Kansas has fine dining, but when it comes to being memorable,
the Kansas
restaurants that make a special impression are often the little out of
the way places. In this list of restaurants - tradition, uniqueness,
and
atmosphere count nearly as much as the quality of the food. This list
includes
some of the oldest and best known restaurants in Kansas, but there are
some nearly unknown gems. The newest restaurant is less than a year old
but some of these restaurants and diners have been in operation for
generations.
A list of other
restaurants that are still worth visiting is at the bottom of this
page. The Kansas Specialty Food
page
includes special markets and bakeries where you may find sausages,
jerky,
horseradish pickles and other specialty foods to take with you. Visit
the
new Kansas Travel blog to
learn
what is new on this web site.
Kansas
Restaurants
 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."
Prairie Nut Hut, 1306 Quincy Street, Altoona, KS
66710
(620) 568-2900. Last visited in July 2023 |
Neodesha:
Beef Burger Bob's opened in the 1950s as the Iceberg Drive In,
in Fredonia. 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. After 37
years
they moved to a new smaller location in the nearby community of
Neodesha.
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.
Beef Burger Bob's, 621 Main
Street, Neodesha, Kansas
66757
(620) 325-5500. Last visited in August
2022 |
 Atchison:
Cedar Ridge Catering & Banquet Hall is a family style
restaurant
in a renovated barn on a family farm two miles from the nearest paved
road.
It is only open for supper on Friday & Saturday, and Sunday Brunch.
Cedar Ridge opened in 2003 and is located about 4 1/2 miles northwest
of
Atchison, Kansas, where the same owners have Mr. G's restaurant which
is
open for breakfast & lunch on Monday through Friday.
Cedar Ridge, 17028 318th Road, Atchison, KS 66002
(913) 367-4357. Last visited in October 2019 |
 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.
Open until 5:30 through the week
and until 8:00 on
Friday & Saturday. Open for lunch on Sunday. 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 October 2021
|
 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. The restaurant is
only
open on weekends. 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 May 2017 |
 Oakley:
Buffalo Bills Bar and Grill has good service and prices. We have
been
pleased with the hand formed hamburgers, curly fries, chicken tenders,
and fried shrimp. The onion rings were stand out. Some people say they
are the best they have had. The Prime Time is prime rib topped with
jalapeno
cheese, grilled onions & sriracha on marble rye. There are multiple
thin layers of well done prime rib. I like this sandwich, but would
love
it if was cooked medium and had a little more cheese, onion and
sriracha.
Buffalo Bills Bar & Grill, 207 Center Ave,
Oakley, Kansas 67748
(785) 671-1287. Last visited in August 2022 |
 Cheney: At
first glance, Benny's Burgers and Shakes looks like a fast food
restaurant, but the food is all made to order and they maintain a high
standard. The prices are quite reasonable, though the hamburger patties
are a bit small and I recommend going with at least a double. The
burgers
are very good, particularly the buns which are warmed on the griddle
and
have just the right amount of crisp edge. My favorite item at Benny's
has
been the chili fries, which are among the best that I have had.
Benny's Burgers & Shakes, 610 N Main Street,
Cheney, Kansas
67025 (316) 542-9934. Last visited in August 2018
|
 Olathe:
Old 56 Family Restaurant is like stepping back to 1956. It has a
large,
diner style menu with interesting dishes that you are unlikely to find
at chain restaurants. Home style diners like smothered chopped steak,
smothered
chicken breast, or grilled beef liver. Breakfast is served all day. Old
56 has some of the best chicken soup I have ever had. This restaurant
really
feels like it is a small town restaurant in 1956. Not like it is
recreating
that feel, but like you have gone back in time. The music compliments
that
feeling.
Old 56 Family Restaurant, 912 South Chestnut
Street, Olathe, Kansas
66061 (913) 390-9905. Last visited in April 2022
|
 Council
Grove: Seth M. Hays, a grandson of Daniel Boone, opened the Hays
House
Tavern and Restaurant in 1857. Today, Hays House is one of the oldest
continuously
operating restaurants west of the Mississippi River. Its customers
included
Jesse James and George Armstrong Custer. The food is very good, but
ultimately,
Hays House is about the tradition and the unique setting nearly as much
as the food.
Hays House Restaurant, 112 West Main, Council
Grove, Kansas 66846 (620) 767--5911. Last visited in June
2020
|
 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. More
photos and a longer
review.
Chicken House, 8 East Highway
99, Olpe, Kansas 66865
(620) 475-3386. Last visited in June 2023
|
 Council
Grove: Trail Days Cafe and Museum is located in the 1861 limestone
Sterilizer 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
Cafe and Museum has changed since our visit. It is now American Indian,
Old World, Early American and 20th Century food.
Trail Days Cafe and Museum,
803 West Main, Council
Grove, Kansas 66846 (620) 767-7986. Last visited in September
2020
|
 Overland
Park: ABC Cafe has built a reputation for good, authentic Cantonese
food. My favorite thing to do, is to
have dim sum ordered
off the menu - several small plates at reasonable prices. Except for 4
chef's special dishes, the most expensive dishes are only $15.88 and
many
are only $3.88. My favorite dishes include salt & pepper pork chop,
sticky rice stuffed chicken wings, and clams sautéed with black
bean sauce.
ABC Cafe, 10001 West 87th
street Overland Park,
Kansas 66212 (913) 859-0089. Last visited in January 2024
|
| 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 June 2024
|
 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. More
photos and a longer review.
Andre's Confiserie Suisse, 4929 West 119th St,
Overland Park, KS
66209 (913) 498-3440. Last visited in September 2021
|
Fredonia:
The Kitchen Table is a nice Mennonite owned restaurant which moved
into the old Western Diner location in early 2018. Place your order and
pay at the counter and the food is brought to your table when ready.
The
desserts are already sliced and displayed next to the cashier. It
appears
that everything in the restaurant is made from scratch. Even the
sausage
and the excellent buns that sandwiches are served on.
The Kitchen Table, 114 South 3rd Street,
Fredonia, Kansas
66736
(620) 607-1200. Last visited in March 2024
|
 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 dessert. Temporarily closed
Broadmoor Bistro, 8200 West
71st Street, Overland
Park, KS 66204
(913) 993-9700. Last visited in April 2023 |
 Fredonia: The
Stockyard Restaurant shares a building with the Fredonia Livestock
Auction. The lunch menu is sandwich oriented and is available Tuesday
&
Friday, but Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening Stockyard Restaurant
lives up to its name and is a steakhouse. Standing specials: Saturday
Night - KC Strip and Shrimp.
Friday Night - Prime Rib
Thursday Night - Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken.
More
photos and a
longer review.
Stockyard Restaurant, 360
Madison Street,
Fredonia, Kansas 66736
(620) 378-2563. Last visited in June 2020
|
 Pittsburg: There
has been a restaurant at the location of Bob's Grill in
Pittsburg
since 1946. It became Bob's Grill when Bob Maier purchased the building
and remodeled the interior in 1964 The third and current owners are
Rick
and Terry Parsons, who took over the restaurant in 2003. This little
restaurant
is open only for breakfast and lunch, closing at 1 PM on Saturdays and
closed all day on Sundays. Breakfast is available until 11 AM and lunch
is available any time the restaurant is open. Bob's is particularly
know
for great, cheap breakfasts.
More photos and a detailed
review
Bob's Grill, 1014 North
Broadway, Pittsburg, Kansas
66762
(620) 232-9738. Last visited in September 2020
|
 Fort
Scott: Nu Grille opened in the 1946 and still has a wonderful neon
sign that looks almost that old. This is the kind of classic joint and
food that I am always looking for. More photos and a detailed
review.
