Tanya Tandoc and the team helping her reopen her Soup Kitchen: (from left) Sister-in-law Ann Tandoc, business consultant Jill Miller, husband Wayne Gottstine and brother Warren Tandoc.
UPDATED — For almost seven years, Wichitans have relentlessly asked: When is Tanya going to reopen her restaurant?
The answer: This spring.
Tanya Tandoc is bringing back her uber-popular Tanya’s Soup Kitchen.
She’s opening in a new spot with the same name.
“Don’t fix what ain’t broke,” is her philosophy.
Tandoc is taking almost 2,100 square feet at 1725 E. Douglas across from the Donut Whole.
That’s Phil Ruffin’s newly renovated Sunburst Plaza at 1725.
“The menu will be much like people remember it,” Tandoc says.
That includes favorite soups, such as her signature tomato bisque, which will be on the menu daily.
“Still, ridiculously, the very most popular soup I have ever served — ever!”
Sandwiches, such as the Milano and the Crocoville, will be back, too.
Tanya’s Soup Kitchen will be open for lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
“It’s all flexible,” Tandoc says. “If people are banging down the door at 5 o’clock, well, we’ll open.”
Tandoc was forced to leave her space in the former Union Station baggage area when her landlord, Cox Communications Kansas, wanted it back in 2004.
She’ll have the same amount of seating — about 40 or 50 seats — as she previously did. She’ll also eventually have a patio.
Instead of having table service, though, customers will order at a counter and runners will bring out their food.
“We’re going to try and streamline the experience a little bit,” Tandoc says. “We’ll be able to turn tables a little bit faster than before.”
The “we” in the venture includes her brother, Warren, and his wife, Ann.
Their return to the Wichita area is part of what’s inspiring the restaurant now.
“It was like, oh, wait, the best line cook I ever met in my life and an incredible chef,” Tanya Tandoc says of her brother. “This is awesome.”
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