Are there papers in evolutionary game theory that are influential in economics? The concept of evolutionary game theory has been around for about forty years. The mathematical details are worked out quite well. Yet this discipline is usually a side note in game theory classes and is seldom applied in economics research. Have there been any papers in this field that are considered influential in economics?

To clarify:  There are a lot of papers about the connection of game theory and evolutionary game theory, but only a few that seek to apply evolutionary game theory to explain some economic phenomenon.

I know of this paper by Vega-Redondo and this paper by Schaffer.
Kandori, Michihiro &amp; Mailath, George J &amp; Rob, Rafael, 1993. "Learning, Mutation, and Long Run Equilibria in Games," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 61(1), pages 29-56, January.

Young, H Peyton, 1993. "The Evolution of Conventions," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 61(1), pages 57-84, January.

I disagree with your assertion that EGT is seldom applied or that it has not been  influential.  Both of the papers referenced above appear in RePEc's list of the
top 1% of citations.

Allowing preferences to 'change' can generate just about any equilibrium you want, so the premise behind EGT is a tough sell in many economic models - not to say compelling research hasn't done so.  The bottom line is that it isn't a part of the atmosphere where mere mortals can tread.

EGT has, in fact, been applied to many problems in economics as well as those traditionally parsed by the other social sciences - particularly the evolution of social norms, political representation, voting, and distributive justice.