Other Kansas Restaurants Not as uniquely memorable, but still worth a visit

Brookville Hotel, 105 E LaFayette Ave, Abilene, KS 67410
(785) 263-2244. Last visited in May, 2009

Lawrence: The Free State Brewing Company opened in 1989 as the first legal brewery in Kansas in over 100 years. Filling two floors of an attractive old building in a bustling part of the college town, this Brew Pub always feels like something is happening. Free State appeals to a wide range of customers by providing an exciting & varied menu, excellent food and superior service. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

Expect to have a hard time making a selection. I always find several items that I really want to try. Although I am not a beer drinker, authoritative sources say that the beers and barley wines are excellent. Open 7 days week. More photos and a detailed review.

Free State Brewing, 636 Massachusetts St, Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 843-4555. Last visited in September, 2008

Abilene: Kirby House Restaurant is in a large mansion, built in 1885. The menu is limited to 10-15 items (2 of them vegetarian).

Everything sampled at eh Kirby House has been excellent. Be sure to try the deserts, which are brought out on a tray for your consideration. The apple crumb cake with cinnamon ice-cream and butter pecan topping is great!

The setting is mixed elegant, attractive, and well furnished. The service has always been very good, and prices are reasonable.

Kirby House Restaurant, 205 NE 3rd St., Abilene, KS 67410
(785) 263-7336. Last visited in January, 2007

Lawrence: Local Burger in Lawrence, Kansas is the kind of restaurant you might only find in a Kansas college town. A burger joint where they care as much about how the meal impacts the environment and how good it is for you, as how good it tastes.

The menu at Local Burger includes information on where the items were grown. That includes such items as grass fed only beef from Homespun Hill Farm in Baldwin, grass fed only buffalo burger from Sunset Ridge Bison in Lawrence, and "progressive potatoes" - French fries that are organically grown and fried in coconut oil.

Local Burger 714 Vermont Street, Lawrence, KS 66044
(785) 856-7827. Last visited in February, 2009

Abilene: Mr. K's Farmhouse is located at the edge of town, the large old farmhouse features reasonably priced country style food. Chicken fried steak, fried chicken rib eye, pork chops. One of the house specialties is steak strips - deep fried strips of steak - $7 with salad, soup and choice of potato.

To get 50% off on your birthday, you have to stand up and bend over for a spanking with a paddle. The paddles are marked with the name and birthday and the restaurant is full of paddles full of names. I think I would pay the full price, but Dwight Eisenhower was paddled on his 75th birthday.

Mr. K's Farmhouse, 407 South Van Buren, Abilene, KS 67410
(785) 263-7995. Last visited in January, 2008

Lawrence: Nancy Nguyen opened The Orient Vietnamese Cuisine 20 years ago in a small store front.

Just reasonably priced, wonderful Vietnamese Food! There are many good items, but I enjoy the spring rolls and Phad Thai so much that I tend to order the same food over and over. There isn't much atmosphere, other than the sound of the staff speaking Vietnamese in the kitchen, and the children (or by now, I assume, grandchildren) that are often quietly playing at one of the tables.

Open for lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday. The Orient recently moved next door, sharing space with Southern Cuisine. The sign on the door says they now have Sunday hours, but they were closed the Sunday I recently visited.

The Orient, 1006 Massachusetts, Lawrence, Kansas 66044
(785) 843-0561. Last visited in May, 2009

Altoona: The Prairie Nut Hut in Altoona, Kansas is a unique little bar and grill that is worth a visit. It is a fun place to get generous servings of hamburgers, chicken fried steak and mountain oysters. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine.

The Prairie Nut Hut seats less than 40 customers. The floor is littered with peanut shells and the walls are decorated with Christmas lights, "I had a ball at the Prairie Nut Hut" T-shirts offered for sale, & messages like "Come in and have a seat, our mountain oysters are hard to beat." More photos and a longer review.

Prairie Nut Hut, 1306 Quincy Street, Altoona, KS 66710
(620) 568-2900. Last visited in April, 2009

Leavenworth: The Corner Pharmacy - I can't say enough about the soda fountain and lunch counter at the Corner Pharmacy in Leavenworth. The food is excellent and the prices will help take you back in time. A great hand dipped shake served in a tall fountain glass with extra milkshake in the metal malt cup on the side is only $2.39.

This is one of the gems that you should make an extra effort to visit.

The Corner Pharmacy, 429 Delaware, Leavenworth, KS 66048
(913) 682-1602. Last visited in August, 2008

Assaria: Renaissance Cafe surrounds a sunken gymnasium in an 89 year old high school building. During the day, the Renaissance Cafe serves the kind of food you would expect to fine in a rural Kansas restaurant, but on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the Cafe has a different chef and becomes a reasonably priced, fine Italian restaurant.

Evening house specialties include Cardamom Crusted Duck Breast, Steak Venato, and Pan Fried Beef Liver. Entrees range $14-19 and come with a choice of salad or soup, a vegetable and starch of the day.
More photos and a longer review.

Renaissance Cafe, 210 N Center Street, Assaria, KS 67416
(785) 667-5535. Last visited in May, 2009

Lincoln: Hungry Hunter has great specials every day. Thursdays it is all you can eat fired chicken for $7.95. Some of the stand out dishes are chicken fired steak, liver & onions, coleslaw and homemade pies. I love the sour cream and raisin pie - topped with real whipped cream.

The Hungry Hunter restaurant has a high old tin ceiling and the walls are lined with stuffed animals and antique kitchen ware. The Hungry Hunter was first recommended by Eric Abraham of the Flying Pig Gallery.

Hungry Hunter, 109 W Lincoln Avenue, Lincoln, KS 67455
(785) 524-5246. Last visited in October, 2007

Baxter Springs: Cafe on the Route is located on Historic Route 66 in an 1870s bank building once robbed by Jessie James and Cole Younger.

The menu has many interesting and reasonably priced offerings. With most complete lunches priced from $5.50 to $6.50 and most complete dinners under $14, this restaurant is very reasonable as well as interesting and serving great food. Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.

Cafe on the Route, 1101 Military Avenue, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
(620) 856-5646 Last visited in April, 2008

Merriam: El Pulgarcito Restaurant has the first Salvadoran food I have had, and I love it. The menu is fairly limited and devoted half to Mexican food, half to food from El Salvador. I haven't had the Mexican dishes yet.

In addition to good chicken and shrimp dishes, I like the pupusas (corn flour flat bread stuffed with meat, cheese or beans). It comes with a large jar of curtido (Central American kimchi) to eat on the side.

El Pulgarcito Restaurant, 5921 Merriam Drive, Merriam, KS 66203
(913) 384-3887. Last visited in June, 2009

Beaumont: Beaumont Hotel is a popular weekend destination that was started in 1879 as a stagecoach and railroad stop. The Beaumont Hotel has both a regular dinning room decorated as a 50’s style diner. There is a nearby grass airstrip and planes can be taxied up to the hotel. There are three different guest registers: motorcyclists, pilots, and other guests.

Serving lunch and supper on Wednesday & Thursday, all three meals on Friday & Saturday, and breakfast and lunch on Sundays. Take your camera for the 120 year old wooden water tower across from the hotel .

Beaumont Hotel, 11651 SE Main St, Beaumont, Kansas 67012
(620) 843-2422. Last visited in April, 2008

Newton: The Breadbasket is a modest sized bakery and Mennonite influenced restaurant that is particularly known for its breakfast buffets and its Saturday night German buffet. The baked goods are all very good and the sausage is the best I have ever had. The diner buffet is only $9.

Open until 5:30 through the week and until 8:30 on Friday & Saturday. Closed Sunday. The biggest surprise is that the Cafe has free wireless internet. The Breadbasket is far from fine dining, but it is good dining.

The Breadbasket, 219 North Main, Newton, Kansas 67114
(316) 283-3811. Last visited in March, 2007

Bunker Hill: Bunker Hill Cafe is in a 1917 limestone building that was originally a drugstore and soda fountain. The current restaurant was opened in 1974. This popular steakhouse is open only Wednesday evening through Saturday.

The steaks are exceptional. In addition to beef, Bunker Hill cafe has buffalo and occasionally elk. If elk is available, when you visit, don't miss it. The honey baked breads, baked daily, are popular and available by the loaf to take home. With only about 12 tables, reservations are highly recommended. Bunker Hill Cafe is worth making a special effort to visit.
More photos and a longer review.

