I've been here on weekdays after trivia at the Johnny's across the street (parking lot?). It's a…read morevery small spot (fewer than 10 people can comfortably be in there at once) but the cocktails are fantastic and creative. I wish they served some small bites or snacks but this place is a very nice chill vibe when it's not too busy, although they do have a small patio area outside.

Fantastic staff, everyone was helpful and friendly! We came in close to close, and got…read morerecommendations on where to go and what to do. A regular had her huskies in, and I absolutely love having a few beers while I make new furry friends.

Enjoyed a great dinner out with friends on April 17th. Tried this new place and had a wonderful…read moremeal. Steak dinner was great and my wife had the pork chop, both excellent. The focaccia bread was perfect and relish appetizer was excellent. Met Jake, the owner and his wife who were very hospitable. Thanks for a memorable evening. Wish you much success! Rob Linderer

Date night and was overall great! Got a couple apps including the deviled eggs, an oyster, the…read moresmoked beets, and the dip trio. Really good food!! I have some allergies and the staff was so great and accommodating. Disappointed in drinks - ordered the cold brew martini, and they were out. On a Friday evening?? Wild. Ordered a Chardonnay, and had significant amount of sediment at the bottom of the glass. They offered me a repour which I took them up on, but I am 99% certain she poured me a sauv blanc instead. If you're a wine bar, need to be sure you're pouring good wine.

This was the spot that we chose for our closing fellowship at the end of our family reunion on this…read morepast Sunday. They had a really nice area for all of the family. They also extended brunch for us, which was very kind. It was Father's Day, so it was very busy. They also had a pickle ball court and clean bathrooms. We were greeted by our servers, however they only assigned two servers for 40+people. Needless to say our orders took a long time, my daughter-in-law's and mine, being the longest. We ordered the chicken and waffles, but for some reason ours came out about 30 minutes if not more after everyone else's. It was pretty strange. I had to keep asking and we weren't the only ones who ordered that dish. When it finally came, my appetite was actually gone. The waffles were super sweet (I have to watch my sugar intake) and the chicken pieces were small, salty and very dry pieces so I asked for a reimbursement because I didn't like my meal. My niece said hers was just OK. She wasn't impressed. My daughter-in-law did eat hers. The pasta picture attached was my sister's meal. She didn't like the pasta that's why it's still there. She only ate the chicken that was included. Also two of my nieces did not like the Monte Cristo and asked for reimbursement. They said it was the worst day I've ever tasted. Oh I did have a slice of my cousins Mom Pizza and it was different, but delicious. I never had pizza that included potato and honey. In conclusion, it was a great atmosphere and all of the employees were friendly, but many of us did not enjoy our meal. I gave it a four because I don't think it's always like that. I think it was they didn't have enough staff or chefs maybe to take care of us.

The food choices are good, pizza & wings, strips and turkey burnt ends --all are good! Cheese…read morecurds and our favorite! The beers are good, but I loved the wit & uts no longer available. So I am trying spurs, seltzers & specialty drinks. All are good! The decor is fun and music is good. The only knock is that it can get pretty loud & acoustics are not 'sound absorbing). So it's fun here but pretty loud most of the time. Every time we go, the service is great. Even if it's kinda slow, the servers are always friendly & fun. Food comes fast once order is taken.

There are places you plan to visit, and then there are places you stumble into--the kind that feel…read morelike they've been sitting there for years, quietly daring you to notice them. Little Russia Chili Parlor is the latter. A small, out-of-the-way joint in Topeka that doesn't scream for attention--but once you walk in, it doesn't need to. The air alone tells you you're in the right place. This is Daniela's house. Not in the literal sense, but in the way that matters. She runs the place with the kind of confidence you don't fake--part host, part artist, part benevolent dictator of flavor. You don't get the sense that anything leaves that kitchen unless it meets her standard, and that standard is unapologetically high. Start with the pickles. Yeah, pickles. The kind that makes you pause mid-bite and reconsider every sad, limp grocery store version you've ever tolerated. These are spiced, alive, sharp in all the right ways--like they've got a story to tell and no patience for small talk. Then there's the baked goods coming in from Oakland's Bakery--local, honest, the kind of bread that actually tastes like grain and effort instead of air and preservatives. And then you hit the sides. The spiced pimento cheese spread isn't some afterthought--it's a statement. Smoky, a little dangerous, layered in a way that suggests someone in that kitchen understands restraint just as well as indulgence. It's the kind of thing you keep eating long after you've told yourself you're done. But let's not kid ourselves. You came here for the chili. And the chili... the chili doesn't just deliver--it recalibrates. Deep, complex, unapologetically bold. It's not trying to be trendy or Instagram-friendly. It's trying to be right. The kind of bowl that makes you slow down, lean in, and pay attention. Every spoonful feels deliberate, like it's been simmering not just for hours, but for years of trial, error, and quiet perfection. The sandwiches? Stacked, messy in the best way, built on that Oakland's Bakery foundation like someone actually cares about what bread is supposed to do--hold everything together without getting in the way. This place doesn't need hype. It doesn't need a rebrand or a marketing push. It exists in that rare space where authenticity isn't a strategy--it's just how things are done. You don't come to Little Russia Chili Parlor to be seen. You come because someone told you, quietly, "Trust me." And if you're smart, you listen.

Loved this place so much! Truly local, we found it by using the "lunch near me" function. The…read moreregulars greeted us warmly and guided us through the menu. We started with chili this time but next time we will try the sandwiches. Any place with homemade pickles wins my heart - they had three kinds. And a cracker trough made from a garden planter. And pimento cheese. Basically, it was amazing. And the chili was super tasty too.

