The Kitchen Pass: Parsons

Located in downtown Parsons, the Kitchen Pass is your stop for anything from steaks, to seafood, to a wide range of salads and sandwiches.  Additionally, if you find yourself staying overnight, The Kitchen Pass features live national, regional, and local music. If you're really lucky, Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band will be rolling through town while you're there.

Crawford State Lake Cabins: Farlington

If you find yourself staying overnight in Southeast Kansas, skip the hotels and check into one of the cabins on Crawford Lake in Farlington for only $55 per night.  Why does this make the dining blog?????? Because if you stop at Paluca's Meat Market in Frontenac and grab some fresh cut steaks you can use the built in smoker on the deck and enjoy some great, fresh steaks while enjoying a fire on the water's edge. Being on the road never tasted so good.

Sweet Greens

Sweet Greens

620 South Broadway

Pittsburg, Kansas 66762

(Submitted on behalf of Courtney and Heart-Healthy Eaters Everywhere)

If Kathleen Sebelius approves, then so should you!

Sweet Greens offers a healthy salad bar, fresh deli-style sandwices, homemade soups, and dessert delicacies for those with a sweet tooth.

Sweet Greens is also easy on the wallet greens, with a salad/soup lunch buffet under $10.00.

THE Olpe Chicken House

Olpe Chicken House

8 East Highway 99
Olpe, Kansas 66865

It may be sacreligious to even mention another chicken house, given our poultry prowess in the southeast part of Kansas. However, the Olpe Chicken House deserves a quick mention
for it's menu of deep-fried delicacies.

From cheesey cauliflower to onion rings to fried cheese (fried cheese?!) to fried chicken with fries, it's worth a month's prescription of Crestor.

Walters Bakery and Deli

Walters Bakery

6448 Kaw Drive

Kansas City, Kansas 66111

Is that a fresh-baked pastry I smell? YES!

Welcome to Walters Bakery and Deli!

From life-sized bear claws for breakfast (seriously, they are huge)

to freshly prepared cheeseburgers and fries, you can satisfy any refined carbohydrate

and saturated fat craving you have!

Holy Land Cafe: Lenexa

Inexpensive and delicious, the Holy Land Cafe is great dining in the suburbs. Everything on the menu is authentic and excellent but sample the beef and/or chicken shawarma for a guaranteed great meal.  Also, don't miss out on ordering their hummus. It's the best in Kansas City and it's not even close.

Anthony's Diner and Party Room: Eudora

Anthony's Diner and Party Room in Eudora is a must stop for a great Italian Lunch.  The Italian steak sandwich and eggplant parmesan were excellent during our visit.  Anthony also has a rotating list of daily specials the regulars rave about.  Be sure to save room for desert on this trip.  Our orders of 4 layer chocolate raspberry torte and black forest chocolate cake were excellent.

Hog Wild BBQ-Hutchinson, KS

Hog Wild BBQ is located at 2401 North Main Street in Hutchinson, Kan. Good BBQ atmosphere. Try the pulled chicken sandwich and BBQ beans. Close to the State Fairgrounds.

Airport Steakhouse, Hutchinson

Check out the Airport Steakhouse's lunch buffet, there's a different menu every day. Lot's of different salads, usually two meats (meatloaf w. onions & peppers my favorite) veggies, soup and dessert. Enjoy lunch while watching the runway action. Private dining room if you need to hold a meeting. Reasonably priced lunch/dinner menu service as well. Great place to enjoy fresh seafood or a steak.

Airport Steakhouse

1100 Airport Road

Hutchinson

Papa Bob's BBQ, Bonner Springs, KS

Ready for a lunchtime challenge?

Try the "Ultimate Destroyer", a 6 lb. BBQ sandwich with 1.5 lbs. of fries.

11610 Kaw Drive
Bonner Springs, KS

BRGR: Prairie Village

Although it's in a strip mall in Prairie Village Kansas, BRGR is a can't miss local dining stop.  BRGR features creative gourmet hamburgers (try the juicy lucy or Tex-AZ) that are paired with regular, sweet potato, or truffle fries. On top of that, the ketchup and mustard are made in house and they have a great selection of fresh drinks and old fashioned milkshakes.  Don't miss the unisex restroom.

Hibachi Hut: Manhattan

Where do you go to get great cajun food in Kansas? Hibachi Hut in Aggieville.  They feature great traditional cajun dishes and the famous "Cajun Mary" to drink. However, the two highlights of Hibachi Hut are (1) they make their own Boudin in house and (2) they feature an entire wall of different hot sauces so you can walk up and pick your poison.  The boudin is as good as you can get in Louisiana and atmosphere is great.

We B Smokin Barbecue: Osawatomie

We B Smokin Barbecue is located at the airport in Osawatomie, KS.  Enjoy large portions of house made barbecue and watch as small planes land for lunch and pilots come in to sample the fare.  Good food and good atmosphere make We B Smokin a fun stop on your dining tour.

The Bread Basket, Newton, KS

Are you a soup lover? The Bread Basket has a minimum of eight home made soup each day on their luncheon salad bar. In addition, there is a great sandwich menu, with several varieties of home made bread to choose from. There is also a daily breakfast menu featuring their fresh pastries.

