Trail Days Cafe and Museum

My family & I loved our time at Trail Days Cafe & Museum. The owners are just the sweetest people, and very knowledgeable in the history of the building, town, and Kansas. The food was very delicious and it was overall a memorable experience. We look forward to coming back!

Wonderful little restaurant with an amazing history and good food. The hosts were warm and engaging. Recommended.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Definitely a different type of dining experience combined with a history lesson of the area.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I highly recommend stopping in this place. The loving authentic care taken in the restoration and passionate historical knowledge is unmatched; regardless of whether you're interested in history or not. You're invited to explore the space or visit the museum next door while you're waiting on your food or after you eat or whether you decide to eat there or not (don't miss the short video at the museum it is REALLY well done).
The menu is diverse and delicious (we tried the bison and elk meals, Reuben and grilled cheese sandwiches - every one was pleased with their choice), the people were genuinely friendly. The place is decorated with period appropriate items that include notes with interesting information. It is a homey welcoming layback atmosphere that transports you to a simpler time when people would actually sit back and relax a bit.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Our food was good and very tasty and the museum experience was truly inspiring. The owner Ken showed us pictures of how a dilapidated building was transformed. His wife Shirley’s irrepressible spirit pushed her to see the house as a diamond in the rough. The transformation was amazing. The antiques and decor throughout the museum were very beautiful.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Days Cafe Comfort Food, Elk Pot Roast

We got there at 11:30am and our food was brought to us at 12:15 pm. And we were the co only people in the restaurant. That is not reasonable. Bad service

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 3

Service: 1

This is an amazing place and you will be amazed by the history behind it. The Couple who operate the business here is the sweetest couple I have ever seen. If you are around dont miss to visit this place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This one will take some splainin'. Let's start with historical pride. The proprietors are encyclopedically embedded in local lore. They're also eccentric as hell in the most wonderful way. Expect to get an earful of almost automatic anecdotal scripts. The restaurant is in a meticulously restored prairie house filled with articles, trinkets, and such. Apparently, there's a Kaw pictograph scratched into the doorframe.It's a restaurant. Their food reflects the progression of settlers into the area. This is where it's interesting... The husband cooks it according to recipes that should be true to the time period. This means that they're seasoned and prepared as expected in Council Grove in that respective era. So, the food, which includes Native American recipes, German, etc... is well prepared but may not slap a modern palette. The bread is also prepared period style.So, this restaurant is a must see because you will utterly experience the wonderful history of Council Grove. The host and hostess are wonderful and passionate and unlike anyone you've probably met. All that said, you should go for the experience.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Reuben Sandwich

What a gem! I found the Trail Days Cafe & Museum online while researching somewhere unique my friend & I could meet between our respective home towns. This place is so charming. The food was excellent & we greatly enjoyed the history & stories as relayed to us by the couple who saved this beautiful home. The gentleman had a tidbit about Council Grove as it related to several other towns in Kansas & his wife showed us a pictograph she uncovered while doing restoration. It was confirmed to be authentic by an indigenous historian & I'm glad I was able to see it while learned the history of the Rawlison-Terwilliger house. I'd love to go back to experience it again & learn more!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

I think this is one of the most unique places I've eaten at, and it's absolutely amazing. You can tell running this restaurant and museum is a labor of love. From the moment you open the door you step back in time, and I think everyone can find something new to learn whenever they go. This has officially made the list of must go places to take our out of state relatives when they come to visit! The food was fantastic and very reasonably priced as well.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ken was amazing at giving us the history of the building, town, county, state, and Santa Fe trail. The Indian bread is awesome!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Bison Pot Roast

We had a great lunch and learned a lot of great history. Thanks for the hospitality

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

The McClintock's are wonderful hosts. What a sweet experience between eating and the museum. Ken is a living breathing walking museum and I his sole audience on a spring monday afternoon was transported to another time and place. Savory food.

Best Ruben I've ever had. Owner is a wealth of information and a great story teller.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Sweet & Sour Beets with Onions, Reuben Sandwich

Very interesting! We loved all the history.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 5