Restaurant Guide Main Index

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• Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
• Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources (see bottom of page for further explanation)

Anaconda

Gallicano’s Pizzeria–118 E. Park Ave. (Pizza) Closed Sat lunch & Sun.  Reviewers say the pizza here is the best food in Anaconda, and rates high compared to all other pizza. It is said to be authentic New York style pizza. (1-24-20)

Bigfork

Pocketstone Cafe–444 Electric Ave. (American) Open daily 6 am to 3 pm.  The best reviews are for breakfast–serves Northwest style fresh food (strawberry pancakes, several types of egg scrambles, etc.). Breakfast tacos are also available. (7-5-19)

Big Sky

Lotus Pad–47 Town Center Ave. (Thai) Dinner only (open daily).  Flavors are pretty close to traditional Thai but the spice level is not (order it spicy if you are used to medium spice levels at other restaurants). Reviewers like the curries, but the pad thai is not very popular. Some recommend getting the daily special, whatever it is. (1-24-20)

Billings

A Taste of Asia–111 S. 24th St. W. (Lao & Vietnamese) Open Mon-Sat 11 am to 8 pm.  Lao food seems to be what they do that is the most authentic, but Vietnamese (particularly pho) is what is most popular with customers. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Harper & Madison–3115 10th Ave. N. (New American) Open Tue-Sat (breakfast & lunch only).  Popular place for breakfast–somewhat upscale, quiche is one of the recommended dishes. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Imperial Thai–216 N. Broadway (Thai) Closed Sun.  Reviews seem to be uniformly positive, saying this is the best Asian food in Billings. Curries are recommended. Some dishes have kaffir lime. Owners also have Asia Garden in Sidney, MT. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

J P Kitchen–805 24th St. W. (Chinese) Dinner only (closed Mon).  Probably more authentic style Chinese food than the other restaurants in town. Menu is limited, though. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Okinawa Sushi–1414 Main St. (Japanese) Open Daily.  Has udon and other dishes besides sushi. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Black Eagle

Borries–1800 Smelter Ave. NE (Steakhouse) Dinner only (open daily).  This restaurant has been open literally for “generations,” and is a “local legend.” It is a steakhouse that also serves Italian food. This is an old style “supper club” restaurant, and serves old style steaks. It appears that they way it works is that you get a steak with minestrone soup, toasted ravioli, and spaghetti (you can also get chicken or fish instead of steak). (5-7-19)

Bozeman

Jam!–25 W. Main St. (American) Open daily 7 am to 3:30 pm.  Serves upscale breakfast, including fresh squeezed orange juice. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Pakeezah Authentic Indian–34 N. Bozeman Ave. (Indian) Closed Sun (and closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  Some say this is the only authentic Indian restaurant in Montana. Some like it because the food is actually spicy (but I suppose you can have it less spicy if desired). (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Sweet Chili Asian Bistro–101 E. Main St. (Thai) Closed Mon.  Reviewers say this is one of the best Thai places anywhere. Food is described as “fusion,” though, and I’m not sure how authentic it is. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Whistle Pig Korean–25 N. Willson Ave. (Korean) Dinner only (closed Sun & Mon).  Good reviews, and many say this is comparable to big city restaurants. Varied menu (not just Korean BBQ, etc.). (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Butte

Annie’s Cafe–815 E. Front St. (American) Breakfast & lunch Tue-Sun; dinner Wed-Fri.  Popular place for breakfast & lunch. Serves typical breakfast dishes, but they do them very well (according to reviewers). From the photos I would say to order the omelet. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Casagranda’s Steakhouse–801 S. Utah Ave. (Steakhouse) Dinner only (open daily).  Seems to be one of the best steakhouses in Montana (but has other items also, such as chicken, etc.). (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Freeway Tavern–2001 S. Montana St. (American) Open Daily.  This is a dive bar that is famous for one thing–the pork chop sandwich (the pork chop is battered in what looks like tempura and is called the “Wop Chop”). (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Pekin Noodle Parlor–117 S. Main St. (Chinese) Dinner only (closed Mon & Tue).  Old style Chinese food (get sweet and sour, ginger shrimp, tofu with veggies, house special fried rice). It’s best if you can order several items and eat them family style. Orders come with a choice of rice or noodles (reviewers say get the noodles). Each table is in an individual room. Go for the experience more than the food (rest. is 100 yrs. old–all with the same family). (Delivery only according to Google Maps 6-28-20)

Columbia Falls

Laurie’s Deli–330 9th St. W. (Sandwiches) Closed Sun.  Recommended place for soups and sandwiches. Uses house made bread, and cuts the meat for your order. (2-6-19)

Tien’s Place Oriental–329 9th St. W. (Chinese).  I don’t really think this is a “recommended” Chinese restaurant–just one of the best choices in the area. Food is Americanized, but the Szechuan style dishes are probably the closest to real Chinese food. (2-6-19)

Conrad

Home Cafe–408 S. Main St. (American) Open daily (breakfast & lunch only).  People say breakfast is excellent. Omelettes are recommended (Denver, sausage, etc.). (5-7-19)

Deer Lodge

Sesame Wok–1007 Village Ln. (Thai) Open Daily.  This is a double restaurant–Chinese Garden (Chinese) and Sesame Wok (Thai). Thai is what most people like–Singapore noodles, pad thai, curry, etc. (6-25-19)

Yak Yak’s–200 Main St. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun).  Good reviews for both breakfast & lunch (omelet is popular for breakfast). (6-25-19)

Dillon

China Garden–130 N. Montana St. (Chinese) Closed Sun.  Most of the menu consists of Americanized dishes, but look for the more authentic ones (such as clay pot dishes). (5-24-19)

Fiesta Mexicana–510 N. Montana St. (Mexican) Open daily 9 am to 10 pm.  Dining room is in a converted bus (this probably saves on heating bills in the winter). Authentic style food–tacos, burritos, etc. (I didn’t see a single picture of anything smothered in cheese). (5-24-19)

