Topeka food truck owner sets up new BBQ restaurant in West Ridge Mall

TOPEKA (KSNT) – A local food truck is moving into a new spot at Topeka’s West Ridge Mall this week.

You might recognize Hank Burch from his food truck Boxer Q BBQ, which is often found in the summer parked at venues like Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka since it opened in June, 2021. He tells 27 News he is preparing to open a new location in West Ridge Mall’s food court at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1 to give mall-goers a new option for lunch and dinner.

“We’ve been doing competition barbeque for eight years now,” Burch said. “We just sell Kansas City competition-style barbeque. Not many places to find that here in town so we that’s why we’ve expanded out to this restaurant.”

Hank Burch stands in front of his new spot at West Ridge Mall. (Photo Courtesy/Matthew Self)

Burch said he plans to have his business in the mall open from Wednesday to Sunday with Monday and Tuesday reserved for housekeeping. The mall location will open at 11 a.m. and stay open until everything has been sold, with an expectation to be open for longer on Fridays through Sundays. When asked if he is feeling nervous or excited as the opening day approaches, Burch answered with “All of the above.”

“When the appliances arrived it became real,” Burch said. “We don’t really have any restaurant knowledge so its kind of a scary task to take on.”

He is looking for feedback from customers to learn how he can improve his service at the mall once he opens. He encourages people to come early to get their choice of the best meats like rib tips and brisket which tend to sell out earlier than other things he makes like turkey breast, coleslaw, sausage, banana pudding, fried okra and other items.

“We will always have our nachos,” Burch said. “People ask about our nachos. Those will be available every day.”

He encourages people to leave feedback on his Facebook page. You can find Topeka’s West Ridge Mall at 1801 SW Wanamaker Road.

“Just come give us a try,” Burch said. “We need the feedback. We never thought we’d open a restaurant but one thing led to another and here we are.”

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