Must-Try Dining Hot Spots in Wichita

Have a craving for authentic Mexican cuisine? Luckily there are several establishments in Wichita, Kansas, where you can find street tacos, burritos, and other Mexican food that you might find served in Mexico. Keep reading to learn which four Mexican restaurants you should check out in the Wichita area. more 1. Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Cafe With three locations in Wichita, Carlos O'Kelly's Mexican Cafe began its start in 1981 when the first restaurant opened in Marion, Iowa. The family-owned and -operated chain restaurant serves a variety of tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and chimichangas. If you prefer something fire-roasted, try the restaurant's fajitas. One of the restaurant's specialties is its Picados, which are served with shrimp or chicken. There are also gluten-free options. Wash down your delicious food with a hand-shaken margarita, served with your choice of tequila. 2. El Mexico Cafe Locally owned and operated in Wichita for more than 45 years, El Mexico Cafe specializes in savory Mexican cuisine. Located on South Seneca, the restaurant features chips and salsa, homemade chili con queso, and enchiladas. Try the Deluxe Burrito, which includes two large burritos stuffed with slow-cooked beans and chile verde, and the entire dish smothered in chili and cheese. Another popular option is the Special Monterrey, which features slow-roasted pork served on a crispy tortilla. It's adorned with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream, jalapenos, avocados, green olives, and mild sauce. The restaurant offers dinner specials Monday through Thursday. Some of the meals offered include the Deluxe Burrito, Fajitas for Two, the Special Monterrey, and a Mexican Plate. The latter includes one beef taco and two cheese enchiladas topped with chili con carne 3. Los Compadres As a locally owned restaurant, Los Compadres opened its doors in 2016. The restaurant has two locations, one on West 13th Street N. and the other on North Toben Street. Its menu features made-from-scratch recipes that are reminiscent of food served on the streets of Mexico City. During the week, it offers daily lunch specials, including street tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas. On Sunday, you can enjoy a breakfast buffet featuring eggs with chorizo, red and green chilaquiles, tamales, and barbacoa. 4. Molino's Cuisine With two locations in Wichita, including one in Midtown on North Waco Avenue and the other in Northeast on East 37th Street, Molino's Cuisine is the perfect spot to enjoy a casual lunch or boisterous dinner. Its food fuses Mexican and Latin American cuisine and features family recipes made from scratch, including enjoyable street tacos, shrimp fajitas, and deep-fried tamales. It also serves a variety of soups and salads, including Albondigas Soup and a Pineapple Mint Salad. The restaurant is the only Mexican establishment that has certification by the Certified Angus Beef Association. Whether you're in the mood for deep-fried tamales, tortillas served with slow-roasted pork, or fire-roasted fajitas, Wichita has a variety of Mexican restaurants that can satisfy almost your craving. Stop in at one of these four establishments for lunch or dinner today to enjoy a delicious meal featuring Mexican food and beverages. Image via Pixabay by Yezmin

