We stopped at Cooks American Cafe for dinner. It was a good meal, but we didn't think it was the special experience we were hoping for. I was particularly disappointed when it turned out that that the pies were not made in house, but it turned out that they come from Golden Boy Pies in Overland Park, Kansas.

Back in the car, all of the other displays from last year were up. The Goodrich Family Christmas Display on Lincolnshire Court was substantially smaller this year, but is still large enough to remain on the tour. This year, the Cortez Holiday Light Show has added the home across the street. The program started in 2008 and has grown into one of the nicest music and light shows which we have seen.

Cortez Holiday Light Show

We sampled sausage, brisket, turkey, potato pigskins, onion rings, French fries and two specialty sandwiches: Barnyard Beauty (smoked pulled chicken, pickles & BBQ sauce) and Junction Grilled Cheese (Crispy baguette, smoked brisket, chopped beef, caramelized onions, bourbon bacon jam, smoked gouda, provolone & 2 onion rings).

The onion rings were our favorite dish by far. The fresh made spicy rings are good on their own and come with smoky horseradish sauce.

The fries were ordinary and were not the wedge cut fries described in the menu. The fabulous sounding grilled cheese had the ingredients layered on a bun, rather than cooked into each other and was disappointing.

The meats were all good, if not outstanding. The sauce is thin and sweet and I recommend getting it on the side, rather than on the meat.

Before leaving Lecompton, we took fresh photos of Constitution Hall and Territorial Democratic Headquarters.

Driving on the Lawrence, we had a quick supper at Biemer's BBQ. I had both chicken wings and burnt ends. Both were great. Then on to Allen Fieldhouse to watch the University of Kansas Jayhawk's beat Milwaukee 95-68.

We followed the game with a visit to all of the displays from last year in the Lawrence Christmas Light Tour. 

On our return to Johnson County, we checked out the Eudora Christmas Displays. All of last years displays are back, plus a new "ditto" sign at a home which is between three other homes with huge displays.

Udoka Azubuike scores

Ditto House

We started the night with supper at Basil Leaf Cafe. It was the first time we have dined at this Italian restaurant, which has been on our list to check out for some time. I had lasagna and Linda had shrimp scampi. Both meals were excellent and the price was great at $33 for the two of us before tax and tip. I don't know that this restaurant can make our Unique Kansas Restaurant List, but I definitely want to eat here again.

We checked on one display in Lawrence which we accidentally omitted last week, then continued to Topeka, where several new displays had been recommended for the Topeka Tour. While checking out the lights at 3312 NW 33rd Terrace, we found that the neighborhood had a lot of attractive displays, including two more worth mention on their own.

Three of the other four homes which had been recommended were worthy of inclusion in the tour, including an incredible Webster Avenue Deer Versus Snowmen Football Game between the "Deerheads" and the "snowballs,"

Deer Versus Snowmen Football Game