Gella's Diner

Last week I took a little road trip to western Kansas. Along the way we stopped in Hays and ate at Gella's Diner and Lb Brewing Co. I had eaten at Gella's a year ago, but needed a refresher. So when I told my mom I was going, she said, "Make sure you get the green beans!"

 I ordered the Friday Special of Fish Tacos with a side of green beans.

The tacos were good, but the green beans were amazing.

They also have Lb Brewing Co. As I've mentioned before I'm not a drinker, but with all the fun names of the beers and the hype ("A Meal In Itself") of the Oatmeal Stout I ordered one for my company.

The picture explains it all. I can hardly see where the beer is on the table. It was bitter and had an after taste of coffee. This might be to some people's liking but not ours!

I enjoyed the meal and would go back, he however was not impressed by his chicken fried steak. I guess next time I go, I need to take somebody different.

Location:117 E 11th, Hays, KS

History: Started in 2005. Read more here.

What I like about them: The owner was originally a rancher.

The decor and atmosphere. Its classy yet laid back. They have a stock tank as their hostess table, old road signs made into flowers- Yep, I'm kicking myself for not taking a picture, yet my company already thought I was weird for taking pictures of the food.

Cupcakes for your Cupcake-Ta'Da Cupcakes

I was introduced to Ta'Da Cupcakes this past December when I set up for a Christmas Vendor Fair. They were the booth next to me. I'm not sure why, but it seems at every event I go to, the food people are way to close :)

I'm not sure how busy they are this Tuesday, but what a fun treat to order for your Valentine.

The cupcakes I took home:

Peppermint was my favorite! They had hot cocoa, spice, and cinnamon roll.

Location: Riley, KS

History: They are a rather new business. No store front yet, they cater from the home

About/Contact: Owners are Darcey and Tammy. They cater any event, and offer a variety of flavors. TaDacupcakes@yahoo.com

Why I like them: Local Small town business. Supporters of their town. Reasonable prices. Their booth was adorable and the owners, Darcey and Tammy were a delite.

More Info: facebook.com/TaDa Cupcakes

K&M Bar-B-Q

K&M Bar-B-Q is wonderful. I first had it at the American Agri-Women convention where they donated bottles as part of the centerpieces that became doorprizes. They have other varieties, what I tried was the above, Original. This has now become a family favorite, that we have on hand at all times.

Why I like it: Its tangy, with the right amount of sweet & spicy.

Location: Spring Hill, KS

History: "Family-Owned and operated, K & M Bar-B-Q has been serving great BBQ for over 20 years. What started as a hobby for Ken & Michelle serving BBQ sandwiches at fairs and festivals in a four county area grew to become a full service BBQ restaurant and catering company that has been located in Spring Hill, Kansas for 18 years."

Future Sampling: I hope to try the White BBQ Sauce

Honey in Hillsboro

This is kinda a review of 2 in 1. Check out Golden Heritage Foods and Milk & Honey B&B
Two years ago Kansas Agri-Women had their August meeting at the Milk & Honey B&B. It is a wonderful facility for a retreat, family reunion, or just a fun weekend away.
This is where we learned that they too make honey. I had seen the brand Busy Bee and our family had used it before. Little did I know it was Kansas made!
Please go to their website, they have great facts and info on the honey, bee keeping, processing, and more.

Location: Hillsboro
Contact: 120 Santa Fe Street
Hillsboro, KS 67063
Phone: 620-947-3173
History:" Do honey bees fascinate you? That captivation drove Esra Barkman to jump a train from Kansas to Oregon in the 1920's to work and learn in Bee Apiaries there. Esra eventually returned to Hillsboro, Kansas where he established a family tradition of beekeeping that now spans three generations. Esra began selling his honey during WWII when sugar was rationed, soon partnering with his son Richard in the late 1950's, to establish a migratory beekeeping operation. With increased production, Barkman Honey Company, a processing and packaging operation, was born in 1960 with a brand, BUSY BEE." 

"In 2004, Barkman Honey became Golden Heritage Foods, LLC., with a continued commitment to preserving the integrity and future of the industry from blossom to bottle and delivering trusted products throughout the U.S and abroad"

Why I like it: -It tastes good. I had the "plain" clover honey-yummy.
-The use bee honey that is from the US and local beekeepers.
-Family Owned
Products: They carry Agave, Molasses, and More

Whipped Honey might be my favorite, so I'm hoping to try theirs next.