Sparky’s Garage–420 E. Poindexter St. (American) Open Daily.  This seems to be a favorite with locals. Serves burgers, sandwiches, etc. Has special items such as fried green tomatoes. Everything is made on site (including the salad dressing). (5-24-19)

East Glacier Park

Two Medicine Grill–314 US 2 (American) Open Daily.  Good quality (not always found in tourist towns where they have very little repeat business). Recommended items include breakfast (blueberry pancakes, omelets, etc.), bison burgers, and pie. (6-25-19)

Evergreen

Pho Ly–2141 US Hwy 2 East (Vietnamese) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sun).  Pho is described as top notch–serves other Vietnamese dishes as well. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Gallatin Gateway

Cafe at the Inn–65840 Gallatin Rd. (American).  Good food in a beautiful setting. Mostly known for its breakfast. Some items have green chile. Update 2019: Now only available to guests at the lodge. (6-25-19)

Gardiner

Grizzly Grille–1016 Scott St. (New American) Closed Sun.  This is a food truck (you have to eat outdoors on a picnic table but it has a great view). Eclectic menu including ramen (reviewers say it is not Japanese style but it is good with a less fatty broth). (6-25-19)

Yellowstone Grill–404 Scott St. (American) Breakfast Tue-Sun; lunch Tue-Sat (I think in winter it is closed Tue).  Breakfast is popular–best items are the more upscale ones (eggs Benedict, Mediterranean omelette, blueberry pancakes, etc.). (6-25-19)

Glendive

Li’s Chinese–1615 W. Towne St. (Chinese) Open daily except Sat lunch.  Dishes listed are Americanized, but owners are from San Francisco and reviewers say the food is good. Many people have cautioned, though, that they sometimes close early and do not follow the posted hours. (1-24-20)

Great Falls

Maple Garden–5401 9th Ave. S. (Korean).  I don’t know if it has the best Asian food in Great Falls, but it has the greatest consensus of diners that the food is good. Also has Chinese food, but it specializes in Korean. (5-7-19)

Pho Vi Tai–3212 10th Ave. S. (Vietnamese). Opened in 2019, so they may still be working out some bugs. Most say the food is good, and some comment that they now have some truly authentic Asian food in Great Falls. Both pho and vermicelli dishes are recommended. (5-7-19)

Suki Cafe–1229 10th Ave. S. (Thai).  Food is Thai and sushi, but the Thai food gets better reviews. People say it has “good Thai flavors” (so I would probably get curry or a stir fried dish). (5-7-19)

Note: Also see Black Eagle and Ulm for steakhouse recommendations.

Hamilton

A Thaiger–no address listed but it is close to Backroad Cider (Thai) Lunch Tue-Fri (serves until 1 pm), dinner Tue-Sat. This is a food truck (which is apparently how small towns are now able to get ethnic and more exotic food than before). Good reviews–some say this is the best food in town. (6-25-19)

Spice of Life–163 S. 2nd St. (New American) Lunch Tue-Fri; dinner Wed-Thu. Some good dishes include French onion soup, Cajun pasta, wild salmon, chicken alfredo, halibut and steak. Reviewers say it is worth stopping here. (6-25-19)

Taste of Paris–109 N. 4th St. (French) Closed Sun evening & Mon. Bistro style French food. French onion soup, pear salad, crepes, and desserts are some of the popular items. (6-25-19)

Helena

Mediterranean Grill–42 S. Park Ave. (Middle Eastern) Open daily 11 am to 9:30 pm.  Good reviews for the food, but they frequently run out of items (probably a result of being located far from large metro areas). Has some unusual items such as Turkish desserts. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Ristorante Bella Roma–22 N. Last Chance Gulch St. (Italian) Open daily except Sun lunch.  Its old location was offbeat–the chef only gave two choices for the entree, and it changed daily. There is now a larger but still limited menu-diners say everything is excellent, cooked from scratch, and authentic. Some recommend the four course meals (expensive but a memorable experience). (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Suki Cafe–15 W. 6th Ave. (Thai) Closed Sun.  This seems to be the only Asian restaurant in town with good reviews that is open for lunch. It has Thai and Japanese food (mainly sushi). Like its sister restaurant in Great Falls, the Thai food looks like a better bet. If you order the Japanese food, the salmon gets good reviews. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Toi’s Thai–423 N. Last Chance Gulch St. (Thai) Lunch Thu & Fri, dinner Wed-Sat.  Green curry is recommended (but not many dishes have the same level of popularity). Overall the restaurant has quite a few supporters. Don’t order the food spicy unless you really want it that way. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Hungry Horse

Carolyn’s Cafe–8930 Hwy. 2 East (American) Open 7am to 2 pm daily.  Located in a gas station, it’s especially popular for breakfast (huckleberry pancakes are a local favorite). At lunch huckleberry pie is popular. Everything is made in house. (7-5-19)

Kalispell

Brannigan’s Pub–101 E. Center St. (Irish) Open Daily.  Irish pub with food that gets good reviews. (I think the dining room is open 6-28-20)

Knead Cafe–21 5th St. E. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun & Mon).  Has the usual breakfast favorites, but with a British twist (scones, corned beef hash, Welsh eggs, etc. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Pho Ly (see Evergreen, MT)

Thai Palace–319 Main St. (Thai) Open 11 am to 10 pm (closed Sun).  Owners are from Thailand and return periodically (so food is authentic). Reviewers say price is an issue, though, and it’s better to go at lunch. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Lewistown

China Garden Kitchen–316 W. Main St. (Chinese) Closed Mon.  American style Chinese food, but reviewers say it is very good, fresh, and flavorful. (Takeout only 6-38-20)

Livingston

Big Sky Thai–102 Rogers Ln. (Thai) Closed Mon. It is worth taking note anytime there is a five-star Thai restaurant in Montana, and this has the reviews indicating it is one. Curries are recommended. (4-1-19)

