Dempsey's Pub
In 2009, Dempsey's started offering top-shelf burgers from Robert Krause of Krause Dining. Prices range from $7 for The Classic to $9 for a Kobe beef burger. Regular fries, sweet potato fries, or truffle fries ...
Vermont Street BBQ
A while back this formerly tiny BBQ joint from 805 Vermont St. opened in these huge dine-in digs on Mass. St. The name and the ribs didn't change, but much else did: the menu has ...
Nice Cafe
For the veggie-lovin' hordes in this town, Nice may be the best thing to come along since-well, let's see... since Herbivores closed way back when Sunflower burned. Far as we can remember, it's been just ...
Encore Cafe
Encore's menu consists of Thai-influenced Asian cuisines, with a emphasis on noodle dishes and rice platters. Notable offerings include baked rices and the Pineapple Fried Rice (which is served in a pineapple), a large selection ...
Biemer's BBQ
In September 2007, Lawrence got its fourth BBQ joint, located in a gas station. Once Bucky's closed, Biemer's moved into that spacious, sunny space at the corner of Ninth and Iowa. While every joint has ...
Southern Cuisine
If you're looking for no nonsense, rib-sticking vittles in the Dixie vein-a vein that's deep fried and coursing with meats-then Southern Cuisine will float your steamboat. Occupying roomy digs on the 1000 block of Mass. ...
Tres Mexicanos Mexican Grill & Cantina
Yes, Lawrence has yet another Mexican restaurant to choose from with this one's opening in Fall 2007. But we didn't just get any other ordinary joint... this one will likely become a town staple of ...
Paddy O'Quigley's
The KC-based restaurant, with its dependably good hamburgers, sandwiches (samiches, as the menu calls them), and other bar & grill fare, invades Lawrence's Holidome. After you finish your juicy burger and beer, go for a ...
Genovese
As of June 1, 2007, the long-standing Mass. Street Deli building has been transformed into Genovese, the latest enterprise from Zen Zero and La Parrilla maestros Alejandro and Subarna. This time, the pair's talent for ...
Cielito Lindo
Cielito Lindo lays claim to not only the potentially best dining environment in town, but also the best dish in town for lovers of el sabor mexicano. Pollo Fundido. Anyone who likes Mexcian and isn't ...
Jade Mongolian Barbeque
This is the build-your-own theme park of Asian cooking - Jade lets you pick out your own fresh veggies, meats, seafood, and sauces, and then stir-fries it right before your very eyes. Though it runs ...
Wayne & Larry's Sports Bar & Grill
This restaurant in the back of Royal Crest Bowling Lanes just got a major overhaul in decor and dining. The trimmings are new and pimpin - sports bar decor and essentials like projection-screen TVs, two ...
Sylas and Maddy's Homemade Ice Cream
If you don't already adore Sylas and Maddy, you're missing out on one of town's locally owned crown jewels. Just like the recipe mom blazed up in your childhood kitchen, this ice cream has that ...
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwich Shop (Downtown)
When it comes to Jimmy Johns, it all boils down to one thing: mayonnaise. And tons of it. Order a sub without mayonnaise and you may get curious looks from those around you. The bread ...
Burrito King
Are you down with the King? They don't call it the King for nothin'; these are the biggest, cheapest burritos in town. Finishing a King Burrito in one sitting warrants a medal. Open 'til 3 ...
Teller's
Teller's has the Lawrence ambiance market cornered with its towering ceilings, elegant artwork, and hanging milk glass lighting. The menu features a variety of regional Italian specialties and preparations, as well as a strong focus ...
Cafe Beautiful
Chef Suken's new "Asian Fusion" sushi restaurant is an intimate affair with four tables and all kinds of atmosphere. "Come, eat, and get to know one another" is the guiding philosophy behind the establishment, and ...
Wa
Warm up with a hot towel and a bowl of Miso soup, and get ready for some great sushi -- and for the bill. Wa features a standard sushi bar and sashimi menu, along with ...
Tortas Jalisco
After moving out of their long-standing gas station digs and just down the street into the old Roadside Tacos building, Tortas Jalisco still serves some of the most authentic Mexican food in town. Specialties include: ...
Hayes Hamburger & Chili
Hayes comes via a down-home diner that's branching out after 50 years in North Kansas City. Since 1955 Hayes has served the usual diner food, including breakfast, mini-burgers, shakes, chili - 65 menu items in ...
Free State Brewing Company
Like KU basketball, love for Free State is nearly universal in Lawrence. The in-house brews are among the best in the Midwest, with six or so $3 pint offerings ranging from its Wheat State Golden ...
Ten
The former Shalor's Restaurant was expanded and revamped during the Eldridge rennovations in early 2005. The newly named restaurant (after the number co-owner Bobby Douglass wore as a KU quarterback in the 1960s) also features ...
India Palace
In an unassuming building just off Mass. Street, the folks inside the India Palace blaze up some of the most satisfying food in town. If you're not familiar with Indian cuisine, the staff is very ...
