The Chef

I was in Manhattan on business and wanted something a little special. The Chef came highly recommended by a friend, so in spite of the crazy construction detours, Google got me to your place. The breakfast service was fast and friendly and very helpful to a first-time customer. My order of hash and eggs was excellent, and the serving was very generous. I was sad to leave some on the plate. If you need a great breakfast in Manhattan, I highly recommend The Chef.

I finally got the chance to eat at this restaurant for the first time since it opened, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait! I've been wanting to go for ages, especially since there's always a crowd of people enjoying their breakfast. Today, I finally indulged, and the food was absolutely amazing! What a delicious experience!

Popped in for breakfast at this busy spot and I wasn’t disappointed. Excellent service and food and a relaxing atmosphere all made for a great experience. Had the classic egg breakfast, coffee and oj, and a pancake. Yum!

The food was excellent! The service and the location were outstanding! I look forward to going back!

My husband and I originally came here because we love the tv show Somebody, Somewhere. We were super excited to try it, but we were very disappointed. We walked in on a Wednesday morning, it was pretty quiet and not too busy. There were two waitresses working. My husband had steak and eggs, he asked for his eggs over medium. I had the French toast and the hash browns, with a side of hollandaise. Both were an extreme disappointment. The food did not live up to the standards of the tv show whatsoever. His eggs were soup and my hash browns were completely underdone. His steak was rubbery, small and fatty. The middle of my hash browns were mush. The hollandaise was disgusting and tasted like no other hollandaise we had ever had. The first waitress that came over acted like it wasn’t a big deal, but did apologize. Our actual waitress was nice enough to take my husband’s meal off of the ticket. I just want to warn everyone who saw Somebody, Somewhere that it is nothing like the tv show makes it out to be and you will be disappointed. It’s very overpriced and underwhelming.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at The Chef in Manhattan, and I must say, it exceeded expectations. We sat on the patio on a beautiful morning. We tried the French toast, biscuits and gravy, and corned beef hash, and each dish was absolutely delicious. The French toast was perfectly crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and had just the right amount of sweetness. The biscuits were fluffy and paired perfectly with the savory, rich gravy, while the corned beef hash offered a hearty, flavorful experience with large chunks of delicious corned beef. I also took a chance on the manmosa, a creative twist on the classic mimosa. While I was initially skeptical, it turned out to be much better than expected. It was a refreshing and enjoyable complement to the meal. Overall, The Chef offers great comfort food with a few creative twists, and I would definitely recommend giving it a try!

Great food, but giving them a 2 for service. We put our name in for a table of four waited 30 minutes, and the hostess wouldn't seat us because two of our party wasn't here yet and they had a long wait list. I don't know about you, but that's very poor customer service. Do better!

It was such a wonderful experience that went far beyond our expectations! We ordered the Italian frittata and the I Love Meat frittata—both dishes were absolutely delicious. Eating outdoors was very enjoyable since you can take in the city’s vibe while having your meal. At the same time, the indoor atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with colorful and fun décor. Without a doubt, this is an excellent choice to visit and enjoy in downtown!

I think this is one of the best breakfast places here in town. Just a heads up if you don't go early there usually is a wait list.

After seeing the reviews and talking to the locals, I knew I had to try The Chef. I can't say enough good things about this place! I debated between patio seating and indoor dining but ultimately chose to sit indoors by the window. The ambiance in the building is really cool, and I enjoyed just looking around. I had coffee very quickly and a menu to peruse which had so many options that I wanted to try. I ultimately settled on the breakfast special which was Steak Tacos. They were phenomenal! Ashlyn kept my coffee cup full and took great care of me while I was there, and I really enjoyed my visit! Update: Enjoyed the first visit so much I went back the next morning as well so I could have the breakfast pizza. Service was just as good, and the food was enjoyable. I started to order a side of gravy to drizzle over the pizza, in hindsight I should have, and next time I will!

