I don't know where to post this, but I promised a report on the little cafe in Piedmont.
Hey, folks, Lila's Cafe is "the" place to get a great burger and hand-cut fries. It was my first visit to Piedmont --- it looks like most small communities in Kansas that once had a nice school, business district and residences, most of which are gone.
I think the saddest thing in America is the demise of small towns. And when I say small, I'm talking Piedmont size.
Darn it, I wish these little bergs could bounce back. But in the meantime, there's a wonderful little hamburger awaiting you at Lila's in Piedmont. Thanks for the recommendation, Sally!
What are Lila's hours?
We've got Jakes on the edge of town. Same kind of thing, good quality beef, ground there, never frozen, hand pattied. Hand cut fries and real milkshakes, tops!
Lila is open Monday thru Wednesday 7:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. and back from 5"00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday thru Saturday 7:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Thursday evening she has mexican food. My very favorite is Tuesday and Saturday lunches. She has fried chicken those two days and after some 40 years she has it truely perfected. :P :P :P :P :P ;)
OMG!!!! Thursday is STILL Taco Night?
The last time I was there for dinner I was only 9!!!!
I got my hair cut just before hand at the beauty shop just down the street from the cafe.
Where is Piedmont from Howard or Moline, I don't believe I have heard of it before. If there is a good burger and hand cut fries to be had, I need to know. Ha, ha. :laugh:
Roma, go north from Howard to Hwy 400 and hang a left. Go about 10 miles and hang a left into Piedmont. It sits about a mile south of Hwy 400. I am hosting the Johnson Reunion in Piedmont this coming Sunday. That's the reunion from my Grandparents down. There is another Johnson Reunion that Grandad and 7 of his cousins started 73 yrs. ago and it's still going, but it's one of those that no one knows anyone, so we started this one while Grandma was still alive. Only two of her 5 children are still living. Since they spent most of their married life in Piedmont (out on farms, not in town) that is where we have the get-together, there in the community building. Piedmont is where most of us "younger" generation remember Grandma and Grandpa. There have been a lot of changes in Piedmont since I first went to visit Grandma and Grandpa. Lots of businesses and lots of activity, but alas, it has gone the way of the small town. But, you know, the little ones at the reunion aren't apt to be kidnapped, run over by a car should they get out in the street, or hit by a stray bullet in a drive by shooting. Something to be said for small towns. Rudy, I'm glad you took my suggestion and made the trip to Lila's. I told you "down home cookin" was what you'd get.
thought I'd spend a little time here this evening, but have decided to go to Lila's. Be back later. See there are lots of advantages to living in Piedmont. ;D ;D ;D
I was in Lila's this morning - gave her a check for our use of the community building for the Johnson reunion and picked up a key - chitty-chatted a minute and I was on my way.
We stop at Lila's and eat there whenever we are in the area and another plus is there is always a good parking spot close. The food is always great and you always run into someone that you know.
Frank
Next time I journey to Wichita, I'll eat at Lila's.
Quote from: frawin on August 02, 2007, 06:15:34 PM
We stop at Lila's and eat there whenever we are in the area and another plus is there is always a good parking spot close. The food is always great and you always run into someone that you know.
Frank
parking spot close? If you can't find one along the curb you can park in the middle of the street. How many towns still carry on that tradition???
Yikes, I'm sure getting hungry over here. Between Lilas and Toots, I'd probably have to drive back and forth several time in order to choose a favorite!
;)
OK, you guys just cleared up something for me. While I was eating at Lila's, somebody drove up outside and parked right in the middle of the street --- and this isn't a big wide Main Street like Howard's. It's more like a county highway. But there it was ... this car park rather cockeyed right in the middle of the street. I told my wife about it when I got home and remarked, "I think a drunk must have stopped his car in the middle of Piedmont and he just left it there.!"
Now, wasn't that snotty of me? So, now that I know the rules, I just may park my pickup in the middle of the avenue next time I visit Lila's.
So, where's the next stop? Is there a cafe in Latham?
LOL! A man after my own heart. I am always pretty interested in where my next meal is coming from and what it might be. A lot of the time, it's the basic stuff that really matters.