Nu Grille, 24 North National Avenue, Fort
Scott, Kansas 66701
(620) 223-9949. Last visited in May 2022
|
 Salina: Since
Bravo Sliders-N-Bites opened in 2019, the small restaurant has
quickly
gathered many positive reviews and a reputation for supporting the
community.
The 2 year old restaurant offers dozens of kinds of sliders (small
sandwiches),
Frips (fresh cut thick ridge French fries) and Bites (bite sized
desserts).
A slider can be any small sandwich made on a slider bun and Bravo
Sliders
lists 27 varieties, with the choice of four different proteins (beef,
chicken,
pork, beyond beef) on nearly half of them. They are about a third of
the
size of a typical sandwich. The frips are all about toppings, but they
are excellent fries in themselves/
Bravo Sliders-N-Bites, 1402 East Iron Avenue,
Salina, Kansas 67401
(785) 515-2121. Last visited in June 2022 |
 Hope: The Gridiron
Café in Hope, Kansas is a
small restaurant in a
former garage on the main street of this rural town of about 350
people.
It is open for lunch 7 days a week, plus evenings on Tuesdays and
Thursdays.
The menu is quite limited, with only a few sandwiches, hamburgers and a
couple of "baskets." Five specials were listed on a blackboard,
including
the French Dip which was recommended in a couple of online reviews.
There
are two dinner specials on Sundays.
Gridiron Café, 211 North Main Street, Hope,
Kansas 67451
(785) 366-7700. Last visited in June 2020 |
 Salina:
Cozy Inn sells hamburgers by the sack. The tiny burgers are
prepared
on an 95 year old grill that is only used to cook burgers. There are
only
6 seats at the restaurant's old counter. The hamburgers are 16 to the
pound,
down from 25 a few year back. The only items sold in the Cozy Inn are
hamburgers,
potato ships, soda and some Cozy Inn souvenirs. One
of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine
The Cozy Inn, 108 N 7th St., Salina, Kansas 67401
(785) 825-2699. Last visited in March 2023 |
 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, 201 East
Avenue A Hutchinson,
Kansas 67501
(620) 662-9713. Last visited in July 2022 |
 Salina: Hickory
Hut BBQ in Salina, Kansas started business as a drive through only
restaurant,
operating out of a trailer in 1983. They moved to a building 3 year
latter,
and finally moved to this location in 2005. They didn't have inside
seating
until that time, but it appears that much of their business is still
done
at the drive through window today. They even keep it open a half hour
after
the dinning room closes. I'm tempted to say my favorite meat is which
ever
one I am having right now. That said, I am particularly partial to the
the sliced pork and the hot Polish sausage.
Hickory Hut BBQ, 1617 West Crawford Street,
Salina, Kansas 67401
(785) 825-1588. Last visited in June 2022 |
 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 11 AM until 3 PM, 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 July 2022
|
 Scott
City: Majestic Theater is a elegant restaurant in a 1922 movie
theater,
which still looks like a theater today. The upstairs converted to law
offices,
before the building was turned into a restaurant. Those rooms are now
available
for private dinning. The original projection room is still there, along
with the old projectors. When I asked if there was a tradition of the
building
being haunted, we were told that while she has worked there many years
and never experienced anything, there are other employees who have
experienced,
light touches and sounds. One employee will not work there alone.
Majestic Theater, 420 Main Street, Scott City,
Kansas 67871
(620) 872-3840 . Last visited in October 2019 |
 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 July 2022 |
 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.
The chicken fried steak sandwich at Mom's Bar and Grill in Seward,
Kansas
is one of the best sandwiches I have ever had.
More photos and a detailed
review
Mom's Bar and Grill, 420
Lincoln, Seward, Kansas
67576
(620) 458-3554. Last visited in November 2023
|
 Junction
City: Thomas' Taste of Chicago opened in 2017 and quickly developed
a reputation for good food and the only Greek food in Junction City.
