Sam’s Southern Eatery Expands in Wichita with new Taste

A Bold Step Forward for Sam’s Southern Eatery

Sam’s Southern Eatery is set to expand its footprint in Wichita with the opening of its third location, bringing a fresh twist to its celebrated Southern comfort food. Emanuel Ashiedu, a software engineer from Salina, is leading this initiative at the new site located at 6121 E. 21st St. This building, which began as a Long John Silver’s in the 1980s and later housed Clouds — a daiquiri lounge turned Mediterranean restaurant — will soon serve as the latest home for Sam’s Southern Eatery.

Introducing Drive-Through Service

In a first for Wichita, Sam’s Southern Eatery will feature a drive-through service at this new location. Although the restaurant will be smaller than its predecessors, Emanuel Ashiedu sees the drive-through as an opportunity to offer quicker and more efficient service. The drive-through menu will focus on customer favorites like fried catfish, jumbo fried shrimp, and po' boy sandwiches, while the dine-in section will offer the full menu experience.

Southern Cuisine at Its Best

Since its inception in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 2008, Sam’s Southern Eatery has become synonymous with authentic Southern comfort food. The restaurant’s extensive menu includes fried green tomatoes, fried pickles, crab cakes, chicken wings, and fried oysters, all prepared with high-quality ingredients and traditional recipes.

Rapid Growth in Kansas

Emanuel Ashiedu and his brother-in-law Charles Scott have been instrumental in establishing Sam’s Southern Eatery across Kansas. The duo opened their first Wichita location in early 2024 at the former DeFazio’s space near 29th and Amidon, followed by a second location at 6600 W. Central later that year. With each expansion, Sam’s Southern Eatery has attracted a growing number of loyal customers.

Future Expansion Plans

The growth doesn’t stop here — Emanuel Ashiedu is already scouting locations for another drive-through restaurant on the south side of Wichita. This continued expansion reflects the strong demand for Sam’s Southern Eatery’s distinctive Southern flavors and commitment to quality service.

The east-side location is expected to open in mid- to late March, providing both the convenience of drive-through service and a full dine-in experience for fans of Sam’s Southern Eatery.