People who craved the variety of sauces served at the original Wings restaurant will find a familiar flavor at the new “Wings and Things” restaurant and bar at 409 Commercial St.
The business formerly was Bamboozer’s, a bar that owner James Roberts remodeled extensively before opening a few years ago.
“We spent a lot of time and money,” Roberts said of the project to make changes to the former Red Dog Saloon.
The finished Bamboozer’s featured wood floors in the front with tile in the back. One wall was brick, and drywall was installed on remaining walls.
“The main bar is built out of brick and cement, and everything else is oak trim and oak doors,” Roberts said.
The rigors of operating a late-hours bar brought about Roberts’ decision to change the business format to emphasize food, rather than drink, though both beer and hard liquor will continue to be sold.
“It was getting to the point where I was tired of the late-night hours and being up until early morning,” he said.
He since has added a kitchen for Wings and Things, which opened this week.
“It’s more restaurant than we are bar and grill,” Roberts said. “We’ll have a full-service bar still.”
The business will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Roberts, who serves as cook for the time being, currently employs four people and is looking for more.
One of the employees, bartender Laura Nichols, is the daughter of Sherry and Trade Hileman, who owned the original Wings. She connected Roberts with the Hilemans, who provided sauce recipes.
“We had pretty much made up our mind that we were going to switch to food,” Roberts said. “Every time I heard people talk about Wings, it was always how much they missed it. I think it’ll be a good switch.”
Wings and Things also will serve the ribbon-cut potatoes that were a trademark at Wings, which was in the 1100 block of Commercial Street.
Roberts said that the restaurant and bar are non-smoking.
“I just figure since we’re going more restaurant than we are bar, it’s prudent to go non-smoking,” he said.
Another bar that had served food when it was operated as Babe’s, at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Mechanic Street, has been given a sprucing up and reopened as Mulligan’s.
Mulligan’s, owned by Cory Amerin and Sumre Lake, will serve beer and hard spirits.
“Just a little bit of everything for everybody,” Amerin said.
Food is not part of the plan for now, but the bar will feature live music and is planning an event for Jan. 31.
Iron Guts Kelly from Lawrence will be featured, and local bands Dead Idols and Live Fast Die also will perform.
No cover charge will be taken, Amerin said, but those who attend can purchase a $2 ticket to enter a raffle for a $200 tattoo from a newcomer to Emporia’s business community, Big Tobacco’s House of Ink.
Amerin and Lake purchased Babe’s from Jerry Beyer and reopened in November, after an extensive clean-up, painting and some resurfacing in selected areas.
Amerin has worked at bars in the Aggieville section of Manhattan; Lake is from the Emporia area.
nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...
This is great news. I missed the original Wings Restaurant. They had the best wings in town. We moved here from NY, and really missed the traditional "buffalo style" chicken wings. When Wings opened, I thought I died and went to heaven. Can't wait to try out Wings & Things! :)
January 19, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orlando (anonymous) says...
Does anyone know what is going into the former "Wings" restaurant? I have heard another Chinese restaurant. Just what we need.
February 2, 2009 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
Hey, rbow (Steve)! Look, the perfect place to answer your question the other night! (I keep forgetting to give you my e-mail)
The group I went with enjoyed the new Wings & Things for the most part. One item we ordered didn't come quite how we ordered it the first time and had to be sent back. When it came out again it was missing an ingredient, but it was not missed at first, so we ate it. We were a group of five and we just ordered five appetizer type dishes and shared them around the table. Speaking of tables, there were only two that would comfortably seat more than four--one was taken and the other was back in the dark, loud, big screen room. We just crowded around a normal table so we could see and hear each other. It was a pleasant atmosphere and the food was pretty good--not fancy or rare, but good like almost home-cooked. If I could cook, this is what I would make for weekends. The chili is delicious! I wish there was a normal BBQ option for the wings, but what we had was great and I love bone-in wings so I will opt for this over KFC any day. Prices were reasonable while being competitive. We will be returning, I'm sure.
Now, what about a Chinese place? If it isn't too authentic, I would like that. Right now my favorite is China Buffet, but two strikes--the drive and it is smoking allowed. Bring in the competition!!
February 2, 2009 at 11:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
orlando (anonymous) says...
Has anyone tried the Chinese place (Peking Palace, I think) on east 12th?
February 2, 2009 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mommy_15 (anonymous) says...
I think the new Peking place is really good, it is worth trying!
February 2, 2009 at 3:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
The Peking menu is HUGE, which makes me worry...how can all that be freshly prepared? And I saw sushi listed on a mailer--that has got to be questionable.
Still, I had an egg foo young that was great, steamed dumplings that were awfully doughy, and huge, hot crab rangoons. I tried a lo mein that was underdone (the noodles) but I'll probably go back and try more whenever I can't get to Shanghai.
February 2, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
my thoughts, why would sushi be questionable? Just curious. I must have an old menu here at home because I don't see any sushi on it.
February 2, 2009 at 6:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
Folks who own Chinese Rest on west 6th east of Prairie are putting another in "Wings and Thinks" I hear. Never been there so do not know what 2ed place might be like
February 2, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
"Wings and THINGS"
February 2, 2009 at 10:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )