Hays House 1857 Restaurant & Tavern - Council Grove, Kansas

Travis T.

The chicken fried steak with gravy and mashed potatoes however was delicious to the point that it's worth ordering extras to take-home. The gravy was pretty good and it tasted like it was homemade. However, the salad with croutons and balsamic vinaigrette was just a typical salad that isn't anything special. Overall, this restaurant is worth trying once while in Council Grove especially for their chicken fried steak. Plus, you get to learn some history since this restaurant existed before Kansas became a state in 1861.

Michael C.

Well after our first, only and last visit. The prime rib night cut was a lot of fat, Aujus was water, and my so-called ribeye was ok. Our mashed potatoes had so much pepper they were inedible. The canned green beans were mush. The deep fried mushrooms are awesome, only bright spot of the $100 night.

Rebecca M.

Excellent from start to finish. The food was fresh, seasoned well. The staff were friendly and attentive. I had the fried chicken on a Sunday afternoon for about $14. This was worth driving out of the way. Not to mention seeing a piece of history. Ya gotta try this place!

Joe S.

For many years we have looked forward to coming to Council Grove to meet up with friends all over Kansas. We had always had great service and food. Last Saturday 2/22/25 was a huge let down. HAYS HOUSE had been known for its fried chicken. Now it is a special only on two days. We were in the past room and had 20 people at 11.30am. Only two other couoles were in the restaurant. The one waitress was doing all she could to take care of but I never got a refill of water nor after asking 4x for my mash potatoes. I left after paying for a dinner that never was served completely. My wife ordered a cheeseburger and came out with our cheese. After waiting long enough to get a piece of cheese the burger was cold. Another person at the table didn't get his food until we were all almost done eating. The waitress said she was sorry and that the kitchen people do not speak very good English.

This is so sad knowing the history of the restaurant and being started by the grandson of Daniel Boone.

The one bright spot was the delicious shakes next door to the east at the antique store. They make the shakes from scratch and they have great selection of snacks along with antique booths.

That will be the last time we schedule a get together at this restaurant. We will look to support other places.

DQ bathrooms are cleaner.

This was such a disappointment. New ownership needs to get things squared away before they lose all patrons.

Also.. the columns outside that hold up the balcony are water rotted. I would advise not going on the balcony or front. (Not sure if they let you out there)

Gavin M.

LUNCH WITH GHOSTS! Food was on point, Coors was coors’n, and service amiable. Place is old and likely built over an indigenous burial ground. No credible evidence, but I got a feeling. They’ve got a loyal customer

StellioCantos14

Food was delicious! Had the chicken fried steak which may be the best I have ever had anywhere. Their country gravy is unrivaled. We had Fried pickles and the fried beef tips as well and it was all scrumptious. My son had a burger which he said was one of the best he's ever had. Oldest restaurant around but well kept with a full bar and kind service. A+

Elena S.

Waited over 90 minutes for a burger and salad. Asked for cheddar cheese instead of blue cheese and got no cheese at all. Salad came and looked nothing like the huge salad in the picture. Had very little ingredients and only 4 piece of meat. The worst part is they left the stock of the lettuce head on there and it was huge. The salad had massive chunks in there and it wasn’t broken up. Fries were awful and crunched like biting into a KitKat. Very overpriced. They were busy but had tons of workers there just standing around so I don’t know what happened here. I won’t be back.

E. ?. A. V. J.

I ordered a hamburger with fried mushrooms. The burger came with fries that were mushy. I originally wanted the meatloaf bacon meal but they said they were out. The mushrooms were good but I had to ask for dipping sauce because it wasn't served with any. My burger also had no condiments , I had to ask for that too. The waitress who served me seemed to be preoccupied with ppl who came in after me and barely came to my table. I never got my water refilled and had to wait forever for the check and a to go box. She maybe came to the table 3 times during my visit.