The restaurant industry is notoriously difficult, with most new establishments failing within the first three years. When a restaurant can stay open for decades, you know it’s got to be a high-quality place. These Nebraska restaurants have been serving terrific meals for ages, and there are good reasons they’re so beloved.
- King Fong, Omaha
Yelp/Swayla J. King Fong is known as Omaha’s oldest restaurant. The downtown favorite has served excellent Chinese food in a unique setting since the early 1920s. As of the time of publication, King Fong has been closed for renovations for the past year and there’s no word on when it will reopen. 315 1/2 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102
- Dave’s Place, North Platte
Yelp/Brandon A. Dave’s is North Platte’s longest-standing pizza place; it opened in the ’70s and has been going strong ever since. It’s under new ownership these days, and we can’t wait to see it thrive for another 40 years at least.1510 E 4th St, North Platte, NE 69101
- Glur’s Tavern, Columbus
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Glur’s is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant in the state, having first opened around 1876. Buffalo Bill and his entourage passed through here in 1883, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.2301 11th St, Columbus, NE 68601
- Johnny’s Cafe, Omaha
Yelp/Justin S. Johnny’s is a legendary Omaha institution that’s been serving fresh steaks since 1922. It’s always been family owned, and many Omahans have grown up making regular visits to Johnny’s. Their steaks are aged onsite, and the interior is a sweet throwback to the Omaha of yesteryear.4702 S 27th St, Omaha, NE 68107
- Hyannis Hotel Restaurant, Hyannis
Hyannis Hotel For more than 100 years, locals have been coming to the restaurant at Hyannis Hotel for home-cooked meals. It was built in 1898, and today a pictorial history of the Sandhills greets visitors as they walk in.102 Main Ave, Hyannis, NE 69350
- Ken and Dale’s Restaurant, Alliance
Yelp/Jeanine B. This unassuming restaurant in Alliance has been around for more than 30 years, serving all kinds of Nebraska standards like fried chicken, burgers, sandwiches and more.123 W 3rd St, Alliance, NE 69301
- Lee’s Chicken, Lincoln
Yelp/Linda P. Lee’s, the oldest restaurant in Lincoln, opened for business in 1945. Since then they’ve been providing Lincoln with quality fried chicken and live entertainment in the form of an on-site organ player. 1940 W Van Dorn St, Lincoln, NE 68522
- Murphy’s Wagon Wheel, Hastings
Google Streetview Midwestern comfort food is a staple at this Hastings tavern. They’ve been open for 45 years, and their beer is still some of the coldest in Hastings.107 N Lincoln Ave, Hastings, NE 68901
- The Drover, Omaha
Yelp/Jon B. Every steak lover knows the Drover. It’s been open for almost 50 years, and their whiskey-marinated steaks are always totally on point. The rustic interior is a comfy place to settle in and enjoy an evening meal.2121 S 73rd St, Omaha, NE 68124
- Orsi’s Italian Bakery & Pizzeria
Yelp/John S. In the great pizza debate, Orsi’s has tons of devoted fans. Their pizzas have been delighting patrons since 1919, and recently they won #1 Pizza in Omaha in the 2016 Omaha’s Choice Awards.621 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68108
- Scotty’s Drive-In, Scottsbluff
Facebook/Scotty’s Drive In Scotty’s is a Scottsbluff favorite that’s been delighting diners for more than 50 years. This retro-styled drive in has legendary fries that you’ve got to try when you’re in town.618 E 27th St, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
These restaurants have only gotten better with age. There are plenty more historic restaurants out there in Nebraska – what’s your favorite? Share with us in the comments.
Yelp/Swayla J.
King Fong is known as Omaha’s oldest restaurant. The downtown favorite has served excellent Chinese food in a unique setting since the early 1920s. As of the time of publication, King Fong has been closed for renovations for the past year and there’s no word on when it will reopen. 315 1/2 S 16th St, Omaha, NE 68102
Yelp/Brandon A.
Dave’s is North Platte’s longest-standing pizza place; it opened in the ’70s and has been going strong ever since. It’s under new ownership these days, and we can’t wait to see it thrive for another 40 years at least.1510 E 4th St, North Platte, NE 69101
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Glur’s is the oldest continuously-operating restaurant in the state, having first opened around 1876. Buffalo Bill and his entourage passed through here in 1883, and the building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.2301 11th St, Columbus, NE 68601
Yelp/Justin S.
Johnny’s is a legendary Omaha institution that’s been serving fresh steaks since 1922. It’s always been family owned, and many Omahans have grown up making regular visits to Johnny’s. Their steaks are aged onsite, and the interior is a sweet throwback to the Omaha of yesteryear.4702 S 27th St, Omaha, NE 68107
Hyannis Hotel
For more than 100 years, locals have been coming to the restaurant at Hyannis Hotel for home-cooked meals. It was built in 1898, and today a pictorial history of the Sandhills greets visitors as they walk in.102 Main Ave, Hyannis, NE 69350
Yelp/Jeanine B.
This unassuming restaurant in Alliance has been around for more than 30 years, serving all kinds of Nebraska standards like fried chicken, burgers, sandwiches and more.123 W 3rd St, Alliance, NE 69301
Yelp/Linda P.
Lee’s, the oldest restaurant in Lincoln, opened for business in 1945. Since then they’ve been providing Lincoln with quality fried chicken and live entertainment in the form of an on-site organ player. 1940 W Van Dorn St, Lincoln, NE 68522
Google Streetview
Midwestern comfort food is a staple at this Hastings tavern. They’ve been open for 45 years, and their beer is still some of the coldest in Hastings.107 N Lincoln Ave, Hastings, NE 68901
Yelp/Jon B.
Every steak lover knows the Drover. It’s been open for almost 50 years, and their whiskey-marinated steaks are always totally on point. The rustic interior is a comfy place to settle in and enjoy an evening meal.2121 S 73rd St, Omaha, NE 68124
Yelp/John S.
In the great pizza debate, Orsi’s has tons of devoted fans. Their pizzas have been delighting patrons since 1919, and recently they won #1 Pizza in Omaha in the 2016 Omaha’s Choice Awards.621 Pacific St, Omaha, NE 68108
Facebook/Scotty’s Drive In
Scotty’s is a Scottsbluff favorite that’s been delighting diners for more than 50 years. This retro-styled drive in has legendary fries that you’ve got to try when you’re in town.618 E 27th St, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
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