Had lunch here with my dad, and we both really enjoyed it. I ordered the half smothered hamburger steak over mashed potatoes with an iced tea, and it hit the spot. The hamburger steak was seasoned really well, the mashed potatoes were great, and it was just a satisfying, home-style meal. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and we never felt rushed. I'll definitely stop back the next time I'm in Council Grove. I think this would also be a fun place to come on a Friday or Saturday evening for a nice dinner out. read more

Been there a coupe times. Ordered cheeseburger and fries first time...great. Ordered chicken-fried-chicken and potatoes the second visit . . Waste of Money. Not even a third side and it was about $20. Restaurant is clean and has great atmosphere, but food isn't anything you can't find anywhere else. However, if you want to say that you've ate at the Oldest Restaurant west of the Mississippi, then a it's worth a visit. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Chicken Fried Chicken. - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

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This seemed to be one of the only places in town. When we arrived it was quite crowded and extremely understaffed. We waited over an hour for food that was at best average. Our server mostly ignored us and never updated us on the status of our order or asked if we wanted drink refills. I would not recommend. read more

We had a new waitress but she hustled and was very friendly. She has a great personality. I thought the rib eye was tough for a rib eye. Not the best but not bad or anything. Others reported the prime rib was good. It's a rustic old building, as expected. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Sign - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

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Was greeted and seated promptly drinks at the table under 2 minutes. I ordered jalapeno popers for an appetizer and steak salad for an entre Appetizer was OK not great The salad had a completely under cooked old steak on it that had a pungent taste I spit it out reported it to my waitress and they took it back and the cook just seared it up more. Not pleasant at all ruined the whole meal. read more

The chicken fried steak with gravy and mashed potatoes however was delicious to the point that it's worth ordering extras to take-home. The gravy was pretty good and it tasted like it was homemade. However, the salad with croutons and balsamic vingarette was just a typical salad that isn't anything special. Overall, this restaurant is worth trying once while in Council Grove especially for their chicken fried steak. Plus, you get to learn some history since this restaurant existed before Kansas became a state in 1861. read more

Hays House Restaurant - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

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The food is amazing , The customer service was amazing we had the " pregnant nun " serving us yesterday and she had the best recommendation for the food read more

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Its hard to describe a restaurant that was started before Kansas was a state as a 'hidden gem', but I had no clue of the cool history before I stopped in. I had a chance to check out Hays House on a recent motorcycle trip through the beautiful Flint Hills. Council Gove and the surrounding area is worth the drive - about 2 hours from the KC area. I stopped in on a recent Sunday and they had a fried chicken special. It was half a chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans. It was so good and crispy. I was very impressed with the fried chicken. Some of the best I've had, and it was an insane value. It was $20 for my meal, a drink, and tip. I believe the chicken special was $13? The service was quick and efficient, and our group had no issues. This is a place that is borderline a destination by itself with the history and for that fried chicken, but combined with the rest of the town and the Flint Hills Scenic Drive it is definitely worth your time as a long weekend getaway. read more

The oldest bar in KS, and the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River! Well-stocked bar, with a good menu. The Cowboy Caviar was a good appetizer, and the desserts were also good. Basic western decor felt comfy and warm. We'll go back. read more

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We've ate here a couple of times now and each time it was very good. You can't go wrong with one of their burgers and fries. Love the history displayed in the place and the western/ranch decor. It's a neat little small town restaurant with friendly staff. We also checked out the little antique mall almost right next door while we were there. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Main dining room and bar area - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

I was absolutely disgusted and disappointed with the lack of service I got this evening . My waitress did a fantastic job. It took 40 minutes for me to get my food from the kitchen and they put it in a to go box! I thought I was Dining in, but apparently the kitchen had different plans for me and wanted me to leave early. The table that showed up 20 minutes after I ordered got their food fast And got plates I however, for some reason, got my food in a Togo box. I did not ask go box. The last few times I have been in the hays house have been absolutely appalling! The chef Randy needs to learn that it's about the customer and not when he decides or wants to close the restaurant. I have seen families couples come in to the restaurant 15 minutes before 8 weeknight and get turned away because they close at eight. Every other restaurant I have been to if they're open till eight and somebody walks in at 7:58 and get seated, they still get their order and they still get served. I do not understand why the Hays house is turning away business. The lack of leadership and pride in the house is really upsetting! read more

Food was fabulous and very fresh, our server was courteous and very attentive and the atmosphere was great as well. Will definitely make the trip again if only for the food read more

Hays House Restaurant - Beer battered chicken strips - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

Very good , chicken fried chicken and mushrooms . Amanda out waitresses was awesome. Thank you. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Chicken fried chicken - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

Very good food with excellent variety of choices on the menu. Our large group was well taken care of.

