Restaurant Hoppen

Preston Vaughn & Sarah Czaplewski—Nocturnal Eats

20 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The best part of a food truck is its adaptability, as a truck allows for an ever-changing menu, hours, location, etc. Nocturnal Eats, the food truck s...

Timothy Bader—Volcanic Peppers

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As the owner of a burgeoning hot sauce company, few in Omaha know peppers and spice like Timothy. But as our discussion unveils, Volcanic Peppers is a...

Burger Bash w/ Jack Heiman, Nick Joubert, & Luke Staver (LIVE)

06 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There are few things more quintessentially American than burgers, so why not bring in 3 of Omaha's burger experts to talk about them? Chefs from Nomad...

Alex Harrington—Untamed Kitchen

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Is it possible for a meal out to be both healthy and delicious? That was the question Alex Harrington set out to answer, and Untamed Kitchen delivers ...

Bill Radtke & Kevin Shinn - Ybor

23 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Bill Radtke has two great passions: Cuban sandwiches and helping formerly incarcerated individuals rediscover their value and get back into society. W...

Nick Strawhecker & Seth Lacy—Dante (LIVE)

25 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The restaurant industry is really rough, and making it 3-5 years is an achievement. And then there's Dante, entering year 15 in business with no signs...

Brenda Cazares—La Sierra

18 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

There's a lot of great Mexican food, but nothing like La Sierra. This restaurant brings a taste of Durango and its unique gorditas and burritos to Oma...

Tim Steinbach & Doug Case—Ooh de Lally

11 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ooh de Lally would be an excellent restaurant if all it did was serve excellent food. But on top of thrilling diners with delicious plates, this Dunde...

Nick Hyde—Hyde's Slydes Burgers & Fries

04 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nick has had the concept of and the passion for his own burger joint since high school, but some detours took him out of the restaurant industry. But ...

Will & Rachel Birge, Matt Widger—Mealbox (LIVE)

28 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you that you could get restaurant-quality meals delivered to your doorstep, ready after only a few minutes in the microwave? Crazy as i...

Joel Lavelle & Andrew Clow—Proof and Proof 192

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What goes into the creation of a high-end whiskey bar? What's the R&D process to make craft cocktails? And how do bartenders express themselves throug...

Carlos & Palmyra Mendez—Rotisserie Urban Bistro

14 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Though they grew up in different countries on different continents, rotisserie chicken was an important food to both Carlos and Palmyra growing up. An...

Arthur Lalikian - Omaha Kebabs

07 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Arthur had almost no restaurant experience before moving to Omaha and opening his restaurant in 2021, but he just had to share his Armenian food and ...

Carlos Mendez, Tim Maides, & Roberto Garcia—Dolomiti (LIVE)

29 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Omaha can't get enough of the newest addition to Omaha's pizza scene. This unique Neapolitan/New York combo dough is bringing customers like few resta...

Jose Aviles—Aviles Latin Market

22 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Tired of having to drive to South Omaha to get great Latin food and groceries, this long-time of the restaurant industry opened his own place! Hear Jo...

Jack Heiman—Nomadic Jack's

15 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Heiman has always had a knack for making great burgers, but he never planned on making a food concept out of it. But friends pushed him to do pop...

Matt Taylor—MJT Hospitality

08 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

New or struggling restaurants may need some help getting off the ground, and that's where consultants like Matt come in. We discuss the role of a rest...

DDD Recap with Dirty Birds, Kitchen Table, & Izzy's Pizza Bus (LIVE)

01 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's it like to be on the Food Network and meet Guy Fieri? Just how intense and chaotic is the filming process? The owners of these three restaurant...

Jon & Bonnie Taylor—Sand Point

25 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This mother/son duo has incredible memories of spending summers in the New England area, so they decided to bring that cuisine to Omaha. Starting with...

Joel Hassanali & Ashley Young—Sugared Ledge

18 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Joel Hassanali is a lifelong savory chef, but when the Young family opened Salted Edge, they also wanted a bakery. So Joel gave himself a donut crash ...

