This place has great fried chicken, but their steaks are outstanding!! They hand-cut their own steaks...best steaks in the area! Filets, ribeye, strip, t-bone, & porterhouse. It's kinda out of the way, but you gotta try this place! read more

Great neighborhood bar and grill with friendly staff and patrons. Very reasonable prices and good food. When you have to travel for work, it's nice to have somewhere you can go where you can relax and feel like a local. read more

After several decades of being out of Pittsburg decided to stop here again. We started with onion rings, hot fresh, but needed some salt and ketchup. Then we shared the half liver and half gizzards appetizer, the four piece meal with potato salad & slaw. The liver and gizzards were very crispy that lacked in flavor. My drumstick was very juicy and flavorful wasn't a fan of the slaw, but really liked the potato salad due to its onions and sour sauce. I feel like that this is definitely one of the better chicken places in Pittsburg compared to their competitors. read more

Barto's Idle Hour - Onion rings - Lounges Near Me - Frontenac, Kansas

We travel down to Pittsburgh about every three months and see the signs for the different chicken places in the area and finally made the decision to stop in and try one. My girlfriend used to live in Pittsburgh 20+ years ago and said she remembered that Barto's was her favorite, so that's why we tried it. My first time trying any of the options and I would say I was pleasantly surprised. Very very inexpensive for the amount of food that we received. We ordered the onion rings as an appetizer, and they were wonderful a huge portion, probably ate more than I should have, but I couldn't stop, lol. Easily enough for four people, but the two of us handled it well I ordered the four piece chicken dinner, knowing that we would be taking some home, I love white meat. My girl loves dark meat, so I ordered a little of both. To my surprise when you order white meat, they automatically give you two breasts, which is unusual for a chicken place because normally they throw in a wing instead which I find to be kind of a waste. I was very happy to hear that two breasts were normal. The price for that order of four pieces of chicken was only about $12, amazing. They were cooked perfectly. Had a wonderful flavor And were very large. The meal comes with two sides. I almost forgot we ordered some chicken livers and gizzards, they have a half-and-half selection so that was perfect. A huge portion way more than we needed so we took quite a bit of that home. I must say, we were pleasantly surprised with the amount of food and the reasonable price they have. Definitely a place to visit if you're in the area. read more

See all

Best fried chicken out of all the fried chicken restaurants in the area. Hands down beats all the competitions. The other places are good, don't get me wrong, but Barto's takes the lead by far. read more

Not what I would call a Steakhouse. More like a diner that offer steaks. Mostly fried foods, and my ribeye was fatty and had gristle. It's okay if you know what you are getting, but if you think it's steakhouse quality, you will be disappointed. The staff was super sweet and fast/attentive. If you're looking for burgers, it's probably great. read more

Everyone working here is very very nice, and it was clean. Thats all this place going for it though really.They don't season anything. Gizzards, livers, onion rings, and mushrooms are all pretty much the same. Same 0 seasoning breading on everything. Anyone that ordered chicken got the same breading on that as well. So you're basically just eating the same thing for almost everything you order. They bring out bread to snack on, but we didn't get ours til 1 min before all the main food arrived. Drink orders took 20 mins to take and receive. Didn't place food order for about 45 mins. Arrived at 6pm, and didn't get food until 7:15-7:20. Waitress was trying, but there was only one of them for about 45 people. Drank my water when I first arrived, never saw another one the entire time. Main course for me was the steak. Was cooked 100% perfectly medium rare. Was flawless on the cooking part. They do not use butter, actual garlic, or anything else really though. Just tasted like plain medium rare streak with nothing else. Fry's were the same issue as everything else. Boring and bland. Side salad was just a tiny bowl of shredded ice burg lettuce with some carrots on top. The look, feel and flavor of this place reminds me of a very boring small menu version of Cracker Barrel. While I love steak, it's very odd that the best thing at a fried chicken place, was their steak, and it wasn't great. read more

Barto's Idle Hour - Filet - Lounges Near Me - Frontenac, Kansas

Great Fried Chicken, great service, surprisingly low prices! Highly Recommended!! Wish they were available for Lunch.