The
most popular dishes are the gyros and the Chicago Burger, which is on
our
Kansas Best Burgers List. At first, it sounds a little unlikely, topped
with gyro meat, cheese, and tzatziki sauce but, it is a great burger
these
ingredients go together well
Taste of Chicago, 105 W 7th Street, Junction City,
KS 66441
(773) 790-1713. Last visited in November 2024
|
 Smith
Center: Jiffy Burger in Smith Center, Kansas is a 1950's themed
Restaurant,
which is known for its cheese balls and soft serve ice cream. It opened
in 1996, but is set up like an old style hamburger stand. You can order
at the outside window or or at a counter, just inside the d oor. Nearly
half of the menu is ice cream dishes and there is a long list of
sandwiches
and 8 "baskets." There are 20 side dishes and we tried the fried cheese
curds, chicken gizzards, French fires and onion petals. Jiffy Burger, 815 US Highway
36, Smith Center, Kansas
66967
(785) 282-6435. Last visited in May 2023
|
 Junction
City: Tyme Out Steakhouse in Grandview
Plaza (suburban Junction City) is handy to I-70 and has good,
reasonably priced food. The restaurant opened in November 1992 and
looks more like a bar than a steakhouse, with every available free
surface covered with 4,700 Crown Royal bags.
Tyme Out Steakhouse, 101 Continental Dr.,
Grandview Plaza, KS 66441
(773) 238-7638. Last visited in February 2025
|
 Topeka: 7.8.5 Kitchen is a small soul food
restaurant in with an open kitchen and several tables. Chef/owner
LaVale Jackson has been the only person working in the restaurant the
three times we have visited so far. He takes orders, cooks, cleans,
etc. The food takes a while, but it is so good it is worth the wait.
The prices are reasonable, only $10-15 including entrees and two sides.
7.8.5 Kitchen, 2028 SW Gage Blvd, Topeka, Kansas 66604
(785) 408-1440. Last visited in August 2024 |
 Kansas
City: Dagwood's Cafe Restaurant - started business as a Dagwood's
Eat
Shop in 1938. Known for decades as Ruby's Dagwood's Cafe, the current
incarnation
began when Greg Hubler purchased the Cafe from Ruby in 2010. The
restaurant
is open only for breakfast and lunch, but is open seven days a week."
Dagwood's
is best known for its huge, inexpensive breakfasts, but of the items I
have tried so far, the hand breaded pork tenderloin has been my
favorite.
Dagwood's Cafe, 1117 Southwest Boulevard, Kansas
City, KS 66103
(913) 677-0747. Last visited in August 2022 |
 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.
Bobo's Drive-In, 2300 SW 10th
Avenue, Topeka, KS
66604
(785) 234-4511. Last visited in February 2023 |
 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.
Fritz's Railroad Restaurant,
250 N 18th Street,
KC, KS 66102
(913) 281-2777. Last visited in November 2019 |
 Topeka:
North Star Steakhouse, on the north side of Topeka, Kansas,
began as the North Star Supper Club in the 1940s. There is a bit of a
prohibition
era theme, though it is mainly reflected in the plain, windowless
exterior,
dark lighting and some menu items.
The prices are very reasonable for a steakhouse
and servings are generous
with the sides being served family style. More
photos and a detailed review.
North Star Steakhouse 1100 NW
25th St., Topeka, KS
66618
354-8880. Last visited in June 2024
|
 Kansas
City: Christy's Tasty Queen in the Turner District of Kansas City,
Kansas has take out only Other than some outdoor picnic tables, there
is
no place to sit or eat. On the cool October day that we were first
there,
most people were eating in their cars. The 52 year old local burger
joint
is justifiably famous for its pork tenderloins. The large pork
tenderloin
is the best that I have had anywhere in the Kansas City metropolitan
area.
It has a a crispy, delicious coating while the pork is tender, with a
good
flavor. Christy's Tasty Queen, 1405
South 55th Street,
Kansas City, KS 66106 (913) 371-3384. Last visited in July
2022
|
 Topeka:
Little Russia Chili Parlor opened in November 2022, in the space
which
was the home of C.W. Porubsky Grocery and Meats from 1947 until
May 2022. The new owners have discontinued the market, but tried to
keep
much the same deli menu. They do not have Porubsky's recipes, but have
their own take on the popular items such as chili, pickles, ham salad
and
pimento spread.
