TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Two northeast Kansas restaurants are getting national attention.
America’s Best Restaurants (ABR) made two stops in the area, first at LaRocca’s Pizza near I-470 and Gage in Topeka. ABR crews arrived in Kansas on Monday, July 8, where owners Ted and Cindi Valdivia demonstrated how to make their specialty pizzas and received a “cheer” from the Hayden High School cheer squad.
“We’re here to highlight restaurants that aren’t on the national radar, put them on the map and get people to know about them,” said America’s Best Restaurants host J. Russell. “If you’re flying into Kansas City, don’t just check out the Chiefs, come here to Topeka and have some great pizza.”
America’s Best Restaurants is a national media and marketing company with a roadshow program that highlights local, independently owned restaurants. ABR selects destinations to visit based on reviews, standing in the community and customer suggestions.
“Topeka is a great city, and a lot of Topeka residents have never been here,” co-owner Cindy Valdivia said, “so this is about welcoming not only our community, but people from outside of Topeka. My husband and I really love getting involved in the community and helping others, and we’re here to employ people.”
America’s Best Restaurants Makes 13 News LaRocca’s was founded in 2001 by Vince LaRocca and has expanded into pasta, pizza, calzones, subs, and more. Ted and Cindy Valdivia then purchased the restaurant to continue operating the pizzeria.
Cindy is excited about the opportunity and how this recognition could impact her business.
“I know they’re big on social media and, you know, a lot of people don’t even have regular cable TV. So [the] The shows you used to watch are gone, and everyone’s on the Internet. And these people are spreading what they’re doing on the Internet. And a lot of people don’t agree with it. Some people just have to believe it themselves and go through the process. That’s what we did. And if you put in the effort, it will happen.”
The crew also stopped by Olpe Chicken House on Monday around 2 p.m. to feature the Olpe, Kansas, restaurant in another episode.
According to ABR, Olpe Chicken House started out as Cooper’s Cafe in 1934. By 1958, Leonard and Theresa Coble bought the business and renamed it Olpe Chicken House, serving home-style fare like fried chicken, steaks, onion rings, sandwiches, and fries. Unfortunately, Olpe Chicken House suffered a fire caused by a lightning strike in 1974, which prompted the owners to rebuild the restaurant and accommodate more than 300 customers in three dining rooms.
According to ABR, Coble’s son, Larry, and his wife, Charlotte, took over the business in 1994.
The episodes will be available on America’s Best Restaurants online sites, including its YouTube page and the restaurants’ Facebook pages, in the coming months. The exact dates the episodes will air have not yet been announced.
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