Abby Jordan & Becky App—eCreamery Ice Cream

11 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In 2006, two people with little to no professional food experience set out to do something completely new: not only open an ice cream shop, but ship i...

Wyatt Kosalka & Luke Staver—Block 16

04 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What's it like to work at Block 16, one of Omaha's most beloved restaurants? Why not ask its first ever sous chefs?! Wyatt and Luke pull back the curt...

Best of Omaha Restaurants; 2023 Edition

31 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As the calendar turns to 2024, I look back and hand out awards for my best meals of 2023 to celebrate the restaurants that served them and help you pl...

Jen Miller & Kevin Dohrmann—Miller Dohrmann Farm

28 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since retiring from corporate jobs, this couple started an Omaha farm that's now sourcing the best of the best Omaha restaurants. Au Courant, Block 16...

Ashish & Kim Sathyan—Kinaara (LIVE)

21 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The owners of Omaha's most popular Indian restaurant discuss getting diners to branch out from familiar dishes to try plates from Kerala (India), wher...

Ryan Barry—Willie Dogs

14 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Someday, Ryan's goal is to have his signature hot dog, the Willie Dog, as not only a must-try Omaha food, but also mentioned among America's iconic do...

Mo Abdallah & Faysal Fahmy—Gyro Kings

07 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Omaha has some great gyro spots, but nothing like the New York street gyros that Mo grew up eating. That style, combined with the Egyptian twists he a...

LIVE Brunch podcast—Chase Thomsen, Meghan McLarney, & Christian Brabec

30 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all love breakfast and brunch, right? So why not get the people who do it better than anyone in Omaha and pick their brains about this beloved meal...

Joel Hassanali & Tierra Hope—Salted Edge

22 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Salted Edge provides an experience few other restaurants in Omaha can, and it has this duo to thank for that. We discuss the restaurant's origins, how...

Eric Gabrynowicz—Tupelo Honey

16 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tupelo Honey has been a beloved landmark restaurant in Asheville, NC, since 2000, and now Eric, a 4-time James Beard Award Semifinalist, is bringing i...

Amber Sanne—The Baking Flamingos

09 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sweet & savory, trendy & traditional, this bakery can supply whatever baked goods you in crave! But while it's running on all cylinders now, The Bakin...

Andrew Novak—The Mercato (Certified Piedmontese)

02 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After a career of working in kitchens, Andrew is taking on a different part of the food world as he runs Omaha's location of The Mercato. We discuss h...

David Mark Young—Golden Sheaf Bourbon

26 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We dive into the world of whiskey with the man who resurrected an Omaha whiskey brand that lay dormant for over 100 years. David has brought Golden Sh...

Jess & Paul Urban—Block 16 (LIVE)

19 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Urbans intended on opening a fine dining restaurant or a European bistro. What they got was a sandwich shop, and despite a series of trials and se...

Clare Watson Bartolomei, Colin Dorwart, Corina Figueroa—Fig

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

With new development and the Kiewit Luminarium, the Riverfront in downtown Omaha is undergoing a transformation. At the heart of it is Fig., a sister ...

Linda Lichtenwalter & Chris Larkin—The Pie Fairy

05 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Whether sweet or savory, this couple is more than happy to meet all your pie needs. This pie delivery service is redefining what pies can be, deliveri...

John Huftless—Dinker's Bar & Grill

28 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

An Omaha staple since 1965, Dinker's has long been beloved for its burgers and low-key atmosphere. Kitchen manager John Huftless discusses the awesome...

Blane Hunter, Scott Fogle, and Craig Ryon—LIVE BBQ Bash

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Three of the most talented BBQ cooks in Omaha bring their minds together to dish on all things 'que. These masters of meat discuss social media feuds,...

Jean George - Lyle’s Pizzeria

14 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A few years ago, Jean never would’ve imagined she’d be operating a pizzeria. But then she found a love for dough and bread, an opportunity arose, ...