Little Russia Chili Parlor, 508
NE Sardou Ave, Topeka,
KS 66608
(785) 408-5776. Last visited in February 2023
|
 Kansas
City: El Pollo Rey serves only three dishes: a half chicken, a
whole
chicken or chicken wings. Served with tortillas, rice, salsa &
beans,
a half chicken meal is $6.50. The sides were OK, but the chicken was
excellent.
It is some of the best grilled chicken which I have had and I
understand
those people who say it is their favorite chicken anywhere. Open lunch
and supper, seven days a week. El Pollo Rey, 901 Kansas
Avenue, Kansas City, KS
66105
(913) 371-4243. Last visited in August 2021 |
|
 Kansas
City: Jarocho Authentic Mexican Seafood is our pick for the best
seafood
in the Kansas City metropolitan area. Carlos and Sayaka Falcon opened
the
restaurant in October 2014. Chef Carlos is the Jarocho (from Veracruz)
and Sayaka is from Okinawa, Japan. The menu is 100% about seafood.
I enjoy the food a
lot, particularly the dishes like the fish fillet stuffed with garlic,
onions, Spanish octopus, shrimp and blue crab meat.
Jarocho Pescados Y Mariscos,
1318 State Avenue,
Kansas City, KS 66102 (913) 371-3384. Last visited in August
2023
|
|
 Kansas
City: Mad Jack's Fresh Fish is a neat little restaurant and fish
market
that has been operating for 26 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 February 2024 |
 Wichita:
B & C Barbeque occupies a former garage on the edge of the Old
Town section of Wichita. B & C has a wonderful BBQ buffet,
available
only at lunch Monday - Saturday. B & C Barbeque isn't
fancy. Much of the food is served trays with a sheet of paprer. If you
like
food with the lots of flavor, you will never find a barbeque restaurant
better than B & C Barbeque. Be sure and try all of the smoked
meats:
sausage,
turkey, chicken, ham, brisket, pulled pork and pork ribs. A menu is now
available as well
B & C BBQ, 355 N. Washington Street, Wichita,
KS 67202
(316) 807-9119. Last visited in
July 2024
|
 Kansas
City: Playa & Mezcal Mexican Seafood
just opened on Shawnee Drive in November 2024, but it is already
building a great reputation for seafood. The five dishes I have had
here so far have included some of the best seafood I have ever had.
Paricularly the Molcajete de Mariscos Rey (Octopus, shrimp, scallops,
mussels, cooked surimi, and crab legs in house seafood sauce).
Playa & Mezcal, 4601
Shawnee Drive, Kansas City, Kansas 66106
(913) 400-2300. Last visited in February 2025 |
|
 Kingman:
Smitty's Carry Out serves great burgers. They don't ask how you
want
them cooked and they all come well done, but they are juicy and
flavorful.
The hand formed hamburger patties are 1/3 pound and the options are up
to a three patty, one pound sandwich. There is no extra charge for
grilled
onions. The house made onion rings are nearly as good, but the fresh
cut
fries needed a little more frying.
(620) 532-1883. Last visited in October 2021 |
Wichita: Wichita
has many wonderful little places for burgers and Buster's Burger
Joint
on the south side of Wichita is our newest discovery. The small
building
has a counter, seating for just a few people and a cooking area with a
small grill and 2 deep fat fryers. They normally make fresh cut French
fries, but have temporarily moved to frozen fries, because since
COVID-19,
most orders are to go and they believe the fresh cut fries do not
travel
as well. They do a good job on the frozen fries as well.
Buster's Burger Joint, 1202 E
MacArthur Rd, Wichita,
KS 67216
(316) 524-7800. Last visited in June 2023 |
 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 range of customers by providing an exciting &
varied
menu, excellent food and superior service.
