The Wheel Barrel

4.5 (334 reviews)

ModerateBars, Soup, Sandwiches

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The Wheel Barrel - The Kansan... INCREDIBLE - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Dinner - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - great pretzels! - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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The Wheel Barrel - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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The Wheel Barrel menu photos

Menu photo 1 The Wheel Barrel Topeka, KS

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THE WHEEL BARREL ATMOSPHERE

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Inside

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Stephanie A.

This is probably the best grilled cheese I've had in my life. Flavorful, perfectly grilled, not smushed. Our table tried five different versions of grilled cheese, and we were all happy. Seating inside is limited, so we were on the patio with heat lamps. It worked but if it's colder, you might want to be sure you have a coat

Alondra G.

This is a great spot for both picky and adventurous eaters as they have fun creative options and basic grilled cheese sandwiches. They also have a seasonal menu that changes. I ate in the outdoor patio area and had no wait time on a Friday for lunch. Service was great and it wasn't overly loud even inside the restaurant.

Tomato bisque, grilled cheese, and pub chips.

Bria G.

This place is adorable! The bar top is made from pennies. The bartender makes great drinks. She was so friendly. I had a grilled cheese (you get to choose your cheeses). It came with house made pun chips, which were the best I've ever had. I also ordered a cup of tomato bisque. It also was the best I've ever had.

Turkey sandwich with guacamole, tomatoes, bacon and cheese on toast is wonderful full of flavors. Chips are homemade and sauces sampler was great variety fun and delicious. Lots of IPA beers on tap if you like those but we found the lager and stout to be very good. Servers were friendly and very efficient. Sat outside in garden setting in rear was delightful.

Tracy S.

Wish we had gotten the pretzel ahead of the sandwiches. The waitress did try. I wasn't a fan of the "beer cheese"--reminded me too much of velveeta and wasn't very warm. My Olga sandwich was just ok. It was missing the sauerkraut so they added it. They heated it all up which was good to be hot, but it made the 2 slices of pastrami chewy. I just expected much more for the price tag. Two thin slices of meat made me sad. The highlight of the meal was the salad. The feta was delicious. The pieces of lettuce were difficult to eat, but I shoved them in my pie hole. It's not a "first date" kind of salad. The dressing was good and wished I'd had more of it given the size of the salad. The monte Cristo sandwich looked good and my husband was satisfied. It comes with grape jelly. I saw a menu somewhere that listed blackberry jam--it's not, it's grape. The chips were tasty--I'd recommend the homemade chips. The seasoning on the chips was wonderful. They were out of red wine which disappointed my husband. We spent almost $60 for two thin sandwiches (one upgraded for a side salad) and a pretzel. I just can't.

Katie G.

The Wheel Barrel was such a great experience. I had a day trip to Topeka, and two locals had said to go to the Wheel Barrel and get the Monte Cristo. We went and fell in love. My dad said the Monte Cristo was the best sandwich he ever had. I had the Baja Turkey (pictured), and it was amazing. I also really liked their blood orange cider. The restaurant is small, but it has a very cozy feeling. The service was great, and we are looking forward to coming back soon.

Tom N.

In addition to popping up in my research of Topeka, The Wheel Barrel was also recommended by a local shop owner. We walked in and chose a seat at the far end of the first dining area. A table with a booth on the side against the wall, and chairs on the other side. We started with an appetizer of the House seasoned kettle chips and craft beer queso. It was goooood. The chips were SO good, we actually took the ones we didn't finish with us to go. Next, we ordered our sammiches. My wife chose the Award Winning Monte Cristo, and I went with The Kansan. My wife loved her sammich. But mine... well, mine left me momentarily speechless. The cheese pull was insane! Every single ingredient combined for an incredible flavor explosion in my mouth. Without a doubt one of the best sammiches I've ever had. Our waitress was very friendly and the service was fast. We were visiting from California, but would absolutely return to The Wheel Barrel the next time we visited Topeka.

Too hot to sit outside, so we sat inside. Didn't see what it looked like in the back. Inside is a tight place but not feeling squeezed. Decent sandwich; not sure the photo chips are made in-house or just seasoned in-house. For us, it's more of a brunch/lunch/sandwich place. But of course if you are sandwich pal for any meal of the day, you can definitely get what you want here.

