The first attempt to establish Sam’s Southern Eatery at 6600 W. Central in Wichita was short-lived. Opening in January 2020, the restaurant faced an uphill battle as the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the nation, forcing its closure by the end of the same year.

Now, a new franchisee is stepping in with a fresh vision, determined to give the location a second chance at success.

Emanuel Ashiedu, a seasoned operator of Sam’s Southern Eatery franchises in Kansas, is preparing to open a new location in the same building—though this time in a different section. Alongside his brother-in-law and business partner, Charles Scott, Ashiedu is betting on the city’s appetite for southern-style comfort food to fuel this comeback.

A Smaller Space, A Bigger Plan

Unlike the previous iteration, which occupied the building’s west side—formerly home to Marco’s Cantina and now Casa Mexicana—the new Sam’s Southern Eatery will be located on the east side of the property. This smaller space, best remembered as the home of Green Olive, offers a more intimate dining experience with seating for 30 to 40 patrons and a spacious patio for outdoor dining.

The menu will be slightly pared down compared to the location at 2706 N. Amidon, which opened earlier this year in the old DeFazio’s building. Despite the smaller scale, diners can expect the same signature dishes that have made Sam’s a favorite in other cities, including crispy catfish, jumbo shrimp, Po’ Boys, fried green tomatoes, and more.

A Building with History

This isn’t the first time the east side of the building has been considered for a southern eatery. Earlier this year, property owner and former Marco’s Cantina operator Sam Eddine had plans to open Mama Deaux Southern Kitchen in the same space. However, staffing challenges caused him to shift gears, and he decided to lease the property instead.

Ashiedu and Scott quickly stepped in to take over, and the Sam’s Southern Eatery signs are once again gracing the building, signaling a fresh chapter for the location.

Southern Comfort Food Expands in Wichita

Ashiedu and Scott are no strangers to success. In addition to their two Wichita locations, they operate Sam’s Southern Eatery franchises in Hutchinson and Salina. The duo isn’t stopping there, as plans for an east-side Wichita location are already in the works.

“When we find the right building, we’ll definitely be out there,” Ashiedu confirmed, expressing confidence in the brand’s potential for continued growth in the city.

A Chain Rooted in Southern Flavor

Sam’s Southern Eatery, founded in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2008, has built a reputation for offering high-quality southern cuisine at affordable prices. With over 50 locations nationwide, the chain serves classics like fried oysters, crab cakes, chicken wings, fish platters, fried pickles, and their famous Po’ Boys.

The return of Sam’s to West Central marks a promising step forward, combining a proven menu with a new, more strategic location. Wichita diners can look forward to enjoying a slice of southern hospitality and comfort food once again, with even more expansion on the horizon.