Crust & Crumb Bakery–1106 W. Park St. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun).  Open for breakfast & lunch, but most people seem to go for lunch. Chicken soup and turkey bacon wrap are examples of the items served. The pie is very popular. (4-1-19)

Faye’s Cafe–415 E. Lewis St. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (open Sun-Wed only).  Upscale restaurant that is popular for breakfast. (4-1-19)

The Wok–102 N. 2nd St. (Chinese).  Reviewers say the owners do their best to offer authentic Chinese food within the limits of being in rural Montana. Good ratings for the food. (4-1-19)

Yellowstone Valley Lodge–3840 US 89 S (American) Open Daily.  This is a steak restaurant located in a lodge that reviewers say is very worthwhile. Not only are the steaks a good taste of Montana food, but they are apparently less expensive than at other restaurants. Other main dishes are served, and the same care goes into the side dishes as the entrees. Note: this is located south of the town of Livingston. Closed in winter. (4-1-19)

Lolo

Bamboo Chopstix II–11400 Hwy 93 S (Chinese) Lunch Tue-Fri; dinner Tue-Sun.  This was apparently the new location for the former Hong Kong Chef in Missoula where I ate and really enjoyed the food. Now it has a new name and different hours, but good reviews (and is said to have some authentic dishes). (7-5-19)

Lolo Creek Steakhouse–6600 Lolo Creek Rd. (Steaks) Dinner only (open daily).  This restaurant is more expensive than my normal guidelines, but seems to be worth it for a good example of Montana’s “national food” (steaks). (7-5-19)

Missoula

Edelweiss Bistro (at Bayern Brewing)–1507 Montana St. (German) Closed Sun.  The emphasis is definitely on the beer, but they also serve schnitzels and German cucumber salad (also potato salad). The customers seem to be very satisfied. It also seems that they have the best beer in Missoula. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Five on Black–325 N. Higgins Ave. (Fast Food) Open Daily.  This restaurant fits the “fast food” category only in that it is pre-prepared and you are served quickly. The food is fresh and good quality, and is Brazilian inspired (has some items with Brazilian flavors). Reviewers say this all works and it is very good. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Masala–206 W. Main St. (Indian) Closed Sun & closed Sat lunch.  Info says it is both Indian and Nepali. Definitely seems to serve some different and unique dishes not normally found in Indian restaurants. Quality is said to be excellent most of the time (with occasional misses). Has good vegetarian options. I don’t think it has a buffet. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Vietnam Noodle–2100 Stephens Ave. (Vietnamese) Closed Sun (and closed 2:30 to 5 pm).  Reviewers say there is a large menu selection, and this is legit Vietnamese food. Pho has mixed reviews (reviewers say Vietnam Grill at 420 N. Higgins is better for pho). (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Shelby

The Griddle–311 Main St. (American) Open daily 7 am to 9 pm.  Everything for breakfast is said to be good, but eggs, bacon, muffins, and omelettes are the most popular. Burgers are popular at lunch. (5-7-19)

Saint Mary

Johnson’s Cafe–21 Red Eagle Rd. (American) Open daily 8 am to 9 pm.  Fried chicken, bison steak, veggie burger, omelette, and huckleberry ice cream pie are recommended. (No info about whether the dining room is open or whether it is takeout only 6-28-20)

Sidney

Asian Garden–115 E. Main St. (Thai) Open daily 11 am to 9 pm.  Serves Chinese food (Americanized), but the thing to get here is the Thai (green curry, yellow curry, chicken coconut soup, etc). (1-24-20)

Stevensville

Marie’s Italian–4040 US 93 N. (Italian).  For some reason there are several Italian restaurants in town, but this restaurant north of town is the one that gets the most rave reviews, serving upscale food that you will likely remember for some time (I don’t know the prices here–they are likely to be fairly high but lower than comparable restaurants in major cities). (7-5-19)

Mission Bistro–225 Main St. (American) Dinner Wed-Sat; brunch Sun.  Reviewers say it has very high quality food. Menu changes all the time. Salads are not to be missed. (7-5-19)

Three Forks

Iron Horse Cafe–24 N. Main St. (American) Open Daily.  Casual restaurant that serves steaks, but seems to specialize in sandwiches and other popular items such as Sunday night all you can eat catfish. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Peking–10 N. Main St. (Chinese) Open daily except Sat lunch.  The food is described as authentic (in the flavors, etc.) and can legitimately be called the best food in town. (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Pompey’s Grill–5 N. Main St. (Steaks) Dinner only (closed Mon & Tue).  Expensive, but I think the food here qualifies as a “local specialty.” Steak, prime rib, bison, etc., but also has some less expensive items. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Ulm

Beef N Bone–19 Ulm N. Frontage Road (Steakhouse) Dinner only (closed Sun & Mon).  Voted by readers of the Great Falls Tribune as the best steakhouse in the area (Ulm is about 10 miles SW of Great Falls). The premise of the restaurant is that the best meat is that which is close to the bone (and this is what they serve). Some of the steaks are quite large (enough for at least two people). The steaks here are less expensive than similar cuts at other restaurants, though. (5-7-19)

West Yellowstone

Euro Cafe–237 Firehole Ave. (International) Breakfast & lunch only (open daily).  This would probably be a better breakfast than at other places because you get more variety (such as crepes, scones, etc). However, some reviewers say not to expect European quality–just a good choice for a tourist town in Montana. Place is small (only has 8 to 10 tables). (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Red Lotus–19 Madison Ave. (Chinese) Only open May-Oct.  In addition to the Americanized menu they have a Chinese menu (with authentic food such as ma po tofu and Chinese green beans). Photos of the food honestly look like something from San Francisco (and get excellent reviews). (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Whitefish

Cafe Kandahar–3824 Big Mountain Rd. (Modern American) Dinner only (open daily).  World class food that I imagine is very expensive, but it’s on this list because the restaurant is very highly recommended. Food is fusion style, and everything is local and organic. You can come in jeans. Some reviewers describe it as small with limited seating. (Located at the ski area north of town). (Takeout only 6-28-20)