Slow service, forgot one of our meals, food was bland and everyone was done eating when the third person got their food. I felt like the tables were too close to one another. read more

Fried chicken was tasty. The women had the fried chicken salad, and the guys got the fried chicken plate. The service was quick, and the self guided tour of the historic downstairs room was fun. Be sure if you ask for dark meat, you are aware they don't serve thighs. Otherwise, everything was just how we liked it. read more

This place was amazing. Food was pretty great. Staff was extremely nice and relatively quick making our food. The overall ambiance and decor was gorgeous and very fitting indeed. Wasn't too expensive for meals that were pretty large. Appetizers were just as good. read more

I've been waiting for my food for an hour and this couple walks in twenty minutes after me and got served before I did. The service is horrible and the food isn't even the best I've had. Definitely will not be coming here again. read more

Come for their peach pie or blueberry cobbler and stay for a full meal! Historical Hays House was established by Seth M. Hays, a grandson of Daniel Boone in 1857. Today, Hays House is one of the oldest continuously operating restaurants west of the Mississippi River. Its customers included Jesse James and George Armstrong Custer. They're open for breakfast lunch and dinner. I can about guarantee no matter what meal you're there to eat, you'll find something delicious to eat. read more

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Terrible pork tenderloin sandwich, so thin and dry they were inedible. They charged $2.50 to cut the sandwich in half which we did not ask to be cut. I asked for a to go cup which I never got. Our waitress was no where to be found and had to get someone to find her, she was very unpleasant and made no conversation nor smiled. We will NOT be back. read more

I haven't eaten at the Hays House for many years. I grew up and spent a good part of my adult life in Council Grove and eating at the Hays House was always a special treat. We're in town from Houston and wanted to take my mom out for a nice dinner (she hasn't eaten here for many years either) so we decided on the Hays House. Unfortunately this was quite disappointing. We went at 5pm Tues. 3\30 First the list of good as it's short: 1. Seated quickly (but we were the only ones there). 2. Service was good, kept drinks filled, checked on us twice. I did have to ask for salt & pepper as none was on the table. 3. I ordered a ribeye med-rare and it was cooked perfectly however it came with some kind of odd tasting compound butter that I scraped off. A good, properly cooked steak never needs anything on it. 4. The iced tea was good. Now the bad: 1. When I ordered my salad I asked if they still made the blue cheese dressing and the waitress said yes. If you've never had the 'original' Hays House blue cheese dressing you missed out. It was AMAZING! Unfortunately what they have now is not even close to the original. It was a runny, barely flavored mess with a minimal amount of blue cheese crumbles. I was so disappointed. 2. They used to bring wonderful fresh baked bread before the meal. That's no longer done. No bread offered anytime during the meal. 3. My 'loaded' baked potato had maybe a tablespoon of butter and tablespoon of sour cream and a tiny bit of cheese and bacon. I actually only ate half as there were not enough toppings and I'm not fond of dry baked potato. 4. My wife ordered meatloaf. It was mushy. Seemed to have had too much filler? It also had an odd flavor, hard to describe. She only ate part of one piece. 5. The mashed potatoes that came with the meatloaf had no butter or gravy. Who eats plain mashed potatoes? 6. My mom ordered grilled chicken and it came with green beans. The chicken was on the dry side. The green beans were ok. No one needed doggie bags as the food really wasn't worth taking home. This review may seem harsh, but if you've ever eaten at the Hays House back in the 'good old days' you will understand why. I honestly wish we would have just driven to Manhattan and went to Longhorn or Texas Roadhouse. Needless to say we won't be going back. read more