Bunker Hill Cafe, 6th & Elm, Kansas 67626
(785) 483-6544. Last visited in January, 2009

Olpe: Chicken House is a 50 year old, family restaurant in Olpe, south of Emporia, Kansas. It is the kind of place where diners converse across the dining room, most of the men wear hats, the napkins are in dispensers on the tables, and the French fries are called Freedom Fries.

The food at Chicken House is good, and unusually reasonable. Service is adequate and friendly. Open Monday through Saturday.

Chicken House, 8 East Highway 99, Olpe, Kansas 66865
(620) 475-3386. Last visited in April, 2008

Casoday Cafe - Casoday, Kansas Cassoday: Cassoday Cafe shares the tiny town with a couple of antique shops, a general store and a gas station. Established in 1879. It is only open for breakfast & lunch on Tuesday – Saturday.

There is a lunch buffet at Cassoday Cafe on the second Sunday of the month, but the big event is the first Sunday, when the cafe is open until noon with a motorcycle breakfast buffet. The breakfast has become so popular that tents are set up in the street in front of the restaurant. The record is 1,589 riders on one morning.

The lunch buffet has good, simple food. The best part is the deserts which make up a third of the small selection. The strawberry shortcake and peach cobbler were excellent. In all fairness, the Cassoday Cafe probably wouldn't be noticed in a larger town, but it is a long drive to a better option along this stretch of I-35.

Cassoday Cafe & Catering, 211 Main St., Cassoday, KS 66842
(620) 735-4432. Last visited in June, 2007

Overland Park: Andre’s Confiserie Suisse and Rivaz Tearoom in Overland Park, Kansas makes high quality chocolate candies, French pastries & tortes and service light authentic Swiss lunches.

Andre and Elsbeth Bollier immigrated from Basel, Switzerland to Kansas City in June of 1955, and opened typical a Swiss Confiserie south of the Country Club Plaza at 5018 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri in October of that year. Andre's quickly became a Kansas City tradition. Andre's daughter Brigitte and husband Kevin opened Andre’s Confiserie Suisse in Overland Park, Kansas in 2002.

Andre’s Confiserie Suisse, 4929 West 119th Street Overland Park, Kansas 66209 (913) 498-3440. Last visited in January, 2009

Coffeyville: Tavern on the Plaza is in a handsome building, a former men's clothing store that was carefully renovated and converted into a two level bar and restaurant.

The menu is boring (just a list of items with no descriptions) and I was a bit disappointed at first. When the server was asked for suggestions, he basically just listed the items on the menu. Though later he was enthusiastic about describing the history of the building and its remodeling.

But my meal was good: 12 ounce Kansas City Strip with three large deep fried shrimp. The steak and shrimp were both superior. The service was good, and the steak was cooked exactly as ordered (most Kansas restaurants overcook steak). Better yet, the meal was only $15.99 with salad and potato.

Tavern on the Plaza, 902 Walnut St, Coffeyville, KS 67337
(620) 251-8700. Last visited in November, 2006

Overland Park: Fritz's Chili carries on the tradition of Dixon's Famous Chili, a favorite of Harry Truman. This location and all of its fixtures are over 40 years old.

The "chili" isn't what you might expect. It is lightly seasoned ground beef, with or without beans. That's it - anything else is what you add. Other items to blend in, including cheese, onions, jalapeno sauce, and ketchup, are available on the side for a small additional fee. Finish your meal across the parking lot at the the original Sheridan's Frozen Custard.

Overland Park Restaurant Guide.

Fritz's Chili, 6737 W 75th Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66204
(913) 381-3543 . Last visited in February, 2008

Council Grove: Trail Days Bakery Cafe is located in the 1861 limestone Terwilliger Home. The small complex of old buildings is a combination museum, cafe and bakery.

There are six buildings in the complex and the time period ranges from the 1850's to the 1950's. The food at the Trail Days Bakery Cafe is made from scratch midwest farm fare. The dishes I've tried were average, but very reasonably priced.

Hays House 1857, 112 West Main, Council Grove, Kansas 66846
(620) 767-5911. Last visited in September, 2008

Overland Park: Broadmoor Bistro is a restaurant operated by students at Broadmoor Technical Center (part of the Shawnee Mission School District) in Overland Park, Kansas. The Bistro is only open Wednesday evenings during the school year and advanced reservations are required. For $25 you get your choice of two items from two appetizers or soup or salad, choice of entree, and choice of desert.

