|
With a population of 120,000 people, Olathe, Kansas is one
of the fastest growing communities in the country. Olathe has some of the
highest ranked schools in Kansas and Money magazine recently ranked Olathe
#11 on its list of the "100 Best Cities to Live in the United States."
 This
guide to Olathe restaurants and tourist attractions has my candid comments
and recommendations for things to do and places to dine in Olathe. I am
a 23 resident of Johnson County, and have worked in Olathe for the past
18 years. The good news is that Olathe has several unique museums &
attractions and over 160 restaurants. The bad news is that most of those
restaurants are national chains that you could visit anywhere. This list
will help you find the interesting locally owned restaurants.
Although the opportunities for shopping in Olathe have
greatly expanded in recent years, they are still lean. The largest collection
of retail stores in Olathe is at the Great Mall of the Great Plains on
151st Street west of I-35. The Olathe Great Mall is part outlet mall and
part something else. There is a Dickinson movie theatre and some good stores,
but there are a lot empty store fronts in the Great Mall.
Most of Olathe's other shopping is strip mall and/or big
box: Bass Pro, Kohl's, 2 Super Targets and 2 Super Walmarts. The largest
concentrations of retail stores are east of I-35 on Santa Fe and 119th
Streets.
When it was built, the AMC Studio 30 Theaters with
IMAX was the largest movie theater in the AMC chain. The Studio 30 now
has "fork and screen" theaters for adults only where you can order a meal,
snacks or beer. The AMC Studio 30 is located north of 119th Street on Strang
Line Road. The tickets are slightly more expensive, but they include a
credit toward the food or drink purchase.
This page devoted to Olathe, Kansas is a work in progress.
Please
email your suggestions for
more attractions and locally owned restaurants to be included. Be sure
to tell me what you like best about them.
For more nearby restaurants and attractions try
the guide to Overland Park Restaurants.
Olathe
Restaurants & Specialty Foods
 Ari's
Greek Restaurant may be the best place to get seafood in Olathe. My
favorites are the Mediterranean Style Jambalaya, Spicy Calamari
and the sautéed octopus appetizer served with lemon wedges
& pita bread. Ari's has a new Seafood buffet on Friday nights,
and a Greek buffet on Saturday nights.
Longer
review and more photos.
Ari's Greek Restaurant, 2049
East Santa Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062. (913) 393-3950. Last visited
in June 2010 |
 Jumpin'
Catfish Restaurant in Olathe, Kansas serves southern home cooked meals
which include family style servings of hush puppies, wedge cut or mashed
potatoes, creamy coleslaw, white beans with ham, and a kosher pickle. The
dinning room is decorated with stuffed birds, fish & other wildlife.
Longer
review and more photos.
Jumpin' Catfish Restaurant,
1861 S Ridgeview Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 829-3474. Last visited
in June 2010 |
 Austin's
Bar & Grill is one of the few restaurants in Olathe serving a full
menu until midnight and appetizers until 1AM. I am a fan of Austin's hamburgers,
which are half price on Mondays. They have a small fixings bar where you
select from about a dozen topping. But the Buffalo style chicken tenders
are my favorite.
Longer
review and more photos.
Austin's Bar & Grill,
2103 E 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913) 829-2106. Last visited in
July 2010 |
 Mariscos
Veracruz has great seafood from Veravuz Mexico such as Camarón
Y Pulpo (tostada heaped with Shrimp and Octopus Cocktail) the mojarra
frita grande (whole fried ocean perch). They also have great cabeza
(beef head) and lengua (tongue) soft tacos and good chips &
salsas.
Longer
review and more photos.
Mariscos Veracruz Restaurant,
117 South Kansas Avenue, Olathe, Kansas 66061-4434 (913) 397-6940 Last
visited in January 2010 |
 Best
Regards bakery in Olathe, Kansas makes candies and bakes a wide variety
of gourmet cookies. I am a fan of the baked from scratch, soft cookies.
My favorites are the chocolate chip and Toby's Spiced Apple Pie cookies.
