The Butcher's Block is a large charcuterie board with an assortment of smoked meats, cheeses and fruits. The fruits aren't mentioned on the menu, but were popular with the youngest ones. 

The Three Cheese Bites are mac & cheese with green chilies, deep fried in a Boulevard beer batter. They were popular, though the mac & the chilies weren't very noticeable.

My personal favorite was a surprise. The BBQ Chips (described as homemade potato chips, dusted with our unique blend of BBQ spices. Served with green chile queso) were very good. The queso went well with them, but I would have liked them even without the cheese.

Despite that and a couple of other minor service errors, I was happy with the friendly service.

Our other dish was the Bistec de Pollo (grilled chicken breast & onions, marinated in Cuban mojo sauce). It was pounded out flat and thin like a pork tenderloin. It had a nice flavor and texture. For $15.99 it came with white rice, black beans and plantains. The baked plantains were just they way we like.

French fries were an add on to the sandwich for just a dollar. They were just average, cooked from frozen.

The sound system played a bright, fun Spanish speaking radio broadcast, which set a nice tone, but was too loud. Keep the music, but please turn it down a little.

For dessert, we had a house made caramelo flan, which was very fresh and very good. I loved every bite.

Bistec de Pollo

Caramelo flan

On Sundays, Hayward's is only open until 7 PM and things were quiet when we arrived a little before 6. We were waited on by Tobias, the bar tender, and he did a good job.

We had a half smoked chicken platter with beans and onion rings and a burnt ends & wings platter with French fries and cheesy corn.

The chicken platter is usually $16, which seems like a good value and was $1 off on special. The flavor of the chicken was good and we appreciated their not charging an up charge for onion rings. The burnt ends and wings platter feels expensive at $27. The wings were my favorite part. They are marinated in Helga's Mustard, smoked, and flash fried. If I had it to do over, I would go with the wings platter at $18.99.

Tobias gave us drink refills to take with us.

Smoked chicken platter

The first stop of the day was in Topeka at Redbud Park in the NOTO Arts & Entertainment District. The former parking lot has permanent public art installations, rotating sculptures which are placed for two years, a gazebo stage, and is surrounded by many murals and art installations.

A few blocks away, I stooped at Stumpy's Smoked Cheese which moved into a larger Topeka Avenue building last year. In addition to smoking Alma Creamery cheeses from Kansas, the smoke cheeses from New York and Wisconsin, and make other prepared foods such a horseradish hot pickles and peanut butter dip. There were tiny samples of some of the cheeses and two of the peanut butter dips. I purchased smoked white cheddar cheese, smoked buffalo wing cheese and extreme butterscotch peanut butter dip.

They also offer other specialty foods such as honey, snack foods, spreads, and smoked meats. Some are locally made, but others are from across the country, including Mackinac Island fudge.

Leaving Topeka, I turned off I-70 at Velencia Road to photograph an octagon shaped house on NW 13th Street, but I could not see it from the road. There is a one lane bridge on NW 13th Street going over Vassar Creek. The 47' single arch concrete bridge was built in 1917.

Pushing on to Wamego, Kansas I had lunch at Kreem Kup. which had been recommended for our Best Kansas Burger list. I appreciate that it has been open since 1952 and had the same owner since 1973. I ordered a foot long Coney Island, Frisco Burger (1/4 lb patty with Swiss American cheese, grilled mushroom and bacon served on a 5 inch bun.

The Coney Island was the highlight of the meal, they have a good chili sauce. It would have really stood out if crushed red pepper or hot sauce was available to give it a little heat. The burger was decent despite "everything" not including onion. The fries were fine. It was decent fast food, but not a candidate for our Best Burger list.

The primary reason for being in Wamego was to check on the renovation of the OZ Museum and the free temporary exhibit in the Columbian Theater, a few doors up the street. They even moved the entire gift shop.

I couldn't see any of the work through the windows, but was assured that the work has gone smoothly and the museum will be reopening before the end of the month. They will announce an opening day shortly.

While downtown, I took some photos of the Yellow Brick Road in an alley across the street. The murals lining the alley were being painted when I was last in town.