One Friday a month baking and culinary arts students sell pies, tarts, cookies, cakes & breads, and several times a year, the Broadmoor Bistro hosts James Beard Foundation dinners at $50 for a 5 course meal by a nationally known chef.
More photos, longer review and reservation information.

Overland Park Restaurant Guide.
Broadmoor Bistro, 6701 West 83rd Street, Overland Park, KS 66204
No telephone. Last visited in April, 2009

Council Grove: Hays House 1857 was opened by Daniel Boone's Grandson in 1857. Although it has changed hands several times, it is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Its customers have included Jesse James and George Armstrong Custer.

The Hays House serves mainly country style food with generous servings. Specialties include skillet fried chicken, crunch chicken salad, bone-in Beulah's Ham, prime rib, and great pies. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

Hays House 1857, 112 West Main, Council Grove, Kansas 66846
(620) 767-5911. Last visited in January, 2008

Paola: The BBQ Shack was one of the youngest restaurants to make KansasTravel.org's listing of Unique Kansas Restaurants. Although the folks with the BBQ Shack have been catering BBQ for many years, this fun little restaurant just opened in May of 2006.

The BBQ Shack has developed a big reputation in a short period of time. They do that on the strength of friendly people, a cool, interesting little building, and doing an outstanding job smoking meats. BBQ Shack was featured on Dinners, Drive Ins, Dives during the fall of 2007. The BBQ Shack moved to a new location in the fall of 2008.

The BBQ Shack, 705 North Pearl Street Paola, Kansas 66071
(913) 294-5908. Last visited in February, 2009

Dover: Sommerset Hall Cafe has an interesting history. The building began as the Sage General Store in the late 1800s. The Oddfellows Lodge began meeting in the upstairs in 1902 and purchased the building in 1905. The Dover Lodge (I.O.O.F #490) still meets in Sommerset Hall today. The Cafe which occupies the lower floor of the building became nationally famous in November 2008 when Good Morning America Weekend announced that the Coconut Cream Pie baked by Sommerset Hall Cafe's Norma Grubb was the winner of their Best Slice Challenge.

Sommerset Hall Cafe 701 SW Douglas Road, Topeka, Kansas 66610 (785) 256-6223. Last visited in March, 2009

Paola: Beethoven's 9th: The Restaurant is a German restaurant just off the square in Paola, Kansas. Beethoven's 9th is only open Thursday through Saturday. The menu includes German food, steaks, seafood, hamburgers and other sandwiches. The Jaeger Schnitzel is so good that I almost licked the plate.

Beethoven's 9th offers 20 side dishes, including hot German potato salad, spaetzle, red cabbage, sauerkraut, baked potato and Caesar salad. Save room for the cookies, or buy some to take home with you.

Beethoven's 9th: The Restaurant, 110 West Peoria, Paola, KS 66071
(913) 294-5908. Last visited in February, 2009

Fairway: Few restaurant openings have been as anxiously awaited as the April 2008 opening of Stroud's Restaurant & Bar in Fairway, Kansas.The Stroud's tradition dates back to 1933.

Stroud's is famous for famous for generous servings of skillet fried chicken, chicken fried steak, pork chops, and fried catfish, served family style along with very popular cinnamon rolls. I am particularly fond of their chicken soup, fried gizzards and cottage fried potatoes. Go on a week night or for lunch to avoid a long wait for a table.

Stroud's Restaurant & Bar, 4200 Shawnee Mission Parkway
Fairway, Kansas 66205 (913) 262-8500. Last visited in January, 2009

Pittsburg: 1106 Drive In isn't much to look at and the service is slow, but if you are looking for drive-in style food, you will find none better. Great burgers with grilled onions, homemade onion rings, corn dogs, foot long chili dogs (the chili is made fresh daily) pork tenderloins, Suzy-Qs, and malts.

The 1106 Drive In has been operating for over 50 years and still has the original sign on top of the building. 1106 recently changed hands, but on my last visit, everything was still as good.

Closed Sundays.

1106 Drive-in, 1106 S. Broadway; Pittsburg, KS 66762
(620) 231-9440. Last visited in April, 2008

Fredonia: Beef Burger Bob's opened in the 1950s as the Icebox Drive In. Bob and Tony Babcock bought the Iceberg in 1972. Over time they expanded it into a restaurant and renamed it with the nickname that their customers had given to Bob.