Food was average, good size helpings but not much flavor. Staff was very friendly and edgy.

My grandma was not to happy with the service provided with this diner. Server didn't provide silverware or napkins until after we received our food and only because we asked.. he was respectful but unfortunately if your having a bad day you don't carry it onto the next customer or a bad day from home you leave it at the door. The was a lack of flavor in the food. Personally the biscuits and gravy were plain and dry.. the macaroni my sister got didn't have much flavor either. Who knows? Maybe it was a bad day for the restaurant... give it a try for yourself. It's in a very beautiful spot murals across the street to see and some sweet spots to pick up something sweet after. I don't see myself going back here when i visit Kansas again.

I've heard good things about this place and it always looks popular when we drive by. Finally decided to try it out. We got there early and it was just my husband and I so we luckily didn't have to wait which was nice. I almost forgot a photo because I couldn't wait to dig in. I got the smothered burrito although I did trade potatoes with my husband because the breakfast potatoes were too spicy for me. The hash browns were great though! Quaint little place for how busy it always seems.

Cute restaurant in Manhattan. Veggie omelette and coffee were great. friendly service was great too. Thought the mac and cheese could be cheesier though.. will come back next time we're in town.

The BEST breakfast place in Manhattan, KS. Recommend getting there early as it's usually pretty busy. Everything on the menu is a 10/10 as well as the vibes of the cute breakfast restaurant downtown. The service is also always very sweet & friendly.

When you have an owner that is well trained before opening his own restaurant that has an incredible work habit and is involved in every aspect of his restaurant, including running the kitchen, you know why there is a wait almost every time I go to The Chef. I had the Steak and Eggs for the first time today (fantastic) but also highly recommend The Grant, the Corned Beef Hash, the Grant, the B&G, the coffee...heck, everything is good! (Ambiance? Cool, hometown vibe!)

Just had breakfast there The food quality prep has gone down from previous visits Hope this is not a permanent situation

We came here with the family based on a recommendation. You must be prepared to wait but it is definitely worth the wait. Portions are big and flavors to match. I had the chicken fried steak and the gravy was flavorful with a kick. Wish it had been warm enough to sit outside but inside is roomy and eclectic. Great hometown feeling and service.

Food was standard breakfast food. Not sure what all hype is about. There seems to be a considerable wait in weekends when school is in session.

Breakfast is always good. Service is always top notch. Usually have to wait a bit but that's a testament to how good the food is. Omelets are great but the country fried steak is fantastic.

The Grant "The Perfect Breakfast" containing a half order of biscuits and gravy, two slices of bacon, and eggs-over-easy over hash browns was good. The gravy was rich and creamy, and the biscuits and bacon were crispy. However, the hash browns could've used more salt since it was under-seasoned. On the bright side, service was pretty fast since I didn't wait very long to get the food after ordering off the menu. I will go back again.

Great breakfast place! Open very early, even during the weekdays, and consistent with their food. It does get busy on the weekends, so be aware, but also goes to show how great it is!

Best breakfast spot in Manhattan. Coffee is always consistent and delicious and coffee is a good topper. Recommend!

Breakfast was served as advertised. The food was plentiful and tasty. Much like you would expect to find in grandma's kitchen, with a slight upgrade. Our service good, not exceptional. The atmosphere was fine, but quite busy on a Wednesday at noon, so we had to sit at a hightop, which is not my preference.

Food was ok! Not sure it was worth the 45 minute wait. I understand breakfast spots are busy in the morning and we wanted to give them a shot but I'm not sure I'd wait that long again for the food I had. Eggs were a bit watery/underwhelming. French toast was alright. The atmosphere was nice and the waitstaff were pleasant as well. I'd like to give them another try and maybe ask/taste what they are known for.

We were warned that this is a very popular spot! However we went shortly after the place opened plus it was negative 11 degrees outside so we got right in. I had the crab cake eggs Benny with hash browns - excellent. Hubby had the French toast stack and enjoyed it - cleaned his plate completely. Wait staff was excellent and our coffee mugs were always full. We will return.

