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This Weekend: Porubsky's Grocery
Behind shelves lined with assorted groceries, steam rises from a back corner in excited plumes. A bearded gentleman with a youthful step bounces between a noisy side room and the mysterious thermals, bowls in hand.
Charlie Porubsky, manager of Porubsky's
Grocery in Topeka, mans the old four-burner stove—supporting stockpots of chili filled to the brim—with steadfast grace; much like his father, the late Charlie Sr., did when he opened the establishment back in 1947.
Photo by Tanner Grubbs
Nestled in the "Little Russia" district, at 508
Let's eat: Porubsky's has been open since 1947 and serves it's food Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Northeast Sardou Avenue, Porubskys has been a mainstay among Topeka locals for its famous chili for over half a century, recently finding a broader audience with a February 2008 article in Gourmet magazine, which described the family-owned eatery as a destination for "committed chili-heads."
To complement the renowned chili, Porubsky's also offers cold-cut sandwiches, ham salad and cold plates consisting of sliced deli meats and cheesees.
Oh, and the pickles.Very. Hot.
Pickles—perhaps just as synony-
mous to Porubsky's as its chili.
With an order of pickles to go, Charlie imparts a very succinct farewell, devoid of any noticeable jest:
"Be careful with those pickles. We've got a hot batch today."
"Have any more?" Connor asks, following a swift recovery.
Porubsky's has a narrow window in which food is served, so plan accordingly: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Chili is available only from Monday through Thursday.
Upon tossing a modest segment of pickle into his mouth, Overland Park senior Jack Connor, experienced mild contortions of the face before jumping about and releasing a cathartic, "YOOP!"
Tanner Grubbs
Gonna make you sweet: Porubsky's hot pickles will have you clamoring for ice-cold water.
Photo by Tanner Grubbs
Photo by Tanner Grubbs
It's gonna blow! Chili is available only from Monday through Thursday at Porusbik's Grocery.
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February 5,2009