Five Omaha Must-Stop Restaurants

Piccolo Pete's, Thai Pepper, Amato's, King Fong's, Bohemian Cafe

Jan 3, 2009

Omaha has its share of chain restaurants and fast-food joints, but any traveler or Omaha native should make these five their eating destinations.

Omaha and its surrounding communities are quickly growing in population size—but also in food selection. Omaha has its share of Applebee’s, Olive Garden’s and IHOPS, but it’s the Mom and Pop restaurants and diners that make for good home cooking and have become bookmark’s in the city’s history.

Piccolo Pete’s Restaurant

Located at 2202 South 20th Street, Piccolo Pete’s Restaurant has been a South Omaha tradition since 1933. Combining the rich history of the South Omaha packing houses as its backdrop, and the Italian fanfare in one of the city’s most cultural diverse pockets, this is an excellent choice for steak, chicken or pasta.

No glitz or glamour decorate the walls—just solid oak and dining tables. But, there is a giant mirrored disco ball left over from the days when Piccolo Pete’s attracted the weekend dancing groups. Family owned and run, the service is friendly and quick.

The menu specials—including the mostaccioli and meatballs dish marries tangy tomato sauce and great Omaha beef. Another standout special is the beef tips—drowning in a river of gravy. Suggested side dish to any main entrée is the bean soup. No salt or pepper is needed.

With the closing of Caniglia’s downtown, Angie’s and Mr. C’s, Piccolo Pete’s has rightfully taken its place as one of Omaha’s top steakhouses.

Thai Pepper Restaurant

Thai Pepper Restaurant stands out for its warm service and quaint atmosphere. The brightly colored walls, and umbrella laiden ceilings permeate the entire dining experience. It is family-owned and conveniently located near the West Dodge Expressway, 631 North 114th Street.

A suggested meal might include the Thai Chicken Lettuce Wrap (minced chicken, cilantro, onion and ground peanut). Cover the wrap with a staunch spicy sauce. For an entrée, pineapple curry and shrimp positively challenges the taste buds.

Thai Pepper Restaurant patrons are able to order the spiciness on a scale of one to five, with five being the hottest. And, five is very hot.

Amato’s Restaurant

In the summer of 2008, the Food Network’s crew for “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” filmed a segment on Amato’s Restaurant, an Omaha midtown fixture. Adjacent to the Ak-sar-ben business park and off of Center Street, this Italian place is home grown and quite addicting.

Amato’s Restaurant is a destination for berry ricotta pancakes—just as filling and fattening as they sound.

King Fong’s Café

It’s a bit hidden—it helps to know someone that knows where it is. But, the exact address is 315 ½ South 16th Street. That’s deep downtown Omaha.

King Fong’s Café doesn’t have the best food in town. Not even close. It’s a bit grimy, and getting there is a bit of a pain—as it’s not easily accessible to go up a large flight of stairs. The interior is dark and remincent of 1920—the year it all began. According to legend—it’s Omaha’s first Chinese restaurant.

The tables are intricate and beautifully done antiques. Taller patrons should request a booth to allow extra leg room. The lunch crowd can congest the room, but the dinner seems to lighten up. The menu offers the typical Chinese fare. The charm of King Fong’s is the atmosphere.

The Bohemian Café

Another Omaha original—the Bohemian Café is on the 13th Street Coridore, a mile or so block of antique stores, music venues and small restaurants. It’s also the best place in town for kraut and dumplings. Heavy food and heavy culture are in tandem at the Bohemian Café.

Family-owned since 1924, the Bohemian Café has delicious dishes for patrons craving a European taste. Start with the liver dumpling soup, and head for the boiled beef (with Czech style dill gravy) and get the vegetables and breaded dumpling side. For dessert, do not pass on the koloacky or the apple strudel.

One of the best things (besides the food and the costumed-staff) is the wall of Elvis memorabilia in the front entryway.

Omaha’s Own

While Omaha has its own special flavor and share of chain restaurants, there is a wide selection of Italian, Chinese, American, European, African and countless other places waiting to be tasted.

The copyright of the article Five Omaha Must-Stop Restaurants in Culinary Travel is owned by Melissa Kucirek. Permission to republish Five Omaha Must-Stop Restaurants in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.