The final stop in Wamego was at Birds Creamery, which is located halfway between the OZ Museum and Columbian Theater. The five year old local company makes their own hand packed ice cream. There were 8 flavors available and I went with cookies & cream. A small dish is a real bargain at $3.50. A medium is $4.50 and a large is only $5!

It is great ice cream and I had pleasant discussion of Kansas City BBQ restaurants with the owner while I slowly savored it. It deserves the 4.9 rating it has on Google. I discovered that TripAdvisor has failed to include it and have notified them of the oversight.

I retraced a little of my driving to photograph Sacred Heart Catholic Church. This church is in tiny Newbury, Kansas just north of Paxico and is nicknamed the Cathedral of The Flint Hills. An organist was rehearsing and it was a pleasure listening to her while taking photos.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery does not show up on Google maps, but I located it about a half mile away. Supposedly there is a plot containing bones of Native Americans found during the building of I-70. If that is true, I didn't locate them, but I did find an interesting story about the large crucifix in the cemetery.

The cross was erected in 1902 and the body of Christ was added a year later after being shipped from Chicago. It stood until a 1913 tornado broke the cross and damaged the statue. If you look closely, Christ's right arm in slightly bent. The statue was placed on another cross, which was again replaced in 2013.

The before leaving the Paxico area, I drove 8 miles south to Snokomo School House, a stone one room school built in 1883 and restored in 1972. There is a small county historical marker.

In Alma, I photographed many of the old stone buildings, including St. John Lutheran Church, a large church built in 1907. The first stop other than for exterior photographs was at the Waubunsee County Historical Museum, which I last visited in 2007. There was a group meeting in the upper, rear portion of the museum, so I visited and photographed only the front third.

The Stop 2 Shop is a Philips 66 gas station which appears to be the only place in town where limited groceries are available. My reason for going there is a cooler selling Alma Creamery cheeses in the front of the store. The creamery (which is just a few blocks away) no longer has a shop at the plant and has a nice cheese shop at the exit on I-70, but the bottom of the cooler at the this location sells uneven even cuts & trims of cheeses that don't look as fine as those in the shop. They have all varieties and you don't know which one will be available, but today there were 2020 extra sharp cheddar cheeses for only $5.99/pound. This would be at least twice as much at the store on I-70. I suspect the even cut cheeses are also a little less here as well.

On to Junction City, I photographed the Buffalo Soldier Monument which was erected in 2000, the amazing stone 1882 C.L. Hoover Opera House and some of the public art in the downtown, before going to Tyme Out Steakhouse in the adjacent community of Grandview Plaza. Most people don't realize there is this other community between downtown Junction City and the Visitor Control Center Henry Gate at Fort Riley. The community has about 1,700 people and is only 0.86 square miles.

We added a page about Tyme Out Steakhouse last November, but I had never had their burgers before. Tonight I ordered a patty melt which is served on Texas toast with Swiss and grilled onions. It is a good burger, but at $17.99 with fries (or as I had it, $20.98 with onion rings) doesn't seem as good a deal as the meals.

I also got the fried corn ribs appetizer. The corn on the cob is cut into long triangles, deep fried and Creole seasoned. The texture and highly seasoned flavor is quite good and a good value at $6.99.

Stumpy's Smoked Cheese
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kreem Kup
 

OZ Museum exhibit
 
 
 

Birds Creamery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Irregular Alma Creamery cheeses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Patty Melt

The restaurant was slow when I arrived, with just one party on the patio, and inside I had the counter to myself at first. The menu is little changed since 2022, still pretty short. The prices have gone up a little, but are still a bargain. With the exception of the $12.99 Big Country Breakfast (chicken fried steak, gravy, 2 eggs, hash browns and toast with jelly) every meal or sandwich with a side is under $10. My 5.25 ounce cheeseburger was quite good and the chef/server grilled my onions when I asked. The waffle fries were good, but just made from frozen.

There was a sign saying there is a 3% charge for using a credit card, but I was not charged extra.

Following lunch, I went by the campus at the Legends where the new American Royal Campus is being built. The auxiliary buildings appear to be well under way, but if the main arena is going up, it was not visible from the street. They have said that the first events there will be late this year or early next.