Very popular place but they served beverages outside while we waited. Waite staff was very friendly and attentive. I ordered a hot chocolate.... Tasted as good as it looked.... Very chocolatey and picturesque... Everyone's food was fantastic, we all like to share bites with each other to try different things. My breakfast burrito was hot and fresh. I got a sample of my girlfriend's chicken fried steak and the coating on it was fantastic. Very flavorful and tender. Overall, a wonderful breakfast experience. I definitely would go there if you're in Manhattan and looking for a breakfast spot.

It is always crazy busy and small but they get you in as quickly as they can. The food is good but not amazing. It is a locally famous restaurant everyone should try. Service is good!

So happy that a friend suggested we visit The Chef! It was a very short drive from our hotel. We found a spot out front, but there was plenty of street parking nearby as well. It's a smaller restaurant, so the wait can be a bit long. We really wanted to give it a try, so we were fine with the 25-35 minute wait. It's located right across the street from the mall, but it was Sunday morning, so we opted for a quick walk around the area before waiting in the car for a bit. They also have an outdoor area to sit, chat, and drink while you wait. The food and customer service were great! Our waitress was amazing and wore the cutest earrings lol. I ordered the Turkey Sausage Omelet and my bf got the Chicken Fried Steak. The food was delicious and very hot when we received our plates. Portions are hugeee; I couldn't even finish my omelet. The mimosas were the perfect balance of champagne and orange juice and so yummy. If we're ever back in Manhattan, best believe we're definitely catching brunch at The Chef!

The food. Amazing. The staff was so nice and with a old school vibe. Definitely a favorite when I'm in town. No bottomless mimosas, but at least they had mimosas available. I highly recommend this place!

Great food and drinks with unique signature choices, awesome staff who take great care of their customers!

The food was good, can't go wrong with anything here! Considering that there aren't very much options for good food or breakfast here that are unique or local and not a chain, I think this would the best in the area. I got the chili hash and salmon scramble. Hear me out. Do not knock it until you've tried it! My boyfriend also judged me when i ordered it but once I convinced him to try it, he agreed it was pretty good! The staff were all amazing like their food. Also I do have to note, BEST biscuits I've had in a long time!! It might not be much but definitely get it as a side if you could!

Absolutely sensational breakfast location! Very mom and pop vibes the second you enter. The service is very friendly and knowledgeable of the entire menu! I myself got the Breakfast Burrito the was coated in gravy. It was the perfect size and the flavors inside were even better! My little brother had the chocolate chip pancakes that were to die for. If you want an amazing breakfast in the Manhattan area, this is your spot!!

I love college towns: Evanston IL, Columbia MO, Lawrence KS, etc. Now add Manhattan, KS to the list. Went to K-State to see a concert. I wouldn't say The Chef staff welcomed us like family. If that were the case, I'd have dishes thrown at me, called horrible names and flipped off. We were treated like old familiar friends. The atmosphere was funky and charming. From the whimsical (and different from table to table) salt and pepper shakers to the big giant egg click (should have taken picture). But what about the food? Is mmmmmmmm really a word? Damn well should be. I had a sausage gravy covered breakfast burrito. Huge portion, peppery gravy, burrito filled with the usual. I ordered a side of bacon that was cooked to the perfect (for me) place between crispy and gummy. Excellent some flavor, too, and thicker than your average porky perfection. The only drawback was the home fries potatoes were slightly undercooked. So what? Though I don't see another 5-hour trip that way any time soon, I will stop there if ever in the area.

Amazing service, great food! All of the servers were great, working together and making the environment fantastic

Very friendly service and good food (country potatoes are delicious) and great cup of java! Definitely will go back next time I'm in the area.

Great breakfast or brunch stop! Excellent food and friendly service. Never disappoints!

