Cuisine nominations include only 1 area location
By MIKE CORN
Northwest Kansas didn't fare so well in today's announcement for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine campaign.
Only Crazy R's Bar and Grill in Goodland made the final 24, from which voters will decide the top eight.
It's perhaps who is missing from the list that is so significant.
Al's Chickenette in Hays isn't there. Neither is Phillipsburg's Chubby Pickle.
It was a list the screening board struggled over, according to Marci Penner, director of the Kansas Sampler Foundation in Inman.
It's also a list that simply needed more than just 24 finalists, she said.
Also nominated from northwest Kansas, but not making the final 24, were Big Ed's, Bird City; Bunker Hill Cafe, Bunker Hill; Butterfly Cafe, Goodland; Gella's Diner & Lb. Brewing Co., Hays; Meridy's Restaurant, Russell; Shelly Ann's, Phillipsburg; Teller Room Restaurant at the LandMark Inn, Oberlin; and Made from Scratch, Wilson.
To make the list, the restaurant must have originated in Kansas, been in operation for 10 years or more and "be iconic with a loyal following from beyond their home region."
"If someone dropped in to Kansas on a parachute and went to every one of these 24 restaurants, they would know our diversity pretty well by the time they waddled back home," Penner said in a statement. "This list has everything on it from steaks to Vietnamese food, fine dining to ribs served on newspaper."
Voting for the top eight begins today, either online at www.8wonders.org or by paper ballot, which can be picked up from the finalists or by calling (620) 585-2374. One e-mail address can be used three times to vote.
The cuisine contest is the fourth in a series by the Sampler Foundation. Architecture, art and commerce were the previous campaigns, all of which came after the top 8 Wonders of Kansas had been determined.
In that overall contest, St. Fidelis Catholic Church and the combined entry of Castle Rock and Monument Rocks were among the eight finalists.
The contest's purpose is to educate the world about Kansas and encourage travel.
"This list is a reminder that Kansas has fantastic and diverse locally-owned restaurants all across the state," Penner said. "These 24 can be used as a starter kit of restaurants to eat at this summer and fall."