More
photos and a detailed
review.
Free State Brewing, 636
Massachusetts St, Lawrence,
KS 66044
(785) 843-4555. Last visited in July 2023
|
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 even
better 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.
Nu-Way Cafe, 1416 W Douglas
Avenue, Wichita, Kansas
67203
(316) 267-1131. Last visited in August 2024
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 Lecompton:
Aunt Netters Cafe is a breakfast and lunch restaurant, serving
supper
only on Friday. The food is good, but it is on this list of unique
Kansas
restaurants, because of the wonderful pies. Jamin and Annette Nally
started
Aunt Netters in 2014. Jamin is the chef and Annette is a school teacher
who does the baking in the afternoon or evening, She bakes cup cakes,
cinnamon
rolls, cookies and pies.
More photos and a
detailed review.
Aunt Netters Cafe, 336 Elmore Street,
Lecompton, Kansas 66050
(785) 503-6004. Last visited in February 2023
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Wichita:
Stroud's Restaurant in Wichita is in a 1930s barn that was once
part
of a working ranch. It has the same feel as its distant cousin with the
same name in Kansas City. There are fireplaces and one of the rooms
looks
out on a patio.
The food is served family style
and almost everyone
leaves with a box of food to take home. The chicken is among the best
in
Kansas. The chicken noodle soup can't be beat. I think the cinnamon
rolls
are even better than at the Stroud's in Kansas City, Missouri.
Stroud's Restaurant & Bar,
3661 North Hillside,
Wichita, KS 67219
(316) 838-2454. Last visited in June 2023
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 Merriam:
Anita's Cuisine is a wonderful little Latin American restaurant in
Merriam, Kansas. As of March 2021, it is carry out only as a precaution
for Covid. I have enjoyed the food at this location since it was
Carmen's
Cosina and when I first visited the new restaurant in 2019, it still
had
some items from the previous menu, including my previous favorite,
bacon
wrapped jalapenos. That has since been removed from the menu, which is
shorter in 2021, but fortunately there are several new favorites.
Anita Cuisine, 5816 Merriam Drive, Merriam, Kansas
66203
(913) 432-5855. Last visited in March 2021 |
Wichita:
Ty's Diner isn't a diner, but a 59 year old hamburger joint. The
kind
of burger joint where people wait in line most of the few hours Ty's is
open each day. But the wait is rarely more than 15 minutes.
The menu is simple: hamburgers,
cheeseburgers, chicken
strips, chicken fried steak, pork tenderloin and a half dozen other
sandwiches.
The hamburgers are hand formed from ground beef that is delivered each
morning and the French fries are cut fresh each day.
Ty's Diner, 928 West 2nd
Street North Wichita,
Kansas 67203
(316) 263-1416. Last visited in November 2022 |
 Merriam:
El Pulgarcito Restaurant was the first Salvadoran food I ever had,
and I loved it from the start. 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 August 2021 |
Winona:
Cafe in Winona has home style cooking with an eclectic menu and
fabulous
pie. We don't usually do a review after just one visit, but it may be
some
time before we get back here again and this is a standout restaurant on
this stretch of US Highway 40. If you are coming from the west, don't
forget
that you moved back into Central Time a few miles down the road, or it
will be an hour later than you think. The Cafe doubles as a convenience
store, with two walls of groceries to save local residents the long
drive
to larger stores.
Cafe in Winona, 1383 US Highway 40, Winona, Kansas
67764
(785) 846-2735. Last visited in May 2019 |
 Mission:
Snack Shack on Johnson Drive merges two great burger traditions.
The
building began as a Valentine Diner which opened in 1952. It was once
called
Whopper Burger, but from 1985-2020 it was the third location of the
small
Kansas City, Missouri Town Topic chain. Meanwhile Snack Shack was
operated
by the Tolle family on Santa Fe in Overland Park for over a decade, out
of a storefront with just counter seating for 12 people and a smaller
kitchen.