Amazing food and service. If you need gluten free, this is the place to go. I've now been here on lunch and dinner.

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Dustin R.

2 years ago

The bread was delicious and the atmosphere in the outdoor seating area was fun and inviting. The service was fast and friendly. The only reason we didn't give it 5 stars is because I would like to see more options for sides and the grape jam that comes with the Monte Cristo is almost tasteless.. We will definitely be back to try some of their other sandwich options! read more

The Wheel Barrel - Outdoor seating - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - The Monte Cristo Sandwich, The Kansan Sandwich and the Brazilian mule. - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Chris H.

2 years ago

This place is awesome. I was home to Topeka and I absolutely loved the menu and the food is great, as well as the atmosphere... I wish we had one in Orlando!! read more

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Rick L.

2 years ago

Great ambiance and excellent service with helpful bartenders to guide your selection of their great draft beers!

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Cason C.

2 years ago

Small place but service was quick food came out quick and The Kansan is awesome. The decor is artistic with the penny cover bar. read more

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Joseph K.

2 years ago

It was good Food good service and good location to eat. I recommend The location. Easy access to The location and friendly People in The area. read more

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Lisa '.

120

2 years ago

Wonderful place to eat. Their Monte Cristo is so good! Everyone is very kind and love the atmosphere in the back. Will definitely go whenever in town. read more

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Garrett S.

247

3 years ago

Cocktails- A+++ The bartenders always have something delicious they are working on, and the seasonal drink menu never disappoints. Food- A+++ the grilled cheeses are top notch, inventive and always delicious rifts on classic pairings. You can also order any sandwich as a salad! Great atmosphere! Can't wait to sit out on the new covered patio far into the fall! read more

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Karen S.

Elite 26

3 years ago

My favorite restaurant in Topeka. The beer selection is top notch and the sandwiches pair perfectly! Also- don't miss out on the amazing pretzels!!!!! read more

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Ray W.

1 year ago

One of the few restaurants in the area that makes a Minte Cristo sandwich, and theirs is great. Nice and relaxed atmosphere, although they are usually packed, but worth the wait. read more

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Rob Y.

2 years ago

Fantastic place! Friendly atmosphere and staff. There is inside and outside dining. The service was fast! The food was scrumptious with generous portions. We had the Olga and Hangover sandwiches. Sooo good! Highly recommend this place. You won't be disappointed. read more

The Wheel Barrel - Inside dining - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Outside dining - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Jessie G.

Elite 22

153

573

5 years ago

Yummy grilled cheese sammies and very nice ambience. And I always appreciate a solid beer selection so my boyfriend and I each got a flight. The restaurant is small, so you'll likely have to wait just a bit for a seat during meal times. But they have a large patio with heaters to help accommodate as many diners as possible. If your even in NOTO (North Topeka Arts District) check this place out. And hey - I checked out the restroom. There are two gender neutral single stall restrooms and they were very clean and comfortable. Their paper towels are so thick and soft! This attention to detail makes me think that the managers/owners have really put a lot of effort into making this place a wonderful dining and drink experience. I don't live in Topeka but I'll be back! Also note, they have vegan options in case you have a lactose sensitivity. read more

The Wheel Barrel - Menu - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Levi G.

2 years ago

My friends took me here for comfort food and I live in Olathe I tried their big kanhonaa and I want the recipe best grilled cheese sandwich I have ever had read more

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Jenna B.

Elite 26 All-Star

334

799

5 years ago

This little spot is a hidden jewel with a few vegan sandwiches which I appreciate since it's hard to find a vegan sandwich restaurant in Topeka KS. I also appreciate the fact the cheese was nice and melted on my sandwich which is hard to find as a vegan. This spot stays open until 10pm and that's nice because it's great to get a late night snack read more

The Wheel Barrel - Tree Hugger Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Tree Hugger Sandwich with mushrooms lettuce and vegan cheese - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Darlene R.

2 years ago

My last meal there was less impresive. The grilled sandwiches are cooked in too much margarine. I have to remind them everytime not to over butter my sandwich. The chicken tortilla soup wasn't as good as their tomato bisque. I would say overall the food is very good. read more

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Jacqueline V.

