Dinner in Omaha, NE

August 24, 2016 1:08 PM

Seeking optimal dining options in Omaha, at $20 or less a plate, within a 20 minute drive of the Old Market. Further parameters follow:

One of us has dietary restrictions: no meat, no poultry (fish is OK), and an egg sensitivity—meaning cake is out, quiche is RIGHT out, but, like, *a* cookie is usually OK.

The other has dietary preferences: nothing overly vegetable-dominated. Pork, beef, potatoes, pasta, rice, sushi, cheese, cheese, cheese, etc.

We are sort-of foodies, and are willing to take chances on foreign food, but EVERYTHING VERY SPICY ALL THE TIME suits neither of us.

Good wine options a plus. Very noisy environment, or strict dress code, not so much.

Also relevant: we don't know Omaha AT ALL, so if it's anything too tricky to get to, we'd probably just give up.

posted by CheesesOfBrazil to Food & Drink (5 answers total)

There are quite a few places actually in the Old Market, but most of the better choices there are going to top your $20 a plate limit. One place that won't is Nicola's.

Outside of the Old Market, virtually all of Omaha is within 20 minutes or so of every place else. Brushi is in West O, located in a strip mall, but the food is good and so's the wine list.
posted by Ipsifendus at 1:23 PM on August 24, 2016

Check out Mark's Bistro in the Dundee neighborhood. Not only is it in one of the neater old neighborhoods in the city, but it has a seating area with a nice view of the Dundee main drag and a patio. Here is their menu. It's maybe ten or so minutes from downtown, but will give you a nice taste of Omaha.
posted by holmesian at 3:13 PM on August 24, 2016

Dixie Quick's in Council Bluffs.

Block 16.

Modern Love.

Benson Brewery.

All great.
posted by Lutoslawski at 6:52 PM on August 24, 2016

Goldberg's in the Dundee area is a nice neighborhood restaurant with very good but non-adventurous food (burgers, steak, sandwiches, salads, tacos..).

I love Espana in the Benson neighborhood -- Spanish tapas so you can share a few small plates and just really great food.
posted by Mallenroh at 8:02 PM on August 24, 2016

The hugest menu I've ever seen is at Wheatfields. The cinnamon rolls are to die for. The potato casseroles are solid. Much of the rest is less than A+, but I've never sent anything back. That said, it's more of a breakfast/lunch place. But that means it's easy to get a table at dinner time.
posted by wwartorff at 8:26 PM on August 24, 2016