Server She did not say her name. After asking.. Madison and Ashley. The servers are extremely nice and cordial. Ashley has a warm and wonderful smile . Ambiance This is professed to be a breakfast Cafe. When we visited, the place was pretty busy, however, we had no wait and quickly found a table, within two minutes of being seated, Madison had taken our drink order. With KU just a hop, skip, and a jump from here, it wasn't surprising to see college kids engaged in feverish topical debates. While we were waiting for our food, Madison was going table to table ensuring everyone was happy and had what they needed. Food The coffee is very good. Has a clean refreshing taste with a semi sweet finish. The ice has a seasonal resemblance of freshly fallen snow. She had a plate with chili, hash browns and eggs. It was very good with the eggs actually done right. I had a ham n cheese omelet with Swiss cheese. It's very good as well. From the melt-in-your-mouth omelet itself to the crunchiness of the hash browns. It makes for a very enjoyable experience . I did find something "hard" in the omelet. Not a shell, not sure what it is. Overall The servers here are all very pleasant and warmly cordial. If the coffee is any indication of the food experience, we are in for a treat. The food did not disappoint. It's very filling. 5 Military No military discounts.

No one ever gets a 5 but The Chef gets a 4.9999 Star for the best breakfasts I CAN'T WAIT TO EAT HERE AGAIN!!! Delicious food, great service and staff.

Nice breakfast/brunch location! Multiple excellent options, clean, and great service! On-street parking is limited, and small interior and popular place, so get there early to ensure not having to look for parking and endure long lines outside. Does not take reservations, and is first come first serve, so plan accordingly. We will be back!

The food is great, the servers are kind and attentive, the restaurant is clean and decorated nicely, and the prices are reasonable! Highly recommended

Showed up 2.5 hours before close and they turned me away because they were closing early due to "not liking how their kitchen was performing" I didn't enjoy this one bit. You can't just close early and not post it anywhere. I drive there, find a parking spot, and show up just to be told it was a waste of time? Don't close early just fix whatever is going on in the kitchen. Really annoyed.

If you are looking for a serious breakfast and / or brunch spot then you have found it. The menu features all of the usual suspects. It's a little heavy, which is mighty fine if you ask me, but does include some salads and light sandwiches if you're trying to count calories. I'm not, so I went for the chicken fried steak which was smothered in country gravy and served with eggs over easy and hash browns. It was super tasty and hit the spot. Small notes... This is a small restaurant so if you're anywhere close to peak times, especially on the weekends, then you should expect a wait. There is a small kids section on the menu. There is also a small adult beverage section as well, so you're well covered for whatever typing of adulting you're aiming for.

Definitely a nontraditional breakfast spot. Could be attractive to others, but not my cup of tea. You wont find this food elsewhere, but I want flavoes that I can crave.

This place was really cute and the service was great. The food... not so much. The line was backed up outside when I arrived so I thought this must be really good. Maybe it was the dish I decided to have; I chose the huevos rancheros with homestyle potatoes. And let me tell you I have never had a dish that lacked so much flavor but was severely over seasoned at the same time. The huevos rancheros lacked flavor. Very basic, not enough salt or any type of seasoning for that matter. The homestyle potatoes were very over seasoned and had too much pepper. It tasted like I was eating peppercorn jerky. Thankfully I threw some ketchup on it and the sweetness from that was able to dilute it a little bit. I plan to give this place another shot to see if this was a fluke or as good as it gets.

This is by far and away the absolute best breakfast spot in Manhattan, and it rivals many places that I've been to in bigger cities. The dang quesadilla is so dang good that I've started making my own at home. If you come in and they tell you it's an hour wait (it's probably less than that but they'll quote you the estimated time) just wait. There's not a place that comes close. If we are going out for breakfast we are going here, there's not even a plan B in my book.