Salty Iguana Mexican Restaurant
A comfortable, kid-friendly environment with a variety of good eats. Gringo-style Mexican dishes (as well as straight up gringo food) range from diet-conscious to straight up belly-filling. The spacious bar (coupled with free chips and ...
Zen Zero
Some Thai folks will tell you, Zen Zero knows what it's doing. Others will tell you this is the equivalent of 'Chinese' food in America -- nothing like food in the country from which 'Thai ...
El Mezcal (Southside)
El Mezcal burst onto the Mexican restaurant circuit in Lawrence in 1999 and was an instant town favorite. An extensive menu is loaded with both traditional favorites and Mezcal specialties, all reasonably priced. Selections are ...
PepperJax Grill
The few things PepperJax does they do well... choice Philly steak sandwiches, gourmet rice bowls, giant wraps, fresh salads, and perhaps the best fries in town. Now open until 3 a.m. on weekend nights (selling ...
JB Stout's Sports Bar & Grill
Closed in June 2009 to be remodeled as a second Johnny's Tavern location in Lawrence. Stout's is a classy sports bar with elegant entrees that defy the 'bar food' label. Everything from steaks to sandwiches ...
Quinton's Bar & Deli
Traditionally Quinton's separates itself from other bar and grill joints with two things: bread bowls and bomb-ass waitresses. But with a newly remodeled upstairs, there's more reasons to head there than cheap soup and gratuitous ...
Mediterranean Market & Cafe
Once you've eaten here, you'll most likely find yourself recommending the Med. Market as the best kept lunch secret in town. Fresh and flavorful deli style dishes abound from Greece, Turkey, Italy, Pakistan, India & ...
Mad Greek Restaurant
A diverse selection of both Greek and Italian dishes make the Mad Greek a habit-forming favorite of Lawrence's dining-out veterans. Though reasonably priced for dinner, price breaks during the lunch hour allow you to eventually ...
Thai Siam
Reasonable people will inevitably disagree about what's "authentic" or "genuine" or even "real." Not so when it comes to Thai Siam's food, which is as close to "of or relating to Thailand and its peoples" ...
Sushi Station
Never mind the exterior, Sushi Station claims one of the most inviting interiors in town. Its intimate sushi bar encourages special preparation requests and the friendly chefs are happy to share tricks of the trade. ...
Buffalo Bob's Smokehouse
One thing you can fairly well count on when eating at Buffalo Bob's -- you'll get enough food to leave the restaurant absolutely stuffed, regardless of your appetite. If the plate full of brisket, ribs ...
Aladdin's Cafe
Formerly the Jerusalem Cafe, Aladdin's blazes up authentic Middle Eastern and Greek cuisine including gyros, hummus, falafel, shish kabobs as well as sandwiches and numerous vegetarian dishes. Try their desserts with some Turkish Coffee. Catering ...
Don's Steak House
Long the quintessential Lawrence steak joint, Don's vibe hasn't changed much over its 35 years though the menu has. What the humble little joint lacks in ambience, it usually makes up for in big, juicy ...
La Tropicana
Located across the river in serene North Lawrence, La Tropicana boasts one of the best patios in town, as well as tasty Mexican food to eat on that patio. Though it's pricier than its competition ...
Pizza Shuttle
Inexpensive pizza and quick delivery at all hours (open til 3 a.m. Fri./Sat.) make the Shuttle the student's late-night choice for satisfying the munchies. Though not extravagant, the personal-sized pizzas are available with a wide ...
Tanner's Bar & Grill
Under new ownership as of Sept. 2005. With 30 television sets, including three gargantuan big screens (and one in each bathroom), two pool tables and video games. The restaurant offers a full menu, $5.95 lunch ...
Johnny's Tavern
Don't let the Harleys out front fool you - Johnny's is no back-alley biker's bar. This five-decade-old north Lawrence institution is just as likely to attract post-wedding parties as post-softball parties; come as you are ...
La Familia Cafe (Downtown)
La Fam is widely known for its bottomless free chips and salsa (including their unique 'sweet' salsa), but there's much more to like here -- not least of which is the joint's cozy environment. All ...
Odessa's Cafe
CLOSED late 2005. Folks who like Odessa's love it - because it's different in just about every way from the standard dine-in chain. The food is real "home-style," with fried chicken and catfish among the ...
Milton's
Tasty coffee drinks made by pros may be Milton's specialty, but tasteful food draws breakfast and lunch crowds every day of the week. Breakfast makes elegance out of usually modest staples -- biscuits and gravy, ...
Paisano's Ristorante
Paisano's specializes in traditional Italian dishes -- pastas, chicken, veal and such -- served in large portions. Started in a downtown basement nook in Topeka, Paisano's expanded to Lawrence in 1995 with a strip mall ...
Rudy's Pizzeria
The folks working for Rudy got it goin' on. If you take to the taste-sweet sauce, bready crust, thick cheese and ample veggies and/or meats-odds are you'll seldom opt for any other pizza. Pizzas, pocket ...
Wheatfields Bakery
Perhaps you've popped into Wheatfields Bakery for the perfect complement to your meal at home -- one of a dozen affordable, fresh-baked breads. If not you should -- all of Lawrence should be so spoiled. ...