Best Regards' snickerdoodle tea cookies were featured on the Rachael
Ray Show.
Longer
review and more photos.
Best Regards, 1455 North Winchester
Street Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 782-1505. Last visited
in November 2008 |
 McGuire's
Smokehouse moved into the former Big Bubba's
BBQ location in February of 2009. McGuire's is a difficult place to
review, I think that some people will love it, while others will not care
much for it at all. The menu is fairly small: 8 smoked meats, smoked hamburgers
and about 10 side items.
Longer
review and more photos.
McGuire's Smokehouse, 16693
West 151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 7839-2770. Last visited in
July 2010 |
 China
Buffet is my favorite Chinese mega-buffet in Johnson County, Kansas.
There are 5 large food tables with a wide variety of items that seemed
hot and fresh. My favorite items were Thai chicken, fried fish (species
unidentified), and a fish row sushi roll.
China Buffet includes
a Mongolian BBQ. It isn't as large a selection as a stand alone Mongolia
BBQ, but does a credible job as a part of the buffet.
China Buffet, 2030
East Santa Fe Street 66062. (913) 393-0868.
Last visited in August 2010 |
 Mom's
Kitchen is a much more pleasant place to dine now that Olathe has banned
smoking. Mom's has a large, diner style menu and quick service. The food
is more consistent than special. Real mashed potatoes, chicken fried steak,
biscuits & gravy, and big 10 ounce hamburgers.
Longer
review and more photos.
Mom's Kitchen, 530 East Santa
Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 782-3542. Last visited in
April 2010 |
 Chapala
is a Mexican restaurant with bright festive decor. The menu is several
pages long and has many inexpensive selections. I don't care for Chapala's
salsa (which tastes like just tomato sauce), but the chips are good. I
particularly like their fajitas and the "Especial Chapala" which includes
several meats is the best fajitas I have ever had. Many meals are available
for under $5.
Chapala, 105 S. Claiborne
Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913) 390-0280. Last visited
in March, 2010 |
 Oklahoma
Joe's Barbecue in Olathe, Kansas is Oklahoma Joe's second restaurant
location. The original Oklahoma Joe's is in a working gasoline station
in Kansas City, Kansas. But the Olathe location is much larger and has
a BBQ supply store next door.Be prepared for a long line if you arrive
at Oklahoma Joe's during a weekday lunch time. But the line usually moves
faster than you would expect. Longer review
and more photos.
Oklahoma Joe's Barbecue, 11950
Strang Line Road, Olathe, KS 66062 (913) 782-6858. Last visited in August
2010 |
 Celebrity's
Sidewalk Cafe in Olathe, Kansas provides good value, slightly above
average food, quickly. Along with your receipt, you will be given a celebrity
name. Perhaps Burt Reynolds or Madonna. When your food is ready, they will
page, "Burt Reynolds your order is ready"
Longer
review and more photos.
Celebrity's Sidewalk Cafe,
15175 West 119th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 764-4870. Last visited
in June 2009 |
 Old
56 Family Restaurant in Olathe, Kansas has a large, diner style menu
with interesting dishes that you are unlikely to find at chain restaurants.
Breakfast is served all day. Old 56 has some of the best chicken soup I
have ever had.
Longer
review and more photos.
Old 56 Family Restaurant,
912 South Chestnut Street. Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 390-9905 . Last visited
in November 2009 |
 The
recently opened
Double Nickel Diner has merged with the adjacent
Double
Nickel Bar & Grill in Olathe. My favorite items so far have been
the hand breaded chicken fried steak sandwich and the baby back ribs. The
burgers and prime rib sandwich are also good. The French fries are not
fresh cut, but are well prepared.
Longer
review and more photos.
Double Nickel Diner, 189 S
Rogers Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 782-9777. Last visited in
Ju;y 2010 |
 Pickering's
Restaurant and Pub is a popular neighborhood bar and grill. Go on Wednesday
to take advantage of the all day half price hamburger special. The kitchen
is open until 11PM on Friday and Saturday, with appetizers available until
midnight - the wings are great any time. Closed -
July 2010
Longer
review and more photos.
