If you are looking for the breakfast spot in Manhattan, KS, then look no further than, The Chef Cafe! It is a townie favorite! Get there before the sun's up and you will most likely get right in, but if you are not an early riser plan on a wait! FYI, the wait will be worth it!
The original "Chef Cafe," was opened in 1943 by Charles "Cotton" Limbocker and ran by him and his family. It was known for fast service, homestyle foods, and pie! I hear the pie was amazing!!! The Limbocker family closed The Chef in 1986 and so I have heard many thought it was the end of an era.
That was the case until a few friends got together in 2008 and brought The Chef back to life! They were even able to work with the Riley County Historical Society to bring the original sign for The Chef Cafe out of retirement! Their eclectic menu has a little something for everyone and is a perfect mix with the bright yellow and blues that create the cheerful ambiance of the cafe.
While the menu contains spins of breakfast classics, it also caters well to brunch and lunch crowds. My personal favorite is the Buenos Dias Frittata. To me, it is the perfect mix of what I want for breakfast, eggs, meat, and cheesy goodness topped with a Chipolte sauce that is amazing. Food Network did a post about 50 States and 50 Breakfasts and The Chef Cafe's Buenos Dias Frittata was their pick for Kansas, it is that good! If you are a first-timer, you also need to taste their homemade strawberry jam, even if you have to order a side of toast! Trust me, it is also amazing!
One of the other popular dishes is their Biscuits and Gravy, or a slight twist to that with, "The Grant." The Grant is huge, it is half an order of biscuits and gravy, with two eggs, bacon, and hashbrowns. Their homemade biscuits are so tender and the sausage gravy has a ton of flavor to top it all off.
Follow The Chef on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to keep up on their daily specials! When you get a chance to eat at The Chef, don't forget to come hungry.