Elite 26

270

969

5 years ago

Great environment, cool tunes and not too noisy. Hang on to your neurons... the beer and cider menu offer options for pairing with your cheese dish. The creative sandwich names are clever. Great service read more

The Wheel Barrel - Figgy goats gruff sandwich - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Figgy Goats Gruff and tomato bisque soup - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Full sandwich and soup. Goat cheese, fig jam and greens with prosciutto on rye bread - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Erin L.

Elite 26

500

356

5 years ago

What an adorable place - I picked this spot for a work lunch and everyone was impressed. So grateful we snagged a patio spot on a gorgeous day. Honestly that makes EVERYTHING BETTER! their teas were very good to start. We had the watermelon one. Yum! Their whole menu is pretty much bougie grilled cheeses. They had me at Bougie + goat cheese + Gouda. Overall the taste was very good. They were just a little greasy. We all had to use many napkins and wash our hands right after eating. All that aside I am grateful for this cute little Gem in Topeka, KS. read more

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Emily B.

3 years ago

The kansan sandwich was SO yummy! The 3 of us that went all got different sandwiches, and all of them were delicious!! Service was very quick and there were no problems! Ambiance was very calming and nice. Seems like a great hangout spot too! Will be back soon! read more

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David A.

2 years ago

One of my favorite spots in Topeka. They specialize in Grilled Cheese sandwiches - which are really good. They also have an impressive selection of craft beers (rotating taps) and Scotch and Bourbons. Indoor and outdoor seating. read more

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Ty C.

Elite 25

166

196

4 years ago

3.5 stars. First, the good. The appetizer, sandwiches, and drinks were really great. Now, the bad, the wait to get seated on a Wednesday evening was probably 25-30m. Also, they don't have an open bar or lounge area so you can't have a drink and wait for your table. They are going to be screwed this winter as there outdoor seating will be gone and wait times will balloon even more. All that being said, we would return but, I wouldn't make a special trip to come here. read more

The Wheel Barrel - Outdoor dining @ the wheel barrel. - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Elisha K.

3 years ago

My family & I were traveling through from Denver and we decided stopped here because they were open late and the menu seemed right up our alley. The restaurant was very cute and the staff were friendly. Definitely worth stopping in again next time we are in the area. read more

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Shiloh S.

5 years ago

My husband and I were in town for a funeral and wanted a quick bite to eat before we went back to KC. Wow! This place definitely delivered a good bite. From quick and efficient service, tasty food to the fun vibes in this place. All around The Wheel Barrel is amazing. We started off with the chips and queso. The housemade kettle chips are simply delicious. They had a great seasoning on them. Portions were good size to! I had the Monte Cristo and my husband had the Hangover. We shared each other's and they're both very filling and awesome tasting! This place definitely makes us want to go back to Topeka sometime and try more of their food! Note to wheel barrel: if you guys ever consider expanding, please come to Kansas City! read more

The Wheel Barrel - The Monte Cristo Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Devin E.

2 years ago

Amazing food, great service, and a cute rustic dive bar like environment, new outdoor seating for warmer weather is great

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Adam S.

Elite 26

551

4 years ago

The Wheel Barrel has delicious food, but recently none of the staff seems happy to be there or happy that you are there. The last couple of times I've gone in, they act like I'm hassling them when I'm trying to order some food or ask for an extra napkin. I really have been craving the house made potato chips and queso and one of their delicious sandwich offerings like the Hangover, but the waitstaff really turns a fun and delicious concept into kind of a bummer. Maybe I've just caught them on a few different bad days. I will break down and go back soon. The only reason I haven't is the service I've gotten on my last couple of visits. read more

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Heather H.

111

156

4 years ago

We really enjoyed the food & atmosphere of this restaurant. It is delicious comfort food. They have vegan & non-vegan options. They have GF too. We bought too much food, we saved our chips for later. So yummy! read more

The Wheel Barrel - Front of menu - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Laurel V.

3 years ago

Love this place. Delicious food, chill ambiance, amazing selection of craft beers. Service is always on point. Would happily give it 5 stars except for the dang paper plates and cheap plastic ware. What's up with that?! Everything else about the place is great except for that. read more

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Fred B.

150

3 years ago

Always great food! Popper sandwich and adult PB&J is the bomb! Always friendly service.

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Jim T.

Elite 26

261

377

4 years ago

Sandwiches that at once taste homemade and also special. I say homemade as it it has a comforting aspect to it. Great use of cheese. I had the Turkey club. read more

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Sam S.

