By Mike Thayer
Signature dishes, it’s food that embodies a region, it’s a celebration of iconic cultural flavors, where natives and tourists alike embrace that bowl, that plate, that sandwich, that finger food and say, “You HAVE to try this!”….
Examples of iconic signature dishes includes the Rueben sandwich in New York; crab cakes in Baltimore; The Philly Cheese Steak in Philadelphia; Fried Chicken in Atlanta; Deep dish pizza in Chicago; Bratwurst in Milwaukee; Gumbo in New Orleans and Cedar plank Salmon in Seattle.
So with all that iconic food in mind, does Wichita have a signature dish, or is the Mid-Continent City a melting pot of foods and flavors?
Spangle’s celebrating 40 years in Kansas!
For my second meal of this Signature Dish Challenge, I decided to visit Spangles, a Kansas regional fast food burger joint that got its start right here in Wichita. Are burgers worthy of Wichita’s Signature Dish status?
To answer that question, yes, I think burgers have a real shot to represent Wichita’s Signature Dish and I’ve got another 16 other local/regional burger joints to check out and determine that answer!
It will be my pleasure.
Now, as to Spangles….. I approached the counter shortly after 5pm on a Wednesday, there were a few patrons inside and a couple cars in the drive through.
ME: What is your most popular burger?
Now THAT is a big burger and a generous portion of fries!
ATTENDANT: Oh, the Gourmet Supreme, #1 on the menu.
She said that without hesitation, this lady knew what she was doing. And yes, I suppose it’s obvious, the restaurant’s best seller is listed #1 on their numbered menu. Loved the enthusiasm!
ME: Sounds good, I’ll take that as a value meal to go.
ATTENDANT: What size for your order and did you want any seasoning on the fries?
ME: Make it a large and I’ll go with the Garlic Parmesan.
My order was made fast, fresh, I watched them season the fries, I was in and out of Spangles in less than 3 minutes with my to go order.
How was the burger you ask?
Delicious, with a caveat. Gourmet Supreme – that was an appropriate name back in the day, we’re talking 1990’s, but the name no longer applies. In this age of smokehouse, bourbon and chophouse flavors defining gourmet burgers these days, there’s nothing gourmet or supreme about the Spangle’s Gourmet Supreme burger. Don’t get me wrong, the Black Angus beef is top notch, it’s a hefty 1/3 pound patty, it’s delicious, seasoned well but all the other ingredients are classic burger, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, cheese, toasted bun…. It’s a fine burger, but it’s classic in every sense, not gourmet. A rename is in order, the Classic Supreme perhaps… If I’m Spangles I would put what is a Classic Supreme up against any other burger joint in a classic burger showdown! I am a fan of the burger, but it’s just NOT a Gourmet Supreme.
Excellent Classic Burger Flavors!
And about those fries….. The Garlic Parmesan is a good flavor combination but the fries I received were over salted. I’m wondering if whoever prepared my fries realizes Parmesan carries a salt note of its own?
This was a good meal overall, I enjoyed the burger, the fries, not as much. To sum, it was a fine representation of a classic burger. I paid $9.56 for this meal, a bit on the high end of fast food pricing. So does Spangles help put Wichita on the burger map? I say YES! Remember, I’ve got another 16 other local/regional burger joints to check out and determine that answer!
Spangles gets three out of five Metro Pursuit stars, the fries held the rating back. The Gourmet Supreme, has been and will continue to be, a repeat buy. The burger needs a name change though, the tradition of what its been called to this point no longer makes sense in today’s burger world.
I’ll be visiting a large variety of restaurants and sampling all types of food, getting input from patrons and restaurant gurus alike, trying to get a feel for what Wichita’s Signature Dish might be….. Oh, and national chain restaurants will NOT be a part of this challenge, I’m keeping it as local as possible, a true evaluation in finding what might be Wichita’s Signature Dish.
Stay tuned!
What a challenge huh? I am SO looking forward to the rest of this challenge!
What do you think might be Wichita’s signature dish? Comment below.
The Spangle’s visited is located at 1240 S Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67207. The service was friendly and fast. The self-serve drink/condiment area needed some attention though. The condiment pumps were messy, ‘spillages‘ of ketchup, etc., under each pump, puddles of soda here and there, floor in the area was sticky.