Very Great place to eat you couldn't ask for a better place to eat. The Food is geeat i love this place

We have always liked the chef. It's a friendly spot. Small and unique. Food is great! They serve adult drinks. Have a mimosa while you wait! Space is tight! When it's cold people cram together in the entryway. They have toys for little people to keep them entertained. They have chalk to keep anyone entertained. My reason for a four star... no real gluten free options. I'm not asking for a lot, We gluten free people are not to picky when we know someone keeps gluten free bread on hand. I know to ask for corn tortillas when eating a scramble that comes with tortillas. I want to eat the strawberry jam! Or have the gravy... (use corn starch instead...) Anyhow that's my only complaint. Hubby has said we should stop going because we are so limited, but I like it to much! I just have to pick over options. They are not open all the time, it's a breakfast joint. So 6am - Two(ish) Weekends are BUSY!!

Love this place a whole vibe. Wakes wakes shots for everyone. Oh and the food is amazing too.

Just wanted to hop on and add a few old pictures I realized I had. Can't say enough good about this place.

This place was a perfect choice for brunch/ early lunch on a rainy day. Staff was friendly and attentive, the inside was cozy and clean and I have to say that my habanero Bloody Mary was excellent! Lots of flavor and zing and just the right portion size. I got the chicken club and it was enjoyable. The menu is pretty standard American food fare, not instantly what comes to mind when I think "chef," but that's my personal bias, and not a reflection on the food. My potato salad was a very generous portion and had lots of nice flavors. Overall I loved the atmosphere and the drink, and the food was pretty good.

Of course they are busy on a late Saturday morning, but the wait isn't that long and its worth it! Our party of 4 enjoyed hot coffee in mugs outside as we waited. Sat in a cozy both and got waited on immediately. Love that they have boozy morning beverages; a Blood Mary for me and an Irish Creme Hot Chocolate for my boyfriend. Excellent Bloody Mary but the hot chocolate is better as it (yes, we got another mug to compare). After some suggestions from our great server, sorry can't remember her name (Izzy??)..she was energetic and friendly. I ordered the chicken fried steak, hash browns and substituted biscuit for my toast. OMG!!! The steak was tender and the coating was so flavorful and crispy. The gravy was creamy and had a nice balance of saltiness and pepper. I was planning on dipping my biscuit in my gravy but noooo...poured the fresh homemade strawberry sauce on my biscuit and ate it with a fork. I think i finished the biscuit in record time. This meal and place is definitely memorable!

Used to be a really good spot. Now I've had a cold potatoes and pre made bacon two days in a row. Also, the waitress blamed me for the cold potatoes. Hah! She's probably right. Cmon chef, it's just eggs and bacon and potatoes, just be better. Also, good coffee is always a great investment, y'all should think about adding that to rotation. The place looks great though! Just need the food to match the decor.

Ate here for breakfast one morning. It was crowded which prolonged the order time and food but nothing out of the ordinary. The staff were patient and attentive, even with all the craziness of the breakfast rush. I ordered pancakes topped with banana, pecan, and pecan syrup. It was listed under "sweet" on their menu (so they were definitely setting your expectations). The pancakes have this cinnamon flavor which some don't like but it reminded me of French toast which I love (so I enjoyed the pancakes). Overall, great dining experience with good food. Would recommend for breakfast--definitely get there early (before 9am).

Well worth the wait! This restaurant did not disappoint. The reviews are correct and I loved it. It was clean, packed and didn't have to wait long for our food. I'm very impressed and will be back. Had salmon and scrambled eggs with home style potatoes. Loved it! Chicken fried steak with fried eggs, biscuit and warmed strawberry jelly-yummmmmmmm!

The best, and I mean, the BEST biscuits and gravy you can get. Seasonally they do a chorizo gravy that is even better. Their menu is incredible, the service is good, and the prices are super reasonable. This is possibly my favorite Americana breakfast place I have been to. I live out of state and am frequently reminded how much I miss it when trying to find find brunch up to snuff.

Good food. Great service. I liked our server. She was on top of it in a very busy restaurant.