Beef burgers are loose meat sandwiches, much in the spirit of NuWay and Maid-Rite, but beef burgers are not as crumbly and hold together better. Everything that I have tried at Bob's, including beef burgers, cheeseburgers, hand breaded pork tenderloin, and fresh Susie Q's, is very good. More photos and a detailed review.

Beef Burger Bob's, 1218 North Second Street, Fredonia, KS 66736
(620) 378-2556. Last visited in May, 2008

Salina: The Cozy Inn sells hamburgers by the sack. The tiny burgers are prepared on an 85 year old grill that is only used to cook burgers. There are only 6 seats at the restaurant's old counter.

The Cozy Inn changed hands a few years ago. The new owner kept things much the same, except the hamburgers are now 16 to the pound, down from 25. The only items sold in the Cozy Inn are hamburgers, potato ships, soda and some Cozy Inn souvenirs.

More photos and detailed review. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

The Cozy Inn, 108 N 7th St., Salina, Kansas 67401
(785) 825-2699. Last visited in May, 2009

Hutchinson: R-B Drive In is a 61 year old classic local restaurant with great burgers and hand made French fries and onion rings.

R-B's hamburgers are available in a variety of sizes, up to the double beltbuster, a 2 pound hamburger for $10. The "home cut" French fries are great, and a bargain at 90 cents. You can get a whole pound of them for only $1.90.

R-B Drive In has very limited hours. They are only open until 4PM, Monday-Saturday. 5:30PM on Friday.

R-B Drive In, 201 East Avenue A Hutchinson, Kansas 67501
(620) 662-9713. Last visited in February, 2009

Seward: Mom's Bar and Grill is the only restaurant on this list on an unpaved street. None of the streets in Seward are paved. From the outside the restaurant looks like a metal shed and there is a poured cement floor. But the people are friendly, the food is good and it is a long drive to the next place. Mom's is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone else and there are conversations across the dinning room.

Mom's is reasonable. Dinners including salad, potato and vegetable range from $5.95 to $14.25 (steak & shrimp). I love Mom's chicken fried steak sandwich. But save room for pie (only $1.50). I love the way the menu says they have pie "Only When Available." You may want to buy a "Where the Hell is Seward Kansas" T-shirt.

Mom's Bar and Grill, 420 Lincoln, Seward, KS 67576
(620) 458-3554. Last visited in August, 2008

Hutchinson: Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ is a small family run restaurant that has been in operation in Hutchinson, Kansas since 1982. Roy's is only open Tuesday to Saturday from 11AM until 3PM, or until the meat runs out.

Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ smokes briskets, boston butts, turkey breast, bone-in hams, St. Louis style ribs, and both hot links and mild polish sausage links.

Roy's Hickory Pit BBQ, 1018 Nickerson Blvd, Hutchinson, KS 67501
(620) 663-7421. Last visited in February, 2009

Smolan, Kansas: The Hickory Tree Restaurant is a unique Kansas Restaurant. Hickory Tree Restaurant occupies the former Smolan High School which operated from 1926-1950. From 1946-1987 elementary and middle school classes were held here. The Holzworths started a catering business out of the old school in 1993, and 3 years later opened the BBQ Restaurant. Open only Friday & Saturday evenings and Sunday for lunch, Hickory Tree serves buffet style with plastic plates and forks.

Hickory Tree Restaurant, 304 E. Walnut St., Smolan, KS 67456
(785) 668-2164. Last visited in June, 2008

Independence: Uncle Jack's is a more sophisticated restaurant then I expected. The trendy restaurant is named for the owner's uncle, who was a New York fashion photographer. His photos decorate the two level restaurant and bar. The menu is quite appealing and making a choice is difficult. The servings are generous and the food is excellent and reasonably priced. For atmosphere, quality and value, Uncle Jack's is a standout.

Uncle Jack's, 104 North Penn Ave, Independence, KS 67301
(620) 331-5225. Last visited in May, 2008

Stafford: The Curtis Cafe has been operated by Jack and Musetta Curtis since 1982. The interesting old building has housed a restaurant since 1946.

The Curtis Cafe still has the original counter and is best known for its homemade pies and for the completed jigsaw puzzles which line the walls. I think the hand written menu is charming.

Curtis Cafe, 104 South Main Street, Stafford, Kansas 67578
(620) 234-5644. Last visited in February, 2009

Junction City: Korean Garden is one of the newer Korean restaurants in Junction City, Kansas. I've never had a dish at Korean Garden that I didn't like.

