Star Spangles Manner

Good news for grease hounds.

Spangles is a Wichita-based fast food chain. The closest outlet to Kansas City had been in Topeka, but a location on 6th Street in Lawrence will open soon. Don’t let the‘50s-theme decor deter you. The burgers are a notch better than Wendy’s offerings. A few seafood items provide a change of pace. And there’s a strong emphasis on malts and shakes.

I've written about my affection for Culver's. As with that upstart restaurant, Spangles employees are well-trained. They may not really care if you enjoy your meal, but they make a good show of pretending that they do.

Let Calvin Trillin's tired nostalgia smite me with a shuttlecock. Spangles is the new Winstead's.