Free State Brewing Co= Good grub in this pub

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Good grub in this pub. Really likes it . We have been here several times. While I have never had beer here, I know the food is good. Everything is consistently good and nicely priced. Salads, entrees and interesting assortment of items make for a nice menu and good eats. It does however get real noisy and busy at night however.

Restuarant Finds : La Parilla

I've been here for great Mexican and Latin entrees for several years. There is a variety of entrees and some keep changing. The drinks are also interesting too. Affordable and tasty and you are sure to find something different here for your pallette. These people also own Zen Zero which I like as well.

I passed on this buffet in Shawnee, Kansas because...

I was in the area and ducked in here to see if I wanted to eat . I looked around. It was very much like the one that I really like but that is near Lawrence Jin Shan Buffet (that is one of my favorites). Apparently this place was a Mongolian buffet or at least offered it but it did not seem up and running. I looked over all the items. There were differences. I chose not to eat here . There are 4 difference soups which has 2 more then the one in Lawrence. That was good. The had the salad items on one table which bulks up the total number but really should be counted in the buffet. There were appetizers but no really good salmon like in Lawrence. There was no duck or special crab dishes and few other ones like in Lawrence. There were many of the other skewered beef, crab rangoon, green beans, steamed red bugs (otherwise known as , chicken and ordinary chinese fare on most chinese buffets . Sushi was offered here but not the variety in Lawrence. I believe they have crab legs at night and weekends for extra. However all in all I was disappointed that did not seem to be any higher level “satori- aha” food. Don’t get me wrong. Most people will like this buffet. But I decided to pass to find places with higher level fare.

Gastronomic Musings: In my travels do I compare the food, restaurants and cuisine to Kansas City?

I not to compare the state of the art of food in Kansas City eateries (well maybe except BBQ)and try to tell how better other states and cities are to Kansas City's food and restaurants. I love the food in Kansas City and think the restaurants and the food are just fine. Sampling from other places around the country helps me appreciate many times what we have in Kansas City. But I do like to broaden my horizons.
Having just returned from RI, Connecticut and New York City ( reviews coming), I am even more reminded that I love to eat at other places outside of Kansas City. Scoffing at our restaurants, how they don't measure up to other gastronomes is not my style. There are similarities and contrasts and finding more eateries outside of Kansas City. Analyzing other places outside of Kansas, "picking on" how they don't meet the standards of other cities' cuisines is not my style. However as I perused the Kansas City Star article " Area chefs stir up National Known" (3/21/2009), I noticed that I am 0 for 9 for eating at several of the award winning restaurants noted in the article.

The first two are being considered for the prestigious James Beard Award ( coming up in a couple of days). These are Colby Garrett's Bluestem and The American (with Debbie Gold). The other establishments are fine restaurants in their own right and have garnered considerable notice as : Room 39 (my wife has and liked it), Michael's Smith's Extra Virgin, Krauses Dining in Lawrence, Lidia's (Lidia Bastinanich) and Jonathan Justice's Justice Drugstore (noted for its ongoing litigation to keep the name Drug Store in its title) , Lawrence's Local Burger (Hilary Brown). So have I not attended these places? It's not because I don't know about these places, because I do. I know where they are (I was near Justice Drugstore for a party nearby!) but its money that the factor.

The main factor for me not entering the fray is $$$. Eating at most of these places (well Local Burger is one I can make in the future) requires serious amounts of change. In this economy in particular, I don't have it. I really look for the "hidden jewels", the restaurants in Kansas City and on my travels, that have food with reasonable prices but yet are a level above the normal fare either with ambiance, quality, service, differences in menus and more.

Possibly the first one I will try will be Local Burger and then Bluesteam (I've been dying to at least try happy hour there). The others will have to wait. I hope that our local chefs get the James Beard award. It's another feather in their cap and may inspire Kansas City eateries. I don't have to be inspired as I liked what I see already and what is happening. But if more people know about our (fine) dining and other eateries all the better. That is on the reasons why I started this blog and others write theirs. To spread the word what we liked about Kansas City and how our foods' fare.

