Passing through from out of town. I asked a local a good local burger spot. The Pad was it I love burgers in general but I am honestly quite picky. I had their double cheese with bacon, everything on it. Some burgers make you smile a big grin after you have them. This is it read more

Good old fashion hamburgers and a friendly staff. They have a wonderful taco salad special on Fridays as well plus some other good specials during the week. Definitely get an order of cheeseballs while you are there. This place is definitely a North Topeka staple. read more

For fast food, this is a really good greasy burger! I took the recommendation to get a double and I'm so glad I did. The beef is wonderful! I think it was a very happy cow. The onion rings were good. If you need a tasty, greasy meal, there are tasty options here! read more

Pad Restaurant - Double 1/4 Cheeseburger and onion rings - Burgers Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

So much to say about the Pad and the Mentzer family. I was in high school when the Pat opened in their other building. I have known the owners and staff ever since. I can say great things about them. 1. They are still Family run and owned. A Family of great integrity. 2. It is the cleanest place to eat 3. The food is consistently great and with a really good soup and salad bar. Excellent pies too. 4. The clientele reflect serious loyalty to this place 5. The family hires local youngsters to work there and they are all really great. They are all kind, professional and helpful. 6. The family supports the local churches and community programs. 7 The 1/2 pound cheeseburger is a full meal deal, especially if you add the curly Q fries 8. The daily specials are always a great choice for patrons. I could go on and on but I will just say, you absolutely will not be disappointed by a trip to THE PAD!! read more

Wow, great burger, excellent onion rings, and the horseradish pickles come with a powerful punch. Great service and super fast. Inside is super clean read more

Pad Restaurant - Horseradish pickles - Burgers Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

See all

Great Burgers and chicken! I also love the chili dogs. The frosty was delicious. They have desserts that appear homemade and a salad bar too! read more

8/23/25. 6:30 PM. Ordered a hamburger with grilled onion, curly fries and onion rings. The hamburger was medium warm with NO grilled onions. They put diced onion on it instead. The fries were the short "bottom of the fries container" type and just warm, not hot. The curly fries used to be mostly in full length. The onion rings were stone cold! Went up front to get a new order of rings, and they said they would pop them into the microwave! Nope. I requested a new order. They came out only slightly warmer! This place used to be great. Not this time, for sure. Won't be going back for a LONG time! Waste of money. read more

Lived in Kansas 18 years and found out about this place from Tik Tok this place is a hidden gem ordered the chicken fried steak with potato's o ion rings and chili cheese fries nothing disappointed and man was it busy this is a great place for family dining read more

It's a Topeka classic! I grew up coming here, and will continue to do so whenever I need that little bit of nostalgia.

This place just always makes me happy. The burgers are fine, but it's the PAD STYLE that's unique. It's better than Wendy or Freddy's because it's local - and they make it fresh where you can even watch! Always good every time. And if not, they fix it. Just a great place to get a burger or pork tender sandwich (my husbands fave)! read more

I stop through here everyone once in a while when I'm feeling snacky for some cheese balls and ranch with a rootbeer. 10/10 Also i used to be obsessed with their homemade chicken noodle soup meal they do on Thursdays! So good!!! read more

A young man named Tylor, who I consider to be a very astute observer of all things superior, recently asked me if I have been successful in my quest to find the best pork-tender in America. I will admit that I am always open to accepting new nominees but as for now the offering at The Pad stands as the "Leader in the Clubhouse". For more than 25 years I have been enjoying their bigger-than-the-bun and deliciously crispy pork cutlet served on FRESH bun with Deluxe dress minus ketchup (ketchup has no place on a pork tender anywhere outside of Alabama). To give your sandwich extra liftoff, make it a Rocket Meal with a side of their fantastic Kurly Q Fries and and a medium drink. Be sure to ask for a side of Tiger Sauce (horseradish mayonnaise) for dipping! read more

Pad Restaurant - Oversized tender intended! - Burgers Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

Honestly for me they have the best burgers in town. I van live without everything else if they keep the burgers and never change them.

Great food made fresh with fresh ingredients, served in an exceptionally clean restaurant by a friendly and welcoming crew!

