Restaurant Hoppen

Arthur had almost no restaurant experience before moving to Omaha and opening his restaurant in 2021, but he just had to share his Armenian food and culture with the masses. Learn what defines Armenian food, what makes his kebabs different from any you’ve had before, and how Arthur successfully jumped into the restaurant industry in the midst of a pandemic. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  In...

Omaha can't get enough of the newest addition to Omaha's pizza scene. This unique Neapolitan/New York combo dough is bringing customers like few restaurants experience right off the bat, but it's not all fun and games for this crew. Hear the hard work that went into developing the dough, perfecting the cook, and managing the hungry crowds. These veterans of the restaurant industry have a lot of ex...

Tired of having to drive to South Omaha to get great Latin food and groceries, this long-time of the restaurant industry opened his own place! Hear Jose's story, how he created his life-altering (not an exaggeration) Cubano, the evolution of his market into offering more hot food, and the joy he gets from having freedom to run his business the way he wants. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  In...

Jack Heiman has always had a knack for making great burgers, but he never planned on making a food concept out of it. But friends pushed him to do pop-ups. And then he won the 2023 Omaha Burger Battle, which firmly put Nomadic Jack's on the map. Jack details his journey, what makes his burgers special, and how he rebounded from a humbling pop-up to regain his confidence and create on of Omaha's fa...

New or struggling restaurants may need some help getting off the ground, and that's where consultants like Matt come in. We discuss the role of a restaurant consultant, examples of what MJT Hospitality does for its clients, and look at overall food trends for restaurants to keep an eye on. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmont...

What's it like to be on the Food Network and meet Guy Fieri? Just how intense and chaotic is the filming process? The owners of these three restaurants were recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and they tell all about their experience, what Guy is really like, and more in this fantastic episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored b...

This mother/son duo has incredible memories of spending summers in the New England area, so they decided to bring that cuisine to Omaha. Starting with a food truck and now a beautiful brick and mortar, the Taylors give Omaha a taste of the Northeast. Hear the excruciating process behind creating the lobster roll, how they source fresh seafood in the middle of the country, and more in this great ep...

Joel Hassanali is a lifelong savory chef, but when the Young family opened Salted Edge, they also wanted a bakery. So Joel gave himself a donut crash course and helped open Sugared Ledge, the brainchild of Ashley Young. Together this duo creates donuts, cakes, and breakfast sandwiches that are a cut above. Check out their story and learn what makes this place more than your average donut shop. Als...

In 2006, two people with little to no professional food experience set out to do something completely new: not only open an ice cream shop, but ship it all over the country! And 17 years later and an appearance on Shark Tank later, they're still scooping some of Omaha's best ice cream and creating memorable gifts for delighted customers. Hear the story of this unique company on this fascinating ep...

What's it like to work at Block 16, one of Omaha's most beloved restaurants? Why not ask its first ever sous chefs?! Wyatt and Luke pull back the curtain about how they helped reassemble Block 16's crew coming out of COVID and established a line of communication that's just as important as cooking. We also discussed the creation of Block 16's wacky specials, learning from Jenny Coco, what it's lik...

As the calendar turns to 2024, I look back and hand out awards for my best meals of 2023 to celebrate the restaurants that served them and help you plan out your 2024 eating! Categories include Best Dish, Best New Restaurant, Best Burger, Best Dessert, and more! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, us...

Since retiring from corporate jobs, this couple started an Omaha farm that's now sourcing the best of the best Omaha restaurants. Au Courant, Block 16, The Boiler Room, and more trust this farm. Hear Jen & Kevin tell their tale, how the farm came to be, why they do seasonal pop-ups and more! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmo...

The owners of Omaha's most popular Indian restaurant discuss getting diners to branch out from familiar dishes to try plates from Kerala (India), where Ashish grew up. They also discuss the joys and difficulty of moving restaurant spaces, the fun of adding a Chef's Home Table and thali while at the new location, and so much more!  Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantH...

Someday, Ryan's goal is to have his signature hot dog, the Willie Dog, as not only a must-try Omaha food, but also mentioned among America's iconic dogs like the Chicago dog and New York coney. That might sound ambitious, but considering how far this business has come in a few years, don't bet against him. From its humble beginnings as a food cart, Willie Dogs just continues to grow. This episode...

Omaha has some great gyro spots, but nothing like the New York street gyros that Mo grew up eating. That style, combined with the Egyptian twists he and Faysal put on their sandwiches and rice platters, make Gyro Kings a one-of-a-kind flavor explosion that simply must be experienced. And once you hear what you these two have planned, you'll be even more enticed to experience this food and get exci...

We all love breakfast and brunch, right? So why not get the people who do it better than anyone in Omaha and pick their brains about this beloved meal. The owners of Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, Lemon Tree Cafe, Gravy Train, and Good Lookin' joined me for a fantastic live podcast and a discussion about crazy customer demands, what makes brunch feel special, breakfast sandwiches, and more! Also fol...

Salted Edge provides an experience few other restaurants in Omaha can, and it has this duo to thank for that. We discuss the restaurant's origins, how dishes move from conception to reality, the relationship between sous chef and head chef, the importance of trust in the kitchen, and so much more. This is a can't miss episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppe...

Tupelo Honey has been a beloved landmark restaurant in Asheville, NC, since 2000, and now Eric, a 4-time James Beard Award Semifinalist, is bringing it to the rest of the country, including Omaha. Eric discusses how to translate Southern hospitality to a restaurant, a fried chicken recipe that took 1.5 years to craft, what he learned from legendary restaurateur Danny Meyer, and so much more! Also...

Sweet & savory, trendy & traditional, this bakery can supply whatever baked goods you in crave! But while it's running on all cylinders now, The Baking Flamingos has had its rough moments, including a cry for help that Omaha enthusiastically responded to. From focaccia to opening delays to sellouts and more, Amber tells the whole story in this great episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  I...

After a career of working in kitchens, Andrew is taking on a different part of the food world as he runs Omaha's location of The Mercato. We discuss how this job differs from every other in his career, what it was like working at The Boiler Room for 5+ years, bread making, and much more! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontes...

We dive into the world of whiskey with the man who resurrected an Omaha whiskey brand that lay dormant for over 100 years. David has brought Golden Sheaf, which started in 1866, into the 21st century and created a bourbon that's a cut above. We talk about the brand's history, how David became obsessed with bourbons, how he creates blends, and so much more. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Ins...

The Urbans intended on opening a fine dining restaurant or a European bistro. What they got was a sandwich shop, and despite a series of trials and setbacks, they turned it into a beloved Omaha destination worthy of James Beard award recognition. Hear that story, the origins of some of their most wild daily specials, and more in this special live podcast! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Inst...

With new development and the Kiewit Luminarium, the Riverfront in downtown Omaha is undergoing a transformation. At the heart of it is Fig., a sister restaurant to Lola's that's making a name for itself. Hear from the people who brought it to life how this all-day cafe came to be as they pull back the curtain on what it's like to open and operate a new restaurant. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitt...

Whether sweet or savory, this couple is more than happy to meet all your pie needs. This pie delivery service is redefining what pies can be, delivering both excellent versions of well-known pies, pizzas, and pot pies along with those that are "10% scary." Linda & Chris describe their journey from being laid off at the start of COVID to creating their pie empire, talk about how travel has played a...

An Omaha staple since 1965, Dinker's has long been beloved for its burgers and low-key atmosphere. Kitchen manager John Huftless discusses the awesome history behind the restaurant, what makes the burgers so great, and how he handles the pressure of carrying on the family legacy through the restaurant. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certi...