Loula’s Cafe–300 2nd St. E. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (open daily).  Probably the most popular breakfast place in town. Food looks fresh and organic (although reviewers don’t say it is organic). Chicken pot pie is one of the recommended dishes. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Orient Express–6155 US 93 S. (Chinese) Closed Mon.  Best Asian in the valley–goes beyond standard (Americanized) Chinese dishes. Satay beef noodle soup is popular. (Dining room is open 6-28-20)

Willow Creek

Willow Creek Cafe–21 Main St. (American) Dinner daily; lunch Sat & Sun.  Best known for its ribs, but people rave about the steaks also. Serves good vegetarian meals as well. (7-5-19)

 

Notes About This List:

This is a “master list” of restaurants that I have seen on the Internet or other sources and would like to try, or that I think would be of interest to others.  I do not mean for this to be an exhaustive list of every good place to eat, but it should represent a good sample of the most interesting or unique restaurants, along with a few that best represent an area’s regional cuisine.  My own recommendations are in Bold.

I am not looking to include:

• Fine dining (unless they are unique because of regional specialties)
• Low end restaurants that are popular with locals but may not be of much interest to travelers or people in general (everyone will have to use their judgment on this one)

Extra consideration for the following:

• The food is organic, fresh, healthy, or farm to table
• The restaurant serves a relatively hard to find type of ethnic food and reviews are good

In addition to the regular guidelines I try to include:

• The best Asian restaurants in the area even if they are not totally authentic
• Particularly good Mexican restaurants (this usually means the food is from a particular state in Mexico or it is one of the best examples of a U.S. regional style)

Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.

 

Sources:

Google Maps

Great Falls Tribune (Great Falls Steakhouses)

Trip Advisor

Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)

Yelp (Montana)

Zomato (Missoula)

 

Restaurant Guide Main Index

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Kansas | Missouri

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• Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
• Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources (see bottom of page for further explanation)

Independence, MO

Gates BBQ–10440 E. US 40 Hwy. (BBQ) Open Daily. Many of its fans consider it to be “the world’s best barbecue.” Gil’s favorites are ribs and chicken. Some say the service is not as good here as at the other Gates locations (which usually translates into people having to wait a long time for things). (Takeout only 7-29-20)

Thai Kitchen–19321 E. US 40 Hwy. (Thai) Open Daily.  Seems to be the best Thai restaurant on the east side of KC. Curries are very popular. (Takeout and delivery only 7-29-20)

Kansas City, KS

Bonito Michoacan–1150 Minnesota Ave. (Mexican) Open daily 7 am to 10 pm.  Tacos al pastor and a number of other types of tacos (but probably pastor is best). Has barbacoa, gorditas, Mexican sodas (in other words, it is more than just tacos). (5-18-19)

El Pollo Rey–901 Kansas Ave. (Mexican) Open Daily.  Mexican style chicken. (5-18-19)

Joe’s Kansas City BBQ (formerly Oklahoma Joe’s)–3002 W. 47th Ave. (BBQ) Closed Sun.  Ribs, brisket, chicken (Bill Hensley’s blog rates Billy Sims as having better ribs). Gil says the pulled pork is best–the rest is disappointing overall. Most people say the burnt ends are excellent. (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Noodle Bar–10940 Parallel Pkwy. (Vietnamese) Closed Sun.  Very good reviews. Serves pho, ramen, pad thai, and other types of Asian cuisine. All of them seem to be good, even though this is not usually the case when they do not stick to one cuisine. (5-18-19)

Slap’s BBQ–553 Central Ave. (BBQ) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sun evening).  A very highly rated restaurant with locals, but seems to be under the radar on the national barbecue lists. Brisket, pulled pork, and burnt ends are recommended (some are disappointed with the ribs). (5-18-19)

Vietnam Cafe–2200 W. 39th Ave. (Vietnamese) Open to 7:30 pm (closed Mon).  Recent reviews say it has gone downhill but is still good for certain items. Lemongrass chicken and bun (vermicelli bowl) are recommended. This is a branch of Vietnam Cafe in KCMO. (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Kansas City, MO

Andre’s–5018 Main St. (Swiss) Open 7 am to 5:30 pm (closed Sun).  Authentic Swiss lunches and pastries are the specialty (this looks like a deli). (Dining room is open-masks required to enter 6-27-20)

Arthur Bryant’s–1727 Brooklyn Ave. (BBQ) Open Daily.  Ribs, burnt ends. Gil likes burnt ends, pork sandwich, and baked beans (this is Gil’s favorite BBQ). (Takeout only 6-27-20)

BB’s Lawnside BBQ–1205 E. 85th St. (BBQ) Closed Mon.  This is a very highly rated, but not the highest rated barbecue restaurant in KC. When I ate there, though, it made quite an impression on me, and I am even more surprised that it is still around (I won’t tell you how many years later). To me you can’t do much better than this place. Burnt ends are especially popular but everything seems to be good (according to reviewers). (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Blue Nile–20 E. 5th St. (Ethiopian) Closed Sun dinner; closed Tue.  Traditional Ethiopian food. (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Browne’s Irish Marketplace–3300 Pennsylvania Ave. (Irish) Open 9 am to 3 pm (closed Sun).  Unlike Irish pubs, this focuses on being a restaurant and sandwich shop, with a wide variety of Irish food. Has been operating since 1900 (so they must be doing something right). (Takeout only 7-29-20)

Cacao–1046 W. 103rd St. (Mexican) Open Daily.  Upscale Mexican food with authentic Yucatan style dishes. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Cafe Europa–323 E. 55th St. (Modern European) Open 10 am to 7 pm (closed Sun).  Does not specialize in authentic food from any particular country, but reviewers say the food is really good. Not to miss is the dessert (such as lemon cake, key lime pie, pecan pie, etc.). (Outdoor seating is available; otherwise takeout only 7-29-20)