Oh my goodness, this place is a Gem! Travel all over the Midwest for business and search Oyster…read morebars and this is my new favorite. Your bartender Sis was amazing! Welcoming, warm and genuine. Highly recommend

Young staff but energetic for the activities going on. Recommend entering the space around 5:30 on…read moresaturday to get a spot on there patio area. All seafood was 10/10. Looking fowards to see what the catch of the day will be for my next visit!

Jacks is a non-pretentious restaurant which is locally owned. They offer simple fare. Burgers,…read moresalads, tenders, wings. Nothing fancy here. The food is very good. They have ample portions, too. The care for the customer is high on their list, too. I had an incorrect order once and staff did their best to accommodate me. There was one time my order was very slow getting to the table and the manager came over and spoke to me directly about the delay. There is plenty of parking and the restaurant is easy to access. They have carside delivery which makes things super handy. This is also a great place to watch sports. They have so many televisions and it's a nice way to see sports. A friend and I come here often to watch games. Prices are reasonable and in line with product. No complaints. This is the type of restaurant where you immediately feel at home.

Best bar & grille on the east side of Lawrence, hands down. Here's what's good:…read more The food is always fresh. Great selections, great specials. Family friendly, good kids' menu. Big bar, great service. And big - like, really big - screens for sportsball. What's not to like? It's a bar & grille, so you're not rolling into something with Michelin stars or Zagat's mentions. But the food is really good and the atmosphere is always relaxed (unless the local sportsballers are in peril). I'd suggest a plate of wings, with sauce varieties ranging from the dry rubs & mild to the hottest, which is a habanero blend. Insider tip: ask for your wings to be done 'Danza style', which is where they cook the wings, sauce the wings, then throw them on the grill for that extra char. Spectacular! Specials run every day, and some of them are better than others. For instance, kids eat free on Wednesdays with the purchase of a regular menu entree, Mondays are burger specials, and Saturdays are a KC strip special, which hits you with the salad, steak, & baked potato for $16 - that's a steal. Bar specials are also daily, whether happy hours or featured pints. There is something for everyone and you will get ample portions. It's THE place in east Lawrence to catch the Jayhawks, Chiefs, or, uh, even the Royals with a ginormous 22' screen adorning the east wall. Great spot!

We went out to dinner last Friday as an early Valentine's Day dinner as we don't like to deal with…read morethe crowds that pile out on February 14. We've dined at The White Linen now at least eight or nine times, including the private chef's table in the old safe (the restaurant is in an old building where a bank once was). The food is always delicious, exciting, thoughtful, and nicely plated. We appreciate the fact there's a fine dining restaurant option in Topeka (it's a lot closer than Kansas City!). But every time we go we are always struck by the service. As good as the food is (and it's very good) the service is always lacking. It feels like the servers (often high school or college age) are play acting at fine dining service. Everything is always just a little off. For example, the silverware: it stays out through the whole meal. Normally, you finish a starter and they take away the used knife and fork and bring new, clean ones. (This could just be easier on the servers but perhaps the restaurant doesn't have enough silverware to do this.) Then, there's usually on every visit one mess up or another. If this happened once on one meal I'd say it was an anomaly, but when there's something every time we dine there you start to question what kind of training goes on with the front of house staff. Here's a list (not an exhaustive one) of things we've experienced: * Entrees for another table being set down in front of us. This by itself is no big deal, but when the problem is pointed out and those entrees are then picked up and set in front of other diners, I wince. * When asking for salt and pepper a small bowl with salt and pepper mixed is provided. I don't know if this is a chef's choice or the server's, but I'd like to dose any salt and pepper myself, thank you. * My wife is allergic to cilantro (not a dislike as in "it tastes like dirt" but an actual EpiPen-carrying allergy) and it was noted both on our reservation on Tock and described verbally to the server when we ordered. A starter arrived with microgreens as a garnish. When my wife asked what the greens were, the server took them back to the chef and another one was sent out because the microgreens had cilantro in them. I worry the server did not communicate the allergy in the first place. * Cleaning equipment left out on a dining table next to ours (see photo). For all the care and attention to the food and the menu, I wish Adam VanDonge paid as much attention to the training of the front of house staff. Certainly, they must be working on the tightest of margins running a fine dining establishment in Topeka. Staff is at an appropriate minimum, but the lack of a Front of House manager shows. When asked what a certain item was on a menu, a server replied, "I don't know. I don't eat this kind of stuff." I wrote such a long review because I have a hunch none of these issues get back to the kitchen. They are kept in the dining room. I think most diners coming to The White Linen are thrilled to have a great night out--and they should. I applaud Mr. VanDonge for the fortitude to keep TWL alive with a vision of great American cuisine. The front of house staff are eager and enthusiastic, don't get me wrong. I just wish the service reflected the quality of the food.

It's situated inside the Cyrus hotel. The staff is always so nice and efficient, had breakfast and…read moredinner here a lot during my stay and never had an issue with staff. During my stay, I have had the burger (perfectly booked), chicken Cajun pasta (really delicious, not spicy but it's huge!), and the steak tips (tender and good). Breakfast buffet is always a good choice too.

food is great!…read more Spencer (part owner) is super hospitable and was kind to me! good prices and specials! def add this to your places to try out! kuddos from this portland traveller

Our food was served cold. Our waitress did not get our order correct. She said she was new and…read moreshe was very nice, but it was really the food that was disappointing. The waitress did bring fresh fries out, but these were not done. I just sat the time I was there and the food went in the trash. Didn't want to sound like a broken record. My burger was awful, cold. Nice atmosphere, plenty of room and comfortable, but they really need to up their cooking skills.