Carolyn's Essenhaus is a true gem on the Kansas prairie. Located just southwest of Salina along…read moreState Highway 61, it's well worth a stop at almost any time of day. They're open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday. They're closed on Sundays. After a long day on the road traveling from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Salina, Kansas, we arrived around 6:00 p.m. on a Monday evening. We were more than ready for a break. We had found Carolyn's Essenhaus on Yelp, and from the photos and reviews, it looked like just the kind of place we were hoping to find. Inside, the restaurant was much larger than we expected. The dining room was filled with local artwork, charming Kansas memorabilia, comfortable tables and booths, and a classic salad bar prominently displayed in the center. Table service was friendly, warm, and welcoming--like enjoying dinner in your grandmother's kitchen. My wife ordered the chopped steak topped with cheese and grilled onions, served with green beans and sweet potato fries. I chose one of the local favorites, essentially a hearty patty melt featuring a grilled burger, grilled onions, and a thick slice of grilled ham. Both entrées were excellent, but the real star of the meal was the salad bar--especially if you appreciate an old-fashioned, homemade selection. It instantly reminded me of family potlucks with all my aunts and uncles. There was macaroni salad, cottage cheese, potato salad, broccoli raisin salad, a sweet and creamy chopped cucumber salad, and plenty of other homemade favorites. It was so good that I went back for a second small plate and happily told our server to charge me for the extra trip. To finish the meal, we couldn't resist taking two slices of their homemade coconut cream pie to go. It was every bit as delicious as the rest of the meal. Before heading out, we picked up a few of their homemade cookies from the front counter, paid what we thought was a very reasonable bill, and continued our journey with full stomachs and smiles. If your travels ever take you near Arlington, Kansas, do yourself a favor and make time for Carolyn's Essenhaus. It's the kind of place that reminds you why small-town restaurants are often the most memorable stops on any road trip.

Seat yourself, waited on quickly. Hot coffee, food arrived soon and was delicious!…read more A little out of the way, but so worth the drive!!

Quick service and very friendly. Portions were large and very satisfying. Save room for pieread more

Service Hospitality, personable, even though they were busy…read moreFood, tasty & good presentation

I would not have thought that I would be leaving a negative review for this place. But…read more I had their hot roast beef sandwich for the fourth time as I remember. It is different than it used to be. Now it has two pieces of bread with meat in between and gravy on top of all that. Hard to eat without making a mess. The bread, the potatoes and the gravy we're all excellent. The Meat had been sliced and left in open air until it was dried out somewhat. The meat also had a lot of fat, big pieces of fat. The flavor was OK though. My wife's chicken salad had lettuce that was not that fresh. The chicken looked like it came straight from the food service truck. Not that great.

What a charming restaurant! I found this jewel on Yelp, searching for a local bakery on our road…read moretrip through Kansas. Both my husband and I got eggs à la carte and shared their massive cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll was delicious along with my scrambled egg.

It's located just east of the Kansas State Fair Grounds. Bogey's is a great place, with very good…read moreQSR food... which is a good value, for the price! They have at least 100 different types of shakes. The small shake is rather large, while the large is more than enough for two people! I saw later, you could request it thick or thin, however the cashier never asked how we would like ours... it came out thick and delicious. Though it's a burger & shake place, they also have a salad bar! Burger was hot & good with grilled onions, which added a nice flavor... also reasonably priced. They have a good selection of custom burgers which you can easily make a double or triple. The Onion rings (thick not thin) were served hot, very good and a large portion for the price. We loved that the french fries were curly, but seemed to be only average in taste. Overall, I was very pleased with our order and feel the 4.5 stars which is the average is reasonable. If you haven't been here, it's a pleasant change from the Chain burger stores and a must try... if only for the shakes! We will be back, every time we are in Hutch!

Update - still runny and melted shakes. I still get them but I know I can't eat it until I go home…read moreand put it in the freezer for 30 minutes first.

I'm from Denver, and made a weekend trip over to Hutchinson to see the salt mines. In planning, I…read morecame across Holly's and made a point to stop in. I was hoping to try those meatballs, but alas, they weren't on the menu. But a muffuletta was - and it may be the best muffuletta I've ever had. They bake their own bread, make their own tapenade... and it shows. AMAZING. As I told Holly, who was working HARD behind the counter to prep for 2/14 - out of this world good. I will have to make a trip back for the meatballs! :)

Walked in for a couple sandwiches and cookies. I got an Italian wrap and a Zesty Heifer, plus two…read morefrosted sugar cookies. Everything came out pretty quickly and was delicious! The sandwiches aren't large, and I felt like they were expensive for the size, BUT they were both really good, so it was worth it! Sugar cookies were DELICIOUS.

Amazing food and wonderful staff! Everything is delicious and huge servings. Love the decor,…read moreespecially the chandelier.

Delicious as always. The fried mushrooms are a favorite. Split the catfish nugget dinner, order…read moreside salads to go with it. Beer is always cold. Carry Hutchinson brewery beers, Salt City and Sandhill breweries. Service was fast, not a long wait. Recommend to get on the waitlist through Yelp during busy times. Great atmosphere. If you like the present atmosphere of Cracker Barrel, you'll like The Barn's atmosphere.

Ambiance is middle American welcome. Not much here in town but if you are heading this way. Stop…read morefor a tasty bowl of soup. Deli sandwich is generous. Choose the half if you are a senior.

Came up from Galveston, TX for a family reunion. My cousin from Hutchinson recommended we come here…read morefor lunch . Great decision. Sandwiches were awesome. The pasta salad was sooo good. We ended the meal by sharing a piece of coconut cream pie. Everything, including the waitstaff was exceptional.

Stopped for lunch and made this incredible find…read more This place has it all. Ambience, great food, service. Prices are very reasonable. Don't fool yourself. This place would be excellent in any city or town in the U.S.

didn't have time to eat in, we had to take it to go. next time we will eat in. the ambience and…read moreatmosphere looked very nice. portions we ok, had Grandmas lasagna. could have used more garlic. in fact it was kind of bland. salad was fresh and meatballs we good. I would go back, but next time we will eat in. sometimes food and serves seems to be better when you don't take it to go.

Great food, great service. The owner came and talked us through Gluten Free options which were…read moreplenty. I've been here 3 times and had the green pork chili every time. But after I tasted the Patty Melt my mother got, that may be next. The bread was amazing on the patty melt. My father got an omelet which I failed to get a picture of, but he said it was excellent. Looking forward to the next visit!

This place is fabulous- we have been twice now - here from out of town. They serve breakfast lunch…read moreall day. First day we all had great breakfast fare, meat lovers omelet, monte cristo sandwich --all excellent. Coffee is typical diner coffee. Day 2 we had huevos rancheros / they have no idea how to make traditional - it is their own version- do not recommend. Would overall recommend - fast friendly service