Andrew Wassinger - Sandhills Elixir

07 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Let’s talk zero-proof cocktails! The co-founder of Sandhills Elixir discusses the movement toward NA spirits and how his company has ridden the wav...

Jon Stastny, Collin Adkisson, & Rolando Valadez—LIVE food truck rally

31 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all love food trucks, but do we really understand what it takes to get them started and keep them in operation? The owners of Wonton Jon's, Mootz, ...

Nino Coniglio & Aaron McCann—Williamsburg Pizza

24 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

World-renowned pizza maker Nino and Omaha native Aaron partnered to create Williamsburg Pizza in New York, and its grown to become one of the NY's fav...

Ahmad & Mahmod Al-Ramadan—Zaytuna

17 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Don't mind that these brothers are both under 23 years old. Through immeasurable hours of work, these natives of Jordan are serving arguably the best ...

Aires & Judy Reis—Reis' Bakery

10 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These two are not professional bakers, and they never had an ambitions of opening a bakery. But they fell in love with pastries, breads, and desserts ...

Jake Heiliger—Wine, Beer, and Spirits

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How did an old Toys R Store store evolve into the fastest-growing spirit provider in Nebraska? Chief Operating Officer Jake Heiliger joins the podcast...

David Losole, Nick Strawhecker, & Matt Frampton—LIVE Pizza Party Podcast

27 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We got together three of Omaha's pizza maestros to talk about all things pizza. David Losole (Virtuoso Pizzeria), Matt Frampton (Urban Slicer Pizza Wo...

Makenna & Gaston Medrano—Solful Cafe

20 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The father-daughter connection is just one of the many aspects of Solful Cafe that makes this Inner Rail Food Hall inhabitant fascinating. From the au...

Drew & Michelle Statz—Semo Pasta + Wine

13 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Drew and Michelle have carved out successful careers working in other people's restaurants, but Semo is their opportunity to really show who they are ...

Hank Shields—Omaha Bagel Co.

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Hank had no experience making bagels or working in the restaurant industry, but he saw the ability to fill a niche no one else in Omaha was: homemade ...

Brett & Cherish Geiger—Izzy's Pizza Bus (LIVE)

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These two had no restaurant experience but a passion for pizza. Their dedication led to starting a school bus, thrilling the Las Vegas pizza market, a...

Scott Fogle—Mission Ave BBQ

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Scott cut his teeth at some of Austin's finest BBQ restaurants, and now he's brought that expertise to Nebraska. If you want Texas-style BBQ, this is ...

Amanda & Amya Frazier—Barb's Breakfast Bar

15 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These sisters carry on their late mother's legacy by cooking the same classic, delicious breakfast dishes she made for them growing up. Hear how this ...

Meghan McLarney & Jennifer Maguire—Lemon Tree Cafe

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

These two sisters each own and operate their own restaurants, so why did they decide to open one together this year in Ralston? Because they wanted to...

Isaiah Renner & Scot Sayles—Dire Lion Grille & Chippy

01 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Isaiah had no idea if Omahans would go for a food truck serving British pub food in 2016, but Dire Lion is still thriving 7 years later. The owners of...

Michelle Alfaro—Sauced by Alfaro (LIVE)

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the first live recording of the podcast, Michelle Alfaro details details how she takes the time and care to make you feel like every meal at Sauced...

Hailey Vinter—Crumb Coat & Chill

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

After starting her food career in restaurants and bakeries, Hailey left the industry... but she couldn't stay away. She ended up opening crumb coat & ...

Elie & Miny Berchal—Elie's Chinchorro

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Elie seeks to send her customers to Puerto Rico for a few hours when they visit her restaurant, and everything from the "boom" of the flavors to the b...

Blane Hunter—Porky Butts BBQ

04 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Few men in the Midwest have the BBQ credentials that Blane Hunter does. He's proven his meat smoking proficiency both on the competition BBQ circuit a...

Dylan Thompson & Jamen Danielson—Clean Slate Food Co.

27 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Since its inception in 2018, Clean Slate Food Co. has blossomed from a tiny catering service in co-owner Dylan's kitchen to a weekly meal delivery ser...

