One of the best things about the Sunflower State is how nice and friendly people are. Things move a little slower in Kansas. We don’t have a lot of fancy attractions like you might find in more metropolitan states. What you will find is good old-fashioned values and a down-home friendliness that’s long-extinct from most other states. One place that perfectly summarizes that humble, unassuming quality that we love about Kansas is Don’s Place in Protection. This small town restaurant in Kansas has been delighting residents for 50 years.

Protection is a small town of about 500 in southwest Kansas. Don's Place opened here in 1973 and has been a staple of the community ever since.
Jim Stanford/Google Local
It's the very definition of hole-in-the-wall. You won't find elaborate place settings inside, or fancy new dishes on the menu.
Jim Stanford/Google Local
What you will find is good old-fashioned home cooking.
Jim Stanford/Google Local

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The food is made fresh-to-order here, using quality ingredients.
Allison S/Google Local
Interestingly enough, Don's Place makes an appearance in a recent Stephen King novel, "Billy Summers." The main character stops in Protection and grabs a meal at Don's.
Don's Place/Facebook
Esteemed author though he may be, Mr. King did get one thing wrong. In the book, Don's Place is described as mostly selling corn dogs and hamburgers, but in actuality, you'll find an array of items on the Don's menu. The daily specials run the gauntlet from hamburgers to tacos.
One mistake you don't want to make at Don's is filling up on the main course. Make sure to save room for dessert. The donuts are made fresh each day and these are some of the tastiest donuts in Kansas.
Don's Place/Facebook
Deciding between the donuts and pie can be a tough choice. No matter what flavor is on the menu, you're guaranteed a bit of homemade goodness that will make you feel like it was cooked by family.
Dons Place/Facebook

Have you ever eaten at Don’s Place? If so, do you think it’s one of the best restaurants in Protection? Tell us in the comments! For more information about this small town restaurant in Kansas, check out the Don’s Place Facebook page.

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Don's Place & Gift Closet, 230 N Broadway Ave, Protection, KS 67127, USA