Issa brothers opening Emporia IHOP

Sept. 28, 20122:29 p.m.

WICHITA — A year and a half after buying their first IHOP, the Issa brothers are ready to open their second one, this time in Emporia.

“We had an opportunity, and we took it,” says Ali, who is partners in the business with his brothers Ty and Mike.

They also own Larkspur, Ya Ya’s Eurobistro, Hereford House and Heat Cigar & Hookah Lounge.

Their existing IHOP is at 515 S. Ridge Circle in west Wichita.

Their Emporia IHOP, which will open either Oct. 8 or 9, will be in the former Village Inn space at 2831 W. 18th Ave.

“We didn’t have a plan for Emporia,” Ali Issa says of locating there. “It just came up. … It was a good deal.”

He’s not sure where — or even if — they’ll open another IHOP.

“It’s hard to predict.”

Issa says he’ll spend the next month or two focusing on Emporia, although he says he’ll still continue to pop into Heat, which he also runs.

“Heat’s is doing very well,” he says.

Along with a loyal clientele, Issa says he has good employees to help him.

“We have some very good people (at) both places.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under Emporia, New business, Real estate, Restaurants | Comments Off

Issa brothers purchase west-side IHOP

April 21, 20114:57 p.m.

WICHITA — The restaurateuring Issa brothers have purchased the IHOP at 515 S. Ridge Circle, just down from the new Panera Bread.

“It’s a good opportunity,” Ali Issa says. “There’s a future in it. They’re very successful.”

Issa and his brothers, Ty and Mike, also will continue to operate Larkspur, Hereford House and Heat Cigar & Hookah Lounge.

At IHOP, they’re making a lot of changes. Some are cosmetic on the interior and exterior. Other changes include retraining the staff “from A to Z,” Ali Issa says.

He says he and his brothers are not looking to buy other IHOPs, at least not yet.

“We’re too busy with that one. It’s too early to talk about the next venture.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , Filed under Restaurants, West side | Comments Off

Local Hereford House owner says an indictment in the Kansas City Hereford House fire won’t affect him

June 22, 20106:12 p.m.

WICHITA — A federal grand jury today indicted the president of the group that owns Hereford House in Kansas City, but local Hereford House owner Mike Issa says it won’t affect him.

According to the Kansas City Star, Rod Anderson, president of the Anderson Restaurant Group, is charged with arson in a 2008 fire that destroyed the landmark Hereford House in Kansas City.

He’s also charged with conspiracy, mail fraud and using fire to commit a federal felony.

“It does not affect anything,” says Issa, whose restaurant is at the Terradyne Country Club. “I’m not affiliated with the Anderson Group whatsoever.”

He says he merely bought a license from the company last year.

“I just want to use their name,” Issa says.

“They have a great concept, a great product,” he says. “Restaurantwise, it has a great reputation.”

Issa says the Anderson Group also stipulates that he has to use Cargill Sterling Silver meat, but he says that’s what he’d want to use anyway.

That’s as far as his connection to Rod Anderson goes, Issa says.

“We are completely two different people.”

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Legal, Restaurants | Comments

Hereford House to open at Terradyne Country Club

Oct. 26, 20093:48 p.m.

WICHITA — Restaurateur Mike Issa and the owners of Terradyne Country Club confirm it: Hereford House is going to open there.

“The deal is going forward,” Issa says.

The restaurant likely will open in the first week of December.

Have You Heard? reported the news earlier this month, though at that time no one involved would comment.

Even if you’re not a member of Terradyne, you’ll be able to eat at the restaurant. In fact, that’s what Issa is counting on.

“Being in that location, it can serve Wichita and all the surrounding area,” he says.

Read More »

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , Filed under Country clubs, Restaurants | Comments

Hereford House could open at Terradyne Country Club

Oct. 7, 20094:55 p.m.

herefordWICHITA — It looks like diners from the Wichita area will no longer have to drive to Kansas City to enjoy Hereford House.

The popular Kansas City steakhouse — with the slogan, “50 Years Old and Still in Our Prime!” — now has several Kansas City-area locations.

It’s newest location outside of the city likely will be in what’s currently the Palomino Grill at Terradyne Country Club in Andover.

Former Italian Garden owner Mike Issa is working on a deal to open in the space.

No one is talking about it yet, but look for a deal to happen as early as this week.

In August, Issa closed the west-side Italian Garden. The east-side Italian Garden closed prior to that.

Senor Tequila is now in the former Italian Garden space at 21st and Tyler.

After opening at Terradyne, Issa may have the rights to open one more Hereford House in Wichita.

We’ll keep you posted.

By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , Filed under Country clubs, Restaurants | Comments

Italian Garden is moving to Old Town with a new concept; Senor Tequila is moving into former Italian Garden space

Aug. 15, 20093:51 a.m.

WICHITA — It was about this time in the summer of 2003 that Dino’s Italian Grille closed at 21st and Tyler and the Italian Garden moved in after leaving its Douglas and West Street space.

Now, the Italian Garden is closing and Senor Tequila is moving in.

Today is the Italian Garden’s last day in business.

“We’ve been looking for a location in . . . Old Town, basically,” says the Italian Garden’s Mike Issa.

He hasn’t found that space yet, but Senor Tequila’s Jose Cesar Ayala wanted the west-side space.

“It’s going to be a quick move, but it’s going to be a good move,” Issa says.

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By Carrie Rengers | Tags: , , , , , , , , Filed under Leases, Old Town, Real estate, Restaurants | Comments