;)
I love grease hamburgers myself every once and a while, but a good for you sandwich is the Turkey Club Sub at Poplur Pizza. I have yet to find a place in Topeka or Lawrence that mades one like they do. (I know it has to be the bacon)
Army Mom
It seems to me that Popular Pizza makes a lot more than pizza. In fact, it sounds like quite a place.
The name is deceiving as they make more down home food. They have a pork chop with gravy and mash tators that is great.
Army Mom
that would be called a Porterhouse PorkChop and is at least an inch thick or larger and comes from a BIG hog - they make a pretty mean Steak Supreme Sandwich that Marvin and I like. He was the full size and I have the half size. Kermit, they have everything from cat fish to sandwiches, to fried chicken to just a single slice of pizza. Never gotten anything in there yet that wasn't good. I even went outside my usual order and had a fried burrito the other night. Little too big, but ate most of it. Rudy, if you park in the middle of the street in Piedmont, be sure to park catty-wompus.
Rudy, be careful how you park as the Piedmont Police watch out of towners pretty close.
Frank
would that be Jack???? ;D ;D
Florene, I was just kidding.
Frank
Flo, if I can get to Popular Pizza, I may well bring a cot.
;D
Did Flo say she ate fried burro? Not pit cooked?
She said it was a large one, too.
;D
Rather than Popular Pizza, the appropriate name is Poplar Pizza.
I don't know how that name came about but my understanding is that it originated in Buffalo, New York, and the owners moved to Howard recreating their place. They were from Howard or vicinity originally. I have heard them say, that no they are not in the witness protection program.
They have recently added a branch in Andover, Kansas.
We usually patronize Poplar Pizza for carry out of their sub sandwiches. We try to make it to Swinging Bridge Cafe in Moline each time we visit, but we also patronize Toots and use to patronize Curly Q in Moline.
The owner of the month club cafe, that is, Elk Falls Cafe, is another palace we go. The last owners might have failed because they did not offer a burger. Hopefully, the new owner will. Nevertheless, that place is well hidden several blocks off the main road in what is essentially a self-proclaimed ghost town. A ghost town that features an annual out house tour.
I suspect we will head for Lila's on our next visit and give it a try.
Quote from: frawin on August 03, 2007, 02:38:58 PM
Florene, I was just kidding.
Frank
so was I, Frank, really being a little catty, I was :-[
Waldo, Steve Edwards has taken over the Elk Falls Cafe again for his BBQ - I've heard talk that his is really good, however have not had any over the years that I've heard of it. First time I've heard it called Owner of the Month Cafe - that describes it pretty well I'm thinking. Enjoy the Swinging Bridge Cafe at Moline once in a while, also. We're having meat supreme pizza from Poplar Pizza tonite and I can hardly wait. Marvin is to call when he gets in from the hayfield and I will call Poplar Pizza and order. By the time he showers and drives it, it will be about ready and he can pick it up, come on to my house and we shall enjoy and I promise to think of you folks with every bite I take. ;D
Yes, Latham has a place to eat. The Latham Saloon. The food is good and they serve a pretty mean steak on Saturday Nights.
Unless Steve has lost his touch, his barbeque is pretty yummy. I think much better than his sisters.
Steve can do some pretty mean barb-b-que, but then I am prejudiced because he is my nephew by marriage. Onery as the day is long. And if Carmen gets involved---some of their fried tacos will make you a believer also. The couple just plain knows how to cook and live the simple life. I am proud that they are part of my fam damily! ;D
Emptynest, you are so right about Steve and Carmen. They are good people. Of course I might be a little biased myself as Steve is my cousin. But his barbeque is just plain good.
Flo,
I did not think those two women previously operating the Elk Falls Café would last as long as they did. I was in there opening week and believed their menu was just too fancy and not for the clientele. However, I patronized them three times over the time they were open and they were crowded each time.
Barbecue may make it go. Or, Steve may be just holding it for the next café of the month entrepreneur. It is too bad someone could not take that little cafe out of the residential area, move it several blocks to the highway, and enlarge it a little.
I keep hearing that Barry McGuire, a former Hollywood actor, moved to Elk Falls, formed the Friends of Elk Falls Association and "turned the town around," so to speak. It seems to me he created a theater, of sorts, that closed down some time ago.
Does anyone know how or why he choose Elk Falls and what happened to him?
