Omaha Driver Entertainment Guide

Located at 3201 Farnam Street is Ingredient Restaurant, a recent addition to Midtown Crossing‘s growing list of business tenants. Ingredient serves gourmet pizzas, hot off the grill sandwiches, various wraps and soups.  Alternatively, customers can “create their own” salad or pizza. Guests simply complete an order card identifying their desired ingredients, and place their order.  Ingredient has several house salad dressings from which to choose.  I selected the raspberry basil vinaigrette for my salad creation. All of the toppings were fresh and the portion sizes generous. Salads are served with warm artisan bread rolls – delicious. Ingredient’s service was prompt in spite of a steady stream of lunch time visitors. In my opinion, Ingredient is going to be a stellar performer in the Omaha market. I’ll try the pizza on my next visit, but am happy to report that I now have a “favorite” salad stop in the city. Visit Ingredient on a Thursday evening before attending a Jazz on the Green concert at midtown. Happy Motoring!

Every 4th of July, the city of Ralston and it’s Chamber of Commerce host the premiere, must-see, Independence Day Parade in Nebraska.  The event starts near 84th and Q Streets in Ralston at 1:00 p.m. and winds through the lovely tree-lined streets of old Ralston, ending at 72nd and Main Street nearly 3 hours later.  Our family tradition is to pack a cooler with lunch and refreshments and to drive/walk to Independence Avenue in old Ralston.  We take our own lawn chairs and blankets and arrive a half hour before the parade starts. The parade is a blast. In addition to bands, clowns, and fire trucks, every prominent politician in the state attends and walks the parade route.  Typical attenders include the Nebraska Governor, Nebraska’s U.S. Senate and House members, as well as the Omaha and Ralston mayors.  The 2010 event has over 106 parade entries. The city of Ralston has dubbed itself  “Independence City”, and for good reason. In addition to the annual parade, Ralston hosts a quilting and art show, a teen dance, a picnic in the park, a fun run-walk, fire department water fights and a fireworks display.  Entertainment for the entire family. Check out the entertainment schedule, then drive to Ralston this year. Join in the celebration! Happy Motoring!

Located at 5021 Underwood Street in Dundee, is Pitch Pizzaria.  Brought to Dundee by long time Omaha restaurateur, Willie Theisen, Pitch serves coal-fired oven baked pizza. At Pitch, guests can choose from a selection of signature pizzas on the menu, or one with their own choice of toppings.  My wife and I ordered the pizza and bottle of wine for $25. The pizza crust is thin, delightfully crisp, with a pleasant charcoal flavor. Otherwise, the pizza is not memorable. The seating is family-style in many areas, so do not have an expectation of privacy when you visit Pitch. If you are gregarious and seeking an open, social setting, then you will be well pleased. The service was prompt and the waitress very helpful in corking and packaging our left overs. Worth a try if you’ve never experienced coal-fired. Happy Motoring!

Located just off I-80 at the Harrison Street exit is Cabela’s, one of the country’s premier outdoor outfitter’s. From humble beginnings in Sydney, Nebraska, Cabela’s has grown into a nationally recognized chain.  A massive store, Cabela’s sells everthing one needs for hunting, fishing, camping, boating or outdoor sports. The outdoor clothing selection at Cabela’s is extensive and reasonably priced. Denim Jeans, polo shirts, and sport caps have been among my favorite purchases.  At its LaVista location, Cabela’s maintains an enormous wildlife display of animal species that are native to North America and the Midwest. The animals on display have been preserved through taxidermy, with extensive signage to enhance their educational value. Our family’s enjoy viewing and discussing these exhibits in the midst of the shopping experience. Visit Cabela’s when you are in West Omaha and Happy Motoring!

Located at 50th & Underwood Streets is the Dundee Dell. An Omaha icon, the Dundee Dell is well known for its Atlantic cod fish and chips.  The Dell feels just like an authentic Irish pub. You’ll be surprised by their extensive menu and strong array of domestic, imported and specialty beers.   The Dell is a quaint, yet lively, after work or school gathering spot.  The Dell now has two private party rooms for rent; supporting party sizes from 6 to 40 people. My wife and I enjoyed this poem prose from the 1939 Dundee Dell menu: “To those who can drink, yet continue to think, And pleasures Deserved glean from each; May their pleasures be many, Their sorrows not any, Life’s happiness always in reach.” Cheers, and Happy Motoring!

