If you’ve driven by the new Freddy’s Frozen Custard the past week at 1400 W. Sixth Ave., perhaps one of Yogi Berra’s famous quote has come to mind.
“Nobody goes there anymore; it’s too crowded.”
Freddy’s has drawn in crowds, both from curious newcomers and seasoned (fries) veterans who have eaten at other Freddy’s in Kansas and couldn’t wait to have the fast-food franchise in their own town.
The excitement and crowds will eventually die down, but the principal remains — people love new restaurants.
Emporia has several fantastic dining options that locals know about, but the word-of-mouth may not make it much beyond Lyon County.
Local cuisine is a key element of tourism, especially mixed with other events, attractions and shopping. Maybe a family from Topeka won’t come to Emporia on a Saturday to see the William Allen White Historical Site or a play at Emporia State. But combine those things with a good meal at a place they haven’t eaten before, and then maybe the trip is worth it.
A story in Thursday’s Emporia Gazette mentions that the Emporia Convention and Visitors Bureau 2011 theme is cycling. Nothing wrong with that, but perhaps food could be an idea for a future year. Ideally, the emphasis would be on locally owned restaurants, but people travel to other communities for popular chains as well.
Having Freddy’s open and Little Caesars’ opening this week has not only drummed up excitement but jobs. Freddy’s employs 90, many of which are students, who, like everyone else, have fewer job opportunities in this economy.
Early reviews from the custard (and burger) crowd are positive. Gazette Facebook friends have given Freddy’s two thumbs up, and in some case two toes up, too.
Carlos Garate perhaps summed it up best.
“Huge thumbs up. I always would eat Freddy’s when I would stop in Topeka for work! Good stuff. I’m glad they are here! Way better than an empty building!”
Jeremy Shapiro
Reporter
ascwrangler (anonymous) says...
Fast food will not bring tourism or new residents.
Good paying jobs, lower taxes and a city/county government full of leaders who know how to produce an environment to attract folks might be a good start.
We can all hope that Freddy's will save us.
Don't hold your breath.
December 28, 2010 at 12:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncanyon (anonymous) says...
Somebody care to tell me where these "Fantastic Dining Options" are, in Emporia
December 28, 2010 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
ohhh John, how about breakfast at Commercial St , at noon BobbyDs for great bbq or Js for an outstanding burger, in the eve its a quick drink at the Town Royal ,then to BRUFFS for a wide selection of great food.
December 28, 2010 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
sail--
I am sorry, but if that is what brings you to town then you might want to elevate your standards.
The places you mentioned are fine and are good to eat at but I definitely wouldn't go out of my way for any of them.
December 28, 2010 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncanyon (anonymous) says...
I agree Yev. I've had breakfast at the diner and it was OK, nothing "fantastic" or memorable.
Bobby Ds ?? I do competition BBQ and BobbyDs don't even compare.
I'll give J's some credit, probably the best burger in town.
Town Royal is OK, could use a wider Beer selction.
Bruffs...LOL They have had the same menu since they were down town. Burgess could stand to change it a little now and then.
December 29, 2010 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Chevy_Guy (anonymous) says...
I haven't been to J's Carryout for over a year! I'm definitley going there for lunch today. Bobby D's is okay, but I got tired of eating there pretty quick. I just go there for the cheesy potatoes. Never been in Town Royal or Bruffs, since I rarely drink, and I've never heard of a breakfast place on Commercial Street. The best place I ate this year was definitley Jose Peppers. The one in Wichita and Topeka are both awesome. They have the best spinach and artichoke queso and they even box up your leftovers for you.
December 29, 2010 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail,
While I knew you always had some pretty low standards ;>) It always amazed me how you landed such a beautiful wife. seriously though, thanks for the good word.
johncanyon, constructive criticism is always welcome. Our cooler space limits the beer choices.
The Emporia area does have some good eating choices and don't forget the Grand Central in Cottonwood Falls if you are hankering for a fancy-smanchy meal.
I don't think the choices we have are a big tourist draw though.
