WICHITA — Roni Attari has made some changes at Yuca Latin Bistro, which opened in April, and has some more to come.
“I took six months, studied the area (and) listened to what people wanted,” he said.
The changes relate to his restaurant being in a former Quiznos building on Tyler just south of Central.
“I was trying to do the impossible,” Attari says of having a sit-down restaurant in a former fast-food spot.
“Some people respected that, and some people didn’t get it,” he says. “Maybe I confused them with the idea.”
So Attari is going to a more casual, order-at-the-counter concept.
He’s changed the name of the restaurant to Pitas & Paninis, though the new sign isn’t up yet.
Attari says his concept is similar to Chipotle in that customers order at the counter and watch as their food is prepared. He says he thinks that will work better for that part of Wichita.
“The whole area is a fast food area,” he says.
His dishes are now priced between $5 and $7.49.
That compares with higher prices he had for what he calls authentic Latin and gourmet dishes he previously served.
Next week, Attari will switch his opening time from 11 a.m. to 7 a.m. so he can offer coffee, fruit, muffins and scones to attract a breakfast crowd.
He’ll also begin offering drive-through service.
There is still seating for about 50.
One day, in another spot, Attari would like to open another full-service restaurant.
“Of course.”