Garozzo’s–526 Harrison St. (Italian) Open daily except Sun lunch.  KC old style Italian (this is supposedly the best one in town). Chicken spiedini is a favorite. (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Grunauer–101 W. 22nd St. (Austrian) Dinner only (closed Mon & Tue).  German food served Austrian style, with other German dishes also available (reviewers say all of it is good–or at least most of the reviewers). I know German food is not cheap, but this is not overpriced–just fairly priced (it definitely looks upscale though). I think some of the negative reviews may be because Austrian food is a little different, and may not be what many expect when they get German food, although some say the only negative was the service. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Hien Vuong–417 Main St. (Vietnamese) Open daily except Tue dinner.  Some say if you want authentic Asian in KCMO, come here or Vietnam Cafe (otherwise the closest is at Overland Park & Shawnee KS). (Takeout only 6-27-20)

iPho Tower–3623 Broadway St. (Vietnamese) Open daily 11:30 am to 8 pm.  This seems to be an exception to the belief that the only good Vietnamese is downtown. Reviewers say the broth of the pho is very flavorful, and they give you a good choice (chicken, vegetarian, etc.). (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Island Spice–10 W. 39th St. (Jamaican) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sun & Mon).  Authentic Jamaican food. Curry chicken, jerk chicken, brown gravy chicken, etc. are popular. (I don’t know whether dining room is open 7-29-20)

LC’s BBQ–5800 Blue Pkwy. (BBQ) Open 11 am to 9 pm (closed Sun).  Burnt ends, ribs. Said to be one of the best BBQ places in KC, and may have an edge over the others because of the sauce. (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Mesob–3600 Broadway Blvd. (Ethiopian) Dinner only (closed Mon).  An African and Caribbean fusion restaurant which reviewers say works perfectly to give you great food. (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Olive Cafe–9530 James A. Reed Rd. (Middle Eastern) Open Daily. Some say this is the best Middle Eastern food in KC. Is in a small building with a grocery store & restaurant. Lunch buffet is very popular because you can try a number of dishes (and reviewers say they are all good). (I think it is takeout only 7-29-20)

Pot Pie–904 Westport Rd. (American) Closed Sun & Mon; closed Sat lunch.  Upscale food at lower prices than similar restaurants. Chicken pot pie is very good, but the menu includes many other great choices. (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Q39–1000 W. 39th St. (BBQ) Open Daily.  Serves KC barbecue that rivals or may even be better than in the more well known places (most reviewers seem to think it is better). Brisket, burnt ends, and ribs are popular (these three come on the combo plate). (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Seva–8674 NE Flintrock Rd. (Indian) Open daily (closed from 2 to 4:30 pm).  Has a flavor that meets the expectations for both those who want it authentic and those who are merely looking for good flavor. Reviewer also they they get the spice level right (not too spicy or too timid). Has a buffet that commenters say is pretty good. Dishes served are the most common ones found at Indian restaurants (such as chicken tikka masala) but with a better flavor than most. (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Shio Ramen–3605 Broadway (Japanese) Dinner only (closed Sun & Mon).  Ramen is rated highly (has 5 kinds). Note: Sama Zama is also highly rated but it seems to be more expensive and only serves one type of ramen (you can get it regular or spicy). (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Stroud’s–5410 NE Oak Ridge Rd. (American) Dinner daily; lunch Fri & Sun only.  Fried chicken is famous here. Also try the cinnamon rolls. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Sweet Siam Thai–4130 Pennsylvania Ave. (Thai) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  This may be the best Thai rest. in KCMO. The spice levels are predetermined, so you get the best blend of flavors according to the chef’s experience. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Taj Palace–1706 W. 39th St. (Indian) Closed Tue (and closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  Looks like the type of Indian food I like (authentic food from family recipes). For the best results, though, order from the menu (don’t get the buffet). Does not have a thali dinner (except dinners for two people). (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

The Farmhouse–300 Delaware St. (New American) Lunch Thu-Sun; dinner Thu-Sat.  Farm to table restaurant that does not look too expensive. Reviewers seem to particularly like breakfast (opens at 8 am weekdays and 9 am weekends). (Takeout only 7-29-20)

Vietnam Cafe–522 Campbell St. (Vietnamese) Closed Tue; closed Sun evening.  Reviewers from Vietnam say this tastes like home (so it is not Americanized). Menu is full of items that you probably won’t find other places. Also in KCK. (Dining room is open 7-29-20)

Note: W. 17th & Summit St. is the center of a cluster of interesting looking restaurants for those looking for “New American” (organic, farm to table, etc.) and other high quality (but not necessarily very expensive) places to eat. These are ones I have found (updated 7-29-20):

• Swoon Cookie–now moved to 924 E. 5th (Cookie shop)
• The Westside Local–1663 Summit (Farm to table)
• Los Alamos–1667 Summit (Mexican–authentic and somewhat upscale)
• Chez Elle–1713 Summit (Crepes)
• Blue Bird Bistro–1700 Summit (Farm to table)
• Fervere–1702 Summit (Artisan bakery)
• Goat Hill Coffee & Soda–811 W. 17th (Coffee, baked goods, Italian soda)
• Novel–now moved to 1927 McGee St. (Seasonal–Dinner only–prob. the most expensive rest. in the area)

Lenexa, KS

KC Grill & Kabob–8611 Hauser Ct. (Persian) Open daily except Sun evening & Mon.  Persian restaurant that specializes in kabobs, but apparently many other Iranian dishes are served on the buffet (buffet served Thur, Fri, Sat & Sun from 4 pm to closing). (Dining room is open but there is no buffet 6-27-20)

Olathe, KS

Chapala–105 S. Clairborne Rd. (Mexican) Open Daily.  Authentic Mexican that serves upscale food like mole (this is not a street food restaurant, although I think you can order that if you want). (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Spin Pizza–14230 W. 119th St. (Pizza) Open daily 11 am to 8 pm.  Wood fired European style pizza. (I do not find info saying the dining room is open 6-27-20)

