Corned Beef, Bangers and Mash, Oh My!

Written by Julie Underwood Burton

Wichita’s Picks for a Smashing Irish Feast

If you plan to step out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and are seeking an authentic Irish dish typically not found on menus, here are three notable Wichita stops serving up something very Irish for your tastebuds.

Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar

923 E. 1st Street

First stop is Mort’s Martini and Cigar Bar, where one of the most familiar faces at Mort’s, longtime bar manager Emma Russell, will be making her “legendary” corned beef and cabbage stew. Emma has been personally making the stew for Mort’s customers on St. Patrick’s Day for at least 15 years. It’s a favorite and according to Emma, “I have to make it. I have no choice. If I did not make it, I would get in big trouble and my staff requires it too.” In the Irish spirit, Mort’s also makes all their drinks green all day long and offers the typical Irish whiskeys, brews and other celebratory drink specials. Mort’s will be open from noon to 1 a.m. March 17 with live bands starting at 2 p.m.

Artichoke Sandwichbar

811 N. Broadway

The Artichoke Sandwichbar will be starting the party early, joining Wichita’s Fake Patty’s Day celebration held one week earlier on Friday, March 11 in conjunction with the popular Delano downtown parade, recently renamed the Paddy Day Parade. Artichoke’s featured Irish dishes will include their Mulligan stew, bangers and mash, and their Reuben sandwich, a customer favorite on the menu year-round. Co-owner Uche Onwugbufor will tell you what makes those two specially prepared Irish entrées undoubtedly stand out: their own homemade onion gravy, truly an untold family secret recipe. Their celebration continues with the Artichoke’s Irish Weekend March 17-18.

Walt’s East Wichita

7732 E. Central

At Walt’s East Wichita, a popular establishment with a reputation for being your neighborhood “Cheers” pub, they’ve been serving scratch hamburgers, homestyle meals and a variety of other dishes since 1947. Every week their menu includes daily specials and — just for St. Patrick’s Day — their daily special will include what they also call their “legendary” corned beef and cabbage special along with a side of Irish bread for $14.99. In honor of the Irish, Walt’s is also offering $5 16 oz. pint drafts of Warbeard, a popular Irish red ale brewed by Walnut Brewing Company in El Dorado. Walt’s East is open daily 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.