Back in the days when folks dressed up for Sunday dinner and fried chicken was king, Crawford County, Kansas, had its own version of the Wild West. But instead of gunslingers and cattle rustlers, fried chicken joints waged battle—each claiming the crown for the crispiest, juiciest plate in town. One of the front-runners in this delicious feud was Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners, a humble place near the tracks in Mulberry. The air around it carried the mouthwatering perfume of golden-brown chicken, drawing in travelers like bees to clover.
We want to thank Explore Crawford County and Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners for hosting our visit. Rest assured, all opinions are our own.
A Railroad Town With a Flavorful Past
Mulberry wasn’t always a sleepy speck on the map. In the early 20th century, it was a bustling mining town with a train line that stitched it into the fabric of the country. When the miners weren’t underground, they were looking for hearty fare—and the Gebhardt family delivered. Quite literally, at first, from their modest kitchen. But what started as a home-cooked operation grew into a roadside attraction, especially once hungry railroad workers spread the word. And in a place where time seemed to slow, the chicken dinners sure made life a little more flavorful.
A Family Affair That Spanned Generations
It’s hard to say what made Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners so special. Maybe it was the family recipes passed down with care, or perhaps it was just that they cooked like they meant it. For me, the magic started in the back seat of my grandparents’ car, one of those long summer evenings when the sun lingered just a little longer in the Kansas sky. We’d drive the backroads of Crawford County, windows down, the smell of pasture grass mixing with the anticipation of fried chicken. Gebhardt’s was one of our favorites. We’d sit in a padded booth while iced tea beads trickled down tall glasses and the server called everyone “hon” like they meant it. Looking back, it wasn’t just dinner—it was family, laughter, and a taste of tradition served hot from the fryer.
The Great Chicken Wars of Southeast Kansas
Now, folks around Pittsburg, Kansas, will tell you there wasn’t a single winner in the Chicken Wars. Gebhardt’s had rivals: Chicken Annie’s, Chicken Mary’s, and a few others that lined the roads like culinary landmarks. These weren’t battles fought with anger, but with cast-iron skillets and secret spice blends. Loyalty ran deep, but didn’t prevent variety. I remember my grandma had her system of choosing. It was all about the side dishes. When she had a taste for the best creamy slaw and German potato salad in the county, well, that meant we were heading straight to Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners. For us, the sides were just as serious as the main event, and grandma always had the final say.
More Than a Meal—A Memory
Eating at Gebhardt’s was more than satisfying your hunger—it was a slice of Americana, deep-fried and seasoned to perfection. People drove in from across the state and beyond to relive a childhood meal or introduce the next generation to a rite of passage. For me, the memory stretches past the last bite. I still remember the ride home—windows cracked to let in the summer breeze, the car filled with fried chicken’s warm, lingering scent. Grandma would hum softly along with the radio, Grandpa would tap the steering wheel in rhythm, and I’d sit in the backseat, full and content, already dreaming about our next visit. It wasn’t just a meal but a moment, preserved in gravy and time.
A New Generation at the Helm
As the years rolled on and the world outside grew a little faster and noisier, the heart of Gebhardt’s stayed rooted in family. When it came time to pass the apron, the legacy didn’t go far—it simply shifted to the next generation. Meg, daughter of the Gebhardt family, took up the spatula with the same care and pride as those who came before her. She learned the rhythms of the kitchen like a second language—when to flip the chicken, how to greet a regular by name, and just how long to let the gravy simmer. Meg didn’t reinvent Gebhardt’s; she preserved it, with a gentle touch that proves some traditions don’t need updating. These days, her hands carry the family legacy forward, one dinner plate at a time.
A Legacy That Still Sizzles
While many roadside favorites have faded into memory, Gebhardt’s has held on, still serving up crispy comfort and Kansas hospitality like they did years ago. The world may have changed, but the heart of this place hasn’t missed a beat—or a sprinkle of salt. These days, visiting Gebhardt’s Chicken Dinners is like stepping back into a simpler time, where the pace is slower, the portions are generous, and the chicken? Well, it still steals the show. Pull up a chair if you’re rolling through Crawford County with an empty belly and an appetite for nostalgia. There’s a hot plate waiting for you.