2 years ago

Great food and great staff. Always one of my go to places to grab a meal! 5 star all around.

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Stephen H.

Elite 26

795

4216

176

4 years ago

What an absolute gem in the dubiously-named "NoTo" district of Topeka. Delicious, reasonably-priced food, friendly service, cosy atmosphere. Will definitely be back. read more

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Peggy P.

3 years ago

Clean, quaint atmosphere. Our waitress was fab and you can tell all the others are as well. FOOD WAS AMAZING. Flavors all worked together. We got the everything pretzel, beer cheese queso, monte christo, and my husband ordered the Olga. Food came out fresh and lean over your plate because you are going to get some drip drop yumminess coming off of the sandwiches! My husband and I both work, so we ordered sandwiches to go for lunch tomorrow. read more

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Susanne M.

Elite 26

363

232

8 years ago

The Monty Christo is possible the best we have found around the Midwest. The broccoli cheddar is not too thick and chock full of onions, not so much cheese. Tomato bisque soup is very good, very tomato-y though. Have a sandwich as a salad - the turkey bacon one was delicious! read more

The Wheel Barrel - Monte Cristo! - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Half not-yo-mamas BLT & tomato basil bisque - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Nathan S.

Elite 24

4 years ago

Stopped in because our teenage son loves grilled cheese. After having one ourselves, we realized is he ain't the only... but we already really knew that : ) Anyway, the grilled cheese sandwiches were amazing. My son went with the classic, he described it as oh my goodness good! My wife choose the Kansas, and I had the Blue Cow... amazing!!! I added tomato so I could feel better about myself. Lol My other son had the sweet pretzel with cream cheese, super yummy! Also had a flight of beers. You can choose any 4 drafts... the FS Peach Passion Cider was so good, I want to drive to Iowa to pick some up!!! My wife agreed! Sandwiches come with very good bbq chips, the beer cheese dip was great with the chips. Great place... enjoy! read more

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Arden F.

3 years ago

Food is great with good service. It can be a little crowded sometimes with all the tables but other than that it's a regular for us for dinner. The ambiance is cozy and almost like a diner/deli with a bar. Their monte cristo is the best! read more

The Wheel Barrel - French dip sandwich - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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John J.

4 years ago

Hadn't heard of this place but stopped in for lunch while in town for a conference at the expo center. I ordered "The Kansan" and it was awesome!! Also noticed their nice selection of bourbons and whiskeys and was surprised at how reasonably they were priced! I live about 50 minutes from here but will definitely be back! The bartender and staff were also super friendly. read more

The Wheel Barrel - The Kansan Sandwich - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Brett S.

Elite 24

107

3 years ago

Get the monte cristo. Don't question-just do it! The retaurant is small, but there is a nice patio in the back where we prefer to sit anyway. One of my favorite places for lunch ir a lighter dinner in North Topeka. read more

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Sandy L.

199

3 years ago

Went here 3/11/23 early afternoon.There was a half hour wait time for a table, probably because the place is so small and the wait staff SOOOOOO slow. Our waitress did not smile once, she knew nothing about the menu when we asked questions. Our food sat in the window (along with a bunch of other orders) for 10-15 minutes. Had to try to flag her down everytime you needed something. My daughter in law asked specifically for her sandwich to not have aioli, so of course it came with aioli and she had to wait for another. I had the how now bleu cow which was really good but small for $12. My husband had the vote for pedro and we swapped sandwich halves to taste each one. The Pedro sandwich had hardly any roast beef, the jalapenos were raw and the cheese was not melted., or maybe it recongealed because it sat in the window so long? The home made chips were good, not greasy or soggy and they had a nice spice to them. I like the creativeness of the sandwiches, but in my opinion alot of other changes need to be made before I would recommend it to anyone. read more

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Zen D.

Elite 21

330

813

1682

5 years ago

Excellent sandwiches... gluten free or not! Great chips and cheese dips. Seems to be busy at lunchtime. We grabbed it to go and ate in the car. Still good stuff. read more

The Wheel Barrel - Queso - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - All good choices on the gf sandwiches - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

The Wheel Barrel - Sandwich and chips - Bars Near Me - Topeka, Kansas

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Brian C.

3 years ago

Smaller than I expected. Only about a half dozen tables and some bar seating. Service was fast on Tuesday noon. Really good homemade chips and good Reuben sandwich read more

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Jennifer S.

Elite 26

430

742

7 years ago

Went on a whim. Someone driving by said "that place was good when we ate there, and they have GF" Very next day we went and had lunch there. Can't wait to take the husband. So freaking good! I want to go try the drinks! It's not very often I get to enjoy a good sandwich! Thank you for taking care of us with Gf needs read more

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Robert J.

3 years ago

Good food but served with broken glass cup without a straw! Play dangerous games lose business!

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Page 2 of 9

925 N Kansas Ave
Topeka, KS 66608
Directions
(785) 408-1278
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.thewheelbarrel.com

Full menu

Hours

What time does The Wheel Barrel open?

The Wheel Barrel opens at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

What time does The Wheel Barrel close?

The Wheel Barrel is closed on Monday and Sunday.The Wheel Barrel closes at 10:00 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mon, Sun ClosedTue-Sat 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Payment methods

Does The Wheel Barrel take credit cards?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does The Wheel Barrel have a happy hour?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel has a happy hour.

Does The Wheel Barrel serve alcohol?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel serves alcohol. Full Bar

Indoor Amenities

Does The Wheel Barrel have TVs?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel has TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does The Wheel Barrel have bike parking?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel has bike parking.

Does The Wheel Barrel have outdoor seating?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel has outdoor seating options.

Does The Wheel Barrel have parking?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel has parking options. Street Parking

Other Amenities

Is The Wheel Barrel wheelchair accessible?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel is wheelchair accessible.

Does The Wheel Barrel allow outdoor smoking?

Yes, The Wheel Barrel allows outdoor smoking.

Does The Wheel Barrel have free WiFi?

No, The Wheel Barrel does not have free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Gourmet grilled cheese and craft beer

History

Established in 2016.

We just opened in April.

Meet the Business Owner: Jon B.

My wife and I took inspiration from restaurants we had visited traveling and decided to do something different and fun in Topeka.

More Info

Health Score

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McAlister's Deli

They have the best food my favorite is the nutty salad and cranberry walnut cookies the Alfredo is…read moreawesome to strawberry shortcake great to

I have ordered through Door Dash numerous times and they've easily screwed up the order 80% of the…read moretime. This last time they actually left out the sandwiches. $63.00 and I get three bags of chips and aus jus, but no sandwiches. The driver went back for me and picked up my cold sandwiches. Neither delivery had sealed bags. The driver did his job. The store, however, insisted the bags were sealed. This store has no quality control and Door Dash has no systems to satisfy customers. Never again.

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Schlotzsky's

I enjoy this location as it is in a good location to get in and out easy. The parking lot is big…read moreand parking is not an issue even when busy. Schlotzsky's is always known for fresh bread and I enjoy the original with jalapeno bread. Then throw in their jalapeno chips tops it off. With the medium drink which to me is everyone else's large drink. Thank you for not shrinking your drinks. The assistant manager Nick is always there seems like making sure you get what you want. The decor is standard Schlotzsky's and makes it fell retro to me with the barn style and food truck decor.

Food was good BUT they didn't make my sandwich. At least three people behind me got their…read moresandwich's. Brought it to their attention and the person expediting never apologized. Typical poor service. Hadn't been here in over a year and it's gonna be even longer before I return.

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Goodcents Deli Fresh Subs

Quite possibly the most boring sandwich I've ever had. Never returning…read more Essentially dry bread with a sprinkle of lettuce.

I've been faced with many challenges throughout my life: a rough divorce, home eviction, and being…read morediagnosed with IBS. Through it all, I've never had a condiment do me wrong. While I still have faith in my sandwich order, I no longer trust the workers at Goodcents. I ordered a foot long sandwich from this establishment on a day not-so-long-ago. I ordered a foot long ham sandwich with the same ingredients on either side. The only difference? I asked that mayo only be applied to one half of the sandwich (in fears that the other half would be soggy if I tried to eat it the next day). The experienced Goodcents fan could tell you that a footling is regularly $8. When up at the register, they told me to fork over $13. The culprit? Mayo. They told me if the sandwich was not identical on both sides, they would charge me for two 6 in. sandwiches. Save the extra couple dollars and go to Subway. This place is dying to get their fingers in your pockets. The coin mascot must symbolize the people: penny pinchers.

