The Wichita restaurant scene has been bursting with big news since my last report two weeks ago. A couple of restaurants have announced plans to close. And two shared details about big moves.
The most recent restaurant that closed was Promise Thai Cuisine. It has operated near Kellogg and Greenwich for the past 20 years. Its owner wanted to retire and has been trying to sell the place for a while. He finally found a buyer and closed the restaurant on Monday. The space soon will become a second location of Chiang Mai, a well-regarded local Thai restaurant that’s operated at 31st Street South and Hillside for 24 years. The Chiang Mai owner plans to open there today.
The other restaurant that’s closing is Chico’s Mexican Restaurant. It has operated in Wichita for 52 years. Owner Lupita Cordova Fernandez took the restaurant over from her parents and grandparents 28 years ago and moved it to a big new building near Towne West Square in 2007. Recently, she announced that Chico’s would close for good at the end of business on Sept. 19. The space won’t be empty for long, though. Jacky Chan Sushi at 7820 E. Harry plans to move into the building in a couple of weeks…