Good food and cocktails at a fair price. Had a 2 piece chicken dinner with salad for under $10. Both were not fancy but good. Sat in the bar dining area which is dark and a bit loud but was to be expected for this type of joint. A classic Guy Fieri Diner, drive inn, dive kind of joint read more

Flavor like none other. Large pieces of chicken with excellent prices. German potatoe salad past down through generations as well as the garlic cole slaw. In the city you pay $15 for one breast. There you can get more than 5 pieces, sides and a strong drink! The best! read more

Barto's opened in 1951, but somehow, I only recently heard about it. In the tiny town of Frontenac, this place is old school, and the real deal for fried chicken. Delicious seasoned breasts w/ German potato salad and slaw, with a beer, for 11 bucks?????? It's also some of the best fried chicken in Kansas. Live music when there's no virus. Friendly staff. A winner. read more

Southeast Kansas is famous for its fried chicken. If you want the best, you need to have the chicken from Barto's!

Me and Ben coomes dancing waiting for our meal. It was a blast!! Thank u Bartos!! Felt like being in love dancing eating an excellent meal was magical. read more

There are three local (well-known) fried chicken places in this area, and after inquiring amongst several people, was told Barto's is the better of the three. My husband wanted good fried chicken for his birthday, so we drove almost an hour out of town to give this place a try. At first glance, this place is nothing special. It looks more like a large house, and a run-down verging on scary one at that. However, the parking lot was jam packed so that put my anxieties at ease. I know this place is a soft spot to the people who live in the community, and I'd like to be respectful of that. I'm sure this house has been standing for years, but from an outsider's perspective I was a little taken aback. Inside, you get the feeling you stepped into 1974 or something. Very old decor. Kind of reminds you of a church basement where the congregation would gather for a Sunday dinner. Full of an older clientele on the Saturday that we went, which definitely lent to that church basement kind of vibe. The menu is pretty basic. Fried chicken and sides. Although they do have a selection of steaks and fish if you're not a chicken fan. However, if you don't like chicken, I imagine you'd never come here anyway. Their chicken dinner options come however you like it - dark or white, and you can choose how many pieces and what pieces you get. I just got a one-piece white (chicken breast) as that's all I ever eat. My husband got a three-piece dark. I'll be honest: I was not a fan of the breading. It's corn meal instead of flour, and it didn't taste very seasoned to me. My husband agreed. Although it is just a preference as far as what kind of breading you like. He did detect a nice garlic flavor in the chicken itself, which was good. He is the true connosuier, so his opinion is what matters here as I'm not into fried chicken like he is. The dinners come with two sides, so we each got different ones so we could sample. I chose the potato salad and onion rings (for an upcharge), and hubby got coleslaw and fries. First of all, both the potato salad and coleslaw are vinegar based (German-style). The potato salad is delicious, and I could've eaten a whole plate of that. The coleslaw was the opposite. I prefer cold and creamy. The menu does not give you any idea you would be getting the vinegar kind. Onion rings are homemade and very good. Fries are thick-cut. Pretty sure they are not homemade; however, the product itself is a good one. It does take a bit to get your food, but I understand they cook it to order, so just be prepared to wait. We were happily minding our own business, when out of nowhere, polka music started playing. I thought someone had put a quarter in a jukebox somewhere, but turns out it was live. And then all the old couples (like 70s, maybe 80s) got up to dance. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen. Apparently they do this every Friday and Saturday night, so despite not having the best chicken dinner I've ever eaten, the atmosphere brought this experience to a whole new level. Would we go back? Yes, if we were already in the neighborhood, but I wouldn't drive an hour to specifically eat here again. We enjoyed our time, we left full. The dancing was so unexpected and was the best thing about our night. If anything, eat here for that reason alone. read more

"Can I help you with the menu?" Carla the bartender asked. "Sure," I said. There were just so many fried chicken combinations, I couldn't decide. Ended up with two perfectly crispy thighs and a side of chicken livers....exactly what I wanted! Some of the best I've ever had. It didn't hurt that the beer was served in an ice cold glass. read more