Overland Park, KS

ABC Cafe–10001 W. 87th St. (Chinese) Closes at 9:45 pm (closed Tue & Wed).  Authentic Cantonese menu–hot pot, congee, etc. Made to order dim sum (siu mai is recommended). Dim sum is served all day until closing. It has recently surpassed Pine & Bamboo for dim sum and Jen Jen’s for menu items in the opinion of many Yelpers. It is said that the reason it’s open late is that the employees of the other Chinese restaurants come here to eat after they get off work. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Jack Stack Barbecue–9520 Metcalf Ave. (BBQ) Open Daily.  One of KC’s legendary barbecue restaurants, but the one here is supposedly better than the one in Kansas City. Ribs and burnt ends are recommended. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Jen Jen’s–9066 Metcalf Ave. (Chinese) Open 5 pm to Midnight (closed Mon).  Authentic upscale Hong Kong style food that reviewers say is authentic. Good for a special occasion (when you want something authentic). (Temporarily closed 6-27-20)

Pad Thai–14319 Metcalf Ave. (Thai) Open Daily.  Several reviewers say this is the best Thai restaurant in the KC area. It looks upscale, and while some people may like it mainly because of the setting, the food seems to be the real deal. People especially like the curry (red, yellow, or pad prik king). (Takeout and delivery only 6-27-20)

Sichuan Dynasty–7206 W. 119th St. (Chinese) Closed Tue.  Authentic Sichuan style cuisine. (Dining room is open 6-27-20)

Taste of Africa–11240 W. 135th St. (East African) Closed Sun.  Reviewers say it is authentic and delicious (but main dishes are limited to a few items such as chicken, beef, goat stew, vegetarian, etc.). (Takeout only 6-27-20)

Shawnee, KS

Pine and Bamboo Garden–10915 Shawnee Mission Parkway (Chinese) Closed Tue.  Although many people order the Americanized Chinese food, the Chinese menu is what sets this restaurant apart from others (specializes in Cantonese food). Has dim sum until 3 pm (2:30 pm on Sat & Sun). (Takeout and delivery only 6-27-20)

 

 

Notes About This List:

This is a “master list” of restaurants that I have seen on the Internet or other sources and would like to try, or that I think would be of interest to others.  I do not mean for this to be an exhaustive list of every good place to eat, but it should represent a good sample of the most interesting or unique restaurants, along with a few that best represent an area’s regional cuisine.  My own recommendations are in Bold.

I am not looking to include:

• Fine dining (unless they are unique because of regional specialties)
• Low end restaurants that are popular with locals but may not be of much interest to travelers or people in general (everyone will have to use their judgment on this one)

Extra consideration for the following:

• The food is organic, fresh, healthy, or farm to table
• The restaurant serves a relatively hard to find type of ethnic food and reviews are good

In addition to the regular guidelines I try to include:

• The best Asian restaurants in the area even if they are not totally authentic
• Particularly good Mexican restaurants (this usually means the food is from a particular state in Mexico or it is one of the best examples of a U.S. regional style)

Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.

 

Sources:

Gil’s Thrilling (and Filling) Blog

KansasTravel.org

Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)

Yelp (Kansas)

Yelp (Missouri)

Zomato (Kansas City)

 

 

Restaurant Guide Main Index

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Kansas City

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• Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
• Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources (see bottom of page for further explanation)

Abilene

Brookville Hotel–105 E. Lafayette Ave. (American) Open Fri-Sun only. It’s easy to order here because everyone gets the same thing–pan fried chicken and mashed potatoes (and people say it is very good). (Dining room is open-reservations strongly recommended-restaurant only open May to Oct. 8-1-20)

Arkansas City

M&M Meals for the Soul–621 N. 1st St. (BBQ) Lunch only (closed Sun).  Soul food and barbecue restaurant (I think in this order). It has such good reviews I had to add it to the list. Meatloaf sandwich, fried chicken, rib dinner are among the recommendations. (I don’t know if dining room is open 8-9-20)

Arlington

Carolyn’s Essenhaus–104 E. Main St. (German) Closed Sat evening & Sun.  Mennonite food (I discovered how wonderful this is one time when I was in Newton). Homemade bread and pies are very popular. (Dining room is open 8-1-20)

Assaria

Renaissance Cafe–210 N. Center St. (Italian) Open 5 pm to 9 pm Thu-Sat only.  This appears to be very well prepared Italian food in a small town that has a loyal customer base from surrounding towns who want to enjoy a special dinner. (4-1-19)

Atchison

Gateway to Kansas Shops & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain–504 Commercial St. (American) Lunch only (closed Sun).  Has hamburgers and daily specials (such as tenderloin steak sandwich on Thursday). The real draw here seems to be the soda shop decor, the chocolate malt, and the store you can browse (many items are used and are on consignment). (1-21-20)

Dodge City

Chu Mys Kitchen–2208 W. Wyatt Earp Blvd. (Vietnamese) Lunch only (closed Mon).  Reviewers say it is excellent with rich flavors. (I don’t know if the dining room is open 8-9-20)

Tacos Jalisco–412 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd. (Mexican) Open daily (open late night).  Authentic taqueria style Mexican food. Reviewers like the tacos al pastor (among others) and the horchata (Dining room is open 8-9-20)

El Dorado

Moe’s Grill–710 S. Main St. (American) Lunch Mon-Fri; dinner Tue-Fri.  I have to include a restaurant in El Dorado because my mom says this city is the first place where I ever ate at a restaurant (starting a long tradition which I now blog about). It was not Moe’s Grill (reviewers say it opened recently) but Moe’s does have very good reviews, with its hamburgers and barbecue seeming to be “legit” (to use terminology that did not exist in my early days of eating out). (1-21-20)

Emporia

Amanda’s–702 Commercial St. (American) Breakfast and lunch only (closed Sun & Mon).  Not Mennonite food, but seems to be similar quality. Popular for its breakfasts, sandwiches, and home made bread. (5-24-19)

Pho Bann Lao–409 Commercial St. (Lao) Open Daily.  Seems to be the highest rated Asian restaurant in Emporia. Serves Lao food and other dishes such as pho. (5-24-19)

