Public was opened in 2012 by Brooke Russell, Travis Russell and Drew Thompson. Their mission was to create a local gastropub using regional vendors. Their craft beers and handcrafted cocktails are a cut above surrounding restaurants. Located near the Old Town’s largest outdoor music venue, Public at the Brickyard is a restored warehouse with an atmosphere that is perfect for lunch, dinner and gatherings with old friends.
Public is a perfect place to have your next event. They love doing corporate events, charity events, concerts, weddings and more. Their venue is so unique you need to book your event at least two weeks out.
Brooke, Russell and Travis have vetted local suppliers to use only the best. For their Bakeries they have chosen Crust and Crump Co to make their bread for their sandwiches. La Tradicion Tortilleria create their corn tortillas for their gluten-free brisket tacos. Brioche, croissants and baguettes come from the Bagatelle Bakery and their fresh pita bread is supplied by John’s Pita Bakery
To name a few of their meat producers, they use Yoder Meat for their award-winning exotic meats, cheeses and smoked meats. AGA certified grass fed lamb and beef come from Graze the Prairie. They even have a supplier for their rabbit, the Rare Hare.
Okra, micro-greens, tomatoes and fresh herbs are supplied by Kan-Grow Hydro Fam and Home Grown Kansas supplies them with all naturally grown produce.
Locally owned family market, Lovera Cheese, provides them with award-winning sausages, quality recipes, cheese and Italian import on their Dairy list. The Jumping Good Goat Dairy produces artisan farmstead goat cheese.
Tapping into several local breweries, Free State Brewing Company became the first legal brewery in 1989 in Kansas in over 100 years. They use Wheat State Winery for wine who had the honor in 2012 to be named “Kansas Wine of the Year”.
No wonder they have four point four stars with fantastic reviews!
Dempsey’s Burger Pub has four locations in Kansas. They are located in Wichita East, Lawrence, Kansas City and the one I am reviewing Wichita-Clifton Square.
First a little about Clifton Square. Clifton Square features a collection of Victorian-era houses remodeled to a dining and shopping village. You have many choices for dining so look closely to Dempsey’s Burger Pub. While you are wandering around the various shops and eateries take not of the locally-created murals. Be sure to look in the out of the way places to see some of the most unique murals.
Dempsey’s Burger and Pub serves exactly what you expect from a gastropub. Their burgers are mouthwatering stating with their signature House Kobe with shallot marmalade, tomato confit and local micro greens. Or try the Hot Hawaiian Kobe with what else – pineapple-jalapeno chutney, thick cut bacon, Bibb lettuce and spicy Sriracha aioli on a pretzel bun.
If you are looking for a cheaper meal their Black Angus burgers will fit the bill! Try their Egg Burger with an Angus patty, fried egg, this cut bacon and Swiss cheese. Their Bleu Burger is one of my favorites with Maytag bleu cheese, shallot marmalade and thick cut bacon. For those of you who prefer fish, try the Salmon Burger with fresh caught, never frozen salmon filets topped with lettuce slaw and Nana’s sauce.
Their variety of Fries will please even the most picky of eaters. Be boring and try the Regular Fries which are cut in house and lightly salted. But, I would prefer the Truffle Fries which are tossed in truffle oil, parmesan and parsley. Ever have Duck Fat Fries? Yep, these house fries are lightly salted, tossed in duck fat and sprinkled with parsley.
Dempsey’s rates four stars with over two hundred reviews.
Lastly there is The Anchor with four stars and over one thousand reviews. The Anchor was founded in 2004 in the Douglas Design District where Downtown meets Old Town Wichita. Named Kansas’s Great American Beer Bar in 2018 by Craftbeer.com readers, this gastropub features an ever-changing selection of fifty-nine craft beers.
Most popular dishes include Burn Notice Hot Wings (I really liked that show), The Haystack, Dos Tacos and don’t even not try their Reuben. They believe it is the best in town.
They are always featuring beer tastings and community events so be sure to follow them to keep up on their events.
Did I mention they are not only a bar and grill they also have a butcher shop next door. Using only locally sourced premium meats, cheeses, produce and dry goods you can be sure you are getting the finest freshest food in the area. Need a present for a friend or client? They also have a variety of gourmet gifts.
Next time you are in the area, drop by The Anchor. You won’t be disappointed.