Salmon burnt ends? Crab pizza? Wichita full of meat-free magic during Lenten season

It’s a Friday that falls less than 40 days before Easter Sunday.

That means that many diners will be looking for meatless meals to enjoy in observation of the Lenten season.

Lent started on Feb. 14, and on Fridays through March 29, many try to eat meat-free for religious reasons. Restaurants around town have been posting on social media about their meatless options for a couple of weeks now, and a local Catholic church is also continuing its tradition of offering meatless Mexican food on Fridays through Lent.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic church at 2409 N. Market will serve meat-free items like cheese and onion enchiladas, tostadas, potato tacos, chile rellenos and more. People can dine in or carry out the made-to-order meals from 5 to 7 p.m. Fridays through March 22 in the Parish Center. Proceeds will go to scholarships to send children from the church to Wichita area Catholic schools.

Here’s a list of some of the Wichita restaurants that are also advertising meatless fare:

Connie’s Mexico Cafe, 2227 N. Broadway: Offering a special meatless Lent menu with items like chile rellenos, bean burritos, queso enchiladas and more.

Egg Crate Cafe, 8806 W. 13th St.: Fridays during Lent, breakfast customers can order a refried bean and Monterey Jack cheese omelet topped with pico de gallo and served with choice of potato or fresh fruit. Lunch offerings include haddock tacos served with Spanish rice and fresh fruit

Fizz Burgers & Bottles, 7718 E. 37th St. North: Lent special is an adult version of mac and cheese made with a creamy white cheddar cheese and topped with a choice of buffalo chicken breast or a seafood medley. Available Fridays only.

Grandma Thuy’s, 8728 W. Maple: Offering egg drop soup Fridays through Lent. Also serving vegetarian egg rolls.

Harry’s Uptown, 3023 E. Douglas: Lent specials include fish and chips, fried fish tacos, and mac and cheese with beer-battered fish. Mac and cheese is offered Fridays only.

Jimmie’s Diner, 3111 N. Rock Road, 1519 S. George Washington Blvd: Menu includes Lent-friendly items like fish and chips, a fish sandwich or wrap, or a cold plate.

Maple Street Pizza, 12111 W. Maple: Serving its “Enter the Dragon” pizza on Fridays during Lent. It features spiced cream cheese, crab meat, green onions, crispy wonton strips and ginger soy glaze.

Molino’s Mexican Cuisine, 1064 N. Waco: Menu includes many Lent-friendly options like shrimp tacos and cauliflower ceviche.

Noble House, 2119 W. 21st St.: Offers Lent-friendly options like lobster handrolls, Opakapaka fish plate lunch, and poke.

Old Tokyo Steakhouse, 6821 W. Taft: This Japanese grill is offering a hibachi special through Lent that’s $30 for two seafood options, plus soup, salad, hibachi vegetables, and steamed rice. Call 316-260-8588 to make a reservation.

Public at the Brickyard, 129 N. Rock Island: Serving fish and chips for lunch every Friday through Lent.

Pumphouse, 825 E. Second St.: Serving fish and chips, fish tacos and tuna casserole through Lent.

Sazon Mexican Restaurant, 2624 E. 21st St.: Serving meatless options for Lent.

Side Pockets, 614 S. Tyler: Through Lent, it’s offering a fish sandwich with garlic pepper or Cajun seasoning with homemade slaw and choice of side for $9.99

Social Tap, 4510 E. 19th St.: At the WSU location only, diners can order a garlic shrimp pizza through Lent.

Solly & Jude’s, 400 S. Emporia: Offering lobster rolls through Easter.

Station 8 BBQ, 1100 E. Third St.: Serving raspberry chipotle Atlantic salmon burnt ends on Fridays through Lent.

Tacos tj 664, 1014 N. West St.: Offering limited-time beer-battered fish tacos

When Pigs Fly, 7011 W. Central: On Fridays through Easter, customers can get a smoked lobster tail dinner (two tails and two sides)for $26.99 or a single lobster tail for $12.99. The barbecue restaurant is also offering a smoked lemon pepper salmon meal for $15.99.

Whiskey Dicks, 801 S. Seneca: Offering a special Friday menu during Lent that includes three $10.99 meal choices: two fish or shrimp tacos with fries; fish and chips with garlic slaw; or fried shrimp and fries with garlic slaw.