Some of the places in the Deadly Sins series don’t exist. Don’t come to Omaha, Fremont, or Lincoln, NE looking for them. But, others are awesome, thriving, businesses worth your time.
Here’s a list to get you ready for your next trip to this “not really a fly over state.”
Benson Business District, Omaha
Yeah, I know, but I couldn’t pick just one business. This part of Omaha has changed a lot since I was a teen (circa 1984-1988). Restaurants, bars, art galleries, and more await you in this historic neighborhood. Their mascot is a bunny. You’ll have to ask a local why.
Centrally located in what is now considered the “heart” of Omaha, the community is proud of its historic buildings, magnificent parks, and cultural diversity. Benson is a very large neighborhood, bordered by 72nd to the West, Fontenelle Boulevard to the East, Ames to North and Western Avenue to the South. Source: Omaha Digest
Brazen Head Irish Pub, Omaha
I loved this place when we still lived in Omaha. The food is great! The live entertainment is awesome. And, the bar is well-stocked. It’s a great place to hang out with family and friends. If you’re a fan of Irish pubs (and, who isn’t?), then you’ll appreciate learning how this bar ended up in Omaha.
Salween Thai, Omaha
One thing Dez and I have in common is our love of Thai food, especially the curries. She doesn’t visit one, but she has a tendency to order take-out regularly. I never gave the place a name because Omaha really doesn’t have a lot of Thai places, but a few years ago, this place opened up on Northwest Radial Highway. Friends raved about it, and a few months ago, SLE and I decided to try it. It’s a BYOB restaurant. The Panang Curry was pleasantly spicy at a five on their 10-point scale. I probably could have gone a bit hotter, but I like to start in the middle to get a gauge. It’s not a large place, so if you go, expect to wait for a table during dinner rush. We stopped in around 5:30 or 6 p.m. and had no wait. Things definitely picked up by 7 p.m. The restaurant is connected to a specialty grocery store.
Zio’s Pizzeria, Omaha
I love pizza, but Dez is on a mission to find the best New York style slice. There are a lot of pizza joints in Omaha, but this one is her favorite. That could change, though. I also like Lighthouse Pizza. The slices are so large, that you can fold the pizza, walk, and eat. Does that sound familiar my NY peeps?
Yia Yia’s Pizza, Lincoln
This isn’t exactly a NY style pizza joint, but the crust is thin, you can order by the slice, and the combinations are nothing short of phenomenal. I can’t tell you the number of hours I spent in this place during, and shortly after, college. If you appreciate good beers, then you’ll really love Yia Yia’s. I’m not a beer drinker, but even I can look at that list and be impressed.
Enjoy your next visit to Omaha or Lincoln!
