Some burger joints keep it simple. Do-B’s in Emporia, Kansas, went bold instead, building a menu of gourmet burgers loaded with unexpected combinations like teriyaki pineapple and smoked Gouda. 🍔
This mom-and-pop Emporia burger restaurant starts every patty with 100% USDA choice ground steak seasoned with a house spice blend, and that foundation has made it one of the most talked-about stops for Kansas burgers.
Between the massive menu and the made-fresh promise, Do-B’s has become a genuine roadside legend just off I-35. 🧀
How Do-B’s won Emporia’s hearts
Owner Daryn Bontrager opened the restaurant in March 2011 after years spent perfecting smoked meats and cooking at competitions, eventually honing his skills at a burger shop in Anchorage, Alaska, before bringing those lessons home to Emporia.
Many of the recipes on the menu come from Daryn’s own kitchen, his mom’s, and his grandma’s, and his wife and business partner, Leslie Lloyd, has spent years transforming the old Dairy Queen building’s interior into something entirely their own.
Do-B’s built its reputation on 100% USDA grade choice ground steak patties seasoned with their own spice mix, giving every burger a distinct, savory backbone before any toppings even get added.
The kitchen doesn’t hold back on portions or creativity, either. A visiting couple noted their 4 oz cheeseburger was “the best burger she’s had in a long time”, while another guest raved about the Ol’ Bleu burger’s generous bleu cheese and crisp lettuce.
Do-B’s even offers a gluten-free fryer and gluten-free buns, meaning nobody gets left out of the fun.
Between the Saturday breakfast crowd, the seasoned fries everyone mentions, and a menu built for road-trippers passing through on I-35, Do-B’s has earned its spot as a true Flint Hills burger destination. 🍟
Food Highlights
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Creole Gouda: A beef patty dressed with mayo, avocado, bacon, smoked Gouda, an over-easy egg, and house-made Creole mustard. 🧀
- Loosey: Classic loose meat topped with grilled onion, jalapeño, and American cheese.
- OMG: A beef patty topped with pastrami and teriyaki-glazed onions, covered in melted pepperjack cheese and Creole mustard.
- The Stinger: Grilled bell peppers, pepperoncini, jalapeños, and pepperjack cheese piled onto a beef patty. 🌶️
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Luau: A beef patty topped with teriyaki-glazed grilled onions and sweet pineapple. 🍍
- Ol’ Bleu Burger: A beef patty loaded with bleu cheese, crisp fresh lettuce, and a thick tomato slice.
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BCB (Bacon Cheeseburger): A beef patty topped with two slices of crisp bacon and two slices of melted American cheese. 🥓
- The Hornet: Two beef patties piled with grilled onions, jalapeños, mushrooms, crispy bacon, and four slices of American cheese.
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Spicy Pimento Cheese Burger: A Flint Hills beef patty stacked with spicy pimento cheese, crispy bacon, grilled jalapeño, mayo, and fresh spinach. 🌿
Atmosphere
Do-B’s keeps things unpretentious, with a casual burger-barn feel that fits its roadside location near I-35. 🚗
The kitchen operates in plain view, letting guests watch fresh cheesesteak beef get sliced and burger patties hit the grill in real time.
It’s a laid-back, family-friendly spot where regulars mix with travelers stopping between Kansas City and Wichita. The energy stays simple and welcoming, matching its mom-and-pop roots.
Bottom Line
Visit Do-B’s for the standout Creole Gouda burger, sweet-and-savory Luau burger, hearty Ol’ Bleu Burger, gluten-free options, and a true Flint Hills beef experience worth the detour. 🍔🧀
Address:
704 E 12th Ave, Emporia, KS 66801
📞 (620) 342-7294
🕔 Open Mon-Fri, 11 AM–8 PM; Sat, 8 AM–4 PM (closed Sunday)