Just exactly the kind of historical restaurant I was looking for. Looks like it hasn't changed much since the 1800s! The fried mushrooms are huge! read more

Hays House Restaurant - Fried mushrooms - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

Hays House was a plate full of fresh, cooked from scratch perfection that only comes from great management and a talented chef and crew. This location was so amazing that I would recommend the drive to anyone in or around the area. read more

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On a recent trip to the Flint Hills, we were looking forward to eating at the Hays House. Unfortunately, it was a huge disappointment. My wife ordered the beer battered chicken tenders and they were so heavily flavored with garlic, she struggled to eat just one of them. I had the fried chicken special. The chicken was uninspired, and not any better than what you would get at a grocery store deli counter. The green beans were hard and chewy. The building is historic, which is interesting, but it did not have a historic feel to it. Service was efficient, but not very friendly. We expected so much more from this place. Very disappointed. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Fried Chicken Special - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas

I loved this breakfast. So good!! I had the vegetarian bowl!! Delicious I also had a pancake so yummy! Thin and crisp. But not to thin Big pancake. I also had the grits. I loved them so much! Best grits I've ever had in Kansas. and I'm from Alabama the waiter was great!! I highly recommend Hays House read more

Sub par. The building on the inside is not all that historic and the food was mediocre. Chicken Fried steak was ok, but nothing to write home about and there is nothing historical about the decor. read more

I went to Hays House Restaurant on a bus trip, Friday, April 22nd, they served chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes and peas. Cherry Cobbler for desert. The food was excellent. Enjoyed the time spent there and everyone was helpful and friendly. read more

WOW!!! What a cool place, the historic saloon Was really cool. The FOOD was delicious and the dessert was amazing. We will be back, everyone was friendly and the restaurant is clean and full of historic information Outside the building on the side you can see the old land lines. read more

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It's historical and for that reason alone worth visiting. However, when we asked for an extra plate, they said that would cost us $2.50. Ridiculous! We always split meals so we don't over eat as we are getting up in our years and can't eat like we used to. Then they told us the special was their hamburger. We ordered two waters like we always do, and they told us we had to order a drink to get the special price. What's up with this place? Tourist trap? I'd say so. We won't be going back. read more

I love chicken fried steak so I knew this was the place for me! I was not disappointed! We were able to sit on the patio with our pup. The weather was so pleasant and we were in some nice shade. The waitress and manager were very friendly and accommodating, even to our dog. My husband had the lemonade and said it was delicious. Stop here for some true Kansas hospitality and delicious eats! read more

Nice setting, good service. Had the cheeseburger. Mediocre at best. Thot from the medieval hype we we in for something special. Not so much.

I'll give it a 5/5. I ate dinner there Wednesday evening 3-8-2023 by chance since the place I wanted to eat at was closed. I haven't eaten here since the late 1980s. It was beyond awesome in the late 1980s. I had a very nice quiet dinner. There were only 2 other occupied tables. Great atmosphere, fantastic building. Great service. You can literally feel history sitting at their tables. On the service, the waitress was very attentive, despite just not appearing very energetic. I really liked how immediately after ordering she brought my salad out. Shortly thereafter brought my appetizers, which were the full breaded mushrooms (they have caps only available as well). This was the largest portion of breaded mushrooms I had ever seen $9.95(well worth the price). I could have ended with just the salad & fried mushrooms. I asked for blue cheese & got a 2 ounce portion cup of a super runny substance that happened to have crumbled blue cheese in it for the gigantic salad she brought me. That's 1 of 2 small complaints. I could have used a lot more dressing. However the blue cheese itself was extraordinary. Fantastic flavor. I should have asked for ranch & a side of blue cheese crumbles. My entree order was the steak & taters. $24.95. I don't like ribeye cuts. So I got what the menu read, "2nd most tender steak cut next to the filet" well I'm a quantity over quality eater. I ordered my steak exceedingly rare, the waitress commented, "Oh, you want it blue?" I said exactly!! I really enjoyed how the hostess asked me if I was ready for my steak after giving me time to eat my salad & enjoy some of my appetizers. It's been a really long time since having this quality service. My steak was cooked to perfection when it arrived. I have rarely gotten a steak the way I wanted it. Literally almost never. Their steak was very very good. Maybe an 8oz serving. I was only mildly disappointed with portion size for the dollar, but this was a fantastic steak seared perfectly. The main side for my dinner was a very generous portion of crinkle cut French fries. Which is my 2nd small complaint, which really is my own failing, as I didn't read the menu close enough. A steak as good as it was, seems like it should have had something besides fries to go with it??? Idk. Overall food was fantastic. Service was exceptional. It is a tad on the pricey side but what isn't these days? I plan on returning to have the chicken fried steak. The menu pics looked amazing! & maybe again for a full chicken fried chicken. If you're close to Council Grove or traveling through. This is definitely worth the stop. read more

