As a former long-time resident of Omaha, Nebraska, when I return I have some must-hit restaurants, here are five that you must try.
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Returning to Omaha For a Visit
I lived in Omaha, Nebraska for many years and loved the food. These are the places I crave and frankly, it was hard to keep it to just five.
I want to qualify this post and the criteria really clearly. These are not the top 5 best, the fanciest, the undiscovered, the cheapest nor the most expensive. These are the top 5 places you must try if you visit Omaha, whether for Berkshire Hathaway’s Annual Meeting, the College World Series, on business or simply passing through.
Wheatfields
Ron Popp, the proprietor of Wheatfields first took over a local favorite, the Garden Cafe and then The Farmhouse, all of whom retain aspects of the same menu, but Wheatfields is his magnum opus. The restaurant constitutes the largest bakery in the city and among its many strengths, the cinnamon rolls are the must-try, must-have, must-take home in a pan of six. I’ll get back to those in a minute.
The cuisine is a take on a Swisshotel with midwestern fusion. Sliced potato casseroles with cheese, steak, onions, and peppers is as midwestern as it gets, but try the buttered croissant sandwiches and anything with hollandaise. I worked at this restaurant as wait staff for about a week in my senior year of high school (the menu at the time had more than 100 dishes and a variety of iterations therein, and I had another job.) I can attest that they cook everything in-house, from scratch, and the food is absolutely fantastic. It’s not on your diet.
On the note of the cinnamon rolls, these are nearly the size of loaves of bread, often come out before the rest of your breakfast, and feature an unholy amount of buttercream frosting devoid of cream cheese. When people came to visit us in England, we would ask them to bring us pans of it, and if they visit us now in Pittsburgh, they should bring a pan with them or consider staying at a hotel.
Also worth noting, they have a very large gluten-free menu and several locations (including Downtown Omaha) though this is the original, the largest and in my opinion, the best.
La Casa Pizzaria
There is a very specific type of pizza that Omaha seems to specialize in. It’s a denser low-rise crust in a circular shape. Part of that tradition is found at La Casa, though they put out rectangular pies with romano cheese giving it a very distinct flavor. There’s no question that La Casa is an Omaha landmark, Oscar award-winning director and Omaha native, Alexander Payne, started his 2017 film, Downsizing, in the original location.
https://youtu.be/UCrBICYM0yM
Something I have learned since living away from Omaha – very few other cities put hamburger (ground beef) on their pizzas. This is an obvious error in judgment and the “Classic Hamburger” which is just ground beef, caramelized minced onion, and romano cheese is La Casa’s most popular pie.
You’ve likely never had a pizza quite like La Casa and won’t likely anywhere else in the world. Try it, love it, and eat like Matt Damon does.
Javi’s Tacos
This is a new entrant. Omaha has a substantial Mexican and Central American migrant population that started over 100 years ago from agricultural workers to the beef packing plants that made the Omaha stockyards famous. As a result, Omaha has an abundance of excellent Mexican and Central American restaurants. Most of these are located in South Omaha (13th-36th streets) but we found an absolute gem in West Omaha.
Javi’s has been famous for its Birria tacos. The recipe is simple: a pair of corn tortillas with barbacoa beef, Oaxacan cheese, and diced onions served with a consomme customized spiciness to your preference. It has all the elements and comfort of Sunday at your grandmother’s house and is a must-try.
Prices are reasonable though not as cheap as a taco truck; Birria is only sold on Friday through Monday.
Runza
Local fast food chains aren’t usually on this sort of a list, however, this one is unique. A Runza sandwich is a baked roll with seasoned ground beef, onion and cabbage. It doesn’t sound great, in fact, I don’t cabbage outside of a Runza, but you must try one, they are amazing.
What makes the locally-owned restaurants (the chain has fewer than 100 locations most of which are in or around Omaha and nearby Lincoln) so special is their attention to detail and quality. The burgers are top-notch, hand-dipped onion rings, and now french onion dip in all locations (do not miss this), are truly exceptional and the prices are “Nebraska nice.”
Runza is an institution in the Cornhusker state and for good reason. Fine dining, it is not, but a must-try; absolutely.
Hiro 88
There was a sushi war in the middle of the US, 1,500 miles from either ocean. Yes, you read that right. Blu Sushi and Sake bar opened with a mission to fly in fresh fish daily to give Omahans a real option for quality sushi. That chain grew to three locations in the city before branching out to Denver, Dallas, Cleveland, and others including Chicago later this year. Hiro 88, however, opened with the same premise but does it better.
Due to this sushi war, both restaurants offer a Happy Hour with half-priced sushi and other items in the afternoon, then Reverse Happy Hour after the kids have gone to bed, and the same half-priced menu all Sunday. With prices that are already a fraction of big city rivals on the coasts, half-price is too good to pass up.
The must-try at Hiro is the pork belly sliders. I have missed our trips to the East the most since COVID and this dish is Asia on a plate.
Hiro 88’s menu is more expansive, less complicated for gluten-free options, feels more local despite both starting in Omaha. I like the new West Omaha location, but we visited the original during the same trip to meet friends – they also have a downtown location as well.
