We left the car at Hotel at Old Town and walked through Wichita’s historic district to dinner.
Public at the Brickyard: The Perfect Ending to a Day of Adventure in Wichita
After nearly six hours at Tanganyika Wildlife Park, a walkable Old Town restaurant with scratch-made food and a relaxed atmosphere was exactly what we needed.
My takeaway: Public worked because it felt connected to Wichita—from the historic warehouse setting to the locally focused menu and neighborhood atmosphere.
Is Public at the Brickyard Worth Visiting in Wichita?
Yes—especially if you want a locally focused restaurant in Wichita’s Old Town with a historic setting, relaxed atmosphere and easy walkability from Hotel at Old Town.
We visited after spending most of the day at Tanganyika Wildlife Park, and the combination of a short evening walk, a comfortable dining room and a memorable meal made Public an excellent way to end our first full Wichita day.
I particularly liked that it felt rooted in the neighborhood rather than designed only for visitors.
Public at the Brickyard at a Glance
Menus and hours can change. Check the official Public at the Brickyard website before visiting.
Exactly the Kind of Dinner We Wanted After a Long Wildlife Day
We had spent nearly six hours in the Kansas sun feeding a tiger, meeting giraffes and rhinos and exploring Tanganyika Wildlife Park.
By the time we returned to Hotel at Old Town, we were happily exhausted.
A couple of hours in the air conditioning gave us enough time to recharge before dinner.
The best part was that we didn’t need to get back into the car.
As the temperature began to drop, we walked through Old Town to Public at the Brickyard.
The dining room felt energetic without making us feel rushed after a long day.
The Walk to Dinner Was Part of the Experience
One of my favorite things about staying at Hotel at Old Town was being able to leave the car parked in the garage.
Instead of ending our day with another drive, we walked through the historic district as the evening cooled down.
That short walk reinforced why I liked staying in Old Town: the hotel, restaurant and neighborhood all felt connected.
Industrial details and exposed brick fit naturally with the surrounding Old Town district.
A Restaurant That Fits Its Neighborhood
Public occupies a restored warehouse space in Wichita’s Old Town Entertainment District.
Exposed brick, industrial details, warm lighting and historic character give the restaurant a sense of place before the food arrives.
The interior was also larger than I expected from the entrance.
Rather than feeling polished to the point of losing its personality, the space still felt connected to the warehouse history around it.
Public and Brickyard Are Related—but They Aren’t the Same Thing
Public is the restaurant. Brickyard is the adjacent outdoor live-music venue.
The two spaces work together, which explains why the property feels much larger once you get inside and begin looking toward the outdoor areas.
We chose to eat indoors during our visit, but the patio and entertainment space immediately caught my attention.
Other diners near us were already talking about returning later in the week for live music.
If entertainment is important to your visit, check the current Brickyard schedule separately before you go.
Kansas Producers Are Part of Public’s Identity
Public describes itself as a family-owned, farm-to-table restaurant focused on fresh and regionally sourced ingredients.
Its menus and specials regularly identify Kansas-area farms, meat producers and other regional suppliers.
That approach matters because it gives the restaurant a stronger connection to Wichita than a menu that could be duplicated anywhere.
For me, eating locally while traveling is one more way to understand a destination.
The historic interior reinforces the restaurant’s connection to Old Town Wichita.
The baby back ribs had just been added to the menu when we visited in June 2026.
The Baby Back Ribs Were an Easy Choice
By coincidence, baby back ribs had just been added to the menu on the evening we visited.
That made my decision easy.
The ribs arrived with baked beans and crisp fries on a simple metal tray.
They were tender enough to pull apart easily while still maintaining the smoky flavor I wanted from barbecue.
The beans brought a little spice without overpowering the meat, and the fries completed the plate without trying to be more complicated than they needed to be.
I also tried a local cider with dinner, a small detail that fit the restaurant’s regional focus.
Key Lime Pie Crème Brûlée Was Worth Dessert
Even after the ribs, dessert was difficult to pass up.
