rather small to me, but packed in several salad and sandwich options. My lunch date went for the shrimp, mango, avocado and goat gouda salad with a mint green goddess dressing. I took the sandwich approach and got a pulled pork, swiss, pickled jalapeno, mustard and mayo sandwich on a crusty roll. All sandwiches/burgers are served with French fries, but I opted to substitute a salad consisting of organic mixed greens, tomato, cucumber and a balsamic vinaigrette for $2 extra.

The portions seemed to be just right after our server delivered them. My lunch date’s salad looked great, with large shrimp adorning it. She said the mango was a great touch in the salad. My sandwich was delicious and had that added kick that I love with the pickled jalapeno. My favorite part was the side salad; during the summer, I definitely gravitate toward a fresh-tasting salad. I especially liked the balsamic vinaigrette.

Vegetarians, there are some options for you here as well. Several of the salads offer a gourmet set of ingredients that don’t include meat. One includes organic spinach, strawberries, almonds, and a gorgonzola vinaigrette. In the sandwich section, they offer a grilled cheese, but no particular “veggie sandwich” is listed.

Dining here regularly may be a stretch for me, since I’m an east-side working gal, but it was a good spot to check out, especially to see what a local Wichita chef has to offer. However, after I tell my boyfriend, the curry lover, that there is a curry chicken club sandwich, we may never get out of there.

Anyone else tried out the new DK Kitchen?

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