Restaurants are cutting back because of economy- which ones and how?

First one up was that at Ruby Tuesday, one person did not like that they are cutting corners at this restaurant (at least at this particular one) by not bringing out the whole steak sauce bottle but just some.
Last week we again went to RT in Olathe, KS as their 2:1 coupon for specials and steaks can’t be beat and the salad bar is awesome (It is now in my top 3 salad bars in Kansas City). My wife does not take sauce but I usually get A-1 or some other sauce to go with the steak. However this time I did not as the steak came with a cheese- mushroom sauce (I decided to try something different).
Some restaurants (PF Chang’s in this article) are cutting corners by not putting out steak knives cutlery but we were brought ours for our steak dinners.
At one Outback, they are not serving a dinner salad and it is extra. At RT, there are veggies with certain entrees but many entrees include the salad bar. I decided not to get some other entrees because the salad bar is extra for some entrees so I stuck with the steak which came with the entree plus had mashed potatoes and some veggies and tiny onion ring bits which were nice and crunchy (seems like little bits of Bloomin Onion from Outback Steakhouse which I have always wanted to get but the cholesterol and the calories are so high these are not recommended. But little bits would not hurt!).
There are 58 slides to go through this slide show (haven’t you noticed how AOL and others are doing things like slide shows and videosto increase revenues to make you stick around longer , looking at the ads on your desktop so that they can charge more for their services to the companies?) .
I don’t have time to go through all of them now but you can. If you noticed any of these “cutbacks” or others let me know.
http://www.walletpop.com/specials/i-spy-restaurant-tricks

Wendy's frosty are thee thing to get

Many years ago this place had a salad bar I believe. I've been here several times of the years not for the salad but sometimes burgers but mostly those luscious Frostys. There was a show about it once and it was explained how they have a special way of mixing it up to give these delectable drink/ desserts/ ice cream (it's all for me) their characteristically different shake like consistency. It's just different and it is my favorite. We have had the salads BTW in Wichita, from different conferences that catered Wendy's and they have been pretty good. But when I think of Wendy's it's the Frosty I think about.
Actually the Chili (all you can eat ) is pretty good and taste and meaty t00.
Seems like there are other ways to make a Frosty
http://www.smoothieweb.com/tag/wendys-frosty/
Here is the copy cat recipe
http://recipes.wikia.com/wiki/Wendy's_Frosty_(copycat_version)

I am surprised . It can ‘t be this easy to make , can it?
Copycat Wendy's Frosty
Recipe #18839 | 1 hour | 1 hour prep | add private note

(9)
RATE IT NOW
Print Recipe

By: Lennie
Feb 4, 2002
Found this copycat recipe and HAD to post it for all the Frosties lovers! Note that the recipe does not specify what flavour ice cream to use, but I'm guessing vanilla, or perhaps chocolate. Try both! Prep time includes softening time of ice cream.
SERVES 6 (change servings and units)

Ingredients
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup Nestles Quik
• 3 cups ice cream, softened in fridge for one hour
Directions
1. 1
Put all ingredients in blender; blend until Quik is incorporated; serve immediately.

2nd time is the (Thai) charm for Thai- Siam.