Holmes Made Salsa-

My new favorite salsa....... Holmes-Made! Why do I love it so much? Well, it tastes really fresh-like eating a whole tomato.

Bargain: If you mention this blog when you order you get your second item 1/2 off!!!!!
Location:Wichita

History: "Holmes-made salsa is an extension of Holmes Produce, our family produce business established in 1924 by Ollie Holmes (grandpa) This Wichita tradition continued with his two sons Wendell and Bruce who supplied many of the local grocers with the freshest fruits and vegetables available. Bruce and his daughter (Tricia) created a summer tradition making salsa from garden fresh produce. Tricia continued this tradition by making salsa for family, friends, and co-workers. When the requests to replenish salsa kept flowing in, she realized the plan God had put in place for her, and accepted it graciously. Tricia started selling Holmes-Made Salsa downtown at the Farmers Market, on the very same corner that her grandpa Ollie use to sell produce. With the help of family and friends, the salsa business has expanded"

Products: They have a variety of salsas as well as jams.I bought some Raspberry Jalapeno and some Cowboy Candy. I can't wait to try them out..

The salsa that I had was Medium Garden. As I stated. It tastes like fresh home made salsa with the convenience of being canned. I could eat a whole jar myself..

I had help finishing this jar!

AND they have chips!

***Another supporter of Kansas Agri-Women

Raise your Glass to the New Year......... High Noon Saloon

This evening if you are planning on having an alcoholic beverage besides champagne. I suggest a brew from High Noon Saloon.  I'm not much of the drinker, but this Kansas Made product gets my approval, for what its worth.  High Noon Saloon donated Annie's Ale to the American Agri-Women convention. The cans were super cute.

ANNIE’S AMBER ALE2011 (Twice) & 2009 SILVER Medal,
2004 BRONZE Medal,
World Beer Championship, Chicago, IL.
The first beer produced here, and it’s still a favorite! A smooth, malty amber taste highlighted with caramel notes and just the right amount of hops. Alcohol by volume: 5.5% Now available in 12oz cans on premises and in KS liquor stores: Kansas City metro, Lawrence, Leavenworth, Lansing, Topeka.    

Why I like it: They are a micro-brewery, Historical, it's Kansas made. It has a western feel to it, with names such as Rough Rider Pale Ale, Stampede Stout,and Lewis & Clark Lager. Check out their complete listing here.

History:  Leavenworth KS was the site of 10 German breweries
and 69 saloons at the turn of the 20th century

Another plus is they have a restaurant. I ate there this past summer and recommend it. The food was good, but the atmosphere in the old historic building was great!

PTs Coffee

Thanks to PTs for providing the coffee for the hospitality room at the American Agri-Women Convention! They have a roasting co location and a retail location. I can't wait to stop in and get an iced coffee.

Location: Topeka, KS.

History:PT's Coffee Roasting Co. began in 1993 as a single coffee shop in Topeka, Kansas. An intense passion for coffee led us to start roasting coffee in 1997. We now roast over 100 tons of premium specialty coffee annually for wholesale clients and operate 1 retail location in Topeka.


Farm Girl- How can this blend not be my favorite?!   I'm not a professional taster of coffee so I don't really know what to say. I just like it plain and simple. Its Kansas Made and has a great blend called Farm Girl...Just go buy some :)  No really, it smelled great and wasn't over powering in flavor.

Direct from PTs; "Here's our offer of sunshine and warm, Midwestern hospitality: a serene morning coffee that's sweet and soft, clean, refreshingly mild with a juicy sweetness. The cup features a light vanilla and caramel note, rounding out with a syrupy finish."

Great way to start your morning! Check out the other Kansas named coffees too.

Saucy Diane-Free Shipping Offer

I met Diane of Saucy Diane at the AAW convention. She was set up as a vendor and this is where I fell in love with her PB Party. It is a delicious peanuty, creamy, sweet, yummy spread.

Location: Baldwin City

History:"Saucy Diane produces gourmet sauces in small batches. All the sauces are delicious on ice cream but are also good to eat with other foods."

Mission:"Offering an elegant yet affordable splurge for the main food shopper in each household. Educating the public about the many culinary uses for these three sauces. Being a "green" company by reusing the glass jars the product comes in."

