Places to eat in Nebraska

My lunch at the Range Cafe is a good example of why I enjoy traveling to small towns, and why I am determined to visit every county in the United States at least once in my lifetime. While driving across the sandhills of north-central Nebraska I stopped at mid-day in this small town of 743 people to look for a place to eat. Downtown on Main Street, the Range Cafe looked like the best choice in town. Walking in the front door was like stepping back in time. The building and the business date back to the late 1800s, and they look little changed since that time except for a few modern touches like air conditioning and electric lights. I seriously doubt if the place had seen any major remodeling for 50 years.

The service was friendly, the food was very good, and as I was finishing my meal an elderly gentleman came up to my table and asked if I were a traveling man. Obviously they don't get many tourists in Bassett. We talked for a while, he told me he was a cattle rancher and the owner of the cafe and the adjoining lodge. He offered to show me around. The lodge was a fascinating place, like a living page-out-of-time. In fact, he showed me an actual page - an 1880's newspaper he had recently found in one of the walls of the hotel. On the paper was a note scribbled by one of the builders of the hotel who had placed it in the wall to be found more than a century later.

As my host and I chatted I learned much of the history of the Nebraska Sandhills country, and of the ups and downs of the cattle industry. Bassett, Nebraska and this extraordinary friendly gentleman (I didn't even get his name) offered me one of those magical travel moments, the memory of which I will always treasure.

Favorite Dish: I had the lunch special: Two bratwurst links, mashed potatoes with gravy, buttered corn-on-the-cob, green beans, a trip to the salad bar, and iced tea, all for only $5.50.

A state-wide favorite is Valentino's, a Pizza chain. When in Nebraska you also must try a Runza (also the name of a fast-food chain). These are from Germany, and are browned burger with onions and Saur Kraut wrapped in dough and baked.

Lincoln has several 'must visit' restaurants. These include Lazlo's in the Haymarket district. For the best prime rib anywhere, you must go to Misty's on Havelock Avenue. Finally, if you like Vietnamese food, Vien Dong near the downtown campus is outstanding. I am 'addicted' to their beef lagoo noodle soup.

Edelweiss German Restaurant is not a big fancy place. It has good home made German cooking.
Good food at good prices in a nice clean place... what more could you want?

Favorite Dish: Sampler plate so I could have a little of every thing. I had never been to a German restaurant before. The different sausages, wieners, and brats were my favorite.

I completely recommend the restaurants on the Gambling
Casino River Boats dotting the River between Omaha
and Council Bluffs,Iowa.The Food is excellent in every
single one of them and are Very,Very Popular among
Omaha Residents.It is a place to Have a Good time and
Enjoy good food at an extremely reasonable price.
The Casino Boats (Harvey's for one) are Omaha's answer
to Las Vegas and the Clientele is very,very well dressed.
All the Food is great for an outlandishly low price plus there
is so much to do on the boats.

Favorite Dish: The Steaks are absolutely mouth-watering here at these
Casino boats.Omaha is the home of the Best Steaks
in the World and You will keep coming back for more.
Dont expect an Outrageous bill here either because it's
a Buffet(Like in Las Vegas) at all the Casino Boats.

Gordan Howards/Oregon Trail Wagon Train>>It is an experience in itself. Not ordinary by any means.
Every night there is a cookout followed by fireside 'entertainment'.
The whole evening is spent outdoors. The steak is cooked over an open wood fire. Cooks and everyone else who works every night to make the cookouts possible very nice and interesting people! It's near the river, so there trails to go to the river. 3 cabins that can be rented. Horshoes. Covered Wagon History Tour of Oregon Trail(short/local). Afterwards, all the guests gather around the campfire and sing with the cowboys. It's so much fun! And the sunset is gorgeous! The entire experience is not to be missed!!

Favorite Dish: They are famous for their steak. (16 oz. Ribeye Steaks) The meal also includes: Baked Potato, Creamed Green Beans, Sourdough Bread(to die for!), Homemade Ice Cream, Cowboy Coffee & Iced Tea.

Runza's--It's a chain throughout Nebraska and maybe some other surrounding states(with exception of Iowa). It has wonderful food!!! I've been craving it for years now. But we don't have any anywhere near here.
It is a fast-food restaurant in most cases. Unless you know you like it, don't search one out, well unless of course there's really no other place to eat. It's not fancy or anything. But it is great food!!!!

Favorite Dish: Their specialty is the 'Runza'. It's a cabbage burger. It is bread completely surrounding ground beef and other ingredients. There are all different varieties like all cheese, plain(just meat), and many different other kinds(it's been awhile). Their french fries are wonderful, as well. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.

Valentino's--There are 51 that exist throughout the midwest, although 90% are in Nebraska. Some other states with a couple include: Minnesota, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, Kansas, Iowa. I think that's all.
It's buffet-style eating. Eat as much as you want. Not a bad deal. Nice family atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: Pizza, pasta, dessert, etc. In Norfolk, they usually have warm caramel breadsticks. They are wonderful. The pasta at Valentino's is excellent.

Actually, the best steak places in Omaha, are Itallian. Spaghetti is always a side dish instead of potatoes or a vegetable. I place Piccolo's as the best in Omaha. There are many others that are excellent. See my Omaha, restaurant tips.

Favorite Dish: Steak, filet mignon is excellent.