Wichita, Kansas, loves Harrison Ford.
I know. I know. Everybody loves Harrison Ford.
He’s one of our favorite actors.
We’re also impressed with his nifty
probably-knows-what-the-heck-he’s-doing carpentry skills.
Add to that, Harrison Ford is hilarious. He’s an ace at deadpan humor:
Acting, building things, and being funny are important skills, but - according to Wichita folks - the most IMPORTANT thing is this:
Harrison Ford is a plane guy.
A plane guy who annually services his planes in (you guessed
it) Wichita, Kansas.
Wichita (a.k.a., the Air Capital of the World) applauds
Harrison’s excellent taste.
In fact, Wichita folks pretty much consider Harrison Ford to
be “one of ours.”
“One of ours” is a title normally reserved for homegrown
Kansans:
Amelia Earhart? “One of ours.”
Actress Hattie McDaniel? "One of ours."
Kirstie Alley? “She was one of ours.”
The guys who invented Pizza Hut? “Definitely ours.”
It matters not that Harrison Ford was neither born nor
raised in Kansas. To locals, he’s still “one of us.”
In other states, conversations might revolve around
Harrison’s well-established movie career.
In Kansas, the conversation might go something like this: “I
believe Harrison is a Cessna guy. . .”
While having his aircraft serviced in the Air Capital of the
World, Harrison sometimes saunters into various Wichita restaurants.
When that happens, people notice. Locals report Harrison
Ford’s Wichita sightings with delight and enthusiasm.
News sources and social media posts display photos of Harrison hobnobbing with the locals.
Well, ok. I’m not entirely sure Harrison Ford is the hobnobbing type. Still, he appears to be gracious enough (or longsuffering enough) to have his picture snapped with restaurant staff members and visitors.
Unlike Harrison Ford, I know very little about planes - but I do know a heck of a lot about food.
I can personally vouch for several of the restaurants
Harrison Ford has visited during his Wichita trips. That man has a knack for finding good eats!
HomeGrown:
Both Harrison Ford and athlete Serena Williams have eaten
here.
This daytime eatery showcases incredible seasonal
masterpieces:
Sweet Potato Pancakes (feature photo). Pistachio & Cherry French Toast. Carrot ‘Cakes. Limoncello French Toast. Lavender Lattes. Whiskey Maple Cream Lattes.
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| Limoncello French Toast |
The regular menu highlights its own share of top-notch delights, including homemade Pop Tarts, Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, and Croissant French Toast.
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| Croissant French Toast |
Healthier fare includes avocado toast, gluten-free and low-carb options, baked oatmeal, Greek yogurt with berries and local honey, and the Ironman Omelet.
Lunch options offer sandwiches (Sammies), including Turkey
Avocado, Cuban, and BLT-A+E (avocado and egg).
As wonderful as the food is, I have found the ambiance of
HomeGrown to be equally enjoyable.
Look around the restaurant and you’ll see reminders to:
Kindness is a Thing with HomeGrown.
I asked my server about the restaurant’s philosophy. She
told me part of the company’s training includes the understanding that a server
may be the first human contact someone has in the morning.
When a customer stops by HomeGrown, the server’s positive
attitude may start the day off right for that person.
HomeGrown's website explains:
"After all, if we help each other start the day right, we're certain we will also awaken a chain of positive acts that cultivate kindness throughout our community."
Being met with kindness, consideration, and excellent food
could invigorate a person’s entire day.
Visit HomeGrown’s website to check out its menu and business hours. HomeGrown’s locations include Wichita and Kansas City, Kansas; Des Moines, Iowa; and Springdale, Arkansas.
It’s a good idea to add your name to HomeGrown’s online wait
list before you head to the restaurant. HomeGrown is mighty popular (especially
on weekends).
The Doo-Dah Diner:
“Doo-Dah” refers to a nickname given to Wichita waaay back in the olden days. The nickname may go as far back as the 1920s, when Charleston-dancing college kids said breezy things like, “Oh, you!” and “You’re the bee’s knees!” and “Applesauce!”
After that, rumor has it, the Doo-Dah nickname picked up
steam in the 1950s.
With its nostalgic atmosphere and made-from-scratch meals, the Doo-Dah Diner emphasizes comfort and customer satisfaction.
I can attest to the diner’s Banana Bread French Toast. The banana bread tastes incredible all by itself – but apple butter, pecans, candied apples, whipped cream, and syrup transform it into a doo-dah-dilly of a decadent feast.
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| Banana Bread French Toast |
My Southern soul insisted that I include a side order of
Parmesan Cheese Grits. My Southern soul was not disappointed.
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| Parmesan Cheese Grits |
To round things off nicely, the coffee at the Doo-Dah Diner is good – the kind of good one rightfully expects from diner coffee.
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| News Clipping Displayed in the Doo-Dah Diner |
The Doo-Dah Diner is located at 206 E Kellogg St, Wichita, KS 67202.
Check out the Doo-Dah Diner’s website for business hours and menu choices.
First Mile Kitchen:
On its website, this stylish restaurant proclaims:
“We love music. We love food. We love drinks. And
bringing people together is what we do!”
Before I even entered the restaurant, I could hear upbeat,
eclectic, and mood-lifting music playing over the speakers.
The restaurant’s menu tempts patrons with offers of Lobster Spaghetti; Red Wine Braised Short Ribs; Mushroom Carbonara; and Filet Truffle Frites.
Even the deceptively simple Grilled Cheese Sandwich provides
an intriguing and delicious combination of flavors: spiced apple butter, provolone cheese, sharp cheddar, and sourdough bread.
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| Grilled Cheese Sandwich with Apple Butter |
The First Mile Kitchen is located at 2141 N Bradley Fair Pkwy #111, Wichita, KS 67206.
Visit the website for more information about the First Mile Kitchen (including business hours and menu choices).
Other Harrison Ford sightings include Sabor Latin Bar & Grille (309 N Mead St, Wichita, KS 67202), New Lemongrass: Taste of Vietnam (300 N Mead St #108, Wichita, KS 67202), and Chester’s Chophouse & Wine Bar (1550 N Webb Rd, Wichita, KS 67206).
Searching for fortune and glory? The greatest adventure of all may be found at these Wichita restaurants.
🛫🛫🛫
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