The next time you're in Wichita and are feeling hungry, why not stop at one of these phenomenal local pasta joints? There are a large variety of locations to choose from, each with their own distinct style. more 1. Bella Vita Bistro Bella Vita Bistro is a tastefully decorated and intimate space that offers delightful meals and a night to remember. Select from a myriad of classics and enjoy delicious bread. It is a highly sought-out venue, with a convenient location at 120 North West St., No. 2. Dining hours are Monday and Saturday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. 2. Siena Tuscan Steakhouse If you're in the mood for a special meal, consider a visit to the Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, which offers premium foods in a luxurious environment. Located at 104 South Broadway St. at Douglas, this restaurant features a lengthy wine list, a breakfast menu that features healthy and hearty options, classic dishes, and Siena specialties like house-cured lox. Dinner options include the scrumptious pasta with chef-sourced seasonal vegetables from local farmers, eggplant parmesan with spaghetti, fettuccine Bolognese, or bucatini carbonara. 3. DeFazio's For a friendly ambiance and family-style pace, check out DeFazio's, located at 2706 N. Amidon Ave. at 26th Street North. Dig into delicious marinara-covered lasagna or a yummy pesto dish. This authentic Italian restaurant has a large array of delicacies. Try the penne alla vodka, linguini with pesto, or the lasagna quattro formaggi. DeFazio's is open from Wednesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 4. Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria Located at 2441 N. Maize Road, Suite 101, Avivo Brick Oven Pizzeria has a large menu, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. Regarding pasta, choose from spaghetti, cheese ravioli with marinara or Alfredo sauce, or the classic fettuccine Alfredo. Alternatively, why not try the lasagna with fresh sheets of pasta, ricotta, and mozzarella? A delectable tricolor tortellini comes with Alfredo sauce and roasted red peppers prepared to perfection. Enjoy a delicious meal between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. from Sunday to Thursday or 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 5. Albero Cafe Located at 4811 East Central Ave. in Wichita, the Albero Cafe offers fantastic Italian delights in a warm atmosphere. Try a delicious penne entree, which includes traditional Italian sauce, oregano, and parmesan. Craving something creamy? Opt for the fettuccine Formaggio with cheese sauce and roasted garlic, or the classic fettuccine Alfredo or fettuccine carbonara. The penne el pesto includes basil pesto, pine nuts, and parmesan. Pasta is not only scrumptious but affordable, priced anywhere from $9 to $12. There are plenty of options for vegetarians and meat-eaters too. The next time you are in the Wichita area, you can fulfill your pasta craving. There are many delightful pasta joints where you can treat yourself to a classic dish or a new treat, freshly made and served in a lovely atmosphere. Image via Pixabay by Pexels

Looking for some new additions to your book collection? Whether you’re a collector or just searching for your next good book, find it at a local Wichita bookstore. Here are five places to find the perfect book. more Watermark Books & Cafe For a truly local bookstore experience, be sure to visit Watermark Books and Cafe on East Douglas Ave. Open six days a week and closed on Sunday, the store offers a variety of books across many genres. With an excellent children's section, the store hosts many storytimes and author signing events to help encourage young readers. In addition, the bookstore publishes newsletters for kids, teachers, new releases, and seasoned readers. With a big focus on local and regional authors, you can find some Wichita gems at Watermark. The bookstore's cafe offers soups and a variety of pastries to enjoy with your book. F.C. Ziegler Co. Also located on East Douglas Ave., F.C. Ziegler Company is a small Catholic bookstore chain. Open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, they carry prayer books, devotionals, bibles, and gift items. You can find history books and commemorative edition books to celebrate special occasions such as baptisms and weddings. Book-a-holic Book-a-holic is a wonderful independent used bookstore. With three locations in Wichita, all three are open seven days a week. Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store allows you to buy, sell, or trade for your next great read in any genre from cooking to science-fiction and everything in between. Barnes & Noble Are you ready to explore a store with something for everyone? Stop by Barnes and Noble on North Rock Road. Free WiFi means you can escape the daily grind to study or work while enjoying a Starbucks coffee in the on-site cafe. You can also relax and disconnect in many of the welcoming seating areas located throughout the store. With weekly storytimes (featuring free cafe items and giveaways for the kids), author events, book release parties, Barnes & Noble is a great weekly stop for the kids. In addition to their events and extensive periodical inventory, you can pick up special orders in-store. Al's Old & New Book Store LLC If you are looking for a new copy of an old book, head over to Al's Old and New Book Store on East William Street. The store focuses on carrying older titles that are hard to find in other locations, including classics and a variety of history books. If you are looking for a treasured book from years ago, ask them to show you the special research tools they have to help cut down your search time. Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to explore their more than 40,000 book inventory. With so many options, it will be fun and easy to find your next read at one of these Wichita bookstores. Make it a weekly after-school field trip with the kids or make it a date night stop to sip a cup of coffee and browse the extensive book selections at your favorite store. Image via Pixabay by geralt