October 26, 2025
The Chef Cafe (111 S. Fourth St.) has been open in its present form in Manhattan Kansas since 2008, but in reality it has been around longer than the last 17-years.
Back in 1943, two years before the end of World War II, Charles Limbocker opened “The Chef” in this same building in Manhattan with the same neon sign you see in the first photo. For the next 43-years until 1986 when it closed, Charles and his wife and then later their kids ran the popular breakfast/lunch spot. Apparantly, the peeps loved it.
But it remained closed after 1986 until 2008…when three friends decided it was time for downtown Manhattan to have a breakfast/lunch spot again. And in their minds the perfect spot and perfect name already existed. Thus “The Chef Cafe” was reborn.
I thought the service was on point as well as the food. Hell, even the atmosphere. It kind of reminded me of the regard that folks in Wichita have for Doh Dah Diner. Regardless, it was an all around perfect experience. And that Breakfast Casserole was awesome. Hashbrowns with sausage, bacon and eggs baked with cheese on top, with a cheese sauce on top. OMG.
This is a “must” if you’re in Manhattan and want some breakfast.
— TKG
