First off -- and perhaps the favorite -- NuWAY Burgers. I wish I'd have thought to take a photo of our burgers...but I must confess that I was too anxious to eat mine. Their slogan is "Crumbly IS Good!" -- their burgers are not regular patties, but the meat is all crumbled up on a bun with mustard, pickles and onions. (I always omit the onions.) It's heavenly. And the french fries are curly -- like spiral curly -- and delicious. They are also famous for their homemade root beer, and if you dine in, they'll serve it to you in a frosty mug. I remember going there for my birthday lunch when I was growing up, with my dad. He also loves NuWAY. But what is really special about NuWAY is that my grandparents went there often while they were dating back in 1939-1940 (I am not sure about the exact years; I just know they were married in October 1941). My grandfather loved to go to NuWAY with us when we came to town, and we always went to the original location on Douglas Street, and he would reminisce about how it used to look and what he and Grandma would order. She passed away in 1998 and he never got over her until his death in 2009. But that love story is for another post.
Another place we always have to visit while in town is Spangles. They have the best hamburgers -- well, they rival right up there with Wendy's, in my opinion. This eastern Kansas restaurant chain is styled like a 1950's diner, with statues of Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and other 1950's figures placed in the different locations. But what I really visit Spangle's for is their amazing mudslides! What in the world is a mudslide, you ask? Well let me enlighten you. It is a cup of soft-serve vanilla ice cream, with chocolate syrup -- the kind that hardens as it cools -- spiraling down into the bottom of the cup. You can choose toppings ranging from extra chocolate syrup, or strawberries, or Oreos, Butterfingers, or (my personal favorite) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. It's sinful. It's heavenly. I never diet when in Wichita.
The last place I'll tell you about is the Taco Shop. We have been eating there since I was a very little girl. I remember the Taco Shop way before I have memories of NuWAY or Spangles. They are far from authentic as far as Mexican food goes, but we love it anyway. The best thing about Taco Shop, that really makes it stand out as a real MidWestern Mexican food place (to me, anyway) -- is their "tacoburger." Basically, it is all the toppings of a taco, plopped between a hamburger bun instead of a taco shell. Amazing! And delicious. My favorite combo is the #2 plate -- a taco, a tacoburger, and a tostada. Dump some mild sauce on top and I'm set. Yum yum. Although during my last visit, I discovered the "Sancho supreme." Since I live about an hour away from the Mexico border, I do know a little about Mexican food. I have yet to see a "Sancho" down in the Southwest. (I could be missing it, so if I am, please let me know.) But it's delicious anyway. A flour tortilla filled with...basically, taco toppings. Covered in enchilada sauce, sour cream and black olives.
Mmmmm...okay I think I know where I want to go tomorrow for lunch, during our last full day here in Wichita. We'll hit up Taco Shop, where I will partake of a sancho supreme and tacoburger. Then we'll stop by Spangles, where I can order a Reese's Mudslide for my dessert. Then home, where I will ingest several Tums. And next week, back in the Old Pueblo, I shall start my diet. Again.
There's no place like home!!
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