Pickering's Restaurant & Pub,
11922 S Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 782-6464. Last visited
in February 2010 |
 Fifty
Fourth Street Grill and Bar is the only Kansas location for this Kansas
City based regional chain. I've enjoyed the food during two recent visits.
Although the French fries were only average, a burger was large and cooked
to order. The Cabo Chicken Philly (third of a pound of thinly sliced chicken
breast, topped with pepper jack cheese, bell peppers, onions, jalapenos.
Shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, with a sour cream spread on a torpedo
roll) is generous very good.
54th Street Grill & Bar,
14750 South Harrison, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 764-0540. Last visited
in February 2010 |
 Ping's
Chinese Restaurant is one of the few restaurants near the Johnson County
courthouse and downtown Olathe. For good, fast inexpensive meals, Ping's
cannot be beat
On Monday - Thursday evenings, Ping's offers 16 carry
out, complete dinners for $5.99. Longer
review and more photos.
Ping's Chinese Restaurant,
409 E Santa Fe Street, Olathe, KS 66061
(913) 764-1002. Last visited in
April 2010 |
 Five
Guys serves fresh hamburgers with no preservatives, cooked to order.
Toppings like grilled onions or mushrooms are available at no additional
charge. The French fries are fresh and cooked in peanut oil. Yes, this
is a chain restaurant, but I think these are the best hamburgers in Olathe.
Longer
review and more photos.
Five Guys, 14965 West 119th
Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913) 780-4987. Last visited
in January 2010 |
 Sam's
Tastee Treat began as a Tastee Freeze in 1963. The menu includes over
40 flavors of shakes, plus items as diverse as chili dogs, cheeseburgers,
burritos, crab rangoon, and egg rolls. The food is fair, but except for
the sundaes and malts, I really go here for the atmosphere and tradition.
Longer
review and more photos.
Sam's Tastee Treat, 11950
Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 782-6858. Last visited in
March 2010 |
 Fred
P. Ott's Bar and Grill has a nice variety of daily specials and several
standbys including Fred P. Ott's "Biggie," 8 ounce hamburger. The kitchen
open until 10 PM weeknights and 11 PM Saturday and Sunday. The meat
served at Ott's is the same as the Plaza III steakhouse, though the preparation
doesn't seem to be the same.
Longer
review and more photos.
Fred P. Ott's Bar and Grille,
1100 W. Santa Fe, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 390-5955. Last visited in
February 2010 |
 Sheridan's
Frozen Custard started as a a single popular frozen custard shop in
Overland Park in 1998. Today there are 25 stores in 8 states. They use
Carvel custard machines manufactured up to 50 years ago. My favorite is
the butter pecan "concrete," soft custard that has had flavorings mixed
in. Forest J Ackerman the inventor of the phrase "sci fi," and former editor
of Famous Monsters of Filmland, absolutely loves Sheridan's Custard.
Sheridan's Frozen Custard,
11925 South Strang Line Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 393-3500. Last
visited in July 2009 |
 Garozzo's
Ristorante in Olathe, Kansas serves large servings of American Italian
cuisine in the style of The Hill in St. Louis. This location lacks
the atmosphere of Garozzo's original location in Kansas City, Missouri,
and I've had serious service issues at the the Olathe Garozzo's, including
being over charged during my last visit. Garozzo's is best known for their
chicken spedeni.
Garozzo's Ristorante, 13505
S. Mur-Len Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913)764-6969. Last visited in February
2009 |
 Smokin'
Joe's B-B-Q The daily lunch special at Smokin' Joe's is good value:
$8 including tax for a large BBQ sandwich, well cooked crinkle cut French
fries and soda. Or get the same deal on ribs, only on Mondays. Place your
order with the friendly people at the counter and the food comes out fast.
Open since 1989.
Longer
review and more photos.
Smokin' Joe's B-B-Q, 519 E
Santa Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 780-5511 Last visited
in August 2010 |
 Go
Chicken Go - The first Go Chicken Go was started in a Kansas City,
Kansas gas station in 1969. Today there are 5 locations run by the same
family including this one in Olathe, Kansas. The fried chicken is very
good, but this restaurant is known for its fried chicken gizzards and hot
"G-Sauce." Open until 11PM on Friday and Saturday.