Several Chinese buffets in Lawrence are quite good (particularly my favorite Jin-Shan). But before heading back to Olathe, my thoughts instead turned towards Thai, my favorite. With the buffets, there are usually one type of noodle dish, rice, curry orr special Asian dish. I wanted to savor something different so I thought about giving Thai-Siam another chance.
The first time, I was at this place, my take out "was not so hot" . When I got home with it, I was shocked. it was mostly a curry like soup with a few vegetables and one piece of beef. I was not happy. I usually don’t go back if a restaurant is not good, even for one trip, but that menu and Thai beckoned my tastebuds. For a small place , they have a big menu with many curry, rice and specials. I thought about the duck (I love duck) noodle soup and some of the other dishes but I zoned in on the specials. The ingredients for the specials were on a little list behind the counter. I had to ask several times which was okay . I had to look several times at the little list and decided that the Princess Beef, with thai bird chili, cashews, pea pods, carrots would be the one to try for this second chance. This time, I watched carefully to see how this dish was made. The motherly chef, began scooping out ingredients with her wok, from a little ingredients cart. In they went into the wok with the clanking wok utensal. It was nice that most of the entree was in the Styrofoam box taking up a good amount of space while the rice, was in a smaller chinese meal box.
The beef was tender. What I liked was a nice little heat flavor which lingered from the thai chilies. . And I could taste come of the chilies in the brown soy like gravy that I mixed over the rice and vegetables. The bright green snow peas, a good number of crunchy cashews and carrots integrated well with the soy like spicy sauce and the beef. So I have to give it thumbs up. The prices are pretty reasonable. Like I said the menu is pretty big so there is lots of other entrees to choose from the Thai/Asian section looking for the spicy flavor and different dishes from Asia.

It's okay steak in Lawrence, KS

I've come here several times to meet friends before listening to the clever Right Behind the Ears comedy troop. Upon recommendation, I was told to try the chicken fried steak which is legend here they say. It came to the table and it was huge. Its taste was like what I had expected and made one time. A flour like coating, fries the outside and keeps the instead beef tender. The big baked potato and sour cream were good with it and a salad. It's not my favorite steak place but with my friends it's fine. It's more of a homestyle place but the place I currently like is steak and plus place like Golden Corral for low cost steak with tapas try what you will on the salad and multi bar. . It can loud, and noisy and it does not have ambience.I don't really like the place but I can't say I hate it

Latin American entrees with good portions and varied menu

The Salvadorean dishes are good and so are the different other extrees from different countries China, Thailand and more. It is more upscale then La Parilla but this one like Parilla have different ethnic entrees which you can try as a trip around the world.

Frog legs : taste like Chicken

There are some places like the Jin San buffet in Lawrence, KS and elsewhere that have frog legs on their menu. I've tried them. I can't say they taste like chicken. They are not special to me. All I can remember was a cartoon in which a kitchen is open. Out comes a frog on rollers with half its body -missing its legs. Anyway here is a frog recipe if you like eating them

Lawrence's Indian Palace try the buffet to taste difference Indian spices and entrees /sides

We have been here to this one many times and the one in Overland Park. Both are excellent and always consistently excellent. We have been for dinner meals but more times for the buffets. The samosas (meat, potato or vegetable little pies) are crunchy and good. All the entrees are excellent and have just the right of Indian spices. The waiters are very friendly and helpful to point out if you don't know something or have a question. My wife loves the Lamb saag which is not often on the menu so check it out with the creamy spinach that integrates well with the lamb ( you can also get different variations the saag with chicken). (more on my blog). I love the condiments tray. Be adventurous try the different ones like the lemony tamarind or the mango chutney. They go well with the different dishes. I love them both with the samosas. I love rice pudding and there is none better then this dessert that make her. The tandoori (BBQ Indian ) chicken with its pretty reddish pink color is always good. The curries, vegetable dishes and the meat dishes are all consistently good. The buffet is a great way to come to test the different spices and entrees at a great price.

I'm mad about Mad Greek's food - wonderful brunch in particular

We've been to this place even before it was cross town. It has always been very good. Good enough that we had the place cater two family functions for "out of towners" who enjoyed the food too. We have been for lunches and for the Sunday brunches ( best Greek buffet I know locally for price and quality of food). Menu has good salads and entrees including Greek style sandwiches and many other offerings. However what is really excellent for the price and sampling the entrees is the Sunday Brunch which is truly awesome. It had all you can eat lasagna (because it is Greek-Italian), Greek salad, pita and great falafel, Greek potatoes and more. It is all very fresh and has those unique Greek tastes/ flavors. The service is fine. The portions are not "spartan" so you will get what you pay for (and more) for a good price.

