Significantly Spicy

Deshi Curry Revisited - 6249 E 21st St N (316) 651-5933
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054575045040

There are quite a number of Indian cuisine options in the 21st & Woodlawn area, but one of my favorites is the small family-run Deshi Curry restaurant. It is comfort food that brings an abundance of flavor that has always resonated well with me.

I went with the popular Butter Chicken which is rich and creamy that provides a nice balance of flavors that warms you on a cold day. It has plenty of boneless chicken chunks that were tender and moist. I enjoy letting the rice soak up the curry sauce which inspires a happy dance every time!

I hadn't tried their Lamb Biryani yet, so I gave it a try as well. This dish had an abundance of tender lamb chunks that were seasoned nicely. I like that the rice is seasoned on its own as well and some fresh elements like cilantro-infused yogurt and cucumber slices that provided some freshness to the dish. It hit the spot as well.

You can't go to an Indian restaurant and not order the fresh made-to-order Na'an. I got the Garlic Na'an which was flakey and provided another great aspect to the meal.

One has some options to consider when looking for Indian cuisine on the NE side of town. Keep Deshi Curry in mind that has be consistently fantastic for over a decade in Wichita!

Athens Gyro Express Revisited - 2800 E Central (316)295-4050
https://www.facebook.com/gyrosexpresswichita

Wichita is lucky to have some great Middle Eastern restaurants to enjoy. There are plenty of outstanding dinner options, but not so many quick options for those who don't have an hour to spend. Fortunately Athens Gyro Express is here to fill that need. They are located on East Central near Revolutsia between Hillside & Grove.

They offer a great lunch special for two gyros for $10.99 which I am always up for. They don't skimp on the fillings either. I went with the Spicy Lamb & Beef Gyros which is my favorite. I was filled up and out within 30 minutes which is amazing for food made to order.

Do you have a hankering for a good gyro? Keep Athens Gyro Express in mind!

Angelo’s Muffletta Sandwich - 5900 E Central Ave # 100, Wichita (316) 364-7913
https://www.facebook.com/p/Angelos-Italian-Restaurant-Wichita-100063546792366/
https://angeloswichita.com

I am unquestionably a huge fan of all cuisine from the Gulf region. My heart lies in NOLA and the surrounding area and that has been one area that Wichita has few options that scratch that particular itch. The famous Muffletta Sandwich was invented in that region that developed feeding the Italian dock workers. Angelo’s already offers one of my favorite Italian Sandwiches as well as house-made Italian Sausage and Meatball Sandwiches, but how does the Muffletta stack up?

First of all this sandwich is big… really big and hefty! It should have no issue satisfying your appetite. It could likely feed two people in a pinch. There are plenty of Italian cold-cut meat topped with a layer of melted cheese. This is topped with an olive-salad mix that includes a variety of pickled vegetables (Giardiniera) chopped up in an olive oil marinade which provides some acidity to balance the meat and cheese and a ton of flavor. This has started out really promising, but another key element to this sandwich is the bread. They use a freshly made round Italian roll that is soft, yet sturdy enough to support the contents. The bun doesn’t particularly overwhelm the rest of the sandwich which is something where other local options regularly fall short. There is a balance in the bread ratio that is key and Angelo’s does a pretty good job. I also appreciate that they serve mayo on the side; it can be a deal-breaker based on personal preference and this lets you decide what is just right!

This Muffletta is the best that I have been served locally in years and I suggest giving it a try!

One really can’t go wrong with the Angelo’s menu. They do what they do extremely well and the menu is stacked with plenty of great Italian options and their famous pickled eggplant to-go. They also offer a great spin on the Long Island Ice Tea drink that includes Limoncello; unfortunately I don’t know what they call it and there is not a drink menu posted online anywhere, so feel free to ask about their full bar options. They offer lunch service on Friday and Saturday which is a perfect time to check out the sandwich menu!