26
BACK TO SCHOOL
THE UNIVERSITY OF DAILY KANSAN MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009
LAWRENCE
Local restaurants feature unique flavors, styles
From a humble begining as a taco and burger stand to full-fledged eatery, La Familia, located 733 New Hampshire St., has offered authentic Mexican dishes for more than twenty years.
Chance Dibben/KANSAN
BY HANNAH DECLERK
hdeclerk@kansan.com
Lawrence has many aspects that make it unique: It is rich in history, people and "hidden gems" — many of which are restaurants. Some are tucked away in a corner on Massachusetts Street, or can be passed in a small shopping strip.
Here's a look at some Lawrence originals to keep in mind next time your stomach starts to rumble.
A.B.'S
A. B.S., a locally owned crepe and sandwich shop, 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 crepe to crêpes such as the Italiano, which is pizza in a crepe, 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 that he also cared about the clientele, and that he tried to ask about the customers' days.
Abigail Jones, Piper senior, said that she loved A.B.'s not just for the food, but also for how friendly the staff was.
"I love the crepes, they are seriously melt-in-your-mouth," Jones said. "Every time anyone I know comes to Lawrence to visit, I take them to A.B.'s."
Crépes range from $5-10.
GRAN-DADDY'S QUE
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 settled down in a shopping center at 19th and Haskell Streets.
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," shredded beef brisket covered in the restuarant'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.
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 offers typical bar food, such fries, nachos and chicken
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.
wings, along with a homemade pork tenderloin sandwich.
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.
The food is also reasonable, and the restaurant offers a daily cheese burger basket special for $5.50.
The dinner is a six-course meal, but customers won't know what they'll be eating until they get to the restaurant, because the menu is chef's choice.
CAFÉ BEAUTIFUL
Alicia Siegel, Scotttsdale, Ariz., senior, said she would recommend Café Beautiful to anyone.
"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."
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
Advanced seating is highly recom-
Buy One Blizzard and Get ONE FREE
of equal or lesser size
2345 Iowa 842-9359
1835 Massachusetts
843-3588
mended. Alcohol is not served, but patrons can bring their own.
Coupon not valid with any other offer. Expires 9/30/2009
LA FAMILIA CAFE
For 20 years, this restaurant 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 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 School