Longer
review and more photos.
Go Chicken Go, 1000 South
Harrison Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 780-5900. Last visited in
May 2010 |
 Stir
It Up Café is a breakfast and lunch restaurant that has only
been open for a few months. The interior is stylish and modern. Breakfast
is served all day. Lunch service begins at
Closed
- May 2010
Longer
review and more photos.
Stir It Up Café, 4178
West 119th Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913) 829-7847. Last visited
in May 2010 |
 Gringo's
Restaurant in Olathe is a locally popular Mexican restaurant. Gringo's
isn't very authentic, but I enjoy their chili, tacos and corn chips. At
lunch on Wednesday and Friday, Gringo's has a Mexican buffet for only $6.49.
They also offer many complete lunches for under $5. Gringo's salsa is good
and comes free with the chips. Longer review
and more photos.
Gringo's Restaurant, 118 South
Clairborne Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 782-5922. Last visited in August
2010 |
 Sylas
& Maddy's Homemade Ice Cream makes 150 flavors of homemade
ice cream, and features 40 of them each day. I've only tried a few flavors,
but have liked every one that I have tried.
Longer
review and more photos.
Sylas & Maddy's Homemade Ice
Cream, 11925 South Strang Line Road, Olathe, KS 66062 (913) 393-3500.
Last visited in April 2010 |
 Haru's
Steak Sushi Place is the only Japanese Restaurant in Olathe. This contemporary
sushi bar and steakhouse has a $9 sushi dine-in lunch special which includes
soup or salad and the choice of two sushi rolls from a selection of 15.
The salad has a flavorful, slightly citrus dressing with a hint of peanut.
The sushi rolls which I tried, spicy crunchy crab roll and BBQ eel avocado
roll were both very good.
Haru's Steak Sushi Place,15202
W 119th Street, Olathe, KS 66062
(913) 780-1118. Last visited in
May 2010 |
 Tea
Garden has a high quality lunch buffet, superior to any other Chinese
restaurant I have tried in Kansas. The food turns over quickly and is always
fresh and good. I am really like their appetizers: dumplings, garlic
chicken wings, crab Rangoon and others. Only $7 including beverage and
tax. The atmosphere is pleasant and the walls are lined with wonderful
photos from China. The staff at Tea Garden provide good, friendly service.
Tea Garden, 12755 S Mur-Len
Road, Olathe, Kansas 66062
(913) 397-0057. Last visited
in August 2010 |
 Johnny's
BBQ in Olathe, is the second Johnny's location in Johnson County. Johnny's
has good specials and I think the best one is the Friday lunch special:
BBQ Ribs with fries, bread, pickle, and a regular drink for $7.49. 6 ribs,
which is a generous serving of meat for the price.
Longer
review and more photos.
Johnny's BBQ, 1375 West Highway
56, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 768-0777. Last visited in
August 2010 |
 The
Other Place American Sports Grill & Pizzeria is part of a small
chain with 7 locations in Iowa and 2 in Johnson County. The interior is
designed to reflect sound and is loud even when few people are there. The
food is pretty good. The large hand breaded country fried tenderloin with
gravy, real mashed potatoes and corn ($7.25) is great. The pizza is fine,
but servings are small for the price. Longer
review and more photos.
The Other Place, 16590 West
135th Street (Santa Fe), Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 397-0057. Last
visited in February 2010 |
Also check
out nearby restaurants in Overland Park Unique
Kansas Restaurants
Olathe
Tourist Attractions & Museums
| Advanced
Laser Tag has a 2 story, 6,000 square foot laser tag arena with an
observation deck. A new laser tag game starts every 15 minutes. Or the
facility can be booked for special events such as corporate team building,
church lock-ins or birthday parties. My company took all of our managers
there for a competition this spring and everyone talked about it for weeks.
