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    A&W Restaurant

    A&W Restaurant

    4.5(21 reviews)
    19.5 mi
    $

    The service was great, people were very friendly, we eat there every chance we have…read more Food was great

    If you're looking for a nod to a throwback in time, when people were proud to be American's, when…read moregas was cheap, when you could buy groceries without breaking the bank account, when you trusted your institutions and their leaders, you probably need to roll in here. Located in the tiny town of Iola KS just off the road a bit sits one of the few free stand alone A & W's. Most are now combo'd with Long John Silver's - not sure why but back to the review. We stopped in on a thru trip from Kansas City to Tulsa, we had the grand kids in tow and needed a roadside stop about half way. I found this joint and my grandson had been asking about Root Beer Floats, I had to take the opportunity to introduce him to a real version, not some sling it in a styrofoam cup kind of affair. We arrived about 2pm when drinks are half price and we ordered up the sought after refreshments. Upon first taste I was transported back in time to my childhood and teen years. I remember sitting in the back seat of the family car, on hot vinyl upholstery sipping from a straw and holding that frosty mug on my knee. I recalled the pre-game meal of a cheese burger, fries and a rootbeer float before basketball games. All I was missing was my letter jacket. I don't think my grandson came up for air until after the last bite, he may have even gotten a "brain freeze" from the cold sugary goodness. I can't vouch for the food but from the reviews it looks like a solid place, there appeared to be many happy locals dining in for a late lunch. Check this place out, you'll be thankful and you'll probably remember the good ol' days.

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    A&W Restaurant
    A&W Restaurant
    A&W Restaurant

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    Toots Drive-In - Great Tenderloin and Vanilla Shake!

    Toots Drive-In

    4.5(24 reviews)
    39.9 mi
    $

    Great old-school burger stand. Terrific burgers and sandwiches, onion rings, fries and don't pass…read moreup the homemade pies.

    I get this "Only in Kansas" newsletter by email and recently Toots Drive In was featured. We were…read moregoing to pass right by Howard on our travels from Salina to Bella Vista, AR, so we planned a lunch stop. I'm glad we did. Howard is one of those Kansas towns that has seen better days. It's pretty dumpy. Toots is pretty dumpy too. It's just a squatty old building on a gravel lot with faded signs and a pretty neglected look to it. Inside there are tables to seat fifteen or so and a small counter with a cash register. Behind the cash register, the young woman didn't give much of a greeting and acted as if I should just know what I wanted. Well, I kind of did, but I still wanted to look at the menu on the wall. I ordered the pork tender sandwich and the big cheeseburger with onion rings and sweet potato fries to go--we had our dog with us and planned to eat at a picnic table around to the side. I asked if they could cut the sandwiches in half so my wife and I could share, but they didn't. Had to go back for a knife which was just and ancient table knife and had to promise to bring it back. The food was good but the flies outside were super-annoying so we didn't enjoy it as much as I hoped. Anyway, Toots was pretty much what I expected, a greasy little drive-in with classic greasy drive-in food. Pretty darn good.

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    Toots Drive-In - Toots drive in

    Toots drive in

    Toots Drive-In
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    Front of Toots Drive in

    The Haystack - burgers - Updated July 2026

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