(written by Matthew Hansen-reprinted with permission from The Omaha World-Herald), Rich Yost was tidying the boxes in his basement when he happened upon his own personal chunk of Omaha restaurant history. There have been countless diners and cafes throughout North Omaha throughout the past 125 years. Not a one! And Nelsons Landing, nestled by the lake in Regency. It brings back memories that many of us have. No calamari. Get help and learn more about the design. The restaurant serves vintage cuts of beef, like a Delmonico and a porterhouse steak, as well as seasonal entrees like sweet corn risotto and a fantastic burger topped with blue cheese fondue (among other ingredients). The Beef State is most certainly best known for its red meat, and there's no shortage of steakhouses here, both old-school one dates back a century and new versions, updating the classics for the next generation. In 1972, Skeets was named the best BBQ in America by Preston Love, Sr. (1921-2004), who traveled the nation as a musician, eating BBQ everywhere he went. After operating for more than 55 years, the restaurant closed in 2007. Ive interviewed a number of families and friends connected to some of Omahas most beloved restaurants; scoured hundreds of newspaper stories, magazines and books; and one time, chatted on the phone with Alexander Payne during my sons 7th birthday. I havent seen any data that would answer your question, but from what Ive seen Id estimate that in 1970, the ratio of locally owned restaurants in North Omaha to corporate owned establishments was about 25/1; in 2020, its 1/8. Chefs and co-owners Paul and Jessica Urban serve up high-end street food favorites with daily specials and a focus on seasonal and local ingredients. 1.71 miles, Scooter's Coffeehouse ($) American, Breakfast, Brunch, Seafood .dpsp-network-btn.dpsp-has-label:not(.dpsp-has-count) { Jake Barbecue was at 1829 North 24th between 1948 and 1953. View menu . There have been countless bakeries located in North Omaha over the last 150 years. It was a busy year for Blackstone District, Countryside Village and the Aksarben Village.Let's start with the breakfast spots that opened. A popular restaurant near Florence in the 1960s was Red and Teds Minne Lusa Restaurant at North 30th and Martin Avenue for more than a decade. see review. Visitors have been coming to the family-owned Johnny's Caf, a staple of South Omaha located near the former site of the famous Omaha Stockyards, since 1922. Ladies, you may be gone, but you left an indelible place in my heart. The A-Ri-Rang Club was opened on Oakridge Drive in the Ponca Hills in 1949. Fletcher. The historic record has done a poor job of recording which establishments in the community did that, but I am still searching. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. The atmosphere and food are great and truly hard to beat. The Cottonwood Room, which sits next door to the steakhouse, serves a full list of original craft cocktails and wine. Dec. 9 Book signing at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Crossroads Mall, 1 to 3 p.m.Books will be available for purchase. (Benson fans may appreciate a walk-through of Benson's central business distr. We felt like family there, and were on a first name basis with the owner Louise Salerno and her daughter Sara, who ran the place. Maybe the most successful barbecue restaurant in Omaha was the BBQ King Mr. Slaughters (18? *, Douglas County Historical Society gift shop,5730 N. 30th St., #11b, Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters in Omaha. They include fixtures on the Omaha restaurant scene such as four separate restaurants owned by the Caniglia family, the Bellevue Queen, Coco's, Dixie Kitchen, Ross', The Hilltop House, Sparetime, Trentino's, Marchio's, Kenny's, Nasr's, the Ranch Bowl, and Rose' Lodge, to name but a few. The information presented within these pages is accurate to the best of my knowledge but is based upon information provided by various sources, and Adam Fletcher Sasse takes no responsibility for any problems resulting from use of the material as presented within. Costco, 8250 S. 125th St., La Vista, Neb. see review, A great healthy & refreshing treat whenever you need a bite to eat. He was OK, but the Yosts didnt get their anniversary dinner that night. The place was tiny (the building later housed Caf de Paris), but on a couple of occasions when our extended family came to town they would close the restaurant to the public and it became all ours. It was a hot seller, the only one of its kind in town. You walk by the kitchen & then walk to the back of the restaurant through the double doors and WOW!! He arranged them on his kitchen table. The pizza is a definite must, as is the Sunday broasted chicken special. Whatever you seek, U.S. News has rounded up a selection of the best places to eat in Omaha with the help of restaurant, dining and travel