Advanced Laser Tag 2026 East
Santa Fe - Olathe, Kansas 66062 - 913-254-9678 |
Johnson
County Old Settlers is over 100 years old and Olathe, Kansas' biggest
event of the year. The three day festival is held on the Thursday through
Saturday following Labor Day. Old Settlers includes free entertainment,
a carnival, children's performances, arts & crafts, auto show, and
one of the largest parades in Kansas. The community looks forward to the
food vendors each year and some folks just go to Old Settlers for the grange
pups or walking tacos.
Johnson County Old Settlers
downtown Olathe, Kansas |
| Bass
Pro Shop opened its first Kansas City store in Olathe in February of
2007. In addition to sports equipment, hunting & fishing gear, the
Olathe Bass Pro Shop has a prairie dog display, river bottom habitat and
a 12,000 gallon aquarium with Kansas fish such as bass, blue gill and catfish.
Seafood is available inside the store at the Islamorada Fish Company restaurant.
Bass Pro Shop 12051 Bass Pro
Drive, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 254-5200 |
Mahaffie
Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site in Olathe, Kansas
is the only Santa Fe Trail stagecoach stop that is open to the public.
There are three 19th century buildings as well as several 20th century
and reconstructed buildings. Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop hosts Wild West
Show & Bullwhacker Days in September, and a Christmas Open House
in December.
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop &
Farm Historic Site 1100 Kansas City Road, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913)
971-5111 |
| Buddy
Rogers Playhouse - The Olathe Community Theatre Association (OCTA)
offers live theater productions in the former 1870 Covenant Church. The
2009-2010
season includes plays by Christopher Durang and others. Tickets for
all shows are $15 for adults. Some special events are less expensive. Charles
'Buddy' Rogers was born in Olathe, and their annual awards are called the
Buddy Awards in his honor.
Olathe Community Theatre Association
500 East Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 782-2990 |
Marra
Museum of Deaf History and Deaf Culture has two exhibit halls and
tells two stories. The first half of the museum is devoted to Deaf culture
and the second half is devoted to the history of the Kansas School for
the Deaf. The Deaf community is composed mostly of those who have been
deaf since birth or very early childhood. Sign language is the first language
of those people who identify with Deaf culture and community.
Marra Museum of Deaf History and
Deaf Culture 455 East Park Street Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 782-5808 |
| Christmas
Card Lane is an entire subdivision of homes with extravagant Christmas
decorations, tied together thematically by giant Christmas cards with greetings
from each family. Over 200 hundred homes are decorated with Christmas lights
and luminaries. Most cars touring Christmas Card Lane turn off their headlights
and creep through the subdivision. Open evenings from Thanksgiving through
New Years. Free.
Christmas Card Lane North
of 151st Street along Frontier Lane & Butterfield Place, west of Ridgeview
Road in Olathe. |
Olathe
Memorial Cemetery has many interesting features and is the burial site
of governors from various states. In mid October there are evening tours,
where visitors meet the ghosts of those buried in Olathe Memorial Cemetery.
Visit the graves of some of Olathe's founders and meet the people who rest
here as they come alive to tell their stories including Bloody Kansas and
the Civil War.
Olathe Memorial Cemetery 738
N Chestnut Street, Olathe, Kansas (913) 971-5226 |
Cosmic
Mini Golf has three 18-hole, indoor miniature golf courses. Just the
thing to entertain the family on a rainy or snowy day. The obstacles are
not state of the art, but the glow in the dark black lights make it much
more festive.
Located in the Great
Mall of the Great Plains, which also has Game Zone arcade, Dickinson 16
movie theaters, and the tiny Zonkers indoor amusement park.
Cosmic Mini Golf 20080 West
151st Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061
(913) 764-5565 |
Penguin
Playground is a family Christmas display with nearly 150 lighted
figures. Many of the figures move, some play music, and there are even
penguin videos playing on the roof. This is one of the largest Christmas
Displays in metropolitan Kansas City. This is a Christmas display that
you will want to get out of your car and walk through. I think the Penguin
Playground will blow you away.