My wife and I so enjoyed the Elk Falls Cafe under its recent ownership. We live about 45 miles from Elk Falls so it was quite a drive to get there --- well worth the time and gasoline. We already miss it, but we do wish the new owners well.
The previous owners tried their best to raise the bar a bit ... and people from the area responded, but apparently not in sufficient numbers.
Quote from: W. Gray on August 04, 2007, 08:02:50 AM
I keep hearing that Barry McGuire, a former Hollywood actor, moved to Elk Falls, formed the Friends of Elk Falls Association and "turned the town around," so to speak. It seems to me he created a theater, of sorts, that closed down some time ago.
Does anyone know how or why he choose Elk Falls and what happened to him?
If memory is correct, I believe Barry passed away. He danced with Debby Reynolds when he was in Hollywood.. Do remember that. Also started the Elk Falls Garden which was lovely and lots of work. I had the pleasure of the theater on occassions. He was a fun experience and always delightfull. Why he chose Elk Falls? Don't remember.
I was able to find that he moved to Elk Falls around 1971. Don't seem to find anything else. There appear to be several entertainer types with the name of Barry McGuire. Did find a Barry McGuire with second billing in a 1971 movie but could not connect him with Elk Falls. Must be an actor's studio listing somewhere.
I recall talking with Barry McGuire many years ago and touring the gardens in Elk Falls. We did a story on him for the Caney Chronicle. He had worked as a character actor in television and local theater. He appeared on several episodes of "Gunsmoke."
He told me many people confused him with another Barry McGuire who was best known for singing the protest song, "The Eve of Destruction" in the early 1960s, and also led the New Christy Minstrels during that era.
But the Elk Falls McGuire was the character, not the singer. I'm sure local historians in Elk Falls can tell you all about him.
Barry McGuire does have 1958 and 1959 Gunsmoke credits as well as television credits for
Mary White (1977), which would seem he left Elk Falls to make if he arrived in 1971.
General Electric Theater (1962)
Hennesey (two episodes 1960)
Hotel De Paree (1960)
Captain Grief (1959)
Perry Mason (1959)
Steve Canyon (1959)
Street of Sinners (1957)
The Silent Service (unknown)
Robert Montgomery Presents (1956)
Studio One (1955)
Kraft Television Theater (1953)
One wonders what this Barry McGuire looked like. Photos of him have so far eluded me. The singer Barry McGuire I've seen. I may have even met him. He was big in Lincoln when I was in school there. But the actor that was in Gunsmoke, I can't find a photo of.
Of course, sometimes it seems that there is way too little internet detail on people who existed between the nineteenth century and the birth of the Web.
A movie and television database, IMBd, tracks four different men named Barry McGuire.They identify ours as Barry McGuire (I) and they don't have a picture of him either.
In defense of Lotus and Jo and The Elk Falls Cafe... they are my brother-in-law, Bill Troutman's nieces and for all the comments that I have heard the food was excellent and definitely Gormet. My Sister Helen, said it was some the most delicious food that one could wish for and a great selection . I brought up their web page and read the menu and Teresa and I had planned to meet there and eat lunch some Friday , and the girls closed it, and we never did get to do that. We are both disappointed that we did not. I personally don't think you have to have hamburgers to make a go of a eatery.
The girls and Steve are siblings, so the Edwards family is still doing the cooking. Their parent had the Circle Inn Cafe on the highways years ago, and that passed down through the family as well. Wonderful, wonderful down to earth people.
Steve and Carmen make Bar-B-Q that melts in your mouth and Carmen does do GOOD Mexican food.
Another good place to eat is the Beaumont Hotel. We often dive up there for breakfast with Mother and meet relatives for breakfast. It's fun to watch the planes fly in from all over and pull right up to the hotel. Sometimes, there are big groups of motorcyclist up there. They often have weekend retreats and camp out around the hotel. The old water tower that the Frisco trains used is still standing and I believe is on the National Historical Register. Anyway, try it sometime. Sally, I'll bet you have eaten there too, since you are from Latham, even though you have many ties to Elk Falls and some ties to Howard too!!!!!
mlw
I really was disappointed that they closed..
I was wanting to eat there ..
And when I go to a specialty type of place that serves "different" food, I never order a hamburger anyway.
I can have hamburgers at home that far exceed anything in a cafe.
I always get something different.