Barto's Idle Hour - I saw the sign - Lounges Near Me - Frontenac, Kansas

See all

Large pieces of chicken at a good price. The breading was a kind of bland like there was no seasoning, the onion rings needed salt. The potato salad and slaw were the best we have had in the area. It is a hidden little gem and worth a try for yourself. read more

Must love this,how couldnt you? Perfected long ago and the best of southeast kansas' signature fried chicken, Bartos beats the best ,crisp, more flavor and spice,less greasy than competitors. read more

What can I say about a place that was perfect in every way? Service was great, several wait staff attentive and waiting on everyone, nice that you did not have to wait for the person that took your order to help you. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the breading was tasty and not saturating the chicken. The Cole Slaw was perfect, ate too much of it myself. lol.. The potato salad was enjoyed by others at my table, I did not order it. Do not miss this place, it's a little hard to find but well worth the trouble. Can't wait to come back. read more

Idle Hour is hands down the best SEK Chicken restaurant! Always, I mean always, sit on the bar side. Live music Fri and Sat that will take you back in time. Many couples dancing and having a ball! Back to the food--the chicken is terrific, cooked to order and comes out steamin' hot! I go with the traditional sides--coleslaw and potato salad. Both are the bomb! There is no place else like this--nice bar selection as well. We choose Idle Hour--always! read more

Have to love this place! Usually, I only get Barto's when family brings it to KC from Pittsburg, however I recently was able to visit this location in person. First off, I LOVE their potato salad. It is hands down my favorite of all varieties. It is a vinegar flavor base (probably with lots of butter too), with little diced onions. They also have great cole slaw. The chicken is also fantastic, and has "country style" breading, and is very juicy inside. The building is older, but inside it is clean and feels like a warm, friendly environment. We walked in at 9:45pm to get take out because they closed at 10. Inside, there was a musician playing, and 3 senior couples dancing (which was friggin' adorable). I wish I lived closer so I could eat here (and hang out here) more often. read more

There are FOUR famous chicken places in Crawford County. Barto's is really good but maybe the least tasty of them all. Pluses: fast friendly service, good chicken & sides (especially liked the onion rings), live bands on weekend nights. Minuses: no mashed or whipped potatoes, no desserts of any kind, not much flavor in the batter. Overall, better chicken, slaw and potato salad than I can make at home so worth the visit. Not too expensive, either. read more

Barto's Idle Hour - Standard 1/4-chicken plate. - Lounges Near Me - Frontenac, Kansas

I don't know why yelp got this wrong, but under "More business info" it says Barto's doesn't take reservations or do deliveries. I've been eating at Barto's Idle Hour every week for several years and they do take countless reservations every week and I've seen them send out several huge boxes of chicken and sides for deliveries. They've catered my place of business several times. Food: One of the best places to eat in the world! There are several chicken houses in the area, six to be exact, excluding KFC of course, and Barto's is easily the best. Consistently perfect fried chicken every time. Has much more flavor than the other bland chicken houses. Best German potato salad I've ever had. Burgers and fries are awesome. Even the steak is good. Fish sandwiches are even good there. The gizzards are more tender than I've ever had anywhere else. One of the few places I've ever eaten where the food is so consistently good. Bar: Love that they have chilled glasses in the freezer to keep your beer ice cold. One of the best Bloody Mary cocktails I've ever had. Carla makes her own mix and keeps it simple. One of the few places around that actually puts quite a bit of alcohol in the drinks. Most bars around here are very light on the alcohol. Very good beer and drink selection. Carla is one of the best bartenders I've ever seen. Atmosphere: The lounge area hasn't changed a bit from when it first opened in the 1950's and I love that! I hope it never changes. I love historic places that are still in operation. Most comfortable bar I've ever bellied up to. Like the old swivel bar stools and love the big comfortable pad on the bar itself. Love that they light candles on the tables. No other place around here does that. Just wonderful old atmosphere. Very appealing and comfortable. Feels like home. Staff: Friendly, hard working, down to earth, real people. Carla is just an awesome individual. Very fun and friendly and honest as the day is long. She makes you feel welcome. Waitresses are great and earn their money. Price: Very good price! Very affordable. For the consistent quality, the portion size and the great service, you can't beat the price. Customers: Most everyone that comes in to Barto's is nice and friendly. Lots of regulars, me included. It's nice to frequent a place like that and be able to sit and talk, eat and drink with others who come often. read more