Fredonia

The Kitchen Table–114 S. 3rd St. (American) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun).  Many reviewers say it has the best breakfast buffet ever. People have equally good comments about lunch, but there is not a consensus about which is the best item (it seems that everything is good). There is a consensus, though, that you should try the pie. (1-21-20)

Garden City

La Estrella–305 E. Kansas Ave. (Mexican) Closed Sun (open late night Fri & Sat).  Said to be authentic, very good, and cheap Mexican street food. (Dining room is open 8-9-20)

Pho Hoa One–713 E. Fulton St. (Vietnamese) Closed Sun evening & Wed.  Reviewers say it is authentic and delicious (several say it may be the best Vietnamese in Kansas). (I don’t know if the dining room is open 8-9-20)

Hays

Gella’s Diner–117 E. 11th St. (Mennonite) Open daily.  Home cooking. Mennonite cuisine (sauerkraut soup, homemade brats, bierocks, brebble fry bread, homemade potato & dumpling soup). Also has a brewery. (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Herington

West Walnut Market–327 W. Walnut St. (American) Open daily (serves breakfast).  Home cooked food served in a grocery store, and reviewers say it is a real gem. Biscuits and gravy are recommended for breakfast. (5-24-19)

Hutchinson

Casa Azteca–2803 N. Lorraine St. (Mexican) Closed Mon.  Probably has some Americanized dishes, but some seem authentic. Mole is made in house (not from a mix, according to a reviewer). Many say to order the molcajete. (Dining room is open 8-9-20)

R-B Drive In–201 E. Ave. A (Fast Food) Lunch only (closed Sun).  Specialties are a smashed burger with crispy edges, fried mushrooms, meatloaf, pork tenderloin sandwiches, and onion rings. (Dining room is open 8-9-20)

Roy’s Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q–1018 Nickerson Blvd. (BBQ) Lunch only (closed Sun & Mon).  Reviews say this is excellent BBQ–comparable to Kansas City. Opens at 11 am every day and closes when it runs out of meat. (I don’t know if the dining room is open 8-9-20)

Skaets Steak Shop–2300 N. Main St. (American) Closed Mon.  Good place for breakfast, especially the pancakes. Open flame broiler opens at 4:30 pm (for steaks and hamburgers). (I believe the dining room is open 8-9-20)

Junction City

Korean Garden–310 Grant Ave. (Korean) Lunch Tue-Sat; dinner Fri & Sat (closed Sun & Mon). Dinner is said to be more authentic than lunch. Serves Korean (barley) tea. (Takeout only 8-1-20)

Negril Caribbean–127 W. 7th St. (Caribbean) Open daily except Sun evening.  Jerk chicken, ox tail, dinner, sweet potato pudding. (I don’t know if dining room is open 8-1-20)

Leavenworth

Baan Thai–301 S. 4th St. (Thai) Open Daily.  Reviews say it is outstanding. Pad thai is not rated as highly as the curries. (2-27-19)

Excellent Choice–1000 N. 7th St. (Soul Food) Open Tue-Fri (11-2 and 4:00 to 7:30).  Is the “real deal” soul food. Catfish seems to be the favorite item. Gumbo and fried chicken are also popular. (2-27-19)

Hyundai–749 Shawnee St. (Korean) Closed Sat evening & Sun (closes 7 pm other days).  Authentic. Seems to have dishes not available at many other Korean restaurants (2-27-19)

Liberal

Pancake House–640 E. Pancake Blvd. (American) Open until 1 pm (closed Mon).  This is no joke-the main street in town is called Pancake Blvd. Quite a popular restaurant-Swedish pancakes is one of the choices (Apparently the dining room is open 6-26-20)

Lindsborg

Swedish Country Inn–112 W. Lincoln (Swedish) Breakfast only. Serves a traditional Swedish breakfast. Located in the Swedish Country Inn, and breakfast is free to hotel guests (I am not sure if it is open to the public). (4-1-19)

Swedish Crown–121 N. Main St. (Swedish) Closed Sun evening & Mon.  Old restaurant that had been closed but reopened Jul. 2019. Serves traditional Swedish food. (Temporarily closed 8-1-20)

Manhattan

Baan Thai–1620 Ft. Riley Blvd. (Thai) Open Daily.  Good, flavorful Thai (but they have a location in Leavenworth that some say is even better). (Takeout and delivery only 8-1-20)

El Patron–429 Poyntz Ave. (Mexican) Open Daily.  Food looks pretty good and reviewers say the same about it. Is not Tex-Mex, has sauces such as green sauce (I don’t know how spicy it is). (Dining room is open 8-1-20)

Newton

The Breadbasket–219 N. Main St. (American) Breakfast Mon-Sat; lunch daily; dinner Fri & Sat.  Mennonite style food. Best known for its breakfast buffet and its Fri & Sat night German buffet. (I believe the dining room is open 8-9-20)

Ottawa

Smoked Creations BBQ–222 E. Logan St. (BBQ) Open Daily.  Reviewers say this is among the best BBQ around (and this includes the nearby Kansas City BBQ). Everything is good, but the standout items are pulled pork and a pulled pork sandwich with bacon and cheese on top named the “pig out.” Baked beans are also recommended. (5-7-19)

Paola

Beethoven’s #9–2 W. Piankishaw St. (German) Open Thurs-Sat (lunch & dinner).  Jaeger Schnitzel is recommended. (1-21-20)

Pittsburg

Pichler’s Chicken Annie’s–1271 S. 220th St. (Chicken) Dinner Tue-Sun; lunch Sun only (closed Mon).  Pan fried chicken, German cole slaw, German potato salad. Located about 3 mi. s. of Pittsburg. Note: there is another restaurant listed on the Internet called Chicken Annie’s Original located e. of Frontenac. I do not know if some of the reviews and info. I have found are actually for this restaurant, but Yelp seems to indicate that the one people are reviewing is the one on S. 220th St. (1-21-20)

