Aggieville Draft House in Manhattan, KS is the reimagined dining experience from the partnership of Scott Sieben and the Cox Brothers. While the menu has changed, the nostalgia of Kite's remains, just add the bold flavors Manhattanities have come to know and love from these restaurateurs.
There are those special places to us all that hold so many memories and one of those places for me is Kite's! Kite's has been a staple in Aggieville and the Manhattan community since the 50s. Although Kite's has been reinvented over the years it is still an Aggieville mainstay. Now, under its latest renovation and partnership, Kite's Aggieville Drafthouse is slowly but surely rebuilding the legacy for which is it known.
Scott Sieben, who also owns Rockin K's and Mr. K's purchased Kite's in 2018, and with new business partners Bud and Bobby Cox they have created an upscale menu and dining experience while keeping the nostalgia of Kite's alive. My first trip to Aggieville Drafthouse was for lunch, the daily special was a Jambalaya and I couldn't resist! It was awesome, so full of flavor and totally filling.
My next trip was on a weekend, which if you know Aggieville there is never a slow time, and the staff handled it like champs. My husband and I went for an early dinner, only because we forgot to each lunch! LOL My husband ordered a burger and Mozzerally Sticks and I ordered the Chicken Fried Steak.
First up were the mozzarella sticks and as soon as the waitress sat them down we knew these were going to become a favorite! These are not your typical mozzarella sticks. They are HUGE! These are hand-breaded they are so ooey-gooey! I mean so good and seriously filling! No surprise, we crushed them and have been craving more since!
The Aggieville Draft House does not serve your typical mozzarella sticks. First of all, they are HUGE! Hand-breaded they are so ooey-gooey! I mean so good and seriously filling! No surprise, we crushed them and have been craving more since!
Next, our main courses! The Smokehouse Burger and fries were everything locals have come to know in a Kite's burger but with a twist. The Smokehouse Burger is the original Kiter topped with pork belly, caramelized onions, BBQ sauce, and Provolone Cheese. This burger is massive and so full of flavor!
My choice was one of the house specialties, the Texas Style Chicken Fried Steak. When my plate was sat down, I was instantly taken back to two places, Texas Star and Coco Bolos. The Chicken Fried Steak reminded me of the one the Becker Family served for so many years at their family restaurant and then the veggies. They were a staple of my order every time I would go to Coco Bolos and it makes total sense with the Cox Bros. being part of Aggieville Drafthouse. It was all really good and frankly, as I type this I am craving it again.
While Aggievile Drafthouse is still a work in progress they are open Tuesday-Saturday from 4 pm - 10:30 pm. If you follow them on their Facebook page you can keep up on daily specials and updates on their progress. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did, and my husband would tell you to make sure that when you go to order yourself the best mozzarella sticks in town! lol
