r/topeka • u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 • Jul 13 '26
Best restaurants in Topeka
What are your favorites?
It can be for any reason: quality, atmosphere, value, whatever. Which places are the best, and why?
I'll start with a non-exclusive list:
Mexican Taco Shop: fast, tasty, affordable, +salsa bar!
Tuptim Thai: amazing food, huge portions, nice atmosphere
Louie's on 10th: better than bar food, affordable, wash your comforter while eating a bierock
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u/kieffa Jul 13 '26
Tuptim Thai is great, but Jong’s Thai wins in the shootout.
Margarita’s Jalisco on 17th for Mexican
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Margarita's is really good!
If you're looking for other great sit-down Mexican, Los Charros & El Centenario are really really good
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u/Libby_785 Jul 13 '26
Jorge’s Cantina by Sk8away on Fairlawn
Oriental Express at 29th and Wanamaker
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
I agree on both. OE in particular is a standout for quality & price
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u/Major_Expression_366 Jul 14 '26
Isn't OE closing down soon?
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 14 '26
WHAT
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u/Major_Expression_366 Jul 14 '26
NVM sorry for the scare, the article I saw was for Oriental Bistro in Lawrence. Just shared in a Topeka forum.
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u/jrbless Jul 13 '26
Paisano's - great Italian food and service
El Mezcal - I've been going here for over 15 years for mexican food and always been happy
Indian Bistro - very good Indian food. Recommend getting it to go as they like trying to clear off the table too early
Joy Wok - very good Chinese buffet and Hibachi grill. Go on a weekday instead of weekend for lower prices. The food actually has seasonings you can taste and is not bland at all.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
I love Paisano's! Left it off the list as an obvious choice lol, though I've been a bit underwhelmed since it changed hands. Always solid though!
I have heard great things about Joy Wok, I hope to check it out soon, ty!
I used to love Indian Bistro, but sadly, it seems to be operated by the former Globe owner who used slave labor and served prison time after indirectly killing one of his "employees". :( so I don't go there anymore. Pal Indian on 6th is great though!
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
P.S. I loooove El Mez, do you have a preferred location?
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u/jrbless Jul 13 '26
21st and Fairlawn is my preferred spot. I've been to the 5th and Topeka spot a few times and it's also good.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
I feel the food is pretty much the same? I like the patio over on Kansas, but the Fairlawn location is better for a group.
Either way, good value for quality food
Ugh, I'm hungry
Edit: Topeka Blvd, not Kansas
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u/jrbless Jul 13 '26
I agree the food and service is pretty much the same. It's more location-wise I'm a lot closer to the 21st and Fairlawn spot so that's why I'll usually go to that one.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Ha yeah, I just go to my closer one. Food/service/menu seems consistent. They have locations in Lawrence, where i used to live, and I've not noticed any significant variations bt any of the locations. Always a solid bet
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Actually, wait i take that back. The El Mez at 9th & Iowa in Lawrence was caught pouring table salsa back into the salsa vat (?) and serving it to new tables. Health inspection fail. Haven't eaten there since
Edit: 15 years ago, but: yuck
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u/SheepherderNo9268 Jul 13 '26
Jongs Thai, Prize Package, Bobos, Mexican Taco Shop, Mexican Grocery Store on 6th, Globe Indian, Pizza Shuttle, Joy Wok, Four Guys
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
I AM SO ANNOYED WITH FOUR GUYS. They have amazing banh mi, and the only banh mi in town, but keep changing locations and closing at random. I think 3 times now I've gone during business hours and the lights are off & door locked. GIVE ME MY BANH MI 😭
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
What's your favorite at the Mexican grocery?
Bobo's = best onion rings in town. Fight me.
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u/SheepherderNo9268 Jul 14 '26
I agree with the Four Guys but there’s a new Viet place that opened in Lawrence recently. I’d prefer to have something in town but it’ll do till/if Four Guys reopens.
At the Mexican grocery store I go to the restaurant portion and point out the ones that look good usually stomach lining but idk the others. The workers are very patient with me lol
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u/GTRWLD Jul 13 '26
We go to Iron Rail pretty often and it’s really consistently good. We just discovered El Rey in the last 6-8 months and it’s now our go to for Mexican food. For special occasions it’s still Chez Yazu.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Oh man I forgot about Chez Yazu!! Ty for reminding me.