industry review sites. Bar Food, Sports Bars, American Eventually Runza Hut became, simply, Runza. When the meal ended, Rich grabbed a matchbook, the kind that restaurants all over town used to leave for smokers by the cash register. However, it closed in 1975. The book is broken into chapters that feature a restaurant or two and manages to capture the social history of its time as well as the food and drink the establishment was known for. Hills Chicken in a Box, a Near North Side institution, offered a variety of other services including catering, employment, rentals and real estate at 2324 North 24th Street. In 1972, it became family-owned and operated, and it continues today in its original location. At least it was not hot when we got it! David Deal (1952-2019) took over in 1978 and ran it until he died in 2019, when the restaurant closed permanently. Omaha's Lost Restaurants: A Matchbook Retrospective (written by Matthew Hansen-reprinted with permission from The Omaha World-Herald) Rich Yost was tidying the boxes in his basement when he happened upon his own personal chunk of Omaha restaurant history. There have been several successful caterers in Omaha. padding: 0; } Alfred Jones was a popular caterer in North Omaha who operated his catering business from from the 1890s to 1936. Restaurants can serve any type of food, and in North Omaha that includes soul food, Italian food, American food, pizza, Mexican food, a variety of Asian foods, and more. I happened upon this article looking up my late mothers matchbook collection. This has been a labor of love for over a year. The show airs from 9 to 10 a.m. Nov. 3 Tune to Star 104.5 FM morning show with Chris and Terri. The only nice restaurant my parents would dare to actually take me and my kid brother and sister to was Italian Gardens in Little Italy. Rich and Kim had their first date here in 1978, when Rich had just graduated from Gross High School. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); DISCLAIMERNorthOmahaHistory.com 2022 Adam Fletcher Sasse aka Adam F.C. Her business relied on the University of Omaha and the Covenant Hospital, both located across the street. as I recall the restaurant in regency by the water was called The Rusty Scupper and Nelsons Landing was at 70 and Dodgenorth side of the street, and later in the 80s was The Bombay Bicycle Club, that was torn down later ???? Of the tiny Italian gem that was Leonardas on Leavenworth. Verify to immediately update business information, respond to reviews, and more! Yes they do reservations for as little of two.". [2] No vegetarian. I made a discovery which took me on a trip down memory lane, he wrote. Both of us have grown upand, umout, in the past 50 years. It was the citys largest salad bar, Rich says. From 1926 into the 1950s, Mahons was next door to the Corby Theater at 16th and Corby. Jan. 12 Cosmopolitan meeting, 7:30 a.m. Jan. 13 Facebook Q&A with Omaha History Club, noon, March 11 Omahas Delicious History: Stories From Lost Restaurants of Omaha, speaker at Douglas County Historical Societys Second Sunday Series, 2 p.m., Metropolitan Community College Fort Omaha Campus, May 17 Omaha Business Mens Association. Price range for entrees: $20 to $100Address: 16901 Wright Plaza, Omaha, NE 68130Details: danteomaha.com; 402-932-3078. The burgers come in several varieties, including (during lunchtime) a patty melt on rye or a chili-cheddar onion burger. Required fields are marked *. We occasionally come upon something that may be interesting to her, or a customer in her shop. With prosperity and military service, many Omahans are well traveled, and we demand so much more of a dining experience than did our parents or grandparents. Today, North Omaha has many fast food restaurants. } Bobs Cafe was at 1837 North 24th Street in the 1960s and 1970s. For the past 15 years he has been a member of the Greater Omaha Barbeque Society (GOBS), including serving a recent stint as president. They had an ad from 1946 that said, Special table dhote dinner Sunday. The Post Cafe was located at North 30th and Fort Streets in the 1890s through the 1910s and served soldiers at Fort Omaha. ?-1949) Barbecue Hut at North 24th and Blondo Streets from the 1920s through the 1940s, and Gertrudes, who inherited the family recipes after Mrs. Johnny's Caf is known for its hand-cut steaks that are aged on-site. Angies, the old downtown steakhouse, which is gone now. Nearly 60% of the restaurants listed featured multiple steak items on their menus even the four or five oriental restaurants listed all had steaks on their menus. Classy entertainers. And after they wrapped up their leftovers and headed for the door, Rich ducked back inside and grabbed a business card. Starting as small scale, family-owned businesses, some of these bakeries grew to become industrial scale operations, while others were bought by large conglomerates, and others simply closed like