Omaha Driver Entertainment Guide

Lansky’s has three Omaha locations. One at 50th and L Streets in Omaha, another at 1131 N. Broadway in Council Bluffs, and a third location at 3909 Twin Creek Drive in Bellevue (at 36th Street and Highway 370). Lansky’s is well known for its Philly steak sandwiches and for its pizzas. I think Lansky’s pizza sauce has a sweet tangy taste to it.  Overall, the food is very reasonably priced. We had a group of 30 at Lansky’s and were very satisfied with the service. They provided a dining room for our group free of charge, saving us a lot of added expense. Lansky’s has an extensive menu that also includes pasta, calzones, soups, salads and desserts. I really like their newest location in Bellevue. Give it a try and Happy Motoring!

Located at 6949 S. 108th Street (108th and Harrison Streets) is Rotella’s Italian Bakery. A fifth generation bakery business that began in Calabria, Italy in 1850, Rotella’s has built a reputation based upon quality and service. Established in Omaha in 1921, Rotella’s specializes in fresh, nutritious breads and rolls. Rotella’s operates a outlet store at their bakery, where fresh-baked rolls, buns, hoagies and specialty breads such as Ciabatta bread may be purchased. Our family tradition is to order Rotella bread bowls from the outlet store and to serve an assortment of soups before attending Christmas eve worship services at church. It is so much fun to eat the tasty bowls! Our grandson’s food allergies include both milk and eggs. Amazingly, Rotella’s breads do not rely on these products. We love the smell of fresh-baked goods at the bakery. Check out their outlet store & Happy Motoring!

Located at 13655 California Street is Biaggi’s Italian Restaurant. A chain, with locations in 12 states, Biaggi’s provides casual, relaxed dining in an elegant setting. Biaggi’s always starts your meal with a serving of Italian breads with fresh olive oil and parmesan cheese. The menu has a variety of appetizers, salads, and main courses from which to choose. The three cheese Lasagna Bolognese was delicious. Others in our group had the Seared Sea Bass and the Eggplant Parmesan. We were impressed with both the portion sizes as well as the presentation of the food. Biaggi’s has a large selection of modestly priced wines. Biaggi’s is open daily for lunch and dinner, and takes reservations for private events. Happy Motoring!

WheatFields Restaurant is an upscale Omaha dining experience, with an impressive array of European recipes from Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy and Lichtenstein. The bakery and dessert choices are extensive. WheatFields is a great place for breakfast, lunch or dinner,and it has three convenient Omaha locations from which to choose. At 1224 S. 103rd Street in One Pacific Place, at 7775 Olson Drive (Papillion) in Shadow Lake, and at 1202 Howard Street in the Old Market. WheatFields provides extensive catering services, including specialty box lunches that can be customized to meet your group’s dining needs. I’ve had WheatField’s cater hot scrambled eggs and bacon service for groups of 30, and was pleased with their service. Because they have so many food selections and services available, you really need to visit their website at www.wheatfieldscatering.com to understand what is available. Check it out and Happy Motoring!

Located at 1101 S. 119th Street is Big Fred’s Pizza. Since its opening in 1965, Big Fred’s has been a popular Omaha gathering spot for sports fans and athletes, especially after local sporting events and competitions. The weekend service wait can be long, especially during the Fall months, when the restaurant hosts Big Red fans seeking the excitement, comradery and game time atmosphere that develops inside the restaurant. Big Fred’s has several overhead televisions inside. Big Fred’s serves a thin crust pizza that is an Omaha original. It is light on the sauce, but heavy on the meat, cheese and other ingredients. Big Fred’s provides a family-friendly environment and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Try it and Happy Motoring!

Located at 6920 Pacific Street is Caniglia’s Venice Inn. Established in 1957 by Eli Caniglia and his brothers, the Venice Inn is one of Omaha’s most well-known and popular Italian steakhouses. The menu contains several Caniglia family recipes from Sicily and Italy, including chicken and eggplant parmigiana, pesto linguini, and baked manicotti. The Venice Inn also serves great pizzas, prime rib, steaks, chops, chicken and sea food dishes. The restaurant has several banquet rooms that will host party sizes from 20 to 175 for all occasions. Our office management and staff have often held our Christmas celebrations at the Venice Inn. We’ve never been disappointed or walked away hungry. Caniglia’s serves lunch Tuesday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 pm., and dinner Tuesday through Sunday after 5:00 p.m. Give it a try and Buon Appetito!

If you are looking for something fun to do in Omaha during the holidays, here’s an idea for you… put on your best silly Santa hat and go Christmas caroling! Through caroling, many churches throughout the Omaha metro bring the Christmas spirit to home-bound senior citizens and others in need of love and encouragement. This group from West Hills Church enjoyed a chili luncheon at the church before embarking on their vocal music adventure. Spreading cheer is contagious and helps prepare hearts for the coming celebration of Jesus’ birth. As a reminder, you now have 11 shopping days until Christmas. Happy Motoring!

Located at 13615 California Street is Ted’s Nebraska Grill. A chain of restaurants founded in 2002 by media mogul, Ted Turner, Ted’s is a classic American grill serving beef, bison, chicken and seafood dishes from its extensive menu. My wife and I enjoyed the early American decor and the extensive use of wood inside the restaurant. The booths are spacious and permit private conversation, if that’s what you are seeking. I had a beef burger with jack cheese and bacon, and my wife had the grilled Caesar salad topped with cedar plank grilled salmon. The size of the burger was impressive, and the ingredients fresh. My wife also enjoyed her meal. Ted’s is open daily for lunch and dinner. Give it a try and Happy Motoring!

Located at 2368 S. 29th Street, just west of I-480 at the Martha Street exit, is Dinker’s Bar and Grill. The marquee out front says “Omaha’s Best Burger” and, in my view, the signage is spot on. The helpful, friendly wait staff immediately recognized I was a first time visitor and directed me past the bar area to the order counter. I ordered the “Haystack Burger” that had been recommended to me former Husker, Dave Rimington. The Haystack was delivered promptly.  It is a giant burger on a kaiser bun topped with American cheese, honey smoked ham, and a fried egg over easy. The garnish was fresh and the burger delightfully greasy. I’d been trying to cut back on my calorie consumption and immediately found my brain and my stomach locked in a WrestleMania challenge match. Ultimately my brain “tapped out” and the entire Haystacker was consumed. Dinker’s is a terrific neighborhood bar and grill, and I am already planning my next visit. Dinker’s is open Monday through Saturday from 10:oo a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Happy Motoring!

Located at 3230 John Creighton Boulevard in North Omaha, is the Adams Park Community Center. My friend Chuol Tuach loves to come here to work out, and to participate in a pick-up basketball game with other neighborhood youth. The Adams Park facility has a weight room, gym and locker room/shower facilities. It also has extensive outdoor recreation space, including a football field, a soccer field, 3 softball fields and two outdoor basketball courts. The City of Omaha Parks and Recreation Department maintains several excellent community and senior centers throughout the city, just like the one at Adams Park. Use of these facilities is typically free of charge. Follow the link to determine what centers are near to you. Happy Motoring!