Kansas has long been known for its rich cattle ranching heritage, making it a prime destination for steak lovers. From historic trail stops to family-owned gems, the Sunflower State offers some of the best beef you’ll find anywhere in America.
These steakhouses showcase Kansas’ deep-rooted traditions and commitment to quality, serving up perfectly cooked steaks that tell the story of the state’s agricultural legacy.
1. Hays House in Council Grove: Historic Dining on the Santa Fe Trail
Founded in 1857, Hays House stands as the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. Travelers along the Santa Fe Trail once stopped here for sustenance and supplies before continuing their journey westward. The building itself has served as a courthouse, post office, and church over its storied history.
Modern diners enjoy hand-cut steaks in rooms filled with authentic frontier artifacts and original woodwork. Their signature Kansas City strip comes with traditional sides like twice-baked potatoes and creamed corn that haven’t changed much in generations. Local ranchers still frequent the establishment, sitting alongside tourists who come for both the history and the hearty portions.
Weekend prime rib specials often sell out by early evening, so reservations are highly recommended. The restaurant’s commitment to preserving both culinary traditions and historical accuracy earned it a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.
2. Hereford House in Kansas City: Classic Cuts Since the 1950s
A Kansas City landmark since 1957, Hereford House represents the gold standard of Midwestern steakhouse tradition. The restaurant began as a small downtown eatery and grew into one of the region’s most respected establishments under the guidance of the Cascone family. Regular customers span generations, with grandparents bringing grandchildren to experience the same quality they’ve enjoyed for decades.
The aging process for their premium beef involves 21 careful days that maximize flavor and tenderness. Signature offerings include a 16-ounce bone-in Kansas City strip and a magnificent 24-ounce porterhouse that arrives sizzling at your table. Their steak soup, a hearty beef and vegetable concoction, has become so popular that grocery stores throughout Kansas now carry packaged versions.
Wood-paneled walls and leather booths create an atmosphere of understated elegance that welcomes both business meetings and family celebrations. The restaurant maintains relationships with local ranchers, ensuring consistent quality in every cut served.
3. Brookville Hotel in Abilene: Family-Style Meals with Steak Specials
The Brookville Hotel’s history stretches back to 1870, when it first opened to serve travelers and cowboys in the booming cattle town. Though famous for their family-style fried chicken dinners, their Thursday steak nights have developed a devoted following among locals and visitors alike. The current location in Abilene maintains the charm of the original building with white clapboard siding and blue awnings.
Kansas-raised beef takes center stage during steak nights, with thick-cut sirloins and tender filets served alongside their legendary creamy coleslaw and sweet-tart pickles. Each meal begins with relish trays featuring homemade cottage cheese and beet pickles prepared using recipes unchanged since the early 1900s. The dining rooms feature long tables that encourage conversation among guests, reflecting the communal dining traditions of Kansas’ early settlement days.
Fourth-generation owners maintain the restaurant’s commitment to quality while honoring its place in Kansas culinary history. Reservation books fill quickly, especially during the summer tourist season when visitors to the nearby Eisenhower Presidential Library often cap their day with a historic meal.
4. Meridy’s Restaurant & Lounge in Russell: A Local Favorite for Decades
Stepping into Meridy’s feels like being welcomed into a neighbor’s home. Founded in 1962 by Meridy Smith, this unpretentious steakhouse has become a cornerstone of Russell’s dining scene without ever changing its core values of quality and hospitality. The restaurant’s vintage neon sign has guided hungry travelers along Interstate 70 for generations.
Local ranchers often supply the beef directly to Meridy’s kitchen, creating a farm-to-table experience long before the term became fashionable. Their house specialty, the Kansas Strip, comes from cattle raised within 50 miles of the restaurant and is aged on-site. Regulars swear by the garlic mashed potatoes that accompany each steak, made from a recipe that owner Tom Wilson purchased along with the restaurant in 1985.
The lounge area features memorabilia from Russell’s famous sons, including former Senator Bob Dole. During wheat harvest season, the restaurant stays open late to accommodate farmers working long hours. Many wedding rehearsal dinners and anniversary celebrations happen here, making Meridy’s part of countless family traditions.
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