Love this place. Grew up in Topeka with the pad from a small building to what it is today. Live out of town now, but whenever I am in town. This is my to go place for the curly fries. Thanks for the memories. read more

Beyond gross. Never ever again......................................won't return. Do not understand how people give it 3, 4 or 5 star reviews. It's not edible, dirty and scary. . read more

Amazing family owned business this burger joint has by far the best hamburgers in the state. Troy does an amazing job of running this family friendly restaurant. The staff is friendly and quick to help. It's old fashioned, so if you like American Style greasy food, this place is a great stop read more

Basing my review on my last visit, most visits are great but this time I ordered the cheeseburger rather than the pork tenderloin sandwich. Boy was I disappointed. It was the tiniest piece of meat and it was missing a huge piece, so it was even smaller than intended. It was like a Pie with a quarter of it missing. Sorry guys but this was not even close to serving your best product. read more

A long time LOCAL Topeka favorite....and the locals were out tonight. Pan to wait a bit. Pork tender, onion rings, chicken tenders all the normal grill food and good. Private lot. Serving malts, tea and Pepsi products. Just down home burger joint with a history, nothing fancy. read more

Fast, friendly and affordable dining! Dinning was clean and the salad bar was well taken care of.

Delicious soup & salad bar! Great hamburgers and amazing tenderloins! Daily specials are great when the kids want a burger, but you have something else in mind. read more

Great burgers and fries. Didn't love the beer battered onion rings but overall super neat throw back burger stop read more

Pad Restaurant - Burgers Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

See all

The Pad has been around for eons. They've tried to expand and open up in other locations but have pulled their resources back in to just their North Topeka location. I've been many times over the years - I work just up the street, but I can't say I'm a huge fan. There's nothing that spectacular about it... except the cute sign and that they are a local Topeka landmark - everyone knows about The Pad. I tend to visit when someone else wants to go and rarely on my own unless I'm craving a quick burger at lunch. I figure if I'm going to eat it, it's better to give my money to them, than to any of the chain restaurants along the strip there. The salad bar has a nice selection and I've heard the Chicken Noodle soup is to die for. Everything on it was fresh and tasty the time I tried it. Usually, I just get a 1/4 lb burger and a small frosty. And sometimes, just the burger and a beverage - that's usually enough to tame my hunger till dinnertime. My mother likes the frosty and curly fries - yes, together. Something about sweet and salty. The pies are okay, though again, nothing I'd go back specifically to get. So, they're okay, they serve a good burger and salad, and the service is pleasant. The atmosphere provides sufficient lighting and it's clean. They are a local business - and I'd rather give my money to these guys than the corporate guys down the street, but there ARE better burgers in Topeka. Just poke around in my reviews if you're interested in them. read more

See all

Best burger in town!!!! The food speaks for itself. Fantastic burgers, fries are yummy and the onion rings are the bomb. Great local spot! I also love the service and how cheap o read more

Amazing salad bar, those are hard to find these days. Food is always hot and fresh. Friendly staff , very clean restaurant.

Old school burger place with great onion ring and curly fries to go with the best burgers around. The staff is well trained and the restaurant is spotless! read more

JBC best cheeseburger of a lifetime With curly Q fries perfect and plenty satisfying!! Yummy!! read more

Best tenderloin ever! You can actually taste the pork! Husband and I also got a chili cheese fry to share. Was good. Real cheddar on top and homemade chili. Chili was ok. We will certainly make the drive from KC to eat here again. read more

Pad Restaurant - Generous tenderloin! - Burgers Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

See all

Has anyone checked their receipt after using a debit card? I was there 2nite in the drive up. I ordered a LG curly q fry /Chile no cheese. I ask for chilie in a cup and fries in a white container. I also ordered a med. Frosty...Now explain to me why a $6.54 order charged my debit card $11.71?? I called my bank and its pending but for$14.05?? There is plenty of money in my account so what's the problem. The girl just took my card I ask to sign when she spun the window. She said no not necessary. Well if I ever go back it will be necessary. 9/29/20 @ 20:03:59pm. Inv#00000116 ID#430101055 Term ID#0381 Just FYI...Check your receipts! read more

If you want food poisoning this is the place to go. We've both been hovering the porcelain Princess for the past 5 hours. The food definitely has been cross contaminated.. I'm not a person to vomit... this place got me good. Thanks but no thanks... ever again. read more

