If there’s one thing we Nebraskans love almost as much as great beef, it’s a hearty serving of nostalgia. And if we can get both together, well, that just sounds like the perfect recipe for a great meal.
Stella’s has been serving delicious burgers in Bellevue since 1936 when Estelle Francois Sullivan Tobler and her husband opened a tiny tavern built onto the side of their home. That’s right - these burgers have been delighting taste buds for more than 80 years.
Stella’s Bar & Grill
Everything here is made to order from fresh ingredients. Each burger is 6 1/2 ounces of hand-pressed, fresh ground beef that’s never seen the inside of a freezer. Stella’s secret recipes have been handed down through the years so that the burger you eat today tastes like the first one you tried years ago.
Yelp/Tutti S. The Staple Burger, pictured above, includes cheese, a fried egg, and bacon. (All the staples of a hearty meal, get it?)
Your burger will come on a Rotella’s bun that was just delivered that morning. Rotella’s makes some of the tastiest bread in the state, so when you pair it with some of the tastiest burgers in the state you know you’re in for a treat.
Yelp/T B. The Pastrami Burger is pictured above: a single patty, Swiss cheese, stone ground mustard and FIVE SLICES of pastrami served on an onion bun. Yum.
If the standard single isn’t enough for you, add on another patty for good measure. Or try some of the extra toppings: jalapeño bacon, peanut butter, jelly, a fried egg, a slice of ham…or any of the less quirky options.
Yelp/Michael S. Above is a double Southwest Burger: topped with Swiss and American cheeses, two onion rings, and BBQ sauce.
If you’re extra hungry - or just into rising to a challenge (or punishing your belly), take a shot at destroying the Stellanator. The world-famous four-pound burger comes loaded with six beef patties, six fried eggs, six pieces of cheese, 12 slices of bacon, lettuce, tomato, fried onions, pickles, jalapeños, and peanut butter, all on a bun. If you accept the challenge, you have 45 minutes to eat all of that plus an order of fries.
Stella’s Bar & Grill Only 4% of people who take the Stellanator challenge are successful. If you’re one of the winners, you won’t have to pay for the massive burger. You’ll also get an “I Crushed The Stellanator” t-shirt and your picture on the Wall of Fame. Fail and you’ll have to pay $35 and see your picture hung on the Wall of Shame.
It’s not a regular menu item, but Stella’s has been known to serve burgers on donut buns. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it - we hear it’s amazing.
Yelp/Heather J. You might have noticed that the burgers are served on napkins here instead of plates. Just be careful not to inhale the napkin as you wolf down your burger. You can request that your burger be served in a basket instead, but that’s not exactly the authentic Stella’s experience.
We don’t know why you’d ever want to eat anything other than burgers here, but Stella’s also serves a selection of other sandwiches.
Yelp/Yon C. This is the BLT with an egg. You’ll also find beef or chicken Philly sandwiches, huge pork tenderloins, grilled ham and cheese, and more.
There’s even a black bean veggie burger on the menu.
Yelp/Ramon B. You might expect it to be sub-par coming from a beef-centric restaurant, but like everything else at Stella’s it’s absolutely delicious.
Stella’s side dishes could be a meal all on their own. The french fries, sweet potato waffle fries, and onion rings are fried to crispy perfection.
Yelp/Tracy T. I like to put them right on my burger, but you might want to savor them on their own.
There’s also a full bar for those who like a bit of a buzz with their burger. Sip on a beer while you eat, or go for something a bit stronger.
Yelp/Steven C. Be sure to try the Stella Tsunami: Captain Morgan, Malibu Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, & grenadine. Or if your stomach can handle it along with a burger, try one of their outstanding (and filling) Bloody Marys.
No matter what you order, Stella’s has the kind of nostalgic vibe that few burger joints can pull off. Their recipe has proven itself throughout generations, and we’re sure it will continue filling bellies for many more generations.
Yelp/Frank S.
Stella’s has grown from a tiny room tacked on to the side of a tiny house to a standalone building. It was once a dive with an “additional seating” area that looked a little like it would fall over with a strong breeze. Today, it has been remodeled and enjoys national fame. Stella passed away in 1985 but her legacy lives on in every delicious patty.
Stella’s Bar & Grill
Yelp/Tutti S.
The Staple Burger, pictured above, includes cheese, a fried egg, and bacon. (All the staples of a hearty meal, get it?)
Yelp/T B.
The Pastrami Burger is pictured above: a single patty, Swiss cheese, stone ground mustard and FIVE SLICES of pastrami served on an onion bun. Yum.
Yelp/Michael S.
Above is a double Southwest Burger: topped with Swiss and American cheeses, two onion rings, and BBQ sauce.
Only 4% of people who take the Stellanator challenge are successful. If you’re one of the winners, you won’t have to pay for the massive burger. You’ll also get an “I Crushed The Stellanator” t-shirt and your picture on the Wall of Fame. Fail and you’ll have to pay $35 and see your picture hung on the Wall of Shame.
Yelp/Heather J.
You might have noticed that the burgers are served on napkins here instead of plates. Just be careful not to inhale the napkin as you wolf down your burger. You can request that your burger be served in a basket instead, but that’s not exactly the authentic Stella’s experience.
Yelp/Yon C.
This is the BLT with an egg. You’ll also find beef or chicken Philly sandwiches, huge pork tenderloins, grilled ham and cheese, and more.
Yelp/Ramon B.
You might expect it to be sub-par coming from a beef-centric restaurant, but like everything else at Stella’s it’s absolutely delicious.
Yelp/Tracy T.
I like to put them right on my burger, but you might want to savor them on their own.
Yelp/Steven C.
Be sure to try the Stella Tsunami: Captain Morgan, Malibu Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, & grenadine. Or if your stomach can handle it along with a burger, try one of their outstanding (and filling) Bloody Marys.
Yelp/Frank S.
This classic burger joint is located at 106 S Galvin Road, Bellevue, NE 68005. It’s open Monday-Saturday, 11am – 9pm. If possible, try to go at an off time or call in your lunch order to go. If you show up for a table during lunch you’ll be confronted with a line going out of the door and down the sidewalk. It’s worth the wait, though.
We’ve talked about burgers quite a bit in the past – here are our Nebraska burger bucket list, 10 great burger places, and 30 MORE great burger places. Where do you go when you want nostalgia on a bun? Tell us about your favorite nostalgic burger joint in the comments!
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