Wheatfields Bakery - the bread is thee thing here

We met my children for brunch as they said it was good. The place was pretty small but finding a seat did not take a lot of time. The menu did not include as many possibilities as I thought there might be but within those choices there were some excellent possibilities to select from. There were the breakfast menu, the sandwiches, soups and salads. Vegetarian as well as beef, egg dishes and more too. The Pastrami and Rye was excellent and came with garden greens, on whole grain bread. My wife loved the grilled portabella sandwich with marinated mushroom cap with Provolone, tapeneda, caremelized onions, wilted kale oil and viegar on crusty Ciabatta bread.
The sandwiches were all very good but I was not "wowed" by the size of these sandwiches however. I had tasted some olive bread and the smell and the taste still lingered in my mouth. It was so intoxicating I bought a loaf of the kalamata olive bread to take home to munch on for later and make some sandwiches. It was great on sandwiches, nibble and more . Maybe we will back someday for that bread!

Parilla: Not fancy but good Latin, S.American and other fare here

Having lived in Lawrence and having come back after moving away, I found this place that both and I my children enjoyed. It is not full service. You tell them which entrees or dishes you want and when done, you go up and get it and the start chowing down. The menu always changes but there are always interesting and tasty dishes. There are salads, appeetizers, rice bowls, enchiladas, tacos . However when we came here, I looked to the special board. There are haved tried dishes from Columbia, other South American dishes and more,. This portions are ample and while the place is not fancy, eating is a good affair here. Its really not a place to bring a date, its not fancy but the food as I said is good. My kids are in NYC but when they come back to Lawrence to visit and we meet, they just don't want to go here. Tastes change but I mine are still the same. This place is still good to come and find some different types of fare.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/e/restaurant_link/1288155

It's been around for a long time- not that great

I've been here several times with friends. The last time was when my ( main committee ) KU (University of Kansas) professor invited me out after I had completed all my doctoral work and presented my dissertation. That wasn't all that difficult presenting. Finding something good on the menu now that was difficult.Chains don't excite me and this place doesn't either.
It was nice he invited me out so we could wrap up things informally. I mean I know had my doctorate, all that went into getting it down. Now all I had to do was wrap up the dissertation. Some people actually quite at this stage and never really finish their degree. I can't understand that. What I also can't understand is why people come here to eat Mexican.
Over the years, new and better Mexican restaurants have sprung. Many excellent better restaurants. This one just doesn't "pass the test".The menu has grilled items, salads, specialties, enchiladas and traditional Mexican stuff. & Combos. I had a chicken entree , Chipotle Chicken Burro, marinated chicken in a tortilla. But the meal was really boring . It's like the "whole" meal was "tired". The salad part of the entree did not seem all that fresh and the chicken was average at best. Wish I could say more but the meal " was just "sub par". Even the insides of the place, don't excite me and I guess it rubs off "on the menu" which is not all that great. There is nothing special on the menu and I have not been back because there are better places to spend money. And I will say that even if you don't have to pay like I did this time. I just can't see someone going here when there are so many other good Mexican places " to liven up the tastebuds".

Jin Shan: this is a great buffet- you will not be disappointed here for many reasons

