Debbie and Carl Maichel were busy serving customers at Seabrook Tavern on Thursday. Otherwise, they would have been in Sterling celebrating with a new friend.

Bill Bunyan, of Dodge City, had arranged a party at Paddy's Restaurant, in the Rice County town of Sterling, about 15 miles northwest of Hutchinson. He was marking two milestones -- his 65th birthday and his 105th hamburger. Unbeknownst to the Maichels, at the party he also mentioned his favorite burger from a three-year mission -- the one he enjoyed Feb. 18, 2002, at the Maichels' Topeka eatery.

Since June 2000, the retired elementary school teacher has traveled the state with the goal of eating a hamburger in each of the state's 105 counties. He chose locally owned "mom and pop" establishments on his way to achieving the goals of the Kansas Explorers Club -- inspiring, educating and encouraging the exploration and appreciation of Kansas.

Speck's" burger, the specialty at Seabrook Tavern, at 2100 S.W. Mission, is 3 pounds of ground beef, topped with onions, tomatoes, pickles and lettuce on a 14-inch homemade bun.

    Photo by Ann Williamson/The Capital-Journal

"We would have loved to go see him eat the last one," Debbie Maichels said, pulling out the handmade, burger-shaped invitation Bunyan's wife, Susan, had sent.

The Seabrook Tavern -- nicknamed Speck's after its founder, Debbie Maichel's father, Franklin "Speck" Benge -- is known for its monster, 3-pound burger, which takes about 10 minutes to cook. Bunyan was more cautious on his first visit. He chose the house burger, which comes topped with Swiss and American cheese and shaved ham.

Since then, he has returned about four times, and he and his wife have become friends with the Maichels, who now count themselves among the 1,700 Kansas Explorers Club members. Bunyan since has ordered the 14-inch "Speck's" burger, but he didn't attempt to eat it alone, Carl Maichel said.

Bunyan said he has also been interested in the friendliness and atmosphere of the establishments he has visited.

"The Seabrook Tavern is great, but there are a lot of great burger places in Kansas," Bunyan said Friday, noting his isn't meant to be a definitive list on the subject.

He will list his top 12 for Kansas Sampler Foundation Executive Director Marci Penner's "The Kansas Guidebook," to be published in spring 2004.

"In a way, they've really been roving ambassadors for the club," Penner said. "We're really trying to make it fun to see the state."

She said Bunyan was inspired by "Larry the bowler," fellow Explorers Club member Larry Woydziak, who set out to bowl in every Kansas county. His efforts stopped at 79 because 26 Kansas counties don't have bowling alleys.

Bunyan said he hopes his travels will inspire others to explore the near and far corners of Kansas.

"Hopefully they'll get out and see some of our state and some of these towns and do something crazy," he said, "like eat a piece of pie or something."

Amy Bauer can be reached at (785) 295-1231 or amy.bauer@cjonline.com.

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Bill Bunyan stressed his isn't an exhaustive list of Kansas burger eateries, but he shared a few that he has enjoyed. He will be whittling his favorites to a "Dandy Dozen" for Marci Penner's "The Kansas Guidebook," to be published in spring 2004.

Crazy R: Goodland

Tropps: Hill City

Peppercorn's: Dodge City

County Fare: Johnson City

Plum Creek Meats: Beloit

Aberdeen Steakhouse: Atwood

Cozy Inn: Salina

Buster's: Sun City

Peddlers: Greensburg

Tina's Bar and Grill: Plainville

J.B. Stouts: Lawrence

Wagonwheel: Marysville

Dusty Farmer: St. Francis

Fritz's: Kansas City

Duffy's: Smith Center

Lewis Recreation Center: Lewis