Thursday, September 23, 2010

Hays- Gella's Diner and LB Brewing Company

Van reads: This soccer-mom van is just a disguise. Its really clever, like a curly mustache and big glasses. We've got awesome food in here. We just don't want to get mobbed.


As my wife and I were on our way to a mid –August wedding at one of the 8 wonders of Kansas, the St. Fidelis Church, we decided to make a stop in Hays, Kansas for lunch. We picked a hip spot in downtown Hays called Gella’s Diner and LB Brewing Company.  You would expect to find a modern, trendy joint like this in Kansas City or Denver however; it is a nice surprise to have such a place out on the Kansas high plains. In fact, I’m pretty sure this is the only brewery between Manhattan, Kansas and the Denver, Colorado area.

There were plenty youthful and outgoing staff members on hand to serve the two dozen or so lunch time diners. To satisfy my pork craving, I ordered the pork pibil tacos. The tangy and juicy pork tacos were served with two sauces, both a green and red chili sauce. I preferred the red, which hinted of a chipotle sauce. The juicy pork made the hard-shell corn tacos a bit soggy, and with that in mind, I would have preferred them to have been served up in soft flour tortillas. Or better yet, put that flavorful pork on a fresh bun and serve it up as a Memphis style pulled pork sandwich!  Either way, pork tacos are certainly a rarity on most menus.


View from Chestnut Street.



I would encourage you to check out Gella’s Diner, located in the Historic Chestnut Street District for a taste, and atmosphere, of something different.

- Until next time...swine and dine! Chris

4 comments:

  1. First ya'll crack me up!! Second I love that ya'll are doin' this cause Caleb never eats out, so he has no idea where a good BBQ joint is! I am gonna have to stop in Paola on my next trip up to NE MO cause I have been itichin' for some good BBQ

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  2. So glad to see someone's eating across Kansas! There are certainly some gems out there if you know where to look.

    About the pibil: I've had it too and I agree the pork itself is pretty good; but I thought they served it in a double soft corn tortilla (carnitas style) which would indeed be much better than a soggy hard shell. Maybe they changed it; I'll have to ask next time I'm in.

    More importantly - I know it's a pork blog and all, but please tell me you had some of the beer!

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  3. Great point @SomethingEdible!

    Yep. I've had quite a bit of beer there. They win a lot of major awards....but I figured that was the subject of an altogether different blog!

    I talked to a guy once, who had visited every brewery in Kansas. He claimed that the
    one in Hays was the best.

    How about you check it out and let us know what you thing too!

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