One of the goals for Armour Roof Co. in 2023 was to do more team-building events. With everyone having distinctly different roles in the company and always driving around at different job sites, it was nice to unite once a week for a more casual pow-wow outside the office.
What better way than to eat at some of the oldest, iconic Omaha restaurants? Here’s where we ate and what we thought about each place.
Louie M’s Burger Lust
Located on 17th and Vinton, in a predominantly Hispanic part of town, stands a burger joint. Started in 1980 originally as a catering service, Louis Marcuzzo quickly turned the Burger Lust kitchen into a full-service breakfast and lunch spot.
Our team stopped by for lunch on a Friday, with many of us ordering an original burger. If you’re looking for a no-frills, old-school burger joint, then this is your place. A simple menu, quick and friendly service, reasonable prices, and a kid-friendly environment- definitely a great place to eat with a team and make some business happen.
Dinker’s Bar & Grill
Dinkers first opened in August of 1965 as a small neighborhood bar that was a family-friendly establishment. Much of those values still remain the same now in 2023. You would have to have been born yesterday to live in Omaha and have yet to hear of Dinkers.
Their sign outside states “Omaha’s Best Burger,” and I would venture to say that a good part of Omaha would be inclined to agree. Our team dined on more than just the burgers- we tried their gizzards, patty melt, fries, and onion rings. Highly recommend you get the hand-dipped onion rings!
Everything has that “diner” vibe that you would come to expect and hits the spot when you’re looking to satisfy a burger craving. Note: This place is cash only, order at the front, and seat yourself, so don’t come here expecting otherwise 🙂
Bronco’s Hamburgers
With two locations in the metro, Bronco’s is Omaha’s original fast-food joint. The first location opened in 1959 and was located off 30th and Fort Street. They quickly became a household name by introducing the original “Big Bronco” burger, which closely resembles a burger that rhymes with “Mig Back.”
We went around the lunch hour to the location off Leavenworth Street, and this place was picking up traffic by the minute. While there was not much seating inside but we made our way to the back patio in the shade of the overhang. This is exactly the type of burger you would come to expect at a fast food joint. Tip: Plan on ordering an extra burger with your value meal, and make sure not to skip the fries.
Lisa’s Radial Cafe
There aren’t many places where you can get a considerable breakfast called “The Titanic” with Chicken Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and Gravy over a bed of Hash Browns and also Chicken Parmesan at the same time. Lisa’s Radial Cafe is the prototypical old-school diner serving up classic dishes you grew up with.
However, it’s easy to see why this is such a popular breakfast and lunch spot. Genuinely nice staff and the type of place where if you’re being really nice to your server, they may “forget” to charge you for coffee on the final tab.
Three things you should know. 1. Plan on waiting if you come during peak hours. 2. The portions are generous. 3. You WILL NOT leave this place hungry.
Harold’s Koffee House
When I think of “neighborhood diner,” Harold’s Koffee House is what comes to mind. Walking inside, it’s like you hopped in a time machine that took you back to the 60s- vinyl tables, vintage-styled menus, and “diner blue” painted walls.
This place is another friendly diner where servers know you by name and have your order preferences memorized. They did not spare on portions, and the prices still reminded me of pre-inflation prices- you’ll get your money’s worth here!
They offered medium-strength diner coffee with bottomless refills and all the cream and sugar my heart desired. Harold’s is an excellent, unhurried spot off 30th Street to gather as a team to catch up.
Summary
As others have stated, we are fortunate to have a handful of restaurants that have stood the test of time. Something is endearing about enjoying the same food that generations of Omahans have eaten and enjoyed.
Consider eating out once a week as a team if possible because there’s so much that happens in team building in sharing a meal across the table.
Tell me, what other places should Armour Roof Co. try?
