20
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY JULY 29, 2000
WEDNESDAY, JULY 29, 2009
CROSSROADSIKC
417 E 18th K HCMO ATGRIENDERS
VERIZON WIRELESS CONCERT SERIES
SUNDAY AUGUST 8
REEL BIG FISH
w/BIG English Beat
SAT AUG 15
AVETT BROTHERS w/Railroad Earth
TUE AUG 18
BLONDIE
FRI SEP 4
FRI SEP 4
GRETCHEN
WILSON
SAT SEP 12
BUCKETHEAD
FRI SEP 26
ROBERT
RANDOLPH
& THE FAMILY BAND
BY HANNAH DECLERK
hdeclerk@kansan.com
Lawrence has many aspects that make it unique; it is rich in history, people and undiscovered restaurants. Some of these eateries are tucked away in a corner on Massachusetts Street, or can be passed in a small shopping strip.
Local restaurants feature unique flavors, styles
A.B.'S
LAWRENCE
Here's a look at some Lawrence originals to keep in mind next time your stomach starts to rumble.
A. B.s, a locally owned crepe and sandwich shop at 17 W. 9th St., was founded five years ago by the owner, A.B. Riales.
"I knew some things about crepes from previous employment at other restaurants," Riales said. "I thought it would be a good idea to have a place dedicated to making crepes."
And that's what he does. A.B.'s serves up anything from the typical dessert crêpe to crêpes such as the Italiano, which is pizza in a crêpe, Riales said.
Riales said he dedicated a lot of time and effort to his business. He only has two other employees, and they work around the clock hand-making crepes in a giant, flat waffle iron. Riales said he also cared about
the clientele, and he tried to ask about the customers' day.
Abigail Jones, Piper senior, said that she loved AB's not just for the food, but also for how friendly the staff was.
"I love the crepes, they are seriously melt in my mouth," Jones said. "Every time anyone I know comes to Lawrence to visit, I take them to A.B.'s."
Crêpes range from $5-10.
This local barbecue restaurant had a not-so-typical start. It began with a father and son cooking barbecue in a Lawrence church parking lot. After several moves, they then settled down in a shopping center at 19th and Haskell Streets.
GRAN-DADDY'S QUE
The restaurant is the only barbecue restaurant in Lawrence to use an outdoor smoker. The employees nicknamed it the "rib dome," an eight-foot monstrosity with four levels and six sides, located behind the building.
Jason Parker, caterer and cook at Gran-Daddy's for about 10 years, said the most popular menu item was called "Da Bomb," or shredded beef brisket covered in the restaurant's homemade sauce.
The special barbecue sauce is sweet, tangy and spicy, and Parker said customers used it in place of ketchup.
Dinners range from $8-10,depending on how many sides and how many pounds of meat,Parker said.
The food is also reasonable, and it has a daily cheeseburger basket special for only $5.50.
CONROY'S PUB
Originally called Kasper's, Conroy's Pub is a "divey" restaurant that is a lot like "Cheers," said Eva Nelson, server at Conroy's. Conroy's, located at 3115 W. 6th St., offers typical bar food, such fries, nachos and chicken wings, along with a homemade pork tenderloin sandwich.
It has a juke box, a pinball machine and old-school video games. Another fun aspect of the restaurant is that it holds late-night poker tournaments.
Alicia Siegel, Scottsdale, Ariz., senior, said she would recommend Cafe Beautiful to anyone.
Tucked away in an upstairs building at 7th and Massachusetts Streets, Café Beautiful is as unique as the food it serves. The food, known as "Asian fusion," is prepared by each customer's own personal chef in an intimate setting of just four other tables. Although pricey — about $65 a person — it delivers an atmosphere where students can enjoy a private, classy dinner.
because the menu is chef's choice.
CAFÉ BEAUTIFUL
"It is different experience, and you will be there for at least two hours." Siegel said. "But the food is the best food I have ever had."
Advanced seating is highly recommended. Alcohol is not served, but patrons can bring their own.
The dinner is a six-course meal, but customers won't know what they'll be eating until they get to the restaurant.
LA FAMILIA CAFE
For 20 years, this restaurant at 733 New Hampshire St. has been cooking authentic Mexican food. Antonio Garcia, assistant manager and nephew to the owner, said his aunt started the restaurant with a little taco and hamburger stand.
Garcia said his aunt still cooked for the restaurant from time to time. He said she was famous for her "Jenny sauce," or cream cheese sauce put on the spinach enchiladas and her homemade tamales.
Katie Armstrong, Atlanta junior,
said she had heard from friends that
La Familia was a great restaurant. She
tried it out last year, and said that she
has been in love ever since.
"The food, atmosphere and their chips and salsa is excellent." Armstrong said. "I love the prices too. You get a lot of food for one person."
The food ranges from $6-8 per meal.
Edited by Adam Schoof