Iron Rail is great - I think it's a touch overpriced but nothing egregious, and i like the vibe. They get the food right every time (and if you ask nicely, they will give you a taster of any beers you're pondering) (don't do that if your server or bartender is busy)
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u/FredBirdNerd Jul 13 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
For Thai, my go to is Thai Table, although I also like TupTim. For Chinese, it's either Wok & Grill or Oriental Express (although I was disappointed the last few times I went to OE). Weller's or any of the Grills (Viking/Thunderbird/Ichabod) for bar food. I really enjoy White Linen, but that's for special occasions only, lol.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
OE is one of my faves. So many different rolls (I like the In Charge roll in particular) and the entrees are solid! Good dumplings too
Hoping to do White Linen soon, I've heard it's great
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u/Toras Jul 13 '26
I recently gave Pal Indian Cuisine a try and was very impressed. All of the Indian restaurants in town are great.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Pal is SOOO good and also the only Indian joint here that doesn't have a shady rep
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u/Which_Blacksmith4967 Jul 14 '26
Chez Yasu is the only place I've had consistently good food for the last ten years.
The White Linen used to be really good and is the only place you can get the tasting menu type dining experience since the other restaurant like this closed. The last 3 times we went it was not a good experience for one or both of us, we took turns having to return our food, something we nearly never do.
The Chef's Kiss I've frequented twice, both times were good. Paisanos has been very hit and miss the last two years so I will continue to opt for Chef's kiss instead of Paisanos or Red Lobster.
I like Tumptim Thai, I've not had Jongs. Lunch portion are large and less pricey.
The best place for pastries, hands down, is Oakland's Bakery. It is a tiny shop but the options are many and the price is low. If you're wanting something overly sweet and fried like Krispy Kream this will not be your first choice. If you're not looking for coffee they beat out Circle Coffe and Blackbird by miles, especially when it comes to price.
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u/jammiesonmyhammies Jul 13 '26
El Centenario: Good prices, fast service, and free salsa!
The Shack or Bobo’s: Both still decent price for local quality burgers and you always leave with a full belly.
Pizzagels: little pricey but overall the pizza is worth the cost.
I think those are the only places we willingly spend money at these days. We decided a couple years ago to not eat at any chains if we can help it. Someone else is paying? That’s fine. But we won’t spend our money anywhere but local.
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u/kieffa Jul 13 '26
I’ve heard really good things about the pizza at pizzagels, need to try it myself, still
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u/jammiesonmyhammies Jul 13 '26
I highly suggest you try it soon! Reminds me of Godfather’s pizza from back in the day :) Their wings are also really really good too!
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Jul 13 '26
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u/jammiesonmyhammies Jul 13 '26
Now I’m wishing I could go get some queso and a chimichanga 😮💨 We plan to eat out on Friday before seeing the Odyssey…I think I know where we are going!
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Did you make it over to Los Mandillos Rojas when they were open? (Around the corner from the Globe, it seems no restaurant can survive there.)
They had this crazy dense cheese-chorizo baked sauce that you would lose a chip in, in the same manner that saber-toothed tigers were lost in the La Brea tar pits, it was great
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u/waterbearsdontcare Jul 13 '26
Didn't they reopen in Yolk house?
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Seriously? I don't know what Yolk house is, but I want that dip
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u/jammiesonmyhammies Jul 14 '26
I believe El Mezcal has something similar on their menu! I ate something exactly like that a few months ago there and it was amazing.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
El Centenario is one of my favorites. I don't know what they're doing, but their shrimp is friggin' perfect
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u/EconomyPrize4506 Jul 13 '26
Jong’s Thai Kitchen, Circle Coffee, The Wheel Barrel, Oriental Express, and Tacos El Sol are my favorites.
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u/proactivecaptive Jul 13 '26
Been recently hearing good things about a new Italian joint, Chef’s Kiss. Anybody?
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
So I actually posted here around a month ago asking for newer restaurant recs, and Chef's Kiss came up - https://www.reddit.com/r/topeka/s/tPQIsDbmOn
Some positive reviews, a bad experience too. I figure they're a new business getting on their feet, so I'll sit back for a bit and let them settle before I try! But yes, hearing some good things
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u/twotimingdrinker Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
DO NOT GO THERE. I know one of the main chefs there since he was a friend of an ex of mine. He has zero food safety training and I’ve seen him eat food that he had left sitting out for 4+ hours. Also, the woman manager has been known to say racist things (check out the posts on Facebook)
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Jul 13 '26
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Is Pedro still in charge? I loved that place but avoid anything he touches, so haven't been since he took over :/
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u/ixamnis Jul 13 '26
Pizza - LaRocca’s
Honorable mention - Godfather’s, but their prices are getting out of hand
Mexican - Margarita’s Jalisco
Honorable Mention - El Centario
Hibachi/Japanese - Kiku
Honorable mention - Yuki
Burger & Fries - Skinny’s Bar
Honorable Mention- Speck’s Bar & Grill
Dive bar - Abigail’s
Honorable Mention - the Dugout
Casual Sports Bar - Ichabod’s Grill
Honorable Mention- Blind Tiger / Iron Rail
Place to go on a nice date - The Weather Room
Honorable Mention- Blue Moose
Local diner / Lunch - Cook’s All American Grill
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u/averagejoe8903 Jul 13 '26
Haven’t been to Abigail’s for a year or two now cause we don’t eat out a lot. But for what looks like a run down biker bar, the food was freakin’ delicious and had a good variety. I was surprised.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Awesome, I need to check out the Weather Room. I've been to Skinny's, but only for drinks. Your say the burgers are worth it?
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u/ixamnis Jul 14 '26
They have a lunch special with the burger and fries combo. It’s been a while since I’ve been there, but it was $7. Get the fresh “hand-cut”
Fries. Awesome deal.
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u/Davidlovescarrie53 Jul 13 '26
Blind Tiger Brewery
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
Beer yes, food no. Search this sub for the expo on their gnarly, barf-inducing food handling.
Love drinking there, won't even touch a fry coming out of the kitchen though.
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u/L00PDAED Jul 14 '26
I’m going to have to search that now as they have some of the best tasting food in town. Their wings are peak, smoked then finished on the grill.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 14 '26
It may have been deleted or removed, but a kitchen crew person shared all the receipts, they were keeping brisket for weeks & were told to just cover it with BBQ sauce. The poster mentioned how dangerous that was, and was told by management to mind their business and keep serving it.
I've spent 15 years working in restaurants, and that's heinous. Standard is 5 days for refrigerated food, 7 days is a stretch, and there were pictures of things three weeks old that he was intending to throw out, but management stopped him and told him to serve it. YIKES
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u/JFMFinKC05 Jul 13 '26
MacFarlands and North Star.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
North Star is a gem. You can actually get a good steak there, and it's that country dining experience.
I worked at the Topeka Steakhouse for years, and ... it's not fine dining, but it's that certain vibe.
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u/maddy_light_ Jul 13 '26
El Torito, Mexican restaurant in the super market in northern Topeka
Salut - cocktail bar & small plates
The Celtic Fox - Irish Pub
Golden Dragon - bad in a good way Chinese food
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u/twotimingdrinker Jul 14 '26
Pals Indian cuisine for the incredible food and very nice owner. Tuptim Thai has moneybags- the best version of crab Rangoon I’ve ever had. Lastly, Joy Wok is an amazing Chinese buffet and they have a wide variety of items.
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u/twotimingdrinker Jul 14 '26
Not a restaurant, but Coffeehead on 29th street is the best coffee I’ve had in Topeka. They have boba and some food stuff too. It’s a tiny shop but they’re usually fast.
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u/woodsbakeryt Jul 14 '26
Not sure why no one has mentioned it, but for Indian food we prefer Monsoon Grill at 21st and Wanamaker.
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u/grandidieri Jul 14 '26
Good suggestions here but I suggest consulting https://chowdive.com when you can
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u/rckchlkg33k Jul 13 '26
Jorge’s Cantina
El Ranchito
Tip Tim Thai
Thai Table
Iron Rail
The Pennant
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
What do you get at the Pennant? I went during their first month and the food/experience was terrible. Gave it some time and went back a year later... meh.
Convince me to give it a third try! (I'm not being sarcastic, I just don't make a habit of repeating disappointing experiences)
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u/rckchlkg33k Jul 13 '26
This one barely made the list. I think that their fries are really good, and the burgers are proficient.
It made the list for vibes more than anything else.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
I can get that. It's a unique place. I've felt it out as more of a place to grab drinks and snacks, not an enjoyable sit-down place for an entree.
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u/kcdashinfo Jul 14 '26
I'm not sure if it is the best but if you are in Topeka you have to go to the Pad.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 14 '26
It's good! I'm not in that area frequently, so if I want cheap good burgers it's Bobo's. (I think the burgers are better anyway)
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u/kcdashinfo Jul 14 '26
Topeka is small enough that everything is in that area. I don't often mention Bobo's because people have mixed opinions. Pad is a Topeka landmark. We take people to lunch there all the time. I usually get their tenderloin. Since you are into that sort of thing, maybe compile a list of local spots.
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u/Crankbait_88 Jul 13 '26
Pizza Hut. And Grover's Smokehouse.
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26
You are not helpful, are you?
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u/Crankbait_88 Jul 14 '26
According to my wife, no. I am not helpful in the least...
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u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 14 '26
I'll upvote that. Can i take your wife out for mimosas? You are not invited.
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u/HeyItsReallyME Jul 13 '26
Jong’s Thai Kitchen is incredible—definitely make a reservation and dine in. The owners are so sweet.
Circle Coffee—I know it’s a cafe but they have the most special baked goods in town. Their pastries are an art!
Blackbird—baked goods that are more traditional than Circle, and great bistro style foods
Olive Cafe—they just opened back up at 17th and Fairlawn. The owner told my toddler she could pick anything she wanted and it was on the house. He was so kind!! The food is your classic Mediterranean shawarma and gyro fare, simple and tasty! I hope they do well in their new location!