Guess it is a lesson..
You snooze, you lose!
I flew, as a passenger, into the Beaumont Hotel once. It was quite unsettling, to me anyway, because the plane had to land uphill.
Taxiiing down city streets, stopping at stop signs etc., was neat. If I recall correctly, autos had the right of way except when meeting a plane head on. We might have followed city streets for three blocks or so. As I recall there were two parking lots, one for cars and one for planes.
The McConnell AFB Aero Club sponsored the trips taking three civilian employees or Air Force types at a time in one of their small planes. It was supposed to be a lunch hour trip but usually took longer than that.
We made a donation to the Aero Club and the club pilot furnished his services at no charge.
Teresa, I agree with you. I often wonder when we are sitting in a nice restaurant and someone comes in, takes 30 min. to read the menu then orders a hamburger and fries. As you said, you can have those at home. Course maybe they were readinig from right to left, I don't know. But, you get what you pay for.
I do enjoy a good hamburger, especially in a country setting.
The Elk Falls Cafe had good food each time I went there. I especially liked their pulled pork. But apparently, people were wanting something different or they would have kept coming. Of course, all the fine folks ahead of them closed also.
It looks as though I might have frequented the hamburgerless Elk Falls Cafe more than some of the locals .
I'm not real sure the girls couldn't make it or just decided to take on other projects in their lives. Yes I've ate at the Beaumont Hotel. Another good place to eat is at the Little Hooker west of Burden.
Do I dare ask where that name came from?
< smile >
When I lived in Moss Beach, there was a nice little café in Half Moon Bay called The Happy Cooker.
;D
Whoaa! Slow it down. I'm still getting used to Toots in Howard.
But I sure do like the place.
I believe that the girls running the Elk Falls Cafe just had too many other things in their lives to make a go of the cafe. They are wonderful cooks as is Steve. When Steve had his little BBQ place at Elk Falls in that trailer, I would go there as often as I could. However; one had to be careful about eating there too often. I could easily have gained 50 lbs from eating Steve's cooking.
The Edwards family are all so very, very close and family comes first with them. It is amazing that they are still so close even though the mom and dad are now gone. You couldn't find anyone like Steve to do your cooking.
Diane, the Little Hooker is also a bait shop close to the Winfield City Lake. The name comes from the fishing merchandise they sell, not their services.
It seems to me the intersection of US-400 and the secondary road into Fall River is called Hookers Corner.
There was a bait shop on that corner at one time, but my understanding is that it was called Hookers Corner long before that.
As in catfish? I hope!
Can any of you from around this area tell me if there used to be a pond near Piedmont called Barney Google's? When I was younger, I spent some time in Piedmont, (yes, at Lila's) and was taken several times to a pond that was affectionately called Barney Google's Pond. It was north of Piedmont and you would take a little road that ran along side the highway to get there. Just wondering......This would have been back in the early 70's.
Diane, Hooker's Corner at Fall River is close to a large fishing lake, also.
I think they do a little hunting there, too.
(They use horehounds)
Rudy, you are both incorrigable and untrainable.
That must be why I like you.
;D
Rudy...Horehounds? Do their owners have to go out and clean up Horehound drops?
Why, Diane ... you're beginning to think like Kermit and me. And that's not exactly a compliment.
Dunno, I've just always thought horehound candy carried a funny name.
About as funny as other words.
Like ... "Ta Ta?"
Now, just what is so funny about the name "Ta-Ta"? >:( >:( >:( ;D
Don't you, like, have a newspaper to get out or something?
Aw, shucks, those old newpapers will wait a little longer. When we're working, we rarely have the chance to even say, "Ta-Ta."
;D
In some circles, saying "Ta-Ta" will get your face slapped. However; not in our circle. I gave myself that name, so it's okay to call me or say "Ta-Ta".
Gosh, I never thought of that, Janet. Course, I never said "Ta-Ta" before I saw it here, so all I think of when I hear "Ta-Ta" is you. And that is certainly not unpleasant. Ta-Ta = Janet.
< nod, nod >
Context is all.
;D
See? I told you that you are in the right circle.
Of course, some time you're going to have to tell me what the wrong circles are so I don't get in trouble somewhere else with something I learned here in this forum.
I'm sitting over here being very quiet and staying out of trouble. :angel: