Carolyn's Essenhaus is a true gem on the Kansas prairie. Located just southwest of Salina along State Highway 61, it's well worth a stop at almost any time of day. They're open from 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, and Friday, and until 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Saturday. They're closed on Sundays. After a long day on the road traveling from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Salina, Kansas, we arrived around 6:00 p.m. on a Monday evening. We were more than ready for a break. We had found Carolyn's Essenhaus on Yelp, and from the photos and reviews, it looked like just the kind of place we were hoping to find. Inside, the restaurant was much larger than we expected. The dining room was filled with local artwork, charming Kansas memorabilia, comfortable tables and booths, and a classic salad bar prominently displayed in the center. Table service was friendly, warm, and welcoming--like enjoying dinner in your grandmother's kitchen. My wife ordered the chopped steak topped with cheese and grilled onions, served with green beans and sweet potato fries. I chose one of the local favorites, essentially a hearty patty melt featuring a grilled burger, grilled onions, and a thick slice of grilled ham. Both entrées were excellent, but the real star of the meal was the salad bar--especially if you appreciate an old-fashioned, homemade selection. It instantly reminded me of family potlucks with all my aunts and uncles. There was macaroni salad, cottage cheese, potato salad, broccoli raisin salad, a sweet and creamy chopped cucumber salad, and plenty of other homemade favorites. It was so good that I went back for a second small plate and happily told our server to charge me for the extra trip. To finish the meal, we couldn't resist taking two slices of their homemade coconut cream pie to go. It was every bit as delicious as the rest of the meal. Before heading out, we picked up a few of their homemade cookies from the front counter, paid what we thought was a very reasonable bill, and continued our journey with full stomachs and smiles. If your travels ever take you near Arlington, Kansas, do yourself a favor and make time for Carolyn's Essenhaus. It's the kind of place that reminds you why small-town restaurants are often the most memorable stops on any road trip. read more

See all

Seat yourself, waited on quickly. Hot coffee, food arrived soon and was delicious! A little out of the way, but so worth the drive!! read more

See all

Great, great small town restaurant. The chicken fried steak was likely the best I've ever eaten. They also have some German/Mennonite dishes that I can't wait to go back and try. I'll definitely be back. Great service too. read more

Excellent Vegetarian omelet! Enjoyed not only the top notch food but the environment and friendly staff. They kept our drinks filled and very accommodating for the hours we spent catching up. Nice to watch all the locals coming in and out. Left with a stack of monster cookies that the kids devoured! read more

Driving through the rural area of Kansas. I've yelped for a breakfast place and Carolyn's restaurant came up with wonderful reviews. When walking up to the restaurant, it seems close but you have to pull the door hard to get inside. The restaurant is owned by an Amish Mennonite family who shared their talent for making homemade pastries and traditional Amish dishes. The service is great and very attentive. The inside looks like a country diner. I ordered the breakfast combo #1. It comes with biscuits, a choice of bacon or sausage, eggs, and hand-grate potatoes. I am a fan of handmade biscuits. The biscuits were light, soft, and crumbly. The best part of the dining experience is the pastries. Inside the restaurant, there is a salad cart where they displayed the delicious baked goods. It is self-serve. I was wowed by the caramel pecan roll. It was delicious! For the second time, we stopped for dinner. I've ordered roast beef, baked potato, and green beans. The roast beef wastend er and the portion is generous. Finally, I had to try the coconut pie. It was fluffy and soft, it has large amounts of filling than the crust. It tasted unbelievable! I'm glad I've dined in this restaurant. read more

See all

Carolyn's is just plain good food! Every time! I had the special: Carnitas Burrito. The carnitas were tender and juicy. Worth a visit every time I'm in Arlington! read more

Carolyn's Essenhaus - Menu cover - American Near Me - Arlington, Kansas

See all

Carolyn's Essenhaus had been on our radar for a couple of years, and we finally got the chance to try it just over a week ago. Cute place, friendly people, and the food was delicious! We both loved their salad bar, as well as my pork roast and her chicken strips. My girlfriend claimed that the gravy on her mashed potatoes was hands down the best she has had, and that it reminded her of her grandma's. The bread that was served with dinner was so good that we brought a loaf of it home and everyone loved it. We also brought home some snickerdoodle cookies that were amazing. What else?? Great iced tea, and even a puzzle exchange!! We are always looking for restaurants like this with really good comfort food. We look forward to visiting again soon! read more

I am a first time customer that tried to place a 24hr "to go" order at Carolyn's in Arlington, KS. It was for this Saturday. These instructions of calling in advance is on there website. So during my phone call today, I was informed that instead I needed to call 48hrs in advance. Not per there website instructions of 24hrs. I was also hung up on while I was still talking to your employee today. So not that this matters to your company, but this was for my mother-in-laws birthday in Kingman, KS on Saturday. I had originally planned to drive 30 minutes out of my way to be a first time customer for you. So thanks again for not giving me another option. Thank you for being rude and disrespectful to me today. And thank you for helping my decision of NEVER using your business. I am sure that your food is awesome. But unfortunately I will never find out. So to the public that reads this.... Good luck. Also, I really don't need a response back. Your business already had that chance today and blew it. Take care and good luck with being better to possible new customers. read more

Excellent small town diner! The pastries are reasonably priced and delicious! All the food was great!

My family eats here weekly. The food and desserts are amazing. The breakfast options are really good as well!

Ever time I come to Reno county I make sure to visit Carolyn's. It's usually my first breakfast or brunch after arriving at my friends. And of course they aren't sad to go again either. If it was just gooey rolls and great cinnamon rolls that'd be fine, but the pancakes, hash browns and biscuits and gravy.. ok, I'm on my way now. Love it. read more

Pie! Pie! Pie! They also have food here. The food is quite good. But enough about that, THEY HAVE PIE! The pies are home made and excellent in every way. I will one day have a slice of each of them! read more

Carolyn's Essenhaus - American Near Me - Arlington, Kansas

Carolyn's Essenhaus... superb! This is a cream-of-the-crop restaurant! Homemade bread. Homemade everything. For over 20 years Carolyn's Essenhaus has provided deliciousness to the people in Arlington, Kansas and the surrounding areas. The service is super. The menu is extensive. The coconut cream pie is outstanding. If in the area, I highly recommend this local restaurant. It beats all chain restaurants hands down. Go there. You'll be glad you did. read more

Amazing food and great customer service! Never have to wait to long and a server is always nearby. Food is also served in a very timely manner. read more

Great place to eat. Wonderful breakfast cinnamon rolls and great sandwiches. It has a old-timey feel which is uncommon in many restaurants these days. Would recommend for a nice, sit down breakfast/lunch. read more

Carolyn's Essenhaus - American Near Me - Arlington, Kansas

I did not eat their food but they are a life saver i was on a road that had nothing around it and had to go to the bathroom really bad and they weren't the type of place to where the bathroom is customers only and they were really nice. The atmosphere was also not to overwhelming. read more

I finally got to try this place and the food was so good we went back like 3 days in a row lmao! Was so so good! Got to meet Carolyn very nice lady great cook everything's from scratch and you can buy groceries in there too! So good definitely worth the stop! read more

You will have a sudden craving for pie. You will here a voice: "If she bakes it, you will come..." You won't know why, but you'll get into your car, and you'll drive, and keep driving, passing through Wichita, Hutchinson, and you'll turn on to the main street of the tiny town of Arlington, Kansas, where the grocery store has a hand-lettered sign. There, in the middle of the block, you'll see Carolyn's, which has been there 22 years. You'll want to go in. It's not a bakery, as Yelp has it categorized, so you'll see people eating pretty wonderful food, and Mennonite women serving them. Eat if you like, as you've been on a long journey. Buy some bread for the road back, or some fresh jam, but whatever you do, GET THE PIE. They change every day. I had a coconut meringue that was the lightest, cloud-like treat with perfectly toasted coconut on top. The lemon meringue was equally amazing. Her fruit pies are works of art. In fact, I might just advise you to skip the dinner and do dessert twice. You'll want to sample. When you get back in your car, BOOKMARK this place on Yelp. You'll want to find it again if you pass this way. read more

See all

I had the pork chop special. I love pork chops. I always get pork chops when available. The pork chop here at this restaurant was the best ever. It didn't melt in the mouth, it melted on the plate. You could eat it with a spoon it was that tender. The cheesy potatoes were great, salad bar was great, waitresses were great, atmosphere is great. I love this place. Hats off to Carolyn who has been here serving these delicious meals for over 32 years. read more

This is such a wonderful place! The food is fresh and homemade the old fashioned way. The baked goods are amazing. We we're there for breakfast. The hash browns we're tender and crispy and not greasy at all. The bacon was meaty and crisp. Everything was cooked wonderfully. Everyone was delightful. We had to take home some cinnamon rolls, Carmel pean rolls and pie! Can't wait to go back for lunch and dinner. Looking forward to pan fried chicken and some of their specials. Check out their jellies, cookies and homemade bread too! read more

Carolyn's Essenhaus - Carmel pecan roll and cinnamon roll we took home with us. - American Near Me - Arlington, Kansas

This is where all the locals hang out. Everything is made from scratch. They have plenty of options and it's all good. I'll be back!

Best cafe in Kansas? This an fantastic local cafe with a great selection of fresh made, quickly served, quality food. It is also amazingly affordable! I had the hand breaded fresh made chicken fried steak- crispy crust and moist meat-with mashed potatoes and white gravy, along with my self made salad, fresh homemade bread, and at least three cups of very fresh coffee for under $12. Two pieces of pie to take home left me ready to come back here soon. read more

We went in about an hour before closing. I know that the young waitress saw us because she looked right at us and went, " oh....". We sat down and she would look right at us and walk by. The other waitresses also walked right by us and didn't serve us. We waited 10 minutes and left. They weren't busy, because this waitress was just standing around not doing anything with the other young staff. If you get a young girl with dark hair that has a tan, ask for someone else. She's rude. read more

My husband and I drove a little over an hour from Great Bend to eat here upon the recommendation of a couple we happened to talk with while at the Quivera Wildlife refuge. Fantastic food, very friendly staff, excellent service and the prices are unbelievably low. We had a meatloaf special complete with trip to the salad bar, mash potatoes, bread plus drink for about 8.50 in addition to a half order of hot roast beef sandwich and mashed potatoes. Total bill just over 15.00! Everything was delicious! A long list of available delicious sounding pies on the wall. We found it refreshing to eat where the science is actually being followed, i.e. no masks, warning signs about health or demands for social distancing as the county has wisely opted out of the unscientific covid restrictions of the governor. read more

This little place is a great find. It is run by Mennonites and all of the food was great. They make their own bread, pie and pastries. I had the smoked pork and it was so good I started to buy a second one to take home, but instead got a Bienen Stich (Bee Sting Coffee Cake). They are located about 70 miles from Wichita so this is a nice motorcycle ride . This sure won't be my last ride here.. read more

Stopped in for the Thursday special....pork chop, cheese potatoes, and peas. Everything was delicious. The pork chop was tender and covered in a light gravey. I didn't need a knife to cut the pork chop.. The Peas were fresh and cooked to perfection. I've never had cheese potatoes and I'm now looking for a recipe so I can fix them at home. If you're passing through Arlington ...stop for a meal, you won't be disappointed. read more

Good food and friendly small town service! Hats off to the Amish Mennonites! I highly recommend the biscuits and gravy for breakfast.

First time at Carolyn's and it was very good! We had verenike and sausage and a piece of pumpkin pie and it was all very tasty. fresh salad bar too and good coffee. Very reasonably priced too! The pie was warm and so fresh tasting. It's a bit of a drive but well worth the trip to Arlington!! Thank you Carolyn for talking with us at our table! read more

Would not recommend this place.stopped In to check the restaurant out was highly disappointed in there customer service. I ordered a blt wit fries that took 1hr to get then they did not tell me that the blt did not come with Mayo so I asked if I could please get some Mayo and ketchup the waitress said sure Brought the Mayo but not the ketchup so I figured she will bring it in a bit the ketchup never came then came back after I was finished and asked if everything was ok I then proceeded to complain about the service then she gets a attitude with me and starts to tell me that it took long because there was a rodeo it town well I was not made aware of that because if I would of been I would of Understood but it still doesn't change the fact that after I complained she got a attitude with me then Proceeds to tell me well you got your Mayo that you asked for in a rude tone I said yes but i never did get my ketchup but didn't tell her that because I was all ready finish with my food and I could see she was behaving in a really unprofessional way and refused to speak to her like she was speaking to me then she offered me a free pie and I declined and I would recommend if if you would like to eat any Where I would recommend carriage Crossing read more

Best homemade pies around, and their fried chicken meals on Wednesday's are tasty as well! Worth the drive!

Great small town jewel. Everything is home made and crazy good. Don't leave without buying a loaf of cinnamon raisin bread!