Katherine starts the tacos with a 12-inch tortilla she fries to order with the assistance of two pizza pans bent to the shape of a taco shell. Once cooked, the shell gets a layer of tater tots, seasoned ground beef, housemade chipotle cream, shredded cheese, lettuce and pico de gallo.
“Some people are hesitant of the tater tots, but we usually can convince them to try it,” she says. “All the flavors go so well together and the homemade pico tops it off. We try and take the extra steps to make it special.”
Katherine’s specials are offered every weekday and posted on the restaurant’s Facebook page in the morning. Don’t worry if the special is sold out when you arrive, the menu is full of unique options.
“This restaurant has always been known for its Cheeseburgers in Paradise,” she says. “If someone has never been here before I always tell them to go for the cheeseburger.”
The Captain’s Classic is a traditional cheeseburger featuring your choice of one, two or three one-third pound marinated and seasoned beef patties with plenty of cheeses from which to choose. Add bacon or grilled onions for a bite to remember.
Other options include the BBQ Bacon Cheddar, Spicy Jalapeno and Mushroom Swiss burgers. Show up with an unreasonable appetite after a day of boating on Smithville Lake and Katherine has choices for you.
The Munchie Burger is a former daily special that Katherine said was popular enough to make the everyday menu. It starts with Captain’s Corner’s double bacon cheeseburger along with pickles, French fries, an onion ring and barbecue ranch between the buns. A chicken strip, macaroni and cheese wedges and a mozzarella stick are skewered on the top bun. “I love it when people see something and they get excited about it,” Katherine says. “I’ll walk out with a Munchie Burger and everyone here turns and is like: ‘Oh my gosh, what is that?’ ”
If you’re feeling competitive, take on the Bigfoot Burger Challenge. The meal starts with six one-third pound patties, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, onion and pickles served with 1 pound of tater tots. Eat the whole thing in 30 minutes and you’ll be the proud new owner of a T-shirt.
It’s not just burgers at Captain’s Corner, which is served by Platte-Clay Electric Cooperative. Their breaded pork tenderloin and Philly cheesesteak are two of the most popular sandwiches. For a twist on a traditional grilled cheese, order the Jalapeno Popper Grilled Cheese, another daily special-turned-everyday item. The sandwich starts with slices of thick-cut Texas toast which get a layer of seasoned cream cheese and cheddar, bacon and grilled jalapenos cooked through.
“It’s not super spicy because we seed the jalapenos,” Katherine says. “You’ve got the buttery flavor of the bread and richness of the cream cheese. Then the bacon and cheddar cheese, it’s incredible.”