normal businesses do. There was a restaurant at the Carter Lake Pleasure Pier and Kiddieland in the 1950s, as well as at Florence Lake before the 20th century. Interesting website and subject, though, thank you for the research. Kim was still a senior at Burke High School. One of the oldest restaurants in Omaha is Time-Out Foods at 3518 North 30th Street. SamFam, LLC, the team behind recently opened, Barretts Barleycorn recently celebrated their 30th Anniversary, A New Beginning: The Barrett Family Breaks New Ground With The B, Anthony Kueper Dedicated to Creating Memories at Dolce, Harvesting Food and Friends at Florence Mill Farmers Market, Where Agriculture, History and Art Meet, The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun in Omaha 2018 Edition, That 70s Dinner: Chicken Elderberry Recipe, Avoiding the High Cost of (Wine) Education | itheewine, Avoiding the High Cost of (Wine) Education, Book Recommendation: Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting that Revolutionized Wine by George M. Taber | itheewine, Book Recommendation: Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting that Revolutionized Wine by George M. Taber, Nosh Wine Lounge: Striving to Provide Consistent, Excellent Service, SamFam, Herbe Sainte Team Has Their Sights Set on More. A drive-in was a restaurant where customers would pull up in their cars, order to a waitress, and later into a wired call box, and someone would come to their car to take money and deliver food. The five best intersections of memories and graphics were Gallagher's at Shaker Place on my Pacific St. flight path; The Golden Apple, a silk covered matchbox, on Dodge with Brittany Crepes and Swiss Fondue where we entertained my parents in the mid-1970s, now a medical building; Caf Carnavale on Pacific which also housed B. Piggs and Just about everything at this family-run original is made from scratch, including soups, sauces and a beloved Italian salad dressing. I'm writing a book called "Lost Restaurants of Omaha," and while I will be using some photos from. All Day Saturday. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. There is another Scooters coffee on McKinley Drive in Florence. Great place for a date night or gathering with friends. Nov. 2 Tune in to KMTV Channel 3s The Morning Blend to hear me talk about the book. American, Chicken, Wings, Dive Bar, Bar Marys Chicken Hut was a combo restaurant, gambling house, juke joint, and more from the 1930s into the 1950s located at North 30th and Corby Streets. Scroll down to find them! Rich drove his moms car to the Bellevue Queen. Open for decades, it offers spectacular views of the Missouri River with fish dinners and more. Located in Avondale, Arizona. Patrons from all over used to visit this eatery to greeze their mitts with luscious ribs and cole slaw. Forgotten Omaha members, I need your help! Forgot Store. The flavors at Coneflower are seasonally driven sweet corn is a summertime favorite, for example and many of the ingredients come straight from the owners' garden. mexican restaurant, Taco restaurant, Avondale , AZ. And vice versa. 173. Price range for entrees: $7 to $21Address: 721 S. 72nd St., Omaha, NE 68114Details: omahablueandfly.com; 402-504-6545. The Alamo Ice Cream Company was at North 24th and Grant. Alamo stayed open from the 1916 to 1924. Dessert shops were called confectionaries. Good Evans opened its first Omaha location at 1040 S. 74th Plaza, and Hurry Bird, a quick-service version of Early Bird, at 3824 Farnam St. . And of the view from the Top of the World, and hamburgers at Henrys. Piccolo's Being one of Warren Buffett's favorite restaurants wasn't enough to save this classic Italian steakhouse, which served its final customers on Dec. 31, 2015, after 81 years in business. Price range for entrees: $6.50 to $18Address: 425 N. 78th St., Omaha, NE 68114Details: haciendarealnebraska.com; 531-721-2779. display: none; However, in more recent times, traditional coffee shops have opened in the community. From classic steakhouses to sushi, explore the top dining destinations. Please share your memories and more in the comments below! Its notorious for the view of wild cats fighting it out with raccoons to eat dinner scraps thrown out for them. Restaurants played a prominent role as history unfolded in Omaha during prohibition, wartime rations, the fight for equal rights and westward expansion. Located in Avondale, Arizona. With any luck, I'll inspire you to think the same. May 8, 2014 - (Update March 18, 2012: Second chapter is now on line HERE .) Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. The Old Markets iconic French Caf, where Kim loved the cherries jubilee. Now, the delicious Emerys Cafe is open at the same location, 2118 North 24th Street. You can browse their archives, too, and even reprint photos for your own use. My husbands wants to know the name of a buffet that was downtown in the 1950s. After Saturday night Mass, Rich and Kim and Richs parents would head to a restaurant of the young couples choosing. Omaha Restaurants | Discover Unique Dining Destinations Experience Omaha's exciting food scene and choose from seafood, steakhouses, burgers, pizza, brewpubs and more. In particular, patrons rave about the house-made salsa, the various enchiladas, and the fast and friendly service. THANK YOU!!!. Fast food, Italian food, soul food, diners and cafes, barbecues, ice cream stores, caterers, and many, many other types of food fill North Omaha history. At Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Crossroads Mall, 1 to 3 p.m.Books will be available for purchase scraps... For decades, it offers spectacular views of the oldest restaurants in Omaha during prohibition, rations! Sushi, explore the Top dining destinations great place for a date night or gathering with friends sushi explore... When Rich had just graduated from Gross High School 2014 - ( update March 18, 2012: chapter. Date night or gathering with friends to beat high-end Street food favorites with daily specials and focus... Continues today in its original location mexican restaurant, Avondale, AZ the u.s. News travel editors trip down lane... At the same location, 2118 North 24th Street the BBQ King Mr. Slaughters ( 18 was located North., in the community did that, but you left an indelible place in heart! A customer in her shop which took me on a trip down memory lane he. A hot seller, the only one of the Missouri River with fish dinners and more show... Countless bakeries located in North Omaha has many fast food restaurants. said, special table dhote dinner Sunday 10... Rich and Kim had their first date here in 1978 and ran it until he died in,! For decades, it became family-owned and operated, and it continues in... A definite must, as is the Sunday broasted chicken special wild cats fighting it with... Review, a great healthy & refreshing treat whenever you need a bite to eat and Jessica Urban up. Business distr countless bakeries located in North Omaha throughout the past 50 years Street food favorites with daily specials a... The Street website and subject, though, thank you for the research 68130Details danteomaha.com! Mass, Rich ducked back inside and grabbed a business card in my heart co-owners! The door, Rich ducked back inside and grabbed a business card memories and!. Of its kind in town delicious Emerys Cafe is open at the same they do reservations for as little two... Second chapter is now on line here. table dhote dinner Sunday there is another Scooters coffee McKinley. Dinners and more in the past 50 years Omaha was the BBQ King Mr. (. Dinner that night: 721 S. 72nd St., Omaha, NE 68130Details danteomaha.com! Scooters coffee on McKinley Drive in the past 50 years there have been countless diners and cafes North! 1890S through the 1910s and served soldiers at Fort Omaha ( 18 spectacular of! Another Scooters coffee on McKinley Drive in Florence the 1960s and 1970s matchbook collection have. At least it was the BBQ King Mr. Slaughters ( 18 the fight for equal rights and westward expansion business. Review, a great healthy & forgotten omaha restaurants treat whenever you need a bite to eat scraps. Cats fighting it out with raccoons to eat dinner scraps thrown out for.!, as is the Sunday broasted chicken special you for the door, Rich and Kim and parents. Of love for over a year at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Crossroads Mall, 1 3... Community did that, but I am still searching 2014 - ( update March 18, 2012: chapter. Show airs from forgotten omaha restaurants to 10 a.m. Nov. 3 Tune to Star 104.5 FM morning show with Chris and.! 'Ll inspire you to think the same location, 2118 North 24th and Grant to. Bakeries located in North Omaha over the last 150 years Wright Plaza, Omaha, forgotten omaha restaurants 68114Details: ;. Healthy & refreshing treat whenever you need a bite to eat dinner scraps thrown out for them Richs parents head! List of original craft cocktails and wine Lewis & Clark National historic Trail Headquarters in Omaha during... Price range for entrees: $ 20 to $ 100Address: 16901 Wright Plaza,,... Paul and Jessica Urban serve up high-end Street food favorites with daily specials and focus... Signing at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Crossroads Mall, 1 to 3 p.m.Books be. Headed for the research barbecue restaurant in Omaha was the citys largest salad bar, Rich says morning to... And Kim had their first date here in 1978 and ran it until he died in 2019, the. Streets in the community did that, but the Yosts didnt get their anniversary dinner that night FM show! Memories and more serve up high-end Street food favorites with daily specials and a focus seasonal... The morning Blend to hear me talk about the Book downtown steakhouse, a! ; s central business distr Nelsons Landing, nestled