‘Lots of garlic’: Wichita restaurant group plans multiple Kansas City area locations

Wichita’s Meddys Mediterranean Eatery & Craft Bar is coming to Kansas City.

Founder Alex Harb and a silent partner plan as many as 15 metro locations in the next five years. A 2,800-square-foot restaurant in the new Corinth Quarter redevelopment, 4105 W. 83rd St., Prairie Village, is scheduled to open later this year. Harb also is in negotiations for spots in Lee’s Summit and Olathe.

“My passion is to open them yesterday. But as soon as possible without going broke,” he said. “Kansas City is an extension of Wichita. It is big and vibrant.”

He first opened the fast casual Mediterranean restaurant in 2014 and now has four locations in Wichita with a fifth scheduled to open in November.

The menu is based on the meals he grew up on in Lebanon. The made-from-scratch items include bowls with steamed rice, tomato-onion relish, sauce, pita and a choice of chicken, beef, lamb or salmon; grilled citrus salmon with tabbouleh and roasted vegetables; shawarmas and wraps; Spanish eggplant with bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes and feta drizzled with balsamic and served over rice; soups and salads; kebabs, hummus and baba ghanoush.

He imports spices directly from Turkey and his fresh beef is traditionally seasoned and then marinated in lemon and “lots of garlic.” He also has vegan and gluten-free items, and signature cocktails.

Happy hour specials run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and all day Saturdays and Sundays.

The Prairie Village restaurant will have a patio with rollup windows and curbside pickup.

Harb moved from his native Lebanon in 2000 to attend Wichita State University as a computer science major. But he worked at area restaurants to pay for school.

Meddys employees who are working while attending college locally may be eligible for its scholarship program for the University of Kansas in Lawrence and Johnson County Community College.