Went there with 8 people. The waitress was trying but not well trained. Food came with one order missing. Didn't check on us for drink refills. Like everyone else under staffed. Highlight, the food was good and great portions. Fried mushrooms were awesome. read more

This was a so so meal. Daughters ordered burgers, they were dry and lacked flavor (my oldest is a burger snob and knows her burgers). My BBQ sandwich was okay, nothing stellar. The wife's dinner was just okay as well. Service was good at least!! read more

Ice Tea is good! Service was quick pleasant and friendly. Food portions were large. The flavor wasnt what I would expect. Had a mixed pork barbecue plate. Beans were best part. I dont think I'll go back...sadly. read more

We had heard good things about the Hays House, so we decided to give it a try when we were in Council Grove visiting the Tallgrass Prairie Reserve. The service was good and the food was outstanding, with the exception of the brussel sprouts. They were underdone and salty. If we are every back in the area we will definitely go back. read more

A disappointment. It took forever to get our food and once we did, part of our order was wrong, the chicken in two different meals was tough, and we never got drink refills at any point in the couple of hours that we were there. After a fun day exploring the Flint Hills, this was a bummer of a way to end the day. read more

I don't know what went wrong. I really don't. After all the great reviews on Yelp, Google, and Facebook, something went wrong. I would like to think that we came on a bad day, but I think it goes beyond that. My family and I had spent a few hours hiking at Tallgrass Prairie, and we were excited to go to Hays House for lunch. We had made a reservation for the upper floor, but when we came we discovered that the upper floor isn't open for lunch. We didn't let that stop us though! The location itself is fantastic albeit cluttered. There's definitely not much room there with so many tables shoved in it. The rest of the experience though? Eek: - Service: It was nothing out of the ordinary. The ladies were kind but not necessarily the most attentive. The kitchen was super slow. We spent about 90 minutes there, most of it waiting for the food. - Salad bar: Just don't. It's nothing more eating. Pizza Hut has a better salad bar, in my opinion. (And I'm not comparing it because I love Pizza Hut!) Personally, I would just remove it. - Food: Bland would be an understatement. The chicken fried steak was tough, bland, and dry. The gravy was tasteless. Everything could have used more seasoning at all points during the cooking period. Especially since we waited so long for it, we weren't exactly thrilled. - Pie: Every single person who gave this place rave reviews mentioned the pie. Everyone at our table decided to get a piece of pie because of that, so we had a great cross section of opinions here! Not a single pie served was actually edible. The pecan pie was actually tough, while the peach pie was too cold and lacked a lot of flavor. The coconut cream pie was just poorly cooked altogether. We didn't eat the strawberry pie (allergy), but I doubt it would be much better. Especially considering the price we paid, the trip wasn't worth it. I can't recommend this to anyone! I grew up in a small town and know that there can be excellent dining options there too! This just isn't it. It's frustrating to have such an awful experience and then see so many great reviews of the place. Did we just come on a bad day? Honestly, there is nothing good about Hays House other than the antique feel of the place. read more

Food was good. Server didn't check on us and seemed annoyed when the other server had to look for her. It wasn't crowded. Would give it another try. read more

My visit here was not disappointing per say but not great either. It was a little over a hour prior to closing. Ordered the buffet only to find out that they would not be adding anything to it. It would have been nice to know we would only get picked over remnants. The service was slow and there were only a handful of tables occupied. Not sure I want to be here when they are busy. read more

Hays House Restaurant - Chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes, a delicious classic. - American Near Me - Council Grove, Kansas