Why I like it: It's Peanut Butter...HeLlo!!! But  seriously,I really like that she is "going green" I love old jars and think they shouldn't be tossed aside.

Contact Info: dianemyer@juno.com

Here is the great part..........Order from Saucy Diane-mention Home on the Range and get FREE SHIPPING! Did you hear that?! FREE SHIPPING.

Original Juan & 25% off

Again, this Saturday I am focusing on another Kansas company that donated to the American Agri-Women convention. Original Juan. These people are great. I was in Kansas City a couple weeks ago driving along and saw the sign for Original Juan OUTLET STORE! I mean come on, how could I not stop?! They donated to AAW & it was an Outlet Store. My mom and I swung in and right away I would tell it was going to be great-you could smell the spices. They have a quality store with not only food products but adorable home decor. I finally got to meet Marissa that I had talked to about donations-she super sweet.

History- "Original Juan has been creating specialty sauces, salsas, snacks and dips for wholesale, retail and co-pack/private label customers since 1998.
About-"Original Juan Specialty Foods is housed in a 60,000 square foot facility on the historic Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, Kansas. The building is a delight to the senses with tantalizing aromas and festive colors. When visiting the Southwest-themed facility, you will find Original Juan’s Factory Outlet Store within the entrance of the building. Customers are encouraged to step up to the tasting table to try one of the company’s 150 products manufactured under 13 different brands. Some of the company’s most recognizable brands are Pain is Good, Da’Bomb, Fiesta Juan’s, Bilardo Brothers and Mama Capri. Original Juan also manufactures custom food products under co-packaging and private label arrangements for over 100 companies throughout the world."

I can't say enough good things about them. They are willing to work with me and Kansas Agri-Women in the future, so I'm pumped. Now....onto the products.Three of my favorites that I have tried.

Spicy Vodka Pasta Sauce-  I got this one at the outlet for 99cents-on special :)
It wasn't spicy to me, very cheesy with a typical marinara dipping sauce taste.  It says on the back, " Sweet tomatoes and aged Romano cheese simmer until infused with vodka to intensify the sharp flavor of the cheese. Each bite of this smooth velvety sauce leaves your mouth begging for more" This sums it up!

Chipolte Raspberry Sauce- Wonderful. Sweet with a little kick. Perfect topping to cream cheese for a quick and tasty appetizer.







Harvest Apple BBQ- Great addition to pork. The apple isn't over powering but adds something different to the BBQ flavor.



They have recipes for their items as well-how handy!

Next I want to try CHEESECAKE IN A JAR!

For the month of December everything on their website is 25% off!

Please go to their website for a complete listing of items. If you are in KC make sure and stop, they will treat you great and the prices are hard to beat.

Sampling Saturday-Monty's Jerky

I'm starting a new "series" on my blog. Each Saturday I will be featuring a Kansas Made Product! I'm hoping to get the word out about these products, since I think it is important to buy AMERICAN and especially support locals. I will give you my honest opinion, I won't just say its great because it's from KANSAS.

MONTY'S JERKY

I was contacted by Robyn at Monty's in October. She was gracious enough to donate jerky sticks for the American Agri-Women convention. They were a HIT!  I was impressed by how wonderful they were to work with. I think that Robyn and I ended up talking for about 30min on a variety of topics other than jerky. The second thing that really got me was the packaging. This is when it hit me, " I need to so a series on my blog about Kansas Made Products!" So here it goes.

 Check out how nice it looks and how well its packed.

About Monty's:
"The quest to fill a niche for exceptional jerky began in the mid 90's when Monty was smoking jerky in the garage for family and friends. Reception was amazing, and those lucky enough to taste the incredible creations persuaded Monty to craft the jerky so there would be a constant supply. Monty's Smoked Jerky was born and is now being crafted in Bird City, Kansas. Wade, Tim, and Robyn carry on the tradition of smoking tender, melt in your mouth delicious jerky."

What I think is great:
1. Most of their beef is raised locally
2. They are ag producers themselves.
3. It is produced in a small town (Bird City) = economic development!

Flavor:
They have a variety of flavors. I think the the Red Hot Sweetie is the way to go, sweet & spicy!

They will ship their jerky & apparel (yep that's right they have cute shirt too) right to your house. OR they can be found in a variety of stores in Colorado, Kansas and Texas.

For more info visit: http://www.montysjerky.com/

If you try their items please let me know!