Holly Benson—Kitchen Council

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Put simply, Kitchen Council helps start-ups start up. This incubator for young businesses not only provides kitchen space and state-of-the-art machine...

Colin & Jessica Duggan—Kitchen Table

13 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Colin & Jessica's commitment to not only local products, but building dishes from the ground up based off what's fresh and available, is downright ast...

Katina Talley—Know Good Eats; Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop

06 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The owner of one of Omaha's most beloved bakeries discusses how the business has involved and the process of finding and opening a second location. We...

Lauren Wright & Alexis Jensen—Conscious Comforts

30 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lauren's food journey began when she realized she could overcome a medical condition by monitoring her diet, namely gluten and dairy intake. But she s...

Kristina Kalian—Kravings Cookies

23 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Kristina developed a love for baking from her grandma at a young age and spent years perfecting her chocolate chip cookie recipe. But she didn't origi...

Ahmad Nazar—Ahmad's Persian Cuisine

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

For more than 30 years, Ahmad has been introducing diners to Persian food, serving them spices and dishes they've never experienced before. From his u...

Nichole Bartlett, Scott Taff, and Vincent Rissell—OCookieOs

09 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when you combine the chewy consistency of a cake donut with the crisp edges of a cookie? You get OCookieOs, a brand that is quickly staki...

Mike Barstow, Dan Watts, and Tyler Schaeffer ACX Theaters, Backlot Pizza + Kitchen, Inkwell

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Experiential dining is a rising trend in American food culture, and this crew is showing why. By combining restaurant-quality food and inspired drink ...

Ben Mohl & Joe Finegan—Certified Piedmontese

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Beef that's leaner and lower in calories than traditional beef, but it tastes better? That might sound too good to be true, but anyone who's had Certi...

Kathy & Scott Silvey—A Catered Affair

16 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The Silveys had no catering experience when they left their corporate restaurant jobs to open their own catering business in 2007, but you'd never it ...

JT Aegnor & Gabriel Bowser—A Foreign Taste

09 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This team is doing bold things at A Foreign Taste: their aim is to introduce Omaha to global wines and enter the upper echelon of Omaha's fine dining ...

Larissa Codr—The Finicky Cookie

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Cookies, epic side hustles, and Food Network appearances; this episode has it all. Larissa explains how she became obsessed with cookies, the science ...

James Hawk—J's Smokehouse

26 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What if I told you some of Omaha's best BBQ was coming out of a food truck outside a karate gym in Papillion? It's not crazy, as anyone who's been to ...

Chloe Tran—The Banh Mi Shop

19 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Chloe moved to the Omaha from Vietnam, she couldn't find any restaurants serving banh mi sandwiches like the ones she enjoyed at home. So she ope...

Joe Cong—Blue & Fly Asian Kitchen

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Joe moved from China to Omaha at the age of 21, he was disappointed that he couldn't find the traditional dishes he loved weren't available (sorr...

Rolando Valadez—Alley Taco 402

05 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

On the surface, Alley Taco 402 is a food truck serving some of the best tacos in Omaha. But it goes further than that, as owner Rolando Valadez is usi...

Yuvi Kolbar - Yuvi’s Bake Shop

29 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Yuvi’s story from growing up in Israel to selling French pastries and desserts is wild, and it showcases what makes her such a passionate, amazing b...

Javier Trujillo Villa—Javi's Tacos

22 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Javi's Tacos has opened 3 locations and 2 food trucks in just 2 years; how did it achieve such wild success out of the gate? To hear own Javier Trujil...

Brad, Kyle, & Jake Jukes—Jukes Ale Works

15 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Delicious, wildly creative beers, salted caramel wings, sweat-inducing Nashville hot chicken sandwiches... there's no place quite like Jukes Ale Works...

Cory Fuller—Pulled BBQ

08 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cory Fuller promised his wife he'd never open a restaurant. But the raving compliments this home smoker got on his smoked meats were too powerful to i...

