Cuisine of Omaha facts for kids
The cuisine of Omaha is all about the delicious food and cooking styles that show off Omaha, Nebraska's history and culture. It's a mix of different flavors from the people who have lived there over the years!
Popular Places to Eat
Omaha is famous for its many steakhouses. Some of these were started by families from Sicily, Italy, and are found in a part of town called Little Italy. Others are near the old Omaha Stockyards, where a lot of meat was processed.
One well-known steakhouse was Mister C's in North Omaha. It was open for over 55 years before closing in 2007. Another famous spot is Gorat's, which opened in 1944. It's still in its original place, and even billionaire Warren Buffett eats there often!
You can also find foods influenced by Central Europe and the Southern United States in Omaha. For example, carp fish is quite popular. There are many deli shops around the city too, like the historic Dundee Dell in the Dundee neighborhood.
If you love Mexican food, South 24th Street has tons of Mexican restaurants. North Omaha has its own special barbecue style, and there's even a barbecue club in the city! The Old Market area is also home to several well-known restaurants.
Some big restaurant chains actually started in Omaha, like Bronco's, Godfather's Pizza, and the Garden Cafe.
Famous Foods from Omaha
Did you know the famous Reuben sandwich might have been invented in Omaha? A grocer named Reuben Kulakofsky (sometimes called Reubin Kay) is said to have created it.
He might have made it with friends during their weekly poker game at the Blackstone Hotel between 1920 and 1935. The hotel's owner, Charles Schimmel, was part of the group. The sandwich became popular locally when Schimmel put it on the Blackstone's lunch menu.
Another very well-known fast food item in Omaha is the Runza. It's a bread pocket made from yeast dough, filled with beef, cabbage (or sauerkraut), onions, and seasonings. It probably came from a Russian dish called pirogi or pirozhki.
Important Food Businesses
Omaha is home to some big names in the food industry.
Omaha Steaks is a family business that sells and delivers high-quality beef, seafood, and other foods. It started in 1917 as "Table Supply Meat Company" by immigrants from Latvia. The company changed its name to Omaha Steaks International in 1966.
Conagra Brands is one of the biggest packaged food companies in North America. You can find Conagra's products in supermarkets, restaurants, and food service places. Some of their popular brands include Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's frozen foods, Peter Pan peanut butter, Hebrew National hot dogs, Swiss Miss hot cocoa, and Wesson cooking oil.
Images for kids
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A griddle-cooked T-bone steak at Gorat's
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Cascio's Steakhouse at 1620 South 10th Street in Little Italy
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Anthony's Steakhouse at 7220 F Street in South Omaha