Once of our favorite buffets for several reasons. Of course you can order off the menu but we prefer, always, to try the buffet which features well prepared and tasty Chinese, Japanese and Sushi and more. The price is right to dive into the buffet and start with the hot and sour (great tasting with sourness to it) or egg drop soup (not bad either with a little extra flavor). The buffet selection is enormous and my kids in particular, like going here when I come to Lawrence to meet them (they are living in New York City). . My kids love sushi and they introduced me to sushi. I know of no other place to get sushi reasonably priced, well made and fresh. (You can watch as they make it). Different kinds, set out but I particularly like the fried sushi which I think is the best as it very unusual and crunchy plus I life the flavor. But I like all of them. Little soy sauce and some green "wasabi" condiment and you are good to go Here is where I come if I am in Lawrence and want sushi. I mean for the price why would I go anyplace and then after your sushi "fix" there is so much more. else. They have unusual dishes like good roasted chicken or duck, nice and moist Asian salmon, several types of crab dishes and mussels. The crunchy and meaty chicken wings are great. The fried noodles and Chinese rice are good too. The tried and true broccoli and beef, is always good as well as many other Chinese dishes (chicken, beef, pork, seafood, vegetable). I really like the flavor and the "spin" that their chefs here put on even the common dishes. There are also frog legs, mussels, shrimp of different kinds (boiled, in shell, steamed, in combination dishes) and much more. You have to come here to believe the kinds it offers and all consistently excellent and piping hot. There is also ice cream dessert, puddings and more to finish off your meals. The staff is courteous and polite. It might be a little out of your way ( couple miles from the main drags in Lawrence but its on the way coming in or going out to Kansas City on Highway 10) but it is worth it at a very reasonable price for lunch or dinner. When I am stormchasing and come back through Lawrence from Topeka, I usually stop here too. So wether you are chasing, riding around Lawrence and have never tried this place, you are really missing out! For sushi, the Asian fare, the price, the tastes and different types of dishes from the unusual too, you can't beat it.

great prices, very mediocre pizza, great buns though

 We have eaten at this place and the one in Overland Park. When we want a quick pizza fix once every couple of months, and have one of those couple coupons, we go here. We don't come for the pizza though. The salads are very bland. The chicken soup is very salty. There is all you can eat pizza, pasta noodles and sauces and desserts/ pizzas (more about that soon).
The chicken buffalo type bbq pizza is not bad but the chicken pieces are so tiny you can't even taste it. The white cheese pizzas are probably the best as well as couple of others but most of the other pieces (the hamburger etc ) are reallymediocree nothing special at all. But when you are finished with your drink and meal, you come to the best: theCinnamonn buns.
They are hot,gooeyy and to die for. They are that good and I think rival any cinnamon buns I have eaten. I think they are that good. Try for yourself and see what you think. Also compare the pizza and the rest of the stuff. But it is the buns you will lick your lips for when you think about this place.

Great Mexican

I have been here many time with my children. All the entrees have been very from the enchiladas down to all the other Mexican fare dishes. All have been reasonable prices and tasty. No complaints with my children so it must be good.

Who are you buffaloing anyway: is this BBQ?

Mostly when we have come here, it is before our friends will be joining us to see a performance of Right Between the Ears, a hilarious (mostly) monthly comedy troup in Lawrence. This is one of the places my friends like to gather as it is literally right across the theater and they like the place. I do not.
The menu has lots of items and combination plates. But it's always noisy. The Barbecue beef sandwiches are only so so and so are the prices. The fries not that great and are either the sides. It is just not my type of barbecue place. I've tasted better in and around the Kansas City area. Like I said, the only time we come here is for the friends not the food.

Teller's :tried it once - I won't "bank" here again

 My former business partner was in Lawrence and we wanted to meet them for brunch. He suggested Tellers. Hey this place really is gorgeous inside. It was once a bank and the inside well looks like it. The buffet/brunch is nice but it is on the expensive side and it food did not really get me excited at all. It was good it just wasn't what I thought it would be for brunch. I thought the food would be better. Lots of salads, egg dishes, some pasta dishes and lots of others. But I was not really impressed to tell you the truth.. I had seen the menu once and it is very expensive for what I call regular Italian fare. I wondered why there weren't more pasta type dishes or Italian fare because this place is listed as Italian. I know a lot of people like it for the ambiance. But for me if I want Italian, I won't "bank" here again. My money is on other places for the most part.