@Dianna S. There is no cornmeal in the breading, I guarantee. The sides are limited because everything is cooked to order; unlike the other SEK chicken houses, your food doesn't sit under heat lamps so they don't have time to open can of spaghetti-o's or mix up instant potatoes and gravy. Who wants that nasty, packaged stuff anyway? The onion rings and fries are handmade onsite as are the slaw and potato salad - fresh. Barto's is my favorite. Gebhardt's second. Mary's third, and then Annie's if the other three and KFC are closed. read more

This is the best fried chicken in the United states. Though all the other chicken places in the area come in a close second.

We always stop at Chicken Marys and Chicken Annies on our way from Kansas City and we like them both. Decided to check out Bartos on our last trip and I can't even explain how awful it was. It had an unusual taste like it was soaked in Italian dressing before frying. We didn't eat it and politely left and won't return. read more

One of my favorite places for chicken in the four state area. I have been going there since I was little and it hasn't changed a bit. The thing I feel that sets it apart from competitors is the breading and flavoring of their chicken! It has more of a hard crust with a hint of garlic. read more

I've been to all the fried chicken joints around here and Barto's is the best. They cook it perfectly ever time and I really love the crust. They have German sides so the potato salad is German potato salad but I've come to really like it. It's twangy with vinegar but the flavor is really good as well. The coleslaw is also vinegar based so it has some twang. I don't go for the decor or atmosphere because it really needs some help but they have perfected the fried chicken. I'll drive right by the other chicken joints for Barto's every time. When you order you can tell them what pieces of chicken you want even (2 thighs, 2 legs, ect). The wait after you order can be a little while because they actually fry it up after you order it. I don't mind waiting because when they serve it to you, the fried chicken is smoking hot! It's best to tear into it a little bit to slightly cool. It's just downright good fried chicken. read more

Barto's Idle Hour - a plate of fried food - Lounges Near Me - Frontenac, Kansas

I've been going here for my entire life. Awesome fried chicken, it's better than the other chicken places in the area. In the last 30 years, I've mostly gotten the food to go. However, a visit inside will treat you to decor from the '50s and on Friday and Saturday night, you can go polka dancing. read more

Best chicken with plenty of garlic! When we are in town it is always a must to eat here. Don't like chicken then there burgers are awesome too. Always a great polka band playing. Onion rings here are the bomb as well. read more

This is NOT your Grandma's fried chicken of your youth. The crust is a hard covering and not very tasty. Would not eat here again.

Love the chicken, the sides, the onion rings and the bread!

If you have never been to Bartos then you are missing out!. Go there on a Friday or Saturday night, that's when they have live polka music. The food is amazing and the staff and owners are great people. There is a reason this place has been a crawford county icon for more than 50 years. The burgers and steaks are great also. read more

chicken is different, but good I'm not a fan of the German potato salad or Cole slaw so I get a baked potato and applesauce. But you like the place for the atmosphere. We've been going for years now a couple of times a year. Meet friends and family and have a great time. read more

I really like eating at Barto's the Chicken is a little different than at the chicken annies restaurants in the area. Both are better than anywhere else I have ever eaten chicken. Bartos chicken crust is very crisp and of course delicious. We have been eating here since 1980's when we are in town long enough to hit chicken annies and bartos and our other favorite places in town. We have to alternate because it is all so good. You can also get a very good steak here which you cant do at any of the chicken annies. The portions are very generous. read more

Worst place ever. Music way to loud. Couldn't enjoy visiting with family members. Slow service wait staff not friendly at all. Not to mention the chicken taste like banquet frozen chicken tv dinner. read more