It happens to all of us from time to time: we have to leave Nebraska. Whether it’s temporarily – like just to visit family for the holidays – or permanently, we miss our home dearly when we’re away. One of the things we miss most is the food that reminds us of home. These are the things we either can’t find outside of Nebraska or that just don’t taste the same anywhere else.
- Steak
flickr/Shelby L. Bell Let’s just get this one out of the way first, because it’s pretty much the most important. You can get a steak just about anywhere in the world, but none of them taste as good as fresh Nebraska beef that was raised just a few miles away.
- Valentino’s Pizza
TripAdvisor/WayneMcPherson Love it or hate it - and I honestly don’t think there’s an in-between - Valentino’s tastes like home. If you’ve never tried a cheeseburger pizza right from the buffet, you’re truly missing out.
- Dorothy Lynch
Facebook/Dorothy Lynch I’ve heard reports that you can buy our beloved orange dressing in a few other states now, so at least now you can get a taste of home if you have to leave. Just don’t expect the typical Nebraska grocery store conversation with strangers when you’re buying it anywhere else.
- Cheese Frenchees
flickr/Neil Conway These deep fried triangles (or squares if you’re a rebel) of heavenly deliciousness originated at King’s Food Host in Lincoln. They’re more or less grilled cheese sandwiches made with mayo, then breaded and fried. Ask for that in most other states and you’ll be greeted with a look of utter confusion.
- Reubens
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM You can actually order these almost anywhere in the country (and probably in plenty of other countries, too) but they’re only authentic Reubens in Nebraska. This is where they were invented, and this is where they were perfected.
- Runza
flickr/Michael McLean Nothing can compare to the unique mixture of meat, cabbage, and onions stuffed into a little pocket of bread and served wrapped in paper. Don’t forget to order some frings to go with it! And in the winter, temperature Tuesdays and chili with cinnamon rolls always give us something to look forward to.
- Rocky Mountain Oysters
flickr/jan go I may be cheating just a little on this one, because this delicacy didn’t originate in Nebraska, and you can get them in a whole lot of other places. When you eat them in Nebraska, though, you’re getting the freshest of the fresh, and that kind of quality is hard to find elsewhere.
- Ribs
flickr/Mike Other states can argue all they want about who makes the best BBQ sauce or rub. We know that the best BBQ comes from the best meat, and our many, many rib festivals are proof.
- Red Hot Dogs
Fairbury Oh, those Wimmers Wieners. Or Fairbury hot dogs, if you’re a little younger. There’s really nothing more Nebraskan than these bright red dogs… except maybe having them shot at you from Der Wiener Schlinger at a Huskers game.
Are you hungry yet? My stomach is rumbling. When your Nebraska food cravings get to be too much for you and you come home for some great food, don’t forget to try these restaurants.
flickr/Shelby L. Bell
Let’s just get this one out of the way first, because it’s pretty much the most important. You can get a steak just about anywhere in the world, but none of them taste as good as fresh Nebraska beef that was raised just a few miles away.
TripAdvisor/WayneMcPherson
Love it or hate it - and I honestly don’t think there’s an in-between - Valentino’s tastes like home. If you’ve never tried a cheeseburger pizza right from the buffet, you’re truly missing out.
Facebook/Dorothy Lynch
I’ve heard reports that you can buy our beloved orange dressing in a few other states now, so at least now you can get a taste of home if you have to leave. Just don’t expect the typical Nebraska grocery store conversation with strangers when you’re buying it anywhere else.
flickr/Neil Conway
These deep fried triangles (or squares if you’re a rebel) of heavenly deliciousness originated at King’s Food Host in Lincoln. They’re more or less grilled cheese sandwiches made with mayo, then breaded and fried. Ask for that in most other states and you’ll be greeted with a look of utter confusion.
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
You can actually order these almost anywhere in the country (and probably in plenty of other countries, too) but they’re only authentic Reubens in Nebraska. This is where they were invented, and this is where they were perfected.
flickr/Michael McLean
Nothing can compare to the unique mixture of meat, cabbage, and onions stuffed into a little pocket of bread and served wrapped in paper. Don’t forget to order some frings to go with it! And in the winter, temperature Tuesdays and chili with cinnamon rolls always give us something to look forward to.
flickr/jan go
I may be cheating just a little on this one, because this delicacy didn’t originate in Nebraska, and you can get them in a whole lot of other places. When you eat them in Nebraska, though, you’re getting the freshest of the fresh, and that kind of quality is hard to find elsewhere.
flickr/Mike
Other states can argue all they want about who makes the best BBQ sauce or rub. We know that the best BBQ comes from the best meat, and our many, many rib festivals are proof.
Fairbury
Oh, those Wimmers Wieners. Or Fairbury hot dogs, if you’re a little younger. There’s really nothing more Nebraskan than these bright red dogs… except maybe having them shot at you from Der Wiener Schlinger at a Huskers game.
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