Welcome to a Topeka tradition – the Seabrook Tavern. While you are here we thought you might enjoy reading a "speck" of Seabrook history.

Our story begins in 1957 when Franklin (Speck) Benge decided to get out of the concrete business. Knowing he had a growing family to feed, Speck cemented his feet in the Seabrook Tavern. He promised his wife, Lou, they would only run the place a year – "till something else came along."

But Speck discovered that the bar business gave him ample time for his great love of fishing. And he and Lou liked the Seabrook and its growing band of loyal patrons. The first year passed and Speck and Lou were caught up by the Seabrook – hook, line, and sinker.

Speck’s popularity soon became apparent as his customers began to refer to the Seabrook Tavern as Speck’s (Speck got his nickname due to a receding hairline that revealed a large number of "specks" all over this head). So it didn’t take long for the names Seabrook Tavern and Speck’s to become synonymous.

Speck’s became a well known hangout for fishermen, as well as other sportsmen. To find out the score of a ballgame or where the big ones were biting, a stop at Speck’s was all that was necessary.

It was in the early 1970s that a new tradition began at the Seabrook Tavern. It was the Turtle Hunt. It became an annual event for many years to come and was always held on the second Wednesday in August. The day would begin with everyone arriving at Speck’s to drink a few beers and throw a dollar in the "pot" before heading out to a designated pond for a day of turtle fishing and beer drinking.

Lou Stewart would start the turtle fishing by "calling" the turtles out of the mud with a couple of smacks on the water surface with a boat oar. The "pot" money would be divided among those who caught the first, the most and the largest turtles. It is rumored that one local sports writer whose dog may win the "Dog of the Year" award every year never was among any of the winners of the Turtle Hunt.

Following the Turtle Hunt a date would be set for another Seabrook tradition – the Wild Game Feed. This special day gave everyone a chance to taste the turtles caught, as well as other types of wild game tavern patrons would cook up and bring in to share with their fellow beer drinking buddies..

Many Washburn University alums will remember that when the legal drinking age in Kansas was 18, the Seabrook Tavern was a popular place to tip a few brews after classes. And Speck’s was also a favorite watering hole for many softball teams throughout the years.

In 1987, Speck became ill with cancer. Even so he continued to work in the bar until a few months before his death in February 1988. His daughter Debbie purchased the tavern prior to Speck’s death.

In December of 1989 Debbie married Carl Maichel and they decided to move the Seabrook Tavern in a new direction by opening a kitchen in May of 1990. This was the beginning of yet another Topeka tradition – the three pound hamburger.

Through a lot of hard work the grill became a huge success and in 1992 the Seabrook Tavern was voted the "Best of Topeka" for serving the best hamburger in town.

Debbie and Carl were blessed with the birth of a son, Jacob, in August of 1994. When Debbie found out she was going to have another child in 1996 it was decided to lease the tavern out so more time could be devoted to the new family.

With the birth of Matthew in August of 1996 Carl and Debbie were going to take it easy for a while. Carl had just retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber and Debbie was going to be a stay at home mom. They moved to a farm in Jefferson County and life was good. However, Debbie became bored and opened a hamburger business in nearby Ozawkie.

In July of 1998 a daughter, Madison, was born and the hamburger business was sold so Debbie could spend more time at home. Plans were to retire, that is if you call caring for three children under the age of four retirement.

But once again plans changed. In December 1998, Debbie was notified that the person who had leased the Seabrook Tavern was giving up his lease without notice. So, it was back to Topeka and back to running the Seabrook Tavern – with only a day’s notice.

With good food and friendly service returning to the Seabrook, it didn’t take long for the old customers to start coming back. Many of the long time patrons are more like family than customers and it is not unusual for them to ask if they can help wash glasses or take orders when the tavern is packed with business. And if you listen you’ll likely hear some fascinating stories about Speck and his cronies. The stories seem to get even better as the years go by.

So, as you make your selection of one of our popular sandwiches, set back and enjoy the atmosphere and know you are part of a Topeka tradition. This family-owned and operated tavern has been serving customers like you for more than 40 years.

Thanks for coming, and please come back soon!