craigl14's Profile
Topeka rec - tapas/small plates?
You may want to rethink downtown and/or walking. Most of the restaurants downtown are only open for lunch and regardless there is certainly nothing worthwhile or memorable down there. Those that were are long gone unfortunately. Chez Yazu is very good, probably one of the best in town. There is really nothing in the tapas category here. New City Cafe is very good. Paisanos is decent Italian. Blind Tiger North Star is a dump but it's the best steakhouse in town. Two of my other favorites have closed recently. The chains are out on Wanamaker if you're interested in them. Also, be careful if you do walk beyond the Ramada. It's not the best part of town.
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New City Cafe
4005 SW Gage Center Dr, Topeka, KS 66604
Best burgers in Kansas
We've been there several times, most recent being this past Monday, and they are very good. Burgers are cooked medium. I always have the black and blue burger which comes with apple chutney. I usually have the truffle fries which are good but can be inconsistent. Mine the other day were a little too soggy, but still good and generously seasoned with parmesan. The sweet potato fries are good too, but as someone else said they do come seasoned with a cinnamon sugar mixture, which I like. I don't know if it's the best in the state, but it's a good burger. They plan on expanding to Topeka later this year. Other good burgers...Henry T's in Lawrence and Topeka and Annie's Place in Topeka.
topeka, ks....need advice
pt's coffee shop is the best in town. what kind of food do you like? good local grub would be porubsky's for chili and sandwiches or bobo's drive in for burgers and rings (recently featured on food network). more upscale would be brick oven, chez yazu or new city - all are good, although i haven't been to new city in some time.
Kansas hounds: Bierocks?
I believe Friendship House in Wamego has them also. Not sure if they have them every day or not. We pick them up sometimes on the way to KSU football games. They are a block east of the main street that runs through town, across from the big park with the windmill.
Also, if you are close to Topeka, my church has an annual Germanfest the first weekend of June and we definitely have bierocks there. You might try your local Dillons store as well...I have seen them there from time to time.
Road Trip West along I-70
Yes, it is chili time at Porubsky's, a little harder to get to off I-70 than the Wanamaker corridor. Plus, they have times (all Fridays, days around Christmas/New Years) that they do not serve chili. Porubsky's is defintely a Topeka tradition, and I like it occasionally, but it's not for everyone. A bit to intimate for me.
Road Trip West along I-70
In Topeka, try Fritz Co. Grille. It is at 17th and Wanamaker. From I-70 headed west you will go through most of the city, then take the Wanamaker Road exit off I-70 and head south (left). It is about a mile or so south on Wanamaker.
Great food (salads, sandwiches, soups, steaks, etc.) and they tend to put their own twist on things. This easily meets all your criteria. Lunch prices are in the $15 range. If you get there right at peak, you might be there an hour, but the service is good and they will get you in and out. There are also a lot of franchise restaurants (Outback, Chipotle, Applebee's, Red Robin, Old Chicago, etc,) along Wanamaker, unfortunately nothing else of local note.
Steak in Lawrence/Topeka or thereabouts
There aren't too many places for good steaks in Topeka.
Two that have good steaks, but UNIMPRESSIVE atmospheres are:
Topeka Steak House (east 6th/US 40 Hwy), and
Blind Tiger North Star (hard to find, roughly US 24 & Rochester Rd., you'll have to Mapquest)
I have a business associate from Boston who loves Topeka Steak House. North Star has french fries with homemade chicken gravy and their own microbrew. Both are hole-in-the-wall types with good food at reasonable prices, but not much else.
For good steaks with a bit more upscale atmosphere:
Fritz Co. Grille at 17th & Wanamaker
Hope this helps.