Penguin Playground 16617 Indian
Creek Parkway, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913)768-8800 |
| Ensor
Park and Museum is a seasonal museum devoted to teacher, craftsman
and amateur radio operator, Marshal Ensor. Marshall taught industrial arts
in Olathe, Kansas from 1915 to 1965. The seasonal museum occupies the Ensor
family farm buildings and 8 acres of the former farm. Ensor Farmsite is
both a National Historic Site and on the Register of Historic Kansas Places.
Ensor Park and Museum - 18995
W. 183rd Street, Olathe, Kansas 66062 (913) 592-4141 |
Sadlers
Indoor Racing offers go-kart racing 360 days a year. Choose from Grand
Prix, Oval, or European Style Road Race courses. The go-karts are imported
from England and reach speeds up to 45 mph. Race car drivers must be at
least 18 or have a waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian. Prices
starts a $10 for five minutes, with a small discount for groups of 10 or
more.
Sadlers Indoor Racing
325 North Mur-Len, Olathe, Kansas 66202 (913) 768-7700 |
| Ernie
Miller Nature Center and Park off Highway 7 has 3 miles of trails
open for hiking from Dawn to Dusk. The 113 acre park has an outdoor amphitheater,
large stream aquarium, bird feeder court with butterfly & hummingbird
gardens, and other exhibits including live amphibians, turtles & snakes.
Over 170 species of birds may be seen at Ernie Miller Nature Center during
various seasons of the year.
Ernie Miller Nature Center
909 North Highway 7, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 764-7759 |
Summer
Concert Series - The Olathe Parks & Recreation Department sponsors
an annual series of free outdoor concerts in Frontier Park on selected
Friday evenings. Sponsored in part by the Olathe
Ford RV Center, the 2008 concerts included performances by The Elders,
The Wilders and Liverpool (Beatles' tribute Band). The 2010 schedule will
be announced in the Spring.
Summer Concert Series,
Frontier Park, 15501 Indian Creek Parkway Olathe |
| Hidden
Glen Arts Festival includes a national juried art show, music, entertainment,
and children's activities. Sponsored in part by Olathe
Ford Lincoln Mercury, the outdoor festival features nearly 100 artists.
In 2009, the Hidden Glen Arts Festival was held September 19 & 20 from
10AM - 6PM Saturday, and 10AM - 4PM Sunday.
Hidden Glen Arts Festival,
Cedar Creek, south from the Cedar Creek Parkway exit on K-10 Highway (913)
961-2787 |
Traditions
Fire Company and Museum - Olathe's newest museum opened in the
spring of 2009. The one room museum has a 1955 American Lafrance Ladder
Truck and a handful of other exhibits. The free museum is scheduled to
be open Thursday through Sunday, but may be closed without warning. Admission
is free.
Traditions Fire Company and Museum,
The Great Mall of the Great Plains, 20175 W 151st Street #175, Olathe (913)
829-4319 |
| Indian
Creek Hike/Bike Trail is almost 17 miles long, with about 6 miles in
Overland Park, Kansas. The bike path is generally level and flat, but often
beautiful as it follows Indian Creek through various parks. It connects
to other hiking and bicycle trails in Kansas City, Missouri and Johnson
County, Kansas. On the other side of Olathe, Mill Creek Streamway Park
has another 17 miles of trails going all the way to the Kansas River.
Indian Creek Hike/Bike Trail
- Multiple Trail Heads between 105th and 119th Streets |
Welcome
Home! Cowboy Boots! was
a public art exhibition of 12 6-foot tall fiberglass boots that were designed
and created by area artists. They were displayed during the Olathe's 2007
Sesquetennial celebration. Some of the Welcome Home! Cowboy Boots!
remain on exhibit in Olathe. The Hyer-KSD Connection
remains on display at the Kansas School for the Deaf at 450 East Park Street,
and the Read Any Good Boots lately? boot is displayed within
the Olathe Public Library at 201 East Park Street. |
|
|
Unique Kansas Restaurants
Kansas Attractions Kansas
Travel & Tourism Home
copyright 2007-2010 by Keith
Stokes |
