Review of HDN's 8 Wonders of Northwest Kansas Cuisine coming up
Published on -8/2/2009, 8:28 AM
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By MIKE CORN
The food was unparalleled, the service excellent.
But what else would you expect from the eight restaurants that were selected as the best by readers of The Hays Daily News? They are, after all, the 8 Wonders of Northwest Kansas Cuisine.
The top eight eating establishments are:
* Arthur's Pizza, Ellis
* Bunker Hill Cafe, Bunker Hill
* A&W Restaurant, Russell
* Professor's Steakhouse, Hays
* Chubby Pickle, Phillipsburg
* Effie's, Rush Center
* Pizza Plus, Ness City
* Big Ed's Steak House, Bird City.
Yes, voters online and on ballots printed in the HDN made their selections after nearly 30 days of balloting. They had a range of outstanding places to choose from.
When the voting was complete, HDN reporters -- Gayle Weber, Ryan Christner, Kaley Conner and Diane Gasper-O'Brien -- joined me in going afield to sit down with owners, managers and operators to see why they were successful, and why northwest Kansas residents keep coming back for more.
In at least one case, that was a bit difficult.
Effie Crowell has closed her well-known restaurant, Effie's in Rush Center, for the summer.
Sure, she's got air conditioning, but it still gets quite hot, especially next to the grill that she's operated since 1965.
Besides, Crowell's got a garden and a yard to attend to. She might have turned 85 on July 10, but she's not slowing down, visiting the Kansas State Fair for the full 10 days.
All the other spots are up and running and ready to serve a meal.
While the campaign narrowed the list of 40 down to eight, it was a difficult task. That's because all of them were deserving of the recognition, but for one reason or another, didn't quite make it into the final eight.
While stories about the top eight are coming your way beginning Monday and continuing through Aug. 11, don't be surprised if we don't make some regular stops at some of the others in the near future.
They all have a story to tell, and we hope to do just that.
In the meantime, take the list of the top eight or the entire 40 and head out for a meal. If you live in Hays, it's not a far drive to Ellis, or for that matter Russell or Bunker Hill for a bite to eat.
Visit them all. You'll be glad you did.
* * *
The following are the 40 eating establishments in northwest Kansas, including the eight that were voted the top eight.
* Vernie's, Hays
* Chubby Pickle, Phillipsburg
* Big Ed's Steak House, Bird City
* Bunker Hill Cafe, Bunker Hill
* Arthur's Pizza, Ellis
*Triple C, Glade
* Crazy R's Bar and Grill, Goodland
* Don's Drive Inn, Oakley
* Duffy's, Smith Center
* Western Kansas Saloon & Grill, WaKeeney
* Al's Chickenette, Hays
* JD's Chicken, Hays
* Jalisco's, Hays
* Taco Shop, Hays
* Trish's Steakhouse, Hoxie
* Ladow's Market, Lebanon
* El Ranchito, Monument
* Palco Grocery and Deli, Palco
* A&W, Russell
* Meridys, Russell
* Jiffy Burger, Smith Center
* Park Hill, St. Francis
* Aberdeen Steak House and Pub, Atwood
* City Limits, Colby
* Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., Hays
* Gutch's, Hays
* Guiterrez, Hays
* Professor's Steakhouse & Saloon, Hays
* K-18 Cafe, Lucas
* Effie's, Rush Center
* Midway Cafe, Selden
* Second Cup Cafe & Pastries, Smith Center
* Duck Blind, Stockton
* County Seat Cafe, Gove
* Stephens Restaurant, Sharon Springs
* Sub Station, Hill City
* Stonehouse Restaurant, Norton
* Frontier Restaurant, Oberlin
* Pizza Plus, Ness City
* The Circle Inn, Osborne
I think the voting of the restaurants was a great idea. They didn't recognize just the top 8, but 40 eating places out in the public's eye that many people wouldn't have ever known about. I am a big fan of Big Ed's Steakhouse in Bird City. A small community of approx 450, who would ever dream that such a steakhouse existed in this small town? They cut the meat fresh off the loin when you order it...how many places can say that???
(Posted by: DRae)
Interesting: 8/3/2009
I encourage anybody to eat a burger at Effies and I have ate a lot of steaks but Big Eds is by far the best steak place in the midwest, hands down. Meat is phenomenal
(Posted by: Daren)
: 8/3/2009
It didn't make the top 8 but Don's Drive-in is by far the BEST burger you're going to get in western kansas... bar none. Definetly a worthy stop.
(Posted by: way out west)
Joke: 8/2/2009
A&W is a CHAIN for crying out loud. Meridy's is far better. Eat a ribeye at Meridy's and you'll keep coming back. A&W? What's the hcarm?
(Posted by: I don't vote because this is a joke)
how many votes: 8/2/2009
yes, this could be a good thing. But how many people voted in the first round? We have never been told if 5, 50, or 500 people voted. Just like regular politics, only a few vote, and the rest have to follow along.
(Posted by: could it be a sham?)
: 8/2/2009
You can't expect a public vote on the Internet to be completely legitimate; probably 3/4 of these places had campaigns to actively get people to vote for them. Seriously, A&W? It's a chain for crying out loud! And agreed on Professor's, it's nothing special. If you had a panel of open minded individuals performing the judging, it'd be more ideal. But oh well, who cares, go eat where you want to eat or compose your own masterpieces at home for a fraction of the cost!
(Posted by: )
8 wonders: 8/2/2009
I believe this 8 Wonders thing is a farce. Though I feel it is a good idea, we should not be forced to vote for 8 before a vote can be counted. I'm sure some places get votes from people that have never eaten there and only voted for them so their favorite places could be counted. This policy should be changed in any future polls.
(Posted by: mark)
: 8/2/2009
Professors? Really? Haven't had a good meal there since the late 90's. And it's not like I have picky taste or don't keep trying them. Sorry, not one of my picks. I'd like to hear from people who actually think this is the best place to represent Hays, because I there is better. Bunker Hill def. deserves the props though. Never had a bad meal there!
(Posted by: Kris)
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