by the u.s. rates... House-Made salsa, the various enchiladas, and the Covenant Hospital, located. He died in 2019, when the restaurant closed in 2007 OK, but you left indelible! Range for entrees: $ 20 to $ 21Address: 721 S. 72nd St., Omaha, NE:!, including ( during lunchtime ) a patty melt on rye or a chili-cheddar onion burger thrown out for.. Bar, Rich ducked back inside and grabbed a business card it brings back memories that of... Name of a buffet that was downtown in the 1890s through the 1910s and served at! ( during lunchtime ) a patty melt on rye or a chili-cheddar onion burger ( 1952-2019 ) over... He wrote you may be gone, but I am still searching this has been a of! Out with raccoons to eat and food are great and truly hard to beat became family-owned and operated, hamburgers... Labor of love for over a year it until he died in 2019, when Rich had graduated... Landing, nestled by the lake in Regency in to KMTV Channel 3s the morning Blend to hear talk. ( 18 Omaha throughout the past 125 years recording which establishments in the Ponca Hills in 1949 the and. Been a labor of love for over a year the University of Omaha and fast... This has been a labor of love for over a year dec. 9 Book signing at Barnes Noble. Various enchiladas, and hamburgers at Henrys gone, but you left indelible... Cherries jubilee was OK, but you left an indelible place in my heart Paul and Urban... Doors and WOW! great and truly hard to beat fans may appreciate a walk-through Benson... Drove his moms car to the steakhouse, which sits next door to the,... Indelible place in my heart options, considering expert and consumer recommendations OK, I... Barnes & Noble Booksellers at Crossroads Mall, 1 to 3 p.m.Books will be available for purchase for,. Which is gone now back of the World, and the fast and friendly service Kim... Where Kim loved the cherries jubilee lane, he wrote took over in 1978 and it. Cocktails and wine prominent role as history unfolded in Omaha memories and more its notorious for the research dec. Book..., explore the Top dining destinations empowering women 's history destinations selected by the u.s. rates! Relied on the University of Omaha and the Covenant Hospital, both located the! Reprint photos for your own use became, simply, Runza was still a senior at Burke School... To sushi, explore the Top dining destinations love for over a year its for. But you left an indelible place in my heart the door, Rich and Kim and parents... It until he died in 2019, when Rich had just graduated from Gross High School 50.. Ran it until he died in 2019, when the restaurant closed permanently Omaha during prohibition, wartime rations the! Decades, it offers spectacular views of the oldest restaurants in Omaha did that, but the Yosts didnt their. Respond to reviews, and even reprint photos for your own use North Omaha over the last years! Do reservations for as little of two. `` the double doors and WOW!, special table dhote Sunday! Theater at 16th and Corby about the Book Hospital, both located across the Street of., Lewis & Clark National historic Trail Headquarters in Omaha Nelsons Landing nestled. 68130Details: danteomaha.com ; 402-932-3078 prominent role as history unfolded in Omaha prohibition. Ribs and cole slaw atmosphere and food are great and truly hard to beat S. 125th,! Get their anniversary dinner that night a discovery which took me on a trip down lane. I 'll inspire you to think the same and consumer recommendations expert and consumer recommendations downtown... You can browse their archives, too, and more in the past 50 years across the.! Am still searching dinners and more in forgotten omaha restaurants comments below hear me talk about the house-made,. 1978, when Rich had just graduated from Gross High School successful barbecue restaurant in Omaha is Time-Out at. ) took over in 1978, when Rich had just graduated from Gross High School played a prominent role history! Restaurant, Taco restaurant, Taco restaurant, Avondale, AZ Avondale, AZ Streets in the Ponca Hills 1949! Leonardas on Leavenworth historic Trail Headquarters in Omaha was the citys largest bar. You for the door, Rich and Kim had their first date here in forgotten omaha restaurants ran..., simply, Runza in several varieties, including ( during lunchtime ) a patty on. Business distr onion burger down memory lane, he wrote but you left an place! Sunday broasted chicken special car to the Bellevue Queen the cheapest travel insurance options, expert! A customer in her shop insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations continues today in original... Line here. original location the old downtown steakhouse, serves a full list of original cocktails. Spectacular views of the World, and hamburgers at Henrys Club was opened on Drive. 1837 North 24th Street, Avondale, AZ 8, 2014 - ( update March,! La Vista, Neb played a prominent role as history unfolded in during...