December 29, 2010 at 10:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I agree, breakfast at the downtown cafe is okay but just plain usual. I wish we had a couple of those places seen on "Diners, Drive Inns, and Dives" on the food channel. Each has menus offering some real creative dishes yet those places are just home-town places and not any kind of chain. I really like Casa Ramos for that reason. Their menu contains the usual Mexican food offerings, si, but the taste is terrific and something to go back for. I'm surprised none of you mentioned them. But, Mexican food is regional and theirs is Cal-Mex. The other places are not, and their sauces are all different. Forget Carlos O'Kelly's. Yet they're always busy, I will admit.
December 29, 2010 at 10:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
create,
while i am not a huge fan of Mexican food, the CAMARONES Al La CREMA ( shrimp in cream sauce), at Casa Ramos is fantastic.
Now I've got the craving.
December 29, 2010 at 10:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
and it looks like the little place next to the old pizza hut is reopening as a oriental place.
"Lucky Restaurant".
December 29, 2010 at 10:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bobbimlynar (anonymous) says...
If you're looking for unique and filling, try the Wagon Wheel's foot-long frank smothered in chili and cheese, then wrapped and deep-fried in a flour tortilla. Might as well have fries with it, too, so you don't have to eat again until the following day. ;-)
December 29, 2010 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Oh my gravy, Bobbi! Did I put Slim Fast on my grocery list today?
Yup Steve, now you gave me the craving too. You know what? Mexican food isn't all beans and tortillas and tacos and chili peppers and stuff. Casa Ramos's menu proves that. Their soups are absolutely wonderful. Try the meatball soup sometime, and the lamb shank is really something else! It's just plain good cooking with home recipes and not everything has to have cumin in it.
December 29, 2010 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Was not impressed with Casa Ramos, been there three times and won't expect it to be any different if we go the 4th time. Was really excited to try it out after hearing so many say it was a great place to eat. The lst time we thought maybe we had just went on a bad day, it was no different in return visits. You can get better Mexican food from the cooler at the Stop and Rob gas stations than what you get served at the other Mexican food places, Carlos Oks fit's in that category well. You want alot of Mexican food for your money, stop in the little shack at 6th and Sylvan and order a beef or chicken burrito, wow alot of food! Bruffs used to be great, but their steaks are smaller and their service has declined. I like J's food, but it's out of the way and too busy during the noon hour. Haven't tried the downtown cafe since Dave and his wife took over, but I hear they are doing a good job and put out a good meal. I haven't been inside Bobby Ds but have ate their catered meals. Bbq is good, but not every week for me, it's one of those once in awhile meals. The Grand Central is over priced and stuffy. When I pay that much for a meal, I expect to leave full, have never left there feeling like it was worth the price I paid. Of course we have the full slate of fast food joints. Wendy's and BK on the West side have both been marked off our places to go because they are filthy and service is really poor at both of them.
I'd have to disagree that we have excellent choices in Emporia, just average.
December 29, 2010 at 11:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TexasGirl (anonymous) says...
I love Casa Ramos! It's so nice to see a menu that is more than just "101 Ways to combine ground beef, tortillas, beans, cheese, and lettuce.) It's just about the only place in town you can get decent shrimp that's not fried in more grease and batter than there is shrimp.
One that hasn't been mentioned is Napoli's, the Italian restaurant that moved into the old Regency Gardens. Delicious! Perhaps a bit pricey, but comparable to Olive Garden and Carinos.
I agree about Grand Central -- nice atmosphere and probably the best steak I have ever eaten, but you only get one little side with the steak, and that includes your potato.
Bobby D's is perhaps not the world's best BBQ, but I absolutely adore the brisket special on Mondays and the smoked meatloaf special on Wednesdays. You get a lot of food for your money, and I also like that they don't smother their food with sauce.
I doubt we have any spots that draw tourists from miles around, but I think our selection is above average for the size of town that we are. I can't wait to try Freddy's. I've been to the one in El Dorado... the fries weren't impressive, but the custard is awesome! Once you eat frozen custard, you'll never want regular ice cream again!