The Tolles aquired this building in 2021 and Snack Shack opened at this
location in April 2022.
Snack Shack, 6018 Johnson Dr,
Mission, KS 66202
(913) 381-3200. Last visited in April 2025
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Winfield:
Burger Station is a popular carry out only hamburger joint that
opened
in 1952. The menu is limited to single, double and triple hamburgers,
cheese
burgers and chili burgers, plus baked bean, potato salad, French fries
and bags of chips. They only sell the chili in the winter, which seems
like a shame.
The cooking is done in front of
you on a small grill
and the you can have a pleasant conversation with the staff while you
watch
them prepare your meal.
Burger Station, 13 E 7th
Avenue, Winfield, KS
67156
(620) 221-9773. Last visited in July 2021
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 Moran: Chancy's Grill & Shake was one of
the many restaurants we learned of when our Best Kansas Burgers page
was first published. Chancy's opened in 1969 and has been under the
same owner since 1991. It has a fairly large menu and they serve
breakfast all day. The 1/3 lb. hickory burger (pepper jack, hickory BBQ
sauce, pickle and onion) is an outstanding burger and the house made
curly fries are great.
Chancy's Grill & Shake,
811 North Cedar Street, Moran, KS 66755
(620) 237-4534. Last visited in May 2022
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Other Kansas Restaurants
Not as uniquely memorable, but still worth a visit
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Goodland
Crazy R's Bar & Grill (last
visit 5/19)
1618 Main Street, Goodland, Kansas 67735 (785) 890-3430
Homey bar with burgers & steaks in an antique filled dinning
room
Hutchinson
Hutchinson
Restaurant Guide
Leavenworth
Homers
Drive Inn (last
visit 4/19)
1320 S 4th Street, Leavenworth, Kansas 66048 (913) 682-3034
Began in the early '30s and at present location since 1938.
The malt's
are better than most, and prices are quite reasonable.
Leawood
Gates &
Sons Bar-B-Q (last visit 2/24)
2001 W 103rd Terrace, Leawood, Kansas 66206 - (913)383-1752
Classic old Kansas City BBQ chain
Lenexa
The Pizza Man
(last visit 3/25)
10212 Pflumm Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215 - (913) 492-2116
Great Chicago style dogs, Italian sandwich and thin crust pizza.
Mission
RJ's
Bob-Be-Que Shack
(last visit 12/24)
5835 Lamar Ave, Mission, Kansas 66202 (913) 262-7300
BBQ, southern cooking, Sunday morning breakfast
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Olathe
Go Chicken
Go (last visit 5/24)
1000 S
Harrison S , Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913) 780-5900
Fried
chicken and the best gizzards and livers in KC
Mom's Kitchen
(last visit 3/25)
30 East Santa Fe Street, Olathe, Kansas 66061 (913)
782-3542
Home style, inexpensive breakfast and lunch
Overland Park
Bangkok
Pavilion Thai
Restaurant (last visit 6/24)
Best Asian buffet in metropolitan Kansas City
Lulu's
Thai Noodle
Shop (last visit 8/23)
7921 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas 66204 (913)
653-8424
Excellent Thai Food They recommend ordering medium or
higher
Pittsburg
Jim's Steak House (last
visit 9/24)
1912 N Broadway St, Pittsburg, Kansas 66762 (620) 231-5770
Good onion rings, fries, steaks, and prices
Prairie Village
B.R.G.R.
Kitchen and Bar
(last visit 3/23)
4038 W 83rd St, Prairie Village, KS 66208 (913) 825-2747
Gourmet burgers, good onion straws & great pot
roast
Shawnee
Bates City
BBQ (last visit 4/25)
6493 Quivira Road, Shawnee, KS 66216 (913) 962-7447
I love the fresh cut French fires and great inexpensive BBQ
pork ribs.
Yoder
Carriage Crossing Restaurant
(last visit 2/19)
10002 S Yoder Rd, Haven, Kansas 67543
(620) 465-3612
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Attractions
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