The final stop of the day was an attempt to find the grave of Junius George Groves Sr. who was known as "Potato King of the World." I did not find Franklin Cemetery, but I think the issue was with Google maps.

Snackle Box burger

American Royal Campus

Arriving a little before noon, I was surprised to see the parking lot so full and it was packed inside, but we were still quickly seated. We learned that the Tonganoxie St. Patrick's Day Parade had been held at 11 AM.

We ordered a Grilled Center Cut Pork Chop and Giant Tenderloin. For $13.99, the pork chop came with garlic toast, choice of potato and choice of salad or soup. The chop tasted like ham, which I enjoyed. The baked potato was well cooked and had lots of melted butter. The salad was larger and a little more elaborate than we anticipated.

The $10.99 Giant Tenderloin sandwich was large enough, but not what I would call giant, having been hammered very thin. It came with the choice of French fries or steak fries and learning that the steak fries were the only ones cut in-house went with them. I enjoyed both the sandwich and fries, but wouldn't make a point of getting them again.

Lunch was followed by a visit to the Basehor Historical Society Museum, which is open Thursdays and Saturdays. There were several volunteers at work planning the next rotation of exhibits, but one of them stopped to point out several features and I'm sure would have spent more time with us if we wanted.

This may be the nicest historical society museum of its size we have found in Kansas. The exhibits are well organized and have particularly interesting labels and stories. Many other museums would benefit from visiting this museum and adopting similar practices.

The museum opened in 2008.

As we were leaving the library, we were told we should visit the bakery up the street. Lynnmark Mercantile is in an interesting building, which looks like it might have once been a depot. The shop has antiques, gifts, fresh baked goods, coffee, lunch and ice cream. When she learned that it was our first time in the shop, the woman behind the counter offered us cookies and we sampled a peanut butter cookie and sugar cookie.

We purchased an apple coffee cake, cinnamon bread and energy bars to go and enjoyed a mini cheesecake and brownie whoopie pie at one of their tables. All was good and prices seem reasonable. The cheesecake and pie were only $5.50 added together.

We got some local leads while at the museum and after leaving photographed 120 year old Reuben Basehor Library building (which was moved to the city park in 2016), Rural High School District 3 building (built in 1938 as a Public Works Project) and the wall in memory of fallen fire fighters at the Fairmount Township Fire Department.

Before leaving Basehor, we stopped at Holy-Field Vineyard & Winery. As we walked in, we were startled by an enormous, wonderful black dog which had been lying on the side walk and we hadn't noticed. He is a very good boy! We learned later that his name is Porto.

Rather than do the $7 tasting, we sampled the white wines that were mid sweet and purchased Sunset Blush, Vignoles and Amitie.

On our way home, we stopped in Kansas City, Kansas where we did locate Franklin Cemetery, but I was disappointed to discover that Junius George Groves Sr's grave is unmarked. But the trip was not wasted, as we drove back from the cemetery, we stumbled across Grinter Chapel. The small church closed a couple of years ago when 3 of the last few members passed away in a few months. This church has been as the center of a family story from 50 years ago, but I had never seen it. Now the story has come full circle.

The day concluded with another meal at Hayward's Pit Bar B Que in Shawnee, Kansas. This time we went with a couple of their specialty sandwiches. The burnt end cheddar melt is just what the name says, served on grilled Texas Toast.

The beef in the Corned Beef Burnt End Reuben was brined for 6 weeks and smoked with hickory. The sandwich had a lot of tender, very nicely flavored meat. It is only available 3 days a year, but I suspect I will have it again some year.

Basehor Historical Society Museum
 
 
 
 
 

Brownie Whoopie Pie & mini cheesecake
 
 
 
 

Porto on the sidewalk in front of Holy-Field

Grinter Chapel

Corned Beef Burnt End Reuben

We tried to find out which is the oldest St. Pat's Parade in Kansas and the oldest we could find is only one year longer, in Leavenworth.

Please do not move close to the herons, but remain in your car, and do not fly drones nearby.
 