Typhoon–1014 S. Broadway St. (Thai) Closed Sun.  Curry is recommended, but it is in general is said to be a very good Thai restaurant. (1-21-20)

Salina

Auntie Rita’s–1315 S. Santa Fe (Jamaican) Lunch only (closed Mon).  Good reviews (even though this cuisine is unfamiliar to many locals, they like the flavor of the food). (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Seoul USA–750 S. Broadway (Korean) Closed Sun evening & Mon.  Authentic with a large menu (including some vegetarian dishes). (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Strong City

Ad Astra–318 Cottonwood St. (Modern American) Open Fri-Sun lunch & dinner.  Good, inexpensive food–most popular is hamburger. Focuses on locally produced produce & meat. Also has good vegetarian options. (5-24-19)

Topeka

Lonnie Q’s BBQ–3150 SE 21st St. (BBQ) Open 11am to 1 pm Mon-Fri (also Fri evening).  Most reviewers say the food is “fantastic” or “amazing.” Only has brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and turkey. Most say it is comparable to Kansas City BBQ. Customers say it is best to arrive right after 11 am in order not to wait in a long line. The Kansas style BBQ sauce here is darker and richer than other styles served throughout the US. (Dining room is open-reservations are required-ribs only served Thu & Fri 8-1-20)

Monsoon Grill–2040 SW Wanamaker Rd. (Indian) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm). Reviewers say quality compares to Kansas City or other large cities. (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Tup Tim Thai–220 SW 29th St. (Thai) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm).  Reviewers suggest the lunch specials as a good bargain. Good items include the curries and the “Money Bags” appetizer. They do not make the food as spicy as at other Thai restaurants, but they will do so if you ask for “Thai hot.” (Takeout or delivery only 6-26-20)

Wichita

Chiang Mai Thai–3141 S. Hillside St. (Thai) Open Daily.  Reviewers say it is authentic, and I believe this is true because it is located near the Air Force base (this is usually where the authentic Asian food is found). Some people indicate that it is Thai & Lao. (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Gabby’s Peruvian–1713 W. Douglas Ave. (Peruvian) Closed Mon & Tue (and closes Sun at 7 pm).  Food is authentic with a wide assortment of dishes (not just ceviche). (Takeout only 6-26-20)

Lemongrass–300 N. Mead (Vietnamese) Open Daily.  Pho and other menu items are recommended (has a pretty extensive menu). (Dining room is open 8-1-20)

Little Saigon–1015 N. Broadway (Vietnamese) Closed Mon.  Noodle dishes are recommended but reviewers like just about everything. (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Malaysia Cafe–7777 E. 21st St. N. (Malaysian) Closed Sun.  Has Chinese and other Asian cuisines, but the Malaysian menu is recommended (you’ll get the dishes that are popular in Malaysia). Fast food style, and orders come in styrofoam containers, but the food is high quality. Urbanspoon reviewers recommended char kuey teow and Hainanese chicken rice. (Takeout and delivery only 8-1-20)

Mediterranean Grill–335 S. Town East Mall Dr. (Lebanese) Closed Sun.  May be the best Middle Eastern food in Wichita (and the only one I found on Yelp that looked worth recommending). Fatoosh, hummos, tabouli, and falafel are good. Any of the meats are recommended. (Takeout only 6-26-20)

Molino’s–1064 N. Waco (Mexican) Open Daily.  This is authentic Mexican style (not Americanized) “alta cocina” Mexican food. I can’t vouch for how good it is, but it looks very good from the photos and reviews are very good (I think it’s the real deal). Just so you’ll know, though, it’s more expensive than most other Mexican restaurants. (Takeout and delivery only 6-26-20)

My Tho–500 E. Central Ave. (Vietnamese) Closed Tue & Wed.  Authentic and downscale (home style). This is the type of restaurant you would find in the typical Asian district rather than the (more Americanized and upscale) ones that would be found in the suburbs. (Apparently the dining room is open 8-1-20)

Pig In Pig Out–1003 E. 13th St. N. (BBQ) Closed Sun & Mon (open for lunch only).  Reviewers say this is one of the top BBQ restaurants in Wichita (and many say it is the best). Ribs and pulled pork are recommended. (Dining room is open 6-26-20)

Wilson

Made from Scratch–527 27th St. (American) Breakfast & lunch only; open daily (according to some sources).  Chicken (only on Sun), sandwich, omelette, pie (desserts are especially recommended here). (5-24-19)

Note: Al’s Grill (a Czech restaurant) is now closed. Supposedly kolaches are available in Wilson, though (apparently at Grandma’s Soda Shop). Czech sausages and meats, formerly available at Al’s Grill, may also be available in town. (5-24-19)

Woodbine

Woodbine Cafe–12 N. Broadway (German).  Has German food, but other items such as open faced roast beef sandwich are popular. (6-30-19)

 

Notes About This List:

This is a “master list” of restaurants that I have seen on the Internet or other sources and would like to try, or that I think would be of interest to others.  I do not mean for this to be an exhaustive list of every good place to eat, but it should represent a good sample of the most interesting or unique restaurants, along with a few that best represent an area’s regional cuisine.  My own recommendations are in Bold.

I am not looking to include:

• Fine dining (unless they are unique because of regional specialties)
• Low end restaurants that are popular with locals but may not be of much interest to travelers or people in general (everyone will have to use their judgment on this one)

Extra consideration for the following:

• The food is organic, fresh, healthy, or farm to table
• The restaurant serves a relatively hard to find type of ethnic food and reviews are good

In addition to the regular guidelines I try to include:

• The best Asian restaurants in the area even if they are not totally authentic
• Particularly good Mexican restaurants (this usually means the food is from a particular state in Mexico or it is one of the best examples of a U.S. regional style)

Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.

 

Sources:

Culture Trip (Top 10 Barbecue Restaurants in Kansas)

KansasTravel.org

Urbanspoon.com (former web site which I used for preliminary research)

Yelp (Kansas)

Zomato (Wichita)