We are going to Topeka for 2 days. I am hoping someone can give me some restaurant ideas, particularly for lunch. We will be visiting the Capitol Bldg., the Kansas History Museum and the Czars exhibit. I'm not really sure what times we will be at each place. My family are not particularly adventerous diners, but we would like some good local places (no chains). A place with a fun atmosphere might be nice for the kids. Also, something that is not too pricey would be good ($5-8 per entree). Is there anything in Topeka that fits one or more of these criteria? Thanks!

The Czars exhibit is in the mall at 21st St. and Wanamaker. Most restaurants are on Wanamaker. Unfortunately, they are all chains. There is a locally owned BBQ restaurant not too far away call Boss Hawg's. It is in Brookwood Plaza on 29th St. Go east on 29th from Wanamaker, go past Gage Blvd. and watch for Brookwood Plaza on your right. Topeka has excellent Mexican food. There's a pretty good place called Mezcalito's at 21st and Fairlawn, cheap too. It's a chain, but if you have small children there's a Chuckie Cheese on Wanamaker south of the mall. Be sure to allow plenty of time for the Czar exhibit. This is the last weekend and it might be really crowded. I went when noone was there and spent 4 hours there.

If you have more questions, I live in Topeka...

Thanks, Denise. We like BBQ and Mexican so the places you mentioned may be just what we are looking for. We are really excited to see the Czars exhibit. We are going on a weekday, so maybe it won't be quite so crowded. Been promising the kids since Dec., but just now have the time to go. With my husband along, it might take us all day to view the exhibit! How long do you think we should plan for the Capitol Bldg. and KS History Museum?

Anyone else with some recommendations for restaurants?

DeniseL,

Do you recomend Boss Hawg's? I only tried it once (about a year ago) and was not impressed.

Keith

The Capitol Bldg will probably only take about an hour. You used to be able to climb to the top, but I don't think you can anymore.

The KS Hx museum will probably only take 2 hours, 3 at the most.

I told you the wrong name for the Mexican restaurant. It's El Mezcal, not Mezcalito's (that's somewhere else).

Kevin - What didn't you like about Boss Hawg's? Your statement is so general.

There's Denny's in Topeka that makes my mouth water just thinking about it!

DeniseL,

I wasn't necessarily telling anyone not to go there, just asking if you were recommending it as some place you like, or just pointing out that it was nearby?

Keith

We're back from our 2 day trip to Topeka. We didn't get to try any of Denise's recommendations for restaurants, but we still had a great time. We toured the Capitol Bldg. and even got to sit in on session of the Ks. House of Representatives. Then we went to lunch at a little place on Kansas Ave. called Field of Greens. It is a soup, salad and sandwich place. We all decided on the all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet, which was a bit of a disappointment at $5.99 each (kids were $3.99). They really didn't have much of a selection and everything else was an added cost, even a cup of ice water. Also, there was only 1 soup as they were out of the other kind and they would not let us substitute the chili that was there (that would have been another added cost).

In the afternoon, we went to the Czars exhibit, which was really fascinating. My kids (6 & 9) really enjoyed it. Too bad that more cities don't have the opportunity to host this wonderful exhibit.

We stayed with my husband's aunt, who provided us with a wonderful home-cooked dinner. Our second day took us to the Kansas Museum of History. We spent several hours looking at the interesting exhibits there. For lunch we ended up eating at Steak n Shake. Not my first choice, but the kids wanted to eat there (we don't have one in our hometown, so at least it was something different). At least we got a good chocolate shake!

Anyway, it was a fun trip and we hope to go back sometime--we didn't get to see everything we wanted at the History Museum. So, maybe next time we will have better luck with restaurants.