4 minute read
LAWRENCE PLACES FOR THE FOODIE
LAWRENCE PLACES FOR THE FOODIE
DeBarre Johnson
DeBarre with a capital B—describes herself as “just a girl from around the way, LFK (Lawrence)- raised, Jackie of all trades, trying to be the change.” By day, she works as an estimator for a national architectural planning and industrial design firm, and in her free time she becomes “your favorite foodie friend.” She regularly tours the city’s new and established eateries, looking for the next great dish. Her favorite toast, “Good friends, good wine, good food … good times!” exemplifies her unmistakable zest for life.
STANLEY JAMES SMOKEHOUSE
1500 E 23rd St. sjsmokehouse.com
Thank you to my fellow foodie Tim “Nelly” Nelson for putting me onto this gem! I wasn’t a fan of cobbler of any kind, but now I am a fan of apple cobbler, but only from Stanley James BBQ. I have always been a fan of the half-slab though, particularly with a side of baked beans and mac and cheese (heart eyes!), and Stanley is a great place to grab a complete meal where everything on your plate is good and the dessert is even better! Now I’m hungry—time to call Nelly to see if he wants to go half on a slab.
LADYBIRD DINER
721 Massachusetts St. ladybirddiner.com
Ladybird has the bomb biscuits and gravy! Their portions are more like your Midwestern grandmother’s, which means they are perfect. Pair your dish with one of Ladybird’s mimosas or a chocolate shake and you’re all set.
HAWAIIAN BROS
1501 W. 23rd St. hawaiianbros.com
Listen. I am a meat eater, and all of the meat at this place is GOODT! (Yes, you must say it with a T to get the full effect of the goodness I’m speaking about. Trust me, it works.) I am also a vegetable eater. All of the vegetables at this place are GOODT! With six simple sweet or spicy menu options of either chicken or pork with rice, a salad or just veggies, Hawaiian Bros gives you large portions even with their small-size option so you cannot leave this place unsatisfied. My go-to is the #2 Molokai Chicken, hot with a side of mixed vegetables and extra teriyaki sauce.
CHEBARO MEDITERRANEAN GRILL
1000 W 23RD ST. (INSIDE THE QUICK STOP)
There’s no place like Chebaro, There’s no place like Chebaro, There’s no place like Chebaro! You must say it three times, click your heels … and voila! You still won’t be there, but if this worked, I’m almost positive I would end up there multiple times a week. Let’s start off with everything being made fresh daily, and food as simple as falafel is made to order so you’re guaranteed to be getting the best flavor possible. So many choices: lamb, beef, chicken, vegetables, wraps, rice bowls, salads, kebobs … and every.single.thing.is.good. Oh, and baklava! *faints* Trust me, Chebaro is perfect for a quick dine-in or take out—if you are into fresh and flavorful food.
BON BON
804 Pennsylvania St. bonbonlawrence.com
Bon Bon’s wings are sweet and spicy. The restaurant is right next door to the Cider Gallery, so you can have some lunch and then take a few steps to see some really cool art or attend a galleryhosted event.
FIVE EVENT RECOMMENDATIONS
Juneteenth Celebration
The annual celebration of the emancipation from slavery is held across the nation, and for the last several years the NAACP of Lawrence has joined with community members and partners to hold a free, community-wide celebration. There is soul food, musical performances, poetry reading and—most importantly—the community. Everyone shows up to celebrate in a big, family-affair atmosphere that is getting bigger and better with every year. sites.google.com/site/lawrenceksnaacp FOODIE FOR THE
Kansas Food Truck Festival
Food trucks converge on town with classic favorites like pizza and burgers as well as new takes such as chicken stuffed with fried rice. Then there is my personal favorite, the bochi truck. The festival also has bounce houses and games for the kids to enjoy, along with live music and optional craft beer and cocktails for 21+. What makes the food truck festival a must is that it benefits local nonprofit Just Food, which feeds many local families each day. ksfoodtruckfest.com
Lawrence Farmers Market
The Lawrence Farmers Market is a gem. It’s not just veggies—though the summer farm fresh veggies are awesome. There are also pies, cookies, awesome breakfast sandwiches, the best lemonade and many other great foods. You’re supporting local businesses while enjoying fresh produce and live music with some warm summer morning weather. Rise and shine for some farmers market time! lawrencefarmersmarket.org
Haskell Indian Nations University Indian Art Market and Powwows
Haskell Indian Nations University is a huge part of Lawrence, and with Haskell comes the awesome cultural presence of indigenous people, traditions and food. Come for the dancing and stay for the Indian tacos, fry bread and various soups and stews. (By the way, did I say I love fry bread? If not, I LOVE fry bread!) haskell.edu
Downtown Lawrence Restaurant Week
Almost all of the Downtown Lawrence restaurants have discounted prices on fixed menus for about a week in early January. It’s an awesome time to experience the talent of the great chefs we have in Lawrence and to sample their three-course meals, cocktails, desserts and other specialty foods at extremely friendly prices. lawrencerestaurantweek.com