Guy & Mae's Tavern, Williamsburg

Address: 119 W. William, Williamsburg, KS 66095
Phone: 785.746.8830
Website:

Open Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
CLOSED:  Last week of July, first week of August

Guy & Mae's Tavern is one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas Cuisine because of their tender ribs that they serve wrapped in foil and newspapers -- a family business since 1973.

Guy and Mae Kesner were the original owners of this hometown bar that brings people off the interstate to a small town. Guy perfected his technique for barbecuing ribs and Mae invented the sauce. He would test the ribs on his trucker buddies when they would stop in to visit him. Soon they were telling each other about Guy's ribs and Mae's sauce on their CB radios.  Others heard and would stop to try Guy's BBQ.

By now, everyone seems to have found out about Guy and Mae's and sometime you have to wait in a line outside the door and down the block. Along with their famous ribs, they also serve beef, ham, turkey, and polish sausage bbq sandwiches.  It's all soooo good.

Guy and Mae's daughters, Diana and Judy, came to work for them and kept the business going when they retired. Grandchildren, Ty and Lori Thompson and Ernie Macoubrie, have now joined the business to keep the family legacy alive.   Since then, Guy passed away in 1986 and is greatly missed. Mae is retired and very active in community affairs.

Politicians, actors, sports figures, church choirs, bands, doctors, lawyers and a whole lot of good people have come through the doors and eaten messy ribs on newspaper.  The building is nothing fancy and when you get inside you might end up sitting at a long picnic table or one of the few booths.  The ribs are wrapped in foil and then brought to your table with newspaper around it all.  That's part of the fun!

Guy & Mae's has been written up in articles by Kansas! magazine, People Magazine, and several others.   Doc Severinsen (band leader on the Johnny Carson Show) stopped in for ribs many times, sometimes with a whole band.  He even sent 10 slabs of ribs to Johnny Carson for his birthday one year. 

Whether you get there on a busy night or not, take your time and enjoy those succulent ribs!

Guy & Mae's specialty -- ribs!  Photo courtesy of Guy & Mae's