Papa John’s near 21st and Amidon closes; New location could serve Valley Center and Park City

Sept. 28, 20093:41 p.m.

pizzaWICHITA — The Papa John’s near 21st and Amidon has closed, but almost everyone in that delivery area will be served by two existing stores until a new one opens.

“We’re trying to find another location,” says Terry Newman, who is partners in the business with Frank Carney.

This Papa John’s was open almost 10 years, but Newman says the rent was rising too much to continue to stay.

He says this could be an opportunity to move farther north and begin serving Valley Center and Park City.

“We’ve been looking all around,” Newman says.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , Filed under Leases, Park City, Real estate, Restaurants, Valley Center | Comments (1)

Genghis rocks — literally

April 17, 20094:15 p.m.

I’ve enjoyed all three of the new Mongolian Grills in town — HuHot, Genghis Grill and Wichita’s own Gobi Grille. In fact, sometimes I wish I could take my favorite things from all three restaurants and roll them into one.

The most unexpected thing I like is the soundtrack playing at Genghis Grill. I think it has to be the best of any restaurant in the city.

At lunch today, one minute I was dancing in my seat to the Gap Band’s “You Dropped A Bomb on Me,” and the next I was feeling nostalgic with Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer.”

An odd mix, to be sure, but I loved it.

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Old Town Buffet to open

April 16, 20092:05 p.m.

Old Town Buffet is coming to Wichita, but not to the Old Town area.

The restaurant is going in the former HomeTown Buffet and King’s Buffet space at 6160 E. Central.

Partner Hong Zhang says he’ll offer American cuisine “just like Golden Corral” with “all the American favorites.” He says he’ll also have a Mongolian Grill similar to Genghis Grill.

Diners can choose from both options for $6.99 for lunch or $9.99 for dinner. Zhang says those prices could change by the time he opens, which he hopes will be by Mother’s Day on May 10.

No alcohol will be served.

Zhang says a second Old Town Buffet is a possibility.

“If we do good on this location,” he says, “we’re going to open one on the west side.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , Filed under Restaurants | Comments (1)

Gobi Grille set to open

April 3, 20099:22 a.m.

The new Gobi Grille is set to open this week in the former Victory Sports Grille space on Ridge Road near 21st Street.

The Mongolian-style grill will be the third one to open in Wichita this year.
HuHot Mongolian Grill and Genghis Grill are on the east side. Gobi is the only one west.

There are some friends-and-family dinners this Sunday and Monday, and the restaurant should be open to the public Wednesday.

At least that’s what Brian Robinson and other managers are planning “with our fingers and toes crossed.”

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