Other Notables
There are too many to mention, but here are some others to try if they are more conducive to your location or schedule.
Conclusion
You may not otherwise go out of your way to visit Omaha. You should, if for nothing else than to visit the Henry Doorly zoo that rivals if not exceeds San Diego. If you find yourself in Omaha check out these local spots, you’ll be glad you did.
What do you think? Have you been to Omaha? Have you tried these? Which is your favorite?
This is some white guy food spots all right !
Went to Omaha for the first time last year for a day or two. More interesting place than I expected. Had Runza for the first time and the fast food world needs more frings.
I’ll contribute La Quartier Bakery and Cafe to the list.
So why did you only last a week waiting tables at Wheatfields? Did you spill a tray of drinks on an unsuspecting customer? Did you duct tape someone to a chair because they refused to remain seated? Inquiring minds want to know…
I had another job at the time and the menu was overly complex with more than 100 menu items and variations within that. I was in high school, already working full-time so I just didn’t need it but I still love to eat there.
Bohemia cafe!
Before they closed, “The Bohunk” was my first stop after getting off the plane. Schvicova, dumplings, sweet and sour cabbage, liver dumpling soup.
Loved that place.
Very good food article. I agree Wheatfield is fabulous. Love all the bakery items. Never have been disappointed.
LucasArts pizza is fabulous. I love the hamburger.
Then Runza is such a unique way to get cabbage in your diet. Regular is my favorite. But do indulge in the Swiss cheese and mushrooms added.
The others I have not tried. But will keep on the list. Thank you again for sharing.
Completely agree about La Casa pizza. Their hamburger/onion pie is phenomenal.
Brought two back to San Diego on United.
The looks from the other passengers was totally worth it.
I could go for one right now!
They ship
What’s your opinion about David Utterback’s Yoshitomo? The Aburi Wagyu could appeal to you.
I haven’t had a chance to get there yet but his Omakase seatings are highly revered. Umami is another one grabbing attention these days but not on the level of Yoshitomo. There’s been talks of Michelin stars and I believe that would make it Nebraska’s only qualifying restaurant.
> The must-try at Hiro is the pork belly sliders. I have missed our trips to the East the most since COVID and this dish is Asia on a plate.
The photo was seductive, the statement was. . .reductive.
Went to Omaha a few years ago for a day trip to see an old friend. He took me to someplace not on your list with the best bar food I’ve ever chowed down on. Wish I could remember the name of it. Also went to the Zoo, of which he was a member so we got all kinds of “perks”. Nice Zoo, not St. Louis or San Diego but one of the better zoos I’ve been to. (Don’t get me started on the atrocity that was (is?) the Denver Zoo when I was there about 15 years ago. Horrid!) But Omaha surprised me, well worth a visit for a day or three.
Lol NOBODY from Omaha would agree with this list. La Casa and Wheatfields are disliked by at least 50% of all Omaha locals. Runza is greasy fast food and he picked like the 7th best sushi in Omaha.
Written for click, shared for the WHIFF… nice try dude.
Lol- Ok Husker, let’s have your top six Sushi spots in order ahead of Hiro, and for that matter, a more quintessentially Omaha pizza establishment than La Casa.
Thanks Kyle – I enjoy these lists. So Hiro really flies their sushi in daily yet maintains prices cheaper than, say, Sugarfish in LA?
Also, did you know that all sushi served in the US has been frozen? This is why I’m wondering why freshness is that important if all sushi is frozen anyway.
I can’t comment on Sugarfish and while I am sure the fish is packed on ice for the flight to the middle of the country, I would be surprised if a seaside restaurant in Maine has to freeze fresh seafood to serve it as sushi – it wouldn’t be the last time I was surprised by the FDA. 🙂
I can say adamantly that the fish is quality and you can taste the freshness.
There is no such thing as “fresh” sushi. It is not packed in ice. It is all frozen, even by seaside restaurants in Maine for the simple fact it kills parasites. Even the very few sushi restaurants in Japan that serve never frozen fish don’t serve it fresh out of the ocean. Fish, just like beef, needs to be aged.
Oma-where?
New hotspot 2022?
Probably not.
One presumes this is the extreme carnivores edition and the more balanced, inclusive, representative version will be forthcoming? Not a single thing here I would eat…
That’s such b*llsh*t man — why should one person’s recommendation list be something that you consider “balanced” or “inclusive?”
People like you are such morons.
@Andy K – You’re my hero.
Why do they need to fly in frozen fish?
Thunderbird Salad is one of Omaha’s oldest and favorites!!!
Former Omaha residents purchase the dressing online from all over the US and Canada. The dressing is also available at Sysco Lincoln in restaurant gallon packaging. The Omaha Press Club is the most notable restaurant to serve the Omaha favorite salad.
Anyone who praises the “freshness” of fish at a sushi restaurant doesn’t know a thing about sushi.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sELqobCIXU
“No more 1966. Let’s splurge! Bring us some fresh wine, the freshest you’ve got. This year, no more of this old stuff!”
McDonald’s again not on someone’s list
I don’t get it.