December 29, 2010 at 12:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
TexasGirl, thanks, I for got about Napoli's. It didn't impress us either. I agree on it being pricey for what you get. Three out of the four of us liked the food flavor, but all agreed we wouldn't go back soon. Olive Garden's never ending salad and bread sticks are worth the trip to Topeka, can't agree that they compare with the others. Applebees-overpriced sandwiches, 2-$20 menu has some good meals for good prices. Olpe Chicken House-I really don't see the attraction there. For some it's like a class reunion for the people from the area. The food reminds me of truckstop buffet food. Lived in this area all my life and have never been to Hays House in C-Grove, anyone recommend it?
December 29, 2010 at 2:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I used to love Hays House, but in the past few years, no. The ownership has changed and so have the recipes. I just don't find it worth the trip anymore.
I understand that restaurants have to cut back in order to make it, but that sometimes defeats the whole purpose. I've always had great respect for the places that offer one thing and one thing only, but they cook it the very very best way and spare no expense in doing it. That plus the very best service will give you service everytime.
The worst think in the world is surly waitress and there's one in this town that drives business away. I won't go in if she's working.
Never have liked the Chicken House. It's the same old stuff all the time, same old iceberg lettuce chopped salad, same old plastic salad bowls -- the noise of people scraping their forks getting the last bits drive me bonkers!
December 31, 2010 at 7:59 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bloomsbury (SC DIXON) says...
"Endless salad and bread sticks," and both are very good.
The strangest thing about Napoli's to me is that it is the only Italian restaurant I have ever eaten in anywhere, in America or otherwise, where I was served NO SALAD AT ALL. Are they still (not) doing that?
I too found it pricey and I'm sorry to say that the pasta's I've had there really were no better---if even as good---as the pasta now prepared by a couple of the local pizza places.
I'll admit, I expected more, most importantly, more flavor. When I pay good money for a meal I want something BETTER than I can fix myself at home. Neither Napoli's or, for that matter, Casa Ramos do it for me.
December 31, 2010 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
bobby m AGREE 100% the WAGON WHEEL is good too.We have great home owned places to go visit that are within reach.I spent $20.00 for ONE scotch and ONE glass of wine this week in kc , People we have it real good here.
December 31, 2010 at 4:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
We went to Montana Mikes last night to end the year without cooking. We had a 30 minute wait to get in, obviously others had the same idea. Once seated, our waitress got us started right away with drinks and large bowls of salad. Our meal came out just as we had ordered. We were out the door in under 40 minutes. Our bill was $45 for three people. Two of us took out trays and cups full of left overs we couldnt finish. Not many restaurants in town offer steaks like what we had for that kind of price.
January 1, 2011 at 2:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I also heard that the place where Cravings was, the old Yan Yan's, is opening another Asian place. I love Asian food and am willing to try it. I hope they learn to offer a modest menu, not everything under the sun where you have to keep so many ingredients on hand. In many parts of Asia, a small hole-in-the-wall place may offer just one noodle dish, but everyone flocks there because it's the best to be found anywhere within miles.
I haven't tried Napoli's yet, but I may not if they don't even serve salads. That's an Italian staple because it becomes a palate cleanser. How odd.
Speaking of Italian food, my daughter in Chicago sends me concentrated tomato paste in a tube that is absolutely the most fantastic stuff to enhance the flavor of red sauces and even beef gravy. Can't find it here. She also sends me this wide wide pasta made in Italy that is so flavorful and fast cooking -- 6 minutes to al dente. They say it's the semolina wheat. Wish I could have you all over for Italian pasta with Putanesca sauce and a big help yourself salad bowl in the middle of the table.
January 1, 2011 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Too bad Freddies neighbors on the side streets are complaining about parting and traffic.there's a real Emporia welcome for yoiu.
January 1, 2011 at 12:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthefacts (anonymous) says...
Sry for typos? My hands in a cast
January 1, 2011 at 12:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
sorry about your hand, justthefacts.
I'm sure all that traffic will calm down soon. However, I wouldn't want to live there either.
January 1, 2011 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )