Kansas food culture has a quirky side that makes perfect sense to locals but leaves visitors scratching their heads.
From crumbled meat sandwiches to drive-in diners frozen in the 1950s, the Sunflower State has traditions that defy modern food trends.
I remember my first loose meat sandwich—I kept waiting for a burger patty that never came, but one bite and I was hooked.
Loose Meat Sandwiches At Nu-Way Cafe
Wichita’s Nu-Way Cafe has been serving loose meat sandwiches since 1930, and outsiders always ask the same question: where’s the patty? Instead of a formed burger, you get seasoned crumbled beef piled onto a soft bun with pickles, onions, and mustard. The texture throws people off at first because it feels like eating deconstructed burger filling…