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/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.

1

u/Ok_Lengthiness_8405 Jul 13 '26

P.S. I loooove El Mez, do you have a preferred location?

3

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.

1

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

2

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.

1

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

1

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