The Key Lime Pie Crème Brûlée combined the citrus flavor of key lime pie with the smooth texture and caramelized top of traditional crème brûlée.
It was exactly the kind of dessert I remember because it wasn’t simply another standard slice of cake at the end of dinner.
The dessert has also continued to appear on Public’s menu offerings, so it is worth checking for when you visit.
The Key Lime Pie Crème Brûlée brought together two classic desserts in one memorable finish.
Busy Without Making Us Feel Rushed
The restaurant was busy during our visit.
Conversations filled the dining room, and there was plenty of energy around us.
What I appreciated was that the pace never felt hurried.
After such an active day, Craig and I had time to sit, talk about Tanganyika and enjoy dinner without feeling as though the table needed to be turned over immediately.
Good hospitality isn’t only about being attentive.
It’s also knowing when guests want enough space to enjoy the experience.
The outdoor area adds another dimension to the property beyond the indoor restaurant.
The Outdoor Space Adds to the Old Town Experience
Although we ate indoors, I spent time looking around the outdoor areas before we left.
The Brickyard space makes the property feel less like a standalone restaurant and more like part of Old Town’s larger social scene.
That fit what I was already beginning to appreciate about the neighborhood: restaurants, entertainment and historic spaces sit close enough together that an evening can develop naturally without a lot of driving or planning.
Public at the Brickyard Works for More Than a Special Occasion
Old Town Visitors
The restaurant fits naturally into an evening exploring Wichita’s historic entertainment district.
Travelers Staying Nearby
Its walkability makes it especially convenient for guests at Hotel at Old Town.
Locally Focused Diners
Travelers who enjoy restaurants that highlight regional ingredients and suppliers will find plenty to appreciate.
Families & Groups
The atmosphere felt lively and comfortable rather than formal or overly quiet.
Couples
Historic architecture, Old Town walkability and a relaxed dinner make it an easy date-night option.
Post-Adventure Diners
After a full day at Tanganyika, it gave us enough atmosphere to feel like part of the trip without requiring another major activity.
Current Public at the Brickyard Information
Hours, menus and entertainment schedules can change. Confirm current information directly with the restaurant before your visit.
Would I Eat at Public at the Brickyard Again?
Yes.
What I remember is not just one plate of ribs.
I remember walking there from our hotel, the historic warehouse setting, having enough time to unwind after Tanganyika and finishing the meal with a dessert that was different enough to be memorable.
Those elements combined into an experience that felt distinctly connected to Wichita.
If I had another evening in Old Town, Public would remain on my list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Public at the Brickyard worth visiting?
Yes. I recommend it for travelers who want a locally focused restaurant in Wichita’s Old Town with historic character, a relaxed atmosphere and a menu tied to regional ingredients.
Where is Public at the Brickyard?
Public is located at 129 N Rock Island Ave in Wichita’s Old Town district.
Can you walk to Public from Hotel at Old Town?
Yes. We left our car parked at Hotel at Old Town and walked to dinner. The short walk through the historic district became part of the evening for us.
What kind of food does Public at the Brickyard serve?
Public focuses on American fare with an emphasis on fresh, regional ingredients and Kansas producers. Menu items and specials change over time.
Are Public and Brickyard the same place?
They are connected but serve different purposes. Public is the restaurant, while Brickyard is the adjacent outdoor live-music and entertainment venue.
What did you order at Public at the Brickyard?
During our June 2026 visit, I ordered baby back ribs with baked beans and fries, followed by Key Lime Pie Crème Brûlée for dessert.
Public Was Part of a Much Bigger Wichita Experience
Our dinner connected naturally with the hotel and wildlife experiences that made Wichita one of the most memorable stops on the road trip.
Tanganyika Wildlife Park
Start with the tiger, giraffe and rhino encounters that filled the day before dinner.
Return to Tanganyika
See why a second full day gave us a deeper view of animal behavior, conservation and responsible wildlife experiences.
The Full Midwest Road Trip
Follow all nine days and nearly 2,200 miles through eight states.
About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
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