Lunch was at Hayward's Pit Bar B Que in Shawnee, Kansas, where I rounded out checking the menu with a variety platter of the choice of three meats and 2 sides for $28. I selected pork ribs, habanero beef cheddar sausage, beef brisket, creamy coleslaw and steak fries. They came out in about 3 minutes. It was a very generous serving of meat, but then it was $28. They also offer variety platters for 2 people, but I think this would be enough for most couples.

The pork ribs were my favorite part of the meal - smoky and quite tender. The meats were all served without sauce and they didn't need any added, though I did add some salt. It sounds spicy, but sausage was very mild and would have benefited from being served with some of the Helga's Mustard (which is used in preparation of some dishes) on the side. The brisket needed BBQ sauce. The creamy slaw was quite good, Hayward's does a pretty good job with their side dishes.

Variety Platter

Service was good. It did take a few minutes to bring menus, but the staff was understandably distracted. They had the radio tuned to "LIVE From Jasper's Kitchen" and Chef Jasper Mirabile was talking about the restaurant right them. Shortly after we ordered, the recorded interview with Claudia was playing. I bet they have a big day!

We ordered a Beef Empanada, Papas Bravas, Chicken Milanesa with four cheese sauce, Italian Prosciutto & Cheese Sandwich, and Decadent Chocolate Matilda. I don't know enough about Argentinean food to compare this to others, but I enjoyed every dish, with the Chicken Milanesa (described as Argentinean chicken fried chicken) my favorite. The empanada appetizer came out at the same time as the rest.

The Papas Bravas (potatoes fried in oil and served warm with a spicy "brava" sauce) had a similar tasting sauce and stood out as well. Chef Jasper went on and on about the Decadent Chocolate Matilda, so that was what we tried for dessert. It was rich and chocolaty and there was a generous serving which left us some to take home. Actually all the parties which we saw leave, took boxed leftovers with them.

The old building which houses Buenos Aires Restaurante was previously an electronic shop and the interior needed a lot of work to become a restaurant. The decor makes it feel more like you are dining at someone's home with lots of prints & posters on the walls, stuffed furniture at the front and Argentina travel guides sitting out. The kitchen is entirely open.

Service was friendly, and relaxed. The man who brought the fresh squeezed lemonade, bragged that he had made it and checked later to make sure we enjoyed it.

The menu has six entrees, 5 sandwiches and two appetizers.

I learned today that Kate's in Dodge City, Kansas had a fire last fall and has closed.

Prosciutto & Cheese Sandwich, Papas Bravas, Chicken Milanesa and Empanada

Today I ordered what has been my favorite burger for several years, the Bob Burger (1/4 pound patties, cheese, grilled onions and jalapenos), plus a 50/50 (half fries & half onion rings), and a root beer float. My food came out in just 5 minutes, which seems extremely fast for food made to order. The smash burger was every bit as good as I remember. The fries were very good, the onion rings I didn't care as much for. Having never had their float before, I can't compare it, but it was great.

Prices have changed amazingly little since May of 2023. The burger went up 35 cents. The 50/50 went up 60 cents, but fries by themselves are unchanged. It is nice to be able to continue to highly recommend this restaurant and keep the Bob (and larger Bobbie) on our Kansas Best Burger list.

The building started as a Valentine Diner (manufactured in Wichita, Kansas), and before leaving, I asked if they knew what number their building was and if they had found the serial number plate. Mat said they did not, but did show me the brass wall safe where the people who rented Valentine Diners left their rent payments.
  
Taking advantage of being in Mission, I also stopped at Werner's Specialty Foods, a few block up Johnson Drive. It was a chance to update their page and buy German Style Bratwurst, Polish Sausage and Andouille. They were all bargains at $7.59/pound. All of their sausages are made in-house. Unfortunately they no longer have smoked Italian sausage unless you get it with cheese inside.

On the way out of town, there was one more brief stop at the corner of Lamar Avenue and Johnson Drive, to take a photo of Cross Cemetery with spring flowers. It is a tiny family cemetery at the busy intersection in downtown Mission. Two grave stones are mounted in a red brick wall: Nancy Cross who died in 1886 and Washington Cross who died in 1872. There is also a flat marker, "Dedicated to the pioneers of this community."
  
  

Bob Burger 
 

Valentine Diner Wall Safe

Sausage display case

Cross Cemetery