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Juli's Coffee and Bistro

Local diner spot that serves coffee and breakfast. Plenty of seating inside with no frills. Nice to…read moresee something local in the middle of downtown.

This was ok coffee in a dark coffee shop. We chose a table in the front so we could at least get…read moresome natural light. There was art on the walls but it was randomly put up and if it was for sale, it was unclear what the prices might be as they were not labeled. Also the tables were oddly organized, I'm not sure why there were booths in the middle of the store. There were some antiques there but they were not well organized.

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Cute menu!

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Hard to see that this place is there from the street.

Margaritas Jalisco North

3.2

(20 reviews)

0.9 mi

Very good food service was good I will be coming back. Very friendly and the atmosphere was…read moreinviting.

Food was raw service was bad took a long time never coming back I feel like throwing up the place…read morefelt dirty cold not breath right

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Ichabod’s Grille

3.6

(8 reviews)

3.2 mi

Today and every Monday is $10. Burger day and yes it's worth it. I had the cheeseburger with potato…read moresalad and a tea. Love their sidewinders but they need to make a half order as the normal one you can share as they are good and filling. The staff is awesome and makes it nice to go in there. It is a sports bar with a pickleball court for those energetic folks lol

A place that advertises the best gluten-free selection in Topeka should make sure they serve…read morecustomers what they actually order. My celiac son was excited to order fried pickles (dedicated fryer). They were delivered to our table by a server who wasn't our original server. After my son had eaten several, the original server ran over, shouting "Don't eat any more!" They made fresh GF pickles and took them off our bill, but this definitely ruined the meal and a fun day for a kid who just wanted a chance to feel normal. That was our first and probably only time at a place that didn't take allergies seriously even though it was advertised that way.

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Monday lunch special burger and potato salad

Front: House Marg w/ blackberry flavor Back: Red Beer

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Burger. Side & drink Special

The Little Russia Chili Parlor

4.8

(13 reviews)

0.4 mi

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.

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The menu..

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Don P.

7 years ago

My husband and I ate there for the first time recently. My sandwich was delicious (Easy Caprese, or something like that), my husband's was not. He had the special (a BBQ brisket sandwich) that consisted of 2 small pieces of stringy, tough brisket. Service...questionable. The waitress didn't tell us about the special, we had to ask, and her response was "oh,yeah, the brisket's our special." No explanation or anything. After we were served, she asked how everything was but walked away before we could tell her. Would we go back? Probably. We'd like to give them another shot. read more

Lori M.

9 years ago

The Wheel Barrel is such a neat place with great drink choices and great sandwich choices. My favorite grilled cheese sandwich would be the Monte Cristo, dusted with powdered sugar.......mmmm mmmmm mmmm! Their soups are always a hit! The beer garden/patio out back is spacious and wonderful to sit out on when they have bands playing or even when there isn't a band playing. During warm weather, they play silent movies outside. The staff at the WB is fantastic. I will definitely return to the Wheel Barrel over and over! Great Job WB! read more

Jared R.

106

8 years ago

The Wheel Barrel is one of my favorite places to eat in Topeka, specially when I'm in the mood for something different. Artistically crafted gourmet sandwiches are down right delicious. Jon the owner is a great guy and makes sure if there any issues, he'll get it taken care of right away. If you are a Whiskey drinker, they have a fine selection and you could have a conversation with Jon over the different types of Whiskeys. read more

Irene H.

5 years ago

I enjoyed my recent trip to the Wheel Barrel. I met a girl friend there after work and we really enjoyed the atmosphere. The bartender was attentive and took care of us. We even tried some samples of select beers to decide what we wanted to order. I recommend you give this place a try. read more

Heidi Renee W.

8 years ago

I love this place! Even though my fave sandwich, The Summer of Sammie, is seasonal, I keep coming back for the grownup grilled cheese & the great beer on tap. Friendly & knowledgeable staff round out my experience! read more

Suzanne J.

8 years ago

Dined here with a friend for lunch. The tomato soup was delicious! We also ordered a pretzel with beer queso which was good. Great service. Nice atmosphere as well. read more

Hillary S.

2 years ago

This was such a pleasant surprise! Not from the area but will definitely be back. If you're looking from something different and delicious, this is it. read more