In search of Wichita's Signature Dish – 08/01/2018 – Do burgers represent the signature dish? – Bachelor on the Cheap
By Mike Thayer
Signature dishes, it’s food that embodies a region, it’s a celebration of iconic cultural flavors, where natives and tourists alike embrace that bowl, that plate, that sandwich, that finger food and say, “You HAVE to try this!”….
Examples of iconic signature dishes includes the Rueben sandwich in New York; crab cakes in Baltimore; The Philly Cheese Steak in Philadelphia; Fried Chicken in Atlanta; Deep dish pizza in Chicago; Bratwurst in Milwaukee; Gumbo in New Orleans and Cedar plank Salmon in Seattle.
So with all that iconic food in mind, does Wichita have a signature dish, or is the Mid-Continent City a melting pot of foods and flavors?
Spangle’s celebrating 40 years in Kansas!
For my second meal of this Signature Dish Challenge, I decided to visit Spangles, a Kansas regional fast food burger joint that got its start right here in Wichita. Are burgers worthy of Wichita’s Signature Dish status?
To answer that question, yes, I think burgers have a real shot to represent Wichita’s Signature Dish and I’ve got another 16 other local/regional burger joints to check out and determine that answer!
It will be my pleasure.
Now, as to Spangles….. I approached the counter shortly after 5pm on a Wednesday, there were a few patrons inside and a couple cars in the drive through.
ME: What is your most popular burger?
Now THAT is a big burger and a generous portion of fries!
ATTENDANT: Oh, the Gourmet Supreme, #1 on the menu.
She said that without hesitation, this lady knew what she was doing. And yes, I suppose it’s obvious, the restaurant’s best seller is listed #1 on their numbered menu. Loved the enthusiasm!
ME: Sounds good, I’ll take that as a value meal to go.
ATTENDANT: What size for your order and did you want any seasoning on the fries?
ME: Make it a large and I’ll go with the Garlic Parmesan.
My order was made fast, fresh, I watched them season the fries, I was in and out of Spangles in less than 3 minutes with my to go order.
How was the burger you ask?
Delicious, with a caveat. Gourmet Supreme – that was an appropriate name back in the day, we’re talking 1990’s, but the name no longer applies. In this age of smokehouse, bourbon and chophouse flavors defining gourmet burgers these days, there’s nothing gourmet or supreme about the Spangle’s Gourmet Supreme burger. Don’t get me wrong, the Black Angus beef is top notch, it’s a hefty 1/3 pound patty, it’s delicious, seasoned well but all the other ingredients are classic burger, lettuce, tomato, red onion, pickle, cheese, toasted bun…. It’s a fine burger, but it’s classic in every sense, not gourmet. A rename is in order, the Classic Supreme perhaps… If I’m Spangles I would put what is a Classic Supreme up against any other burger joint in a classic burger showdown! I am a fan of the burger, but it’s just NOT a Gourmet Supreme.
Excellent Classic Burger Flavors!
And about those fries….. The Garlic Parmesan is a good flavor combination but the fries I received were over salted. I’m wondering if whoever prepared my fries realizes Parmesan carries a salt note of its own?
This was a good meal overall, I enjoyed the burger, the fries, not as much. To sum, it was a fine representation of a classic burger. I paid $9.56 for this meal, a bit on the high end of fast food pricing. So does Spangles help put Wichita on the burger map? I say YES! Remember, I’ve got another 16 other local/regional burger joints to check out and determine that answer!
Spangles gets three out of five Metro Pursuit stars, the fries held the rating back. The Gourmet Supreme, has been and will continue to be, a repeat buy. The burger needs a name change though, the tradition of what its been called to this point no longer makes sense in today’s burger world.
I’ll be visiting a large variety of restaurants and sampling all types of food, getting input from patrons and restaurant gurus alike, trying to get a feel for what Wichita’s Signature Dish might be….. Oh, and national chain restaurants will NOT be a part of this challenge, I’m keeping it as local as possible, a true evaluation in finding what might be Wichita’s Signature Dish.
Stay tuned!
What a challenge huh? I am SO looking forward to the rest of this challenge!
What do you think might be Wichita’s signature dish? Comment below.
The Spangle’s visited is located at 1240 S Rock Rd, Wichita, KS 67207. The service was friendly and fast. The self-serve drink/condiment area needed some attention though. The condiment pumps were messy, ‘spillages‘ of ketchup, etc., under each pump, puddles of soda here and there, floor in the area was sticky.