MSN Named This Emporia, Kansas Burger Shop the Absolute Best in the State

Do-B's Burgers, Phillys and Po-Boys at 704 East 12th Avenue in Emporia sits near the Kansas Turnpike. Road-trippers have been making the exit for years, and the ones who stop rarely regret it.

The restaurant uses Kansas-fed, Kansas-raised, and Kansas-processed beef with clean, simple ingredients. MSN named it the absolute best burger in Kansas. Travel + Leisure named it the best sandwich shop in the state.

The Luau is the burger that converts first-timers: a half-pound patty with teriyaki glaze and pineapple that's both bold and balanced in a way that's harder to pull off than it sounds. It made a roundup of the best burgers in every state.

Emporia sits near the midpoint of the Kansas Turnpike, which means the restaurant has built two separate loyal followings: locals who eat here weekly, and travelers who've added it to their permanent road trip route.

What to Order

Start with a choice: the 2/3-pound Fatboy or the 1/3-pound Skinny. From there, pick from more than 28 topping options including four cheese varieties, chili, bacon, grilled onions and mushrooms, coleslaw, sauerkraut, A-1 sauce, BBQ sauce, and Louisiana hot sauce.

The Luau adds teriyaki glaze and pineapple to the build. Cheese curds get their own separate praise from virtually every reviewer. Hand-cut fries come regular or Cajun-spiced, and the Cajun version has its own devoted following.

Red Cream Soda on tap is a house specialty worth ordering. Gluten-free options are available on most builds. The menu rewards exploration, and there are enough combinations across the 28-plus toppings to fill multiple visits. For more on the food scene nearby, see locally owned Kansas restaurants worth driving for.

Kansas Beef, Done Locally

Do-B's built its reputation on a locavore approach before that word became a marketing term. By sourcing exclusively from Kansas farms and keeping the ingredient list honest, the restaurant established itself as something different from the national chains that dominate much of the state.

The original recipe is known for a medium level of heat, which provides a baseline warmth without overwhelming the beef. That restraint is part of what makes the customization system work: the foundation is solid enough to support whatever you add.

The original heat level in the recipe provides a medium warmth that gives the beef a baseline complexity. That restraint is part of what makes the 28-plus topping customization system work.

Do-B's is an easy exit off I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike. For travelers between Kansas City and Oklahoma City, it is the kind of stop that turns a long drive into a memory. For more of the state's dining history, see Kansas restaurants with national recognition.

Plan Your Visit

Do-B's is at 704 East 12th Avenue in Emporia. Hours run Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Dine-in and takeout available. An easy detour off I-35 and the Kansas Turnpike. While you're planning the trip, check out great food stops along the Kansas Turnpike.