Erick Landa—Centi

01 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Omaha was missing a gelato destination... that is, until Erick opened Centi in the summer of 2022. This detail-obsessed dessert magician delights Omah...

David Utterback—Koji

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Already a James Beard-nominated chef and owner of Yoshitomo, Omaha's top sushi restaurant, David Utterback wanted a spot in Omaha where he could eat o...

Bryon Compton—Graley's Creamery & Confections

17 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Super premium ice cream, homemade hand pies and soup, a welcoming atmosphere that takes you back in time... what else could you want from an ice cream...

Erin Palladino—PepperJax

10 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As PepperJax celebrates its 20th anniversary, its COO joins the show to discuss how it grew from humble beginnings in Omaha in 2002 to a major brand w...

Matt Taylor - Inner Rail Food Hall

03 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

As someone who’s worked at all levels of the restaurant industry, Matt brings a unique perspective and ability to coach all the various independent ...

Dan Benigno—Chef Around the Block

27 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Dan Benigno is passionate about two things: making people happy through food and empowering the next generation of cooks. He accomplishes both at Chef...

Stacie Van Cleave & Matt Hyde—Veg.edible

20 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Vegan. Gluten-free. Nut-free. Stacie Van Cleave wanted to provide delicious food for everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions and preferences—th...

Moses Moseley, Dan Whalen, & Cassie Jacobs—Dirty Birds

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

What started as a tiny pop-up has blown up into Omaha's favorite fried chicken joint in just two years... how did it happen? The Dirty Birds trio desc...

Kevin Wyatt & Isaiah Renner—Trucks & Taps

06 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Two food truck veterans had a crazy/brilliant idea: to create a food truck hub that not only attracted customers in droves, but also helped incubate y...

Michael Ozmun Jr.—Dairy Chef

29 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Ozmun family basically grew up at Dairy Chef, so when the opportunity to buy the iconic drive-in in 2013, they couldn't pass it up. Hear the story...

Jennifer Maguire—Lisa's Radial Cafe

22 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

An Omaha institution since 1938, Lisa's Radial Cafe is one of the city's most beloved restaurants. Owner/manager Jennifer talks about what it was like...

Zach Bridges—Burning Bridges Food Truck

15 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

With no restaurant experience but a burning desire to cook, Zach Bridges used some shifts on other food trucks to gain the skills needed to start his ...

Ashley Miller—Sweet Ash Macs

08 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When Ashley Miller started making macarons out of her kitchen in early 2020, she had no idea it would blow up into a burgeoning business! The owner of...

Meghan & Matt McLarney—Gravy Train

01 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A relationship that began through biscuits and gravy is now giving Omaha an elevated version of this classic dish. Meghan and Matt describe the "light...

Sue Brezack & Christina Randall—Bagel Bin

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Bagel Bin has become a beloved institution in Omaha, and when you meet owner Sue Brezack, it's not hard to see why! She and her granddaughter Chri...

Dan Loutzenhiser—Stories Coffee Company

18 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Stories Coffee Company is growing rapidly, but its popularity is due to more than its great coffee and strong food options. Stories has created a spac...

Ali & Chase Woodward—Countryside Cones

15 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This couple had no experience in the restaurant industry, but Ali desired to help other families create memories like the ones she has of eating soft ...

Jenny & Nick Maestas—CTRL

11 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A mash-up of coffee house, cereal bar, and retro gaming arcade, there is nothing in Omaha like CTRL. Crazy thing is, when Jenny & Nick agreed to the s...

Brett & Cherish Geiger—Izzy's Pizza Bus

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Detroit-style pizza served out of a bus by a former audio technician? The story behind Izzy's Pizza Bus is wild, but once you hear how Brett & Cherish...

Clark Ross—Mercury

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From it's rotating cocktail menus that highlight breakfast cereals and children's stories to its fascinating ice program to its epic Christmas bashes,...

Omar Garrido—The Churro Spot

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From a food truck selling churros at night to a full blown restaurant with tacos, tortas, sopes, and more, The Churro Spot has evolved a lot in its 6 ...