Topeka Kansas Photographer

Bradley’s Corner Cafe located at Laurent & North Kansas Ave. is Topeka’s little secret. Known for it’s “comfort food” and fresh made daily pies it has been in the old Kaw Valley State Bank Building for about the last 6 years. Brad is the owner and his son Ryan is the manager. It doesn’t take very long for the staff to get to know who you are and what you like to eat. This place offers a bit of a bygone era in the middle of downtown North Topeka.

Cafe Holiday located at 12th & Taylor (just two blocks south of Topeka High on Taylor) is in the historic Devon Building.  Deb Barajas works hard to make Cafe Holiday a warm friendly corner cafe. For many years Deb was a key worker in the annual Mexican Fiesta. Each day she has a daily mexican special in addition to her regular menu. My favorite is her taco salad. When you order her tacos the shells are very crisp but not brittle. The tortilla chips are home made daily.

Our photography studio Harrington’s is also located in the same building as Deb’s cafe so we get to eat in her cafe frequently. She is very gracious to let us display our photographs in her cafe. Next time you are in the neighborhood stop in at the Cafe Holiday, eat lunch, and take a look at our photographs while you’re there!

On Friday October 29th, I stopped in to Aboud’s Catering located at 2127 SW Westport Dr. (just east of Target) to visit my old friends. Brad and his crew have fed us at many weddings we have photographed over the years. You may know Brad from the restaurant he owned and operated for many years at the old Western Hills Golf Course.  In all the years we have worked together Brad and his food has always been top drawer and on time!  You can find them online at www.abouds.com

Everyone at Aboud’s loves to have fun and you will see it when you come to the Halloween photo of Brad, Deborah, Dylon and Coral.  Aboud’s has a real family feel to it when you walk in you are treated as a long time friend!  I hope everyone enjoys the photographs as much as I enjoyed taking them!

BTW the images were taken with a Nikon EM with 50mm 1.4 lens on Fuji Pro400H.  Scans and processing done by Zercher’s and a little bit of artistic freedom taken in Photoshop.

Abouds Catering Sign

Brad Aboud's Family

Joe Myers

Cans

Aboud's Baking

Browning Beef

Brad Aboud Awards

The Spot Tavern has been around for many years in Topeka but I would guess that not many people have ever heard of it. It is truly one of the last “corner bars” left in Topeka.  Located at 2202 SW Buchanan St. in Topeka, it is very close to the Shunga Trail that runs behind Roach Hardware on 21st.

To say that this place has “regulars” would be an understatement.  It is probably the closest thing that Topeka has to a “Cheers”.  The interesting thing though is they welcome all new people and feeling like you are a regular can happen within the first hour you are there!  Capturing personalities is probably the reason I photograph.  About 90% of the images that I produce are of people.

You have probably seen the gentleman on the left riding his bike all over town over the years.  Usually on hot days he is shirtless.  He has been riding all over Topeka for as long as I can remember.

Frosty mugs of cold beer are the staple of the day here.

Here is a view of Shunga Creek not too far away from The Spot just off of the Shunga Walking/Biking Trail.