The Bread Basket hosts a German buffet each Friday & Saturday night that is unbelievable. You haven't lived until you try their bohne berroggi, a light pastry stuffed with sugared pinto beans. Sounds terrible, tastes great.


The Bread Basket
219 N. Main
Newton, KS

Lenore's La Casita

Lenore's La Casita

2300 Block of S. Ninth, behind Blockbusters

Salina KS

Try the Super Sancho w. hot Pork Sauce

Everything's fresh, great salsa

Daily Specials

Lenore's has been around for 15 years, they have the best refried beans ever. A "don't miss" when in Salina.

Cafe on the Route: Baxter Springs

Nestled on Route 66 in Baxter Springs, KS sits one of the finest dining options in Southeast Kansas.  Featured on the show Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, The Cafe on the Route features home made soups,  fresh sandwiches, some of the best french fries around. They even serve up chateaubriand for 2 for those diners that want to experience the finer things.

Burns Cafe & Bakery

601 E. Broadway

Burns, KS

Typical lunch fare, better than average. Daily specials. Great baked goods. Try the apple pie.

Anchor Inn: Hutchinson

If your travels take you to Hutchinson, KS, make sure you make your way to Main Street for Mexican food at the Anchor Inn. Serving food for almost 40 years, this huge restaurant packs 'em in every day and night for a bountiful buffet and some of the best tamales money can buy.

The Beacon: Wichita

If you're hungry for breakfast in Wichita, Kansas be sure not to miss The Beacon. Located on Douglas Avenue near Old Town and the Wichita Eagle Newspaper, The Beacon is a classic greasy spoon that has been serving Wichita locals for years.

Grinders at the Crossroads: Kansas City

Grinders at at the Crossroads features delicious New York Style Pizza by the slice or whole pie. They also have great meatball and sausage grinders and traditional Philly Cheesesteak sandwiches. Run by the artist, Stretch, Grinders also features uniques fixtures made by the artist such as light fixture made out of world war two helmets and an impressive sculpture garden out back, where they also host some great concerts.  Monday night is special at Grinders, as guest chef George shows up to cook traditional Hungarian meals. Get there early on Mondays because they always run out pretty quickly.  Featured on "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives", Grinders ranks as a must eat if you're in the Kansas City area.

Fireside Inn: Thayer

The Fireside Inn in Thayer is one of hidden gems of Kansas dining.  The steaks are cooked over an open fire in the dining room fireplace pictured above. A small salad bar and a loaded baked potato make the meal complete. If you're lucky, you might also be able to listen to the,  "Singing Chef" as he prepares your steak.

Crabby's - Joplin, MO

Great place,not a chain !!! Chef can season food . Reasonable prices . A+

800 W. 7th, Joplin

J's Carryout - Emporia

J's Carryout

27 Commercial Street

Emporia, Kansas 66801

J's Carryout is a locally owned hamburger shack, located in historic southern downtown Emporia, Kansas.

Don't let this small building fool you; inside are the Flint Hills' best hamburgers and the best customer service west of Columbia, Missouri.

Grilled onions are a must to complete this once-in-a-lifetime burger. With piping hot onion rings or french fries, the free vanilla ice cream perched upon a cake cone perfectly complements this meal.

Guy and Mae's Tavern: Williamsburg

If you are traveling on I-35 south of Kansas City, it's worth taking the Williamsburg exit to Guy and Mae's Tavern.  A classic barbecue joint in small town America with home made sauce, Guy and Mae's should be tried at least once.  The barbecue is served wrapped in newspaper and napkins are plentiful.  There's even a  pool table if you wan't to work off some of the food.

1106 Drive In - Pittsburg

The untimate drive in experience! Great burgers & rings, they haven't changed since the 60's. Try the "1106" burger with grilled onions & home-made onion rings. Be sure and ask for extra napkins.

1106 S. Broadway

The Cozy Inn - Salina, Kansas

The Cozy Inn

108 North 7th Street

Salina, Kansas 67401

No, it's not a hotel...but it is a six bar stool, standing room only, 88 year old hamburger joint where you buy them by the sack! Make it a combo with chips and a can (yes, an old school can) of your favorite vintage sodas. When is the last time you had a Sunkist? Watch rows and columns of hamburgers being cooked right before your eyes on their open to view grill. Like onions? No worries because onions are a main ingredient with these delectable little hamburgers. Don't ask for cheese, though, you'll end up in the street!

Burger Stand at The Casbah: Lawrence

The Burger Stand at The Casbah is Lawrence is gourmet burgers at it's best.  Try out the smoke burger and duck fat fries for a truly unique dining experience.  The Kobe beef burger is always a big hit as well.      803 Massachusetts
Lawrence, KS 66044

Smoke'n Babes Barbecue: Gardner

Located in Southern Johnson County, Smoken' Babes surprises with light smokey flavor and a solid homemade sauce. The pulled pork and burnt end sandwiches tasted great and the outdoor unisex restroom was unique.

Rating: ***