CW Porubsky Grocery & Meats

A pilgrimage to CW Porubsky Grocery and Meats during chili season has been a Topeka tradition since 1947. This friendly, family-operated business is a good place to get a good meal without spending a lot of money. Charles Porubsky opened this still family-run business Jan. 1, 1947. His son Charlie runs things now. To this day, little changes there. Porubsky's has the same weathered bar signs and packs the same lunch crowd ranging from the everyday worker to the governor. A county judge is among the servers. And while chili season at Porubsky's runs from Sept. 1 through April 1, a trip to Topeka's Little Russia is not complete without also stopping for a legendary hot pickle. Be warned: even during chili season, chili isn't served on Fridays.