Located at 7425 Pacific Street is McKenna’s “Blues, Booze, and Barbecue” Restaurant. Hands down, McKenna’s is our family’s favorite Omaha barbecue restaurant. McKenna’s barbecue sauce is excellent, with a flavor that is slightly sweeter, yet more tart, than one of our other favorites K.C. Masterpiece BBQ sauce. Roger, the manager, recommends the BBQ Smoked Pork Baby Back Ribs and the BBQ Smoked Brisket from their menu. Go for the ribs. They are amazing! Most dinners come with your choice of two side dishes, plus corn on the cob, and Jalapeno cornbread with honey butter. McKenna’s is open daily for lunch and dinner, and their hours are listed on their website. Happy Motoring!

Located at 301 N. 175th Plaza in Village Pointe Shopping Center is Mimi’s Cafe.  Founded in 1978 in Anaheim, California by Arthur Simms and his family, the franchise was purchased by Bob Evans Farms, Inc. in 2004 and it now operates in 22 states.  Mimi’s is open of breakfast, lunch and dinner for upscale dining with a “French” feel.  The artwork and decor inside the dining area is interesting, and the menu extensive. My wife and I chose meals from the fixed-price, three course dinner menu.  We each had the caesar salad starter and the Salmon Hollandaise and Asparagus entree.  The meals were served with mashed potatoes. The asparagus was a little overcooked and “stringy” but the rest of the meal was quite good.  My wife had the Chocolate Mousse for dessert, while I had a Raspberry Mousse.  Mimi’s is open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, and until 11:00 p.m. on Friday’s and Saturday’s.  Give it a try and Happy Motoring!

After a brief stop at the Crescent Moon with my co-workers, Chris and Zach, my wife Jodeen and I headed to Village Point in West Omaha to check out brix.  Located just off N. 170th Street, brix is a one-of-a-kind wine, beer and spirits store that offers a wine bar lounge area, learning events, and casual shopping. Pronounced “Bricks”, the establishment takes it’s name from the measurement scale used in evaluating the sugar content of foods and beverages. With over 900 in-store selections to choose from, as well as expensive and in-expensive offerings, brix markets to a broad spectrum of consumers.  Our greeter and assistant, Brenda, was knowledgeable and friendly.  We lounged for awhile and enjoyed a glass of wine.  Meat and cheese trays can be purchased for approximately $10.  Store hours are located under the brix site link above.

Looking for inexpensive auto parts? Try searching for them on eBay. Often you can find new parts on eBay at a fraction of the cost you’d pay through a dealer.  Happy Motoring!

Located at 7902 Towne Center Parkway (Shadowlake) in Papillion, is Fatburger.  The first Fatburger opened in 1952 in Los Angeles. Now the restaurant has franchises in 13 states. However, the Shadowlake location is the only one in Nebraska. As shown on their menu, Fatburger serves burgers as small (2.5 oz) or as large (24 oz) as you want. A photo collage of those patrons that have consumed a “Triple King”, Fatburger’s largest burger, covers the restaurant’s walls. The Fatburger menu is not complex; burgers (including veggie, chicken and turkey), hot dogs, fries, chili, onion rings, and drinks including shakes. Keeping it simple allows Fatburger to focus on speed and freshness. My wife and I enjoyed our meals at Fatburger and will return again. Open Sunday through Thursday from 11am to 9pm, and Friday and Saturday from 11am to 10pm. Give it a try and Happy Motoring!

Founded in 1962 by Lithuanian immigrants, the Lithuanian Bakery  and the Lithuanian Bakery and Cafe prepares some of the best fresh-baked sourdough, rye and pumpernickel breads in Omaha.  They also prepare tortes, kolaches and other delightful pastries. The main bakery is located at 5217 S. 33rd Street in Omaha, while their bakery and cafe (pictured at left) is located at 7427 Pacific Street. The cafe is a great place to stop for lunch or dinner, and to enjoy authentic Lithuanian fare.  The cafe also sells an assortment of imported jams, marzipan’s, and chocolates, as well as other foods and products from the Baltic region. Enjoy a knackwurst, bratwurst, or kielbasa sausage plate with potato salad and sauerkraut. I recommend the homemade lentil soup and the grilled tuna melt on sourdough rye bread. It’s excellent. Omaha has a rich cultural heritage, and its fun to experience “old country” treatment in our own back yard. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Give it a try and Happy Motoring!