Always favorite is the pork tenderloin Rocket meal served with onion rings and a drink. Their salad bar is always fresh and well maintained. In my opinion the best one in the city hands down. The best part is that they are locally owned and operated. And Troy M. always strives to employ local kids for their sometimes first summer jobs. The outside of the restaurant is always as clean kept as the dining area. They also sponsor the local cruise night thru out the summer, in which people can either showcase their hot rod cars or calmly walk thru literally a sea of Milwaukee Steel shining in the evenings setting sun. read more

Greasy spoon type establishment that is a throwback to the burger, soup and salad bar with the Mars-rock looking bacon bits, etc. The burger was greasy and good but not a ton to write home about. Just went with what the locals said and was not disappointed. read more

I absolutely love this place! I heard their pork tenderloin sandwich Is good, but their burgers are the best in the state! So I can't go to the Pad without ordering a jumbo deluxe with onion rings, which are also amazing!! If you want a good big burger the way they're supposed to be using local meat the Pad is it!! read more

One of my favorite places to eat in Topeka. Family owned and operated. Great place to get a cheeseburger and fries. Salad bar is always fresh and has a great selection. Soups are hearty and delicious. They have pie by the slice, but after you eat your meal you may be so full you will have to get it to go! If you have never been, you must try! read more

Very popular spot in town, clean and quick place to grab lunch. For so many customers at lunch the folks there handle it without missing a beat. The parking lot was packed but, don't let that deter you. Great burger and fry joint that offers a huge menu. The iced tea was very good. If you are around town and want a fast meal stop in here. read more

Burgers are greasy but expected from a fast food type place. Salad bar is always fresh and full of a wide selection.

Live The Pad. Soup and salad bar is our go-to lunch. The chicken fried steak is another favorite. read more

The Pad is one of those places that's been around forever. Its your basic hamburger and french fries short-order place. Although the food is pricey, it was decent too. Expect to spend about $7/person, but the hamburgers are worth it at least. PS: Avoid the fish meal. Its some weird mystery fish patty deep fried. read more

I really enjoy this place. Ample seating, quick service, and tasty food. You can't go wrong if you order the pad burger. The fries are good too. read more

The Pad is a classic American burger barn that keeps the hungry folks of Topeka fed. I just started working in Topeka a couple of weeks ago, and I've been taking suggestions from coworkers as to where to eat. As we headed out for lunch, The Pad was the suggestion, so I pointed the car North from the Capitol and headed across the river. Now, I had driven by The Pad in the past when I've been in Topeka, and I always noted the rocket ship on the sign, and figured the place was probably some kind of hold-over from an earlier time. In one sense it is, but that's also part of what makes it great. We arrived at The Pad around noon, and there were three registers running and a line at each. The Pad still does ordering some of the old-fashioned way -- the cashier takes your order, punches it into the register, and then announces the order into the microphone for the kitchen to hear. Additionally, they write the order down on a paper ticket and put it on a carousel for the kitchen to assemble, and later the order number is announced at a further counter for pick-up. A bit old school with a lot of moving parts and employees, but they need them to keep up with the traffic. I followed my leaders and ordered the Rocket Combo, which is a half-pound (!) burger and fries that come with a complimentary medium drink. The menu lets you order it how you like it, and I went deluxe to get tomato and lettuce. Curly fries, naturally. The soda fountain station has Pepsi products, so I joined it all with a Mug root beer. Additionally, the menu touts "Frostys", so I ordered one of those (though you can't substitute your medium drink for one, and you can't upcharge it into a replacement, but a medium Frosty is like $2, so get one as a chaser). When I ordered the Frosty, I was asked if I wanted it "now or later", which I originally mis-interpreted -- "now" is to get it with your order, and "later" is to come back after you are done eating to get your Frosty as dessert or on your way out. I originally said "later" but when I picked up my food, I switched to "now". The half-pound burger at The Pad is very good and classic burger joint. No frills, nothing fancy, just a half pound of hamburger on a bun. The Pad is also still carrying forward a 20-year-old idea that a burger place should try to cater to everyone even those that are being health conscious, so it also features a salad bar, but I cannot support the rationale that someone would go for a salad when there are burgers and fries to be had. The Pad is definitely on my list of places to return to for a good lunch in Topeka. read more