What’s better than an old-fashioned diner? Whether you’re a visitor or a Wichita local, a trip to one of these diners should be on your to-do list! 

Linda Davidson, Jimmie’s Diner

What are your most popular menu items?

LD: That’s a hard one since we serve breakfast, lunch and dinner all day. Our famous Kings-X Waffle, made-to-order omelets, hand-breaded chicken-fried steaks, and our Kings-X-inspired hamburgers.

What is it about a diner that people love?

LD: Our customers always comment on the ’50s diner theme in our stores, with our waitresses in poodle skirts, guys wearing bow ties and paper soda-jerk hats, and, of course, our old fashioned soda fountain. We’ve continued the King's commitment to good food, reasonable prices and friendly service.

Do you add things to the menu, or do you stick with old favorites?

LD: We stick with the tried-and-true menu, but do add favorites and combinations inspired by customer requests and staff, like our Joey’s Benny, Monte Cristo Omelet, Cinnamon Roll French Toast, Chicken and Waffles and Jumpin’ Jack Fries.

Timirie Shibley, Doo-Dah Diner

What are your most popular menu items?

TS: Biscuits & Sausage Gravy, Crab Cake Benedict and Banana Bread French Toast. Our burgers caught the attention of the producers of Burgers, Brew & ’Que with Michael Symon from the Cooking Channel, and they featured us in Season 6 on an episode called Bacon Knows Best. We were the first restaurant in their six seasons that actually made our burger buns from scratch. 

What is it about a diner that people love? 

TS: When I think of a diner, I think more relaxed and comforting than when I think of a restaurant. Less formal. More casual. Our servers do an excellent job of making customers, new and regulars, feel special. It feels like family. And sometimes they add some sass.

Do you add things to the menu, or do you stick with old favorites?

TS: We have kept our menu very consistent over the past 10 years. We do offer a weekly lunch special available Wednesday through Friday, and then a breakfast special on Saturdays. Sunday is our all-you-can-eat brunch buffet. It’s the one day you get to take a bite of everything we offer. 

Kassem Yassine, Delano’s Diner

What are your most popular menu items?

KY: I would say some of the most popular items that we have on our menu would be our Delano Green Chili Breakfast Burrito, Chicken & Waffles, Cranberry Walnut Salad and our Salisbury Steak.

What is it about a diner that people love?

KY: The thing I think that people love about a diner is the feeling of home compared to corporate restaurants. It kind of feels like “Cheers” here sometimes — but without Norm. It's nice to have a large group of regulars that we see the majority of the time on a daily basis.

Do you add things to the menu, or do you stick with old favorites?

KY: We do make changes to our menu on a consistent basis. We do however offer different daily specials and if they seem to be a hit with our guests you will see them added to our menu. A perfect example of this is our Delano Green Chili Breakfast Burrito.