My favorite main dishes include kalbi (BBQ short ribs), bulgogi (Korean BBQ beef) and ojinguh nokum (spicy stir fried baby octopus). Most dinners range from $12-17 and come with steamed rice and a variable selection of side dishes. My favorite sides so far have been the cucumber kim chee and sautéed mushrooms.

Korean Garden, 310 Grant Avenue, Junction City, KS 66441
(785) 238-8292. Last visited in May, 2009

Tonganoxie: Bichelmeyer's Steakhouse is located in the 1907 Zoeller Mercantile building in Tonganoxie, Kansas. The owners, trace its origins to a restaurant and a meat market that were located in Kansas City, Kansas in the 1940s.

The food is good, as is the service. The furnishings are reminiscent of the 1960s. The dining room is filled with movie star photos and cutouts. The men's room and the hall leading to it are devoted to Marilyn Monroe.

Bichelmeyer's Steakhouse, 427 E. 4th St, Tonganoxie, KS 66086 (913) 369-2337. Last visited in April, 2007

Junction City: Pusan Restaurant & Korean Dinner is the kind of tiny out of the way place that we all hope to find. The woman who is usually behind the counter has run Pusan for 20 years. She is funny and friendly, though I have some trouble understanding her.

On your first visit, get the Lunch Special. It is $6.50 before 1:30 PM and $10 the rest of the day. After about 5 minutes the food will come - generous portions of bulgogi, 2 mando, fried rice, several different types of kimchi, and 3 garlic chicken wings. Wonderful food! I particularly liked the bulgogi (thin strips of slightly sweet BBQ steak), cucumber kimchi and radish kimchi. More photos and detailed review.

Pusan Diner, 1634 N Washington St., Junction City, KS 66441
(785) 238-8848. Last visited in May, 2009

Topeka: Bobo's Drive In is a classic old drive in that has been operating in Topeka, Kansas since 1948, and has been at this location on 10th Avenue since 1953. There is a small area with counter or table service, but half of their customers are served by the car-hops

The best items sampled were Bobo's cheeseburger and handmade onion rings. The French fries, Coney Island, chocolate malt, and pork tenderloin were also good, though the tenderloin did not appear to be hand breaded. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

Bobo's Drive-In, 2300 SW 10th Avenue, Topeka, KS 66604
(785) 234-4511. Last visited in August, 2008

Kansas City: Rice and Beans Cafe is the new name of Cafe Venezuela - an interesting, tiny restaurant, only about 12 by 40 feet. The menu has items from many Latin American countries including Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. It feels like you are dining in a South or Central American cafe.

Expect the look of Rice and Beans Cafe to continue to change over the next few months. Jose is slowly remodeling the South American restaurant, but doing it on a tight budget. On my last visit, the posters that previously lined the walls were gone, and Jose described the paintings that he would like to get to replace them.
More photos and a detailed review.

Rice & Beans Cafe , 719 Central Avenue Kansas City, KS 66101
(913) 233-2660 Last visited in March, 2009

Topeka: Seabrook Tavern & Grill was owned by the same family since 1957, but changed hands in 2006. On a revisit under the new owners, the food sampled was unchanged.

Specialties include chicken fried steak, fresh cut french fries & chips, Rocky Mountain oysters, and hamburgers in 1/4, 1/2, 1 pound and 3 pound sizes. They bake their own buns daily. This popular neighborhood bar is one block west of 21st Street and Gage. Don't expect anything fancy. I think my favorite thing at Seabrook Tavern is their french fries. I'm also fond of the Bomber Hot Dog - smothered in Swiss cheese, Jalapeno peppers, sauerkraut and onions.

Seabrook Tavern & Grill, 2105 Mission Ave, Topeka, KS 66614
(785) 271-8986. Last visited in December, 2009

Kansas City: Fritz's Railroad Restaurant - At Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, the food is delivered to your table by a small train. The food is typical drive-in fare, though the chili and shakes are better than average. The chili is very meaty (about like a sloppy Joe) and has few beans. It is spicy but not too "hot."

This restaurant will please your children and the small child hiding in you.

Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, 250 N 18th Street, KC, KS 66102
(913) 281-2777. Last visited in April, 2009

Wichita: B & C Barbeque occupies a former garage on the edge of the Old Town section of Wichita. The front has a gift shop selling decorative items. The back has a wonderful BBQ buffet, available only at lunch Monday - Saturday. This isn't even a little fancy. The plates are disposable and you bus your own table.

If you like food with the lots of flavor, you will never find a barbeque restaurant better than B & C Barbeque.

B & C BBQ 355 N. Washington Street, Wichita, KS 67202
(316) 807-9119. Last visited in June, 2008

Kansas City: Mad Jack's Fresh Fish is a neat little restaurant and fish market that has been operating for 25 years. There are two counters, one for purchasing uncooked fish & one for cooked, and 6 small booths.

Servings are generous and I was particularly particularly happy with the generous serving of fried oysters for $8.49.

Mad Jack's Fresh Fish, 1318 State Avenue, Kansas City, KS 66102
(913) 371-3384. Last visited in April, 2009

Wichita: Bomber Burger first opened in 1952, and it has been in the Rickard family since 1985.

Bomber Burger has a counter with five booths and four small, two person tables. The table are round and partially cut away so they can be squeezed closer to the wall. The (original) grill and fryer are 5 feet behind the counter and I took a seat where I could watch the meals being prepared. Other than beverages, the only items on the menu are fresh cut French fries and a variety of large hamburgers and double burgers. More photos and a detailed review.

Bomber Burger, 4860 South Clifton Avenue Wichita, Kansas 67216
(316) 522-6291. Last visited in June, 2009

Kansas City: Quick's Bar-B-Q has been operating since 1964. Founded by Earl Quick, this was the second location opened and it is operated by his son, Ron.

Quick's menu is large for a BBQ restaurant and includes many appetizers and such non typical items as catfish, cod, corn dogs, spiral cut deep fried hot dogs and hickory smoked, deep fried bologna sandwiches. My favorite items at Quick's Bar-B-Q are the ham, ribs, chili, and the fresh French fried potato wedges

Quick's Bar-B-Q, 1007 Merriam Lane, Kansas City, Kansas 66103
(913) 236-7228. Last visited in March 2009

Wichita: Nu-Way Cafe is the flagship of a small chain of restaurants serving crumbly, loose meat sandwiches - much like Maid-Rite. This was the very first Nu-Way and opened on July 4, 1930.

Great French fries and onion rings. The root beer is made daily and it is even better, it makes a wonderful root beer float. Everything I've tried at the Nu-Way Cafe is good. So good that after having my first meal at the Douglas Avenue Nu-Way, I returned for lunch the following day.

Get root beer to take home, by the half gallon.
More photos and a detailed review. Nominated for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine

Nu-Way Cafe, 1416 W Douglas Avenue, Wichita, KS 67203
(316) 267-1131. Last visited in June, 2009

Kansas City: Rosedale Barbeque - Kansas City is known for its BBQ and Rosedale Barbeque is one of the best and one of the least expensive. Rosedale BBQ has been in business since 1934, though they moved into the current facility about 1990.

Great fresh made sauce and tender and tasty ribs. The sides are good, including the fries which are served in a waxed paper bag. The counter help do a fantastic job of juggling multiple orders without ever writing anything down. You won't get to choose between Coke and Pepsi here - they serve RC Cola, along with Stewart's root beer in a bottle, or beer by the quart. More photos and a detailed review.

Rosedale Barbeque, 600 Southwest Boulevard, KC, KS 66103
(913) 262-0343. Last visited in May, 2009

Wichita: Savute's Italian Ristorante and the Stick and Rudder Club attached to it are a nice bar and Italian restaurant on the Northwest side of Wichita. The seats in the bar are all airline seats, and the bar and restaurant are filled with airplane memorabilia. The Savute family moved the restaurant to this location in 1952 and it is still run by the same family.

Although this is an Italian restaurant, the menu is eclectic and they also do a good job on items as diverse as fried oysters, ostrich steak and chicken gizzards. The steaks are popular! A very reasonably priced and comfortable restaurant.

Savute's Italian Ristorante 3303 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67219
(316) 838-0455. Last visited in August, 2008

Kansas City: Skillet Licker in Kansas City, Kansas serves incredibly good hot lil' doughnuts. The small family run cafe is in a lovely old building in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood.

Skillet Licker serves breakfast and lunch seven days a week. The hand breaded pork tenderloins are very good