FOOD & DRINK BEST ASIA N R ESTAURA N T
KIKU STEAK HOUSE OF JAPAN bit.ly/CJkiku
For more than 20 years, Kiku’s is the place to see authentic Japanese food being cooked on a hibachi right before your eyes. A variety of steak, chicken and shrimp dishes illustrate the menu, and a sea of flavorful sushi delicacies are primed to fill your belly. Top off the meal with green-tea ice cream or red beans with ice cream. First runner-up: Tuptim Thai Restaurant Second runner-up: Oriental Express B EST BA R BECUE
HERMAN’S MEAT & SMOKEHOUSE hermansmeat.com
The essentials of barbecue — ribs, brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends — are on the menu at
Herman’s Meat & Smokehouse, but the restaurant’s reputation also has built on its loaded baked potatoes, sandwiches and salads topped with smoked meat. Catering options are available, too. First runner-up: Lonnie Q’s BBQ Second runner-up: Hog Wild Pit Bar-B-Q & Catering BEST BREW E RY BEST P LAC E TO G E T A CO LD BE E R
BLIND TIGER BREWERY & RESTAURANT blindtiger.com
The industrial look of the brewhouse and fermenters contrasts with the relaxed vibe of the bar, atrium and deck of the Blind Tiger, the first craft brewery to roar into Topeka. Six flagship beers are on tap, and steaks, barbecue and bison burgers tame ferocious appetites. Recent daily specials were chicken and noodles and Grandmom Mildred’s
meatloaf dinner. BEST BREWERY First runner-up: Norsemen Brewing Co. Second runner-up: Happy Basset Brewing Co. BEST PLACE TO GET A COLD BEER First runner-up: Norsemen Brewing Co. Second runner-up: Happy Basset Brewing Co. B EST B UF F E T
HUHOT MONGOLIAN GRILL bit.ly/CJhuhot
The biggest selling points for HuHot Mongolian Grill is its all-you-can-eat grill meal; made-to-order stir-fry; variety of proteins, from cod, mahi-mahi and shrimp to chicken, beef and pork; noodle and rice options; and gluten-free choices. FYI: All the ingredients are high-quality, too.
First runner-up: Prairie Band Casino & Resort Second runner-up: Blue Moose Bar & Grill B EST BURG E R
THE BURGER STAND
burgerstandrestaurants.com Gourmet beef burgers and cold beers are the stage-taking stars at this casual College Hill neighborhood eatery, but veggie, chicken,
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