Wichita’s College Hill neighborhood has no shortage of places to grab a bite — but only one spot has managed to consistently pack tables, earn raving fans, and hold a permanent spot on every local foodie’s must-visit list. 🍔
Dempsey’s Burger Pub, tucked inside the charming Clifton Square shopping center, is the kind of place that turns first-timers into regulars and regulars into evangelists.
How Dempsey’s Burger Pub Won Wichita’s Hearts
Founded in Lawrence, Kansas in 2008, Dempsey’s Burger Pub made its mark as a locally owned and family-operated restaurant long before it ever set foot in Wichita.
When Wichita native Steve Gaudreau — a restaurateur with a proven track record — brought the concept to Clifton Square in 2014, he wasn’t just opening another burger joint; he was planting a flag for upscale, chef-driven burgers at an approachable price point 🏆.
The building itself had a storied past, cycling through multiple failed restaurant concepts since 1974 — but Gaudreau saw potential where others had stumbled.
He transformed the upper level into a warm, inviting dining area and stocked the lower-level bar with an impressive rotating selection of craft beers, instantly giving the space a dual personality: a proper pub downstairs, a gourmet burger destination upstairs 🍺.
The formula was simple but powerful: take fresh, never-frozen Black Angus beef, apply chef-level technique, stack it with creative and locally inspired toppings, and serve it all in an atmosphere that feels equally welcoming whether you’re on a first date or celebrating a decade of marriage 🎉.
By the time food writers and online reviewers started paying attention, Dempsey’s had already racked up a loyal following and over 200 five-star reviews on popular platforms, earning recognition as one of the best burgers in all of Kansas.
The combination of consistently excellent service, imaginative gourmet burger offerings, and a pub atmosphere that feels genuinely neighborhood-rooted has kept Dempsey’s thriving for over a decade in a city that takes its food seriously 💪.
Food Highlights
- Bourbon Apple Brie Burger: A Wagyu patty crowned with bourbon-candied apples, silky brie cheese, local microgreens, bacon, and garlic aioli.
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Up-N-Down Burger: Two thin Black Angus patties stacked with cheddar cheese, grilled onions, tomato, Bibb lettuce, and house thousand island. 🙌
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Leopold Apple Whiskey BBQ: A Black Angus patty dressed with house pickles, bacon, cheddar cheese, and Leopold Bros. Apple Whiskey BBQ sauce — a Kansas-proud crowd-pleaser.
- Bleu Burger: Maytag bleu cheese, bacon, and shallot marmalade on a Black Angus patty — simple, bold, and deeply satisfying for bleu cheese devotees. 🧀
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Bacon Mushroom Swiss: Sautéed domestic mushrooms, crispy bacon, Swiss cheese, garlic aioli, all on a pretzel bun. 🍄
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Picante Burger: Pepper jack cheese, spicy pepper purée, jalapeños, and banana peppers with hot wing sauce available on request. 🌶️🔥
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El Pollo Verde: Herb-marinated grilled chicken topped with tomato, mozzarella, jalapeño chimichurri, avocado mash, bacon, and local microgreens. 🌿
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Hot Hawaiian Wagyu Burger: A Wagyu patty with pineapple-jalapeño chutney, Bibb lettuce, sriracha aioli, pretzel bun, and bacon — sweet heat perfection.🍍
Atmosphere
Dempsey’s Burger Pub delivers a modern industrial feel inside Clifton Square — exposed surfaces, warm lighting, and a genuinely inviting Irish pub energy that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile.
The lower-level bar hums with activity, stocked with craft beers and cocktails, while the upper dining area offers a slightly more relaxed setting for sit-down meals with friends or family.
Outdoor seating and a dog-friendly patio round out the experience, making it just as appealing on a warm Kansas evening as it is on a cozy winter night 🐾.
Bottom Line
Dempsey’s is a one-of-a-kind Wichita burger gem — locally owned, expertly crafted, and beloved for over a decade.
It’s got creative gourmet burgers, unmatched service, a fun pub atmosphere, addictive truffle fries, and a track record that speaks for itself. Go hungry. Leave happy. 🍔🍺
Address:
3700 E Douglas Ave #78, Wichita, KS 67208
📞 (316) 425-3831
🕔 Mon–Thu & Sun: 11 AM–10 PM | Fri–Sat: 11 AM–11 PM | Bar: Daily 11 AM–2 AM