Guy & Mae’s Tavern considered for 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine
Copyright 4/27/2009 • www.ottawaherald.com
A Williamsburg staple is in the running to be one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas.
Guy & Mae’s Tavern, 119 W. William St., was selected as one of 24 finalists out of 124 nominations for the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine competition, a news release from the Kansas Sampler Foundation said.
“We’re very pleased,” co-owner Lori Thompson said. “We’re really happy to be recognized.”
Nearby Lawrence eateries Free State Brewing Company and WheatField’s Bakery also made the list.
To qualify, restaurants had to originate in Kansas, be in operation for 10 years or more, be a non-national franchise and be iconic beyond their home region, the release said.
“If someone dropped in to Kansas on a parachute and went to every one of these 24 restaurants, they would know our history and people pretty well by the time they waddled back home,” Marci Penner, foundation director, said. “This list has everything on it from steaks to Vietnamese food, fine dining to ribs served on newspaper.”
“Ribs served on newspaper” refers, of course, to Guy & Mae’s Tavern, which has been a family business since 1973.
The public can vote for their top eight choices online at www.8wonders.org or once by paper ballot. Ballots can be picked up at one of the finalists or by calling the Kansas Sampler Foundation (620) 585-2374.
One e-mail address can be used three times to vote online.
The deadline to vote is midnight June 15.
The goal of the 8 Wonders contest is to educate others about Kansas and to inspire travel, the release said.
“The story behind the food and faces is what makes a person fall in love with these locally-owned places,” Penner said. “Use this as a starter-kit list and get out there this summer and eat your way across Kansas.”
The cuisine contest is one in a series organized by the foundation. Previous contests have included architecture, art and commerce categories. Following the cuisine contest will be customs, geography, history and people.
All results can be seen at www.8wonders.org.