Watch football. Consume Beef. Sip Whiskey. In Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

September 11, 2019

Something along the these lines comes across my twitter feed from time to time:

It’s a natural thing. When I travel, I’m looking to what that place is known for. Headed to the coast? I’m eating a lot of seafood. The thing that brings outsiders to Lincoln the most is probably football, for good reason, we do game day right. So when you are planning your football trip to watch your team get clobbered by the Huskers (I’ve lived under a rock since 2002, but I’m pretty sure the Husker machine is still rolling, right?), you’re probably thinking beef. I mean Nebraska is called “the beef state” so I’m not sure what other food you’d be thinking about eating in Lincoln when planning your trip. Maybe corn, well OK, probably corn. Corn isn’t all that exciting by itself, so whatever. But … corn is fed to the cows and it is also the required foundation in Bourbon, so there you go, corn! What is better than a great steak and a nice glass of Bourbon?

All of that said, if you are looking for the best steak you’ve ever had from your classic steakhouse, you can probably already get that wherever you are from. I’ve had plenty of awesome dry aged, USDA Prime steak, but as a Nebraska lifer who grew up right in the middle of the cornhusker and beef state, some of my best steak memories are of the more simple variety. For instance, everyone I know seems to know someone who is selling half a cow, so it’s pretty common to have half a cow in your freezer all year and have access to all the different types of beef you want, whenever you want, which is a pretty darn good deal. Another of my favorite NE steak memories is when I went back home for the summer of my freshmen and sophomore years at UNL and was finally old enough to golf in the golf league(s) in town. A local farmer/golfer would typically bring a bunch of big strip steaks out to the course and it would cost $8 to grill your own steak, have a baked potato and salad (with Dorothy Lynch, of course). There were two different leagues, Mondays and Thursdays! That was heaven. Seriously, I often wish I could replicate that experience somewhere around Lincoln. If I find it, I’ll tell you all about it. There are more stories, but I use both of those as an example of how that best you’ve ever had 30 day dry aged USDA Prime steak isn’t what makes steak in Lincoln great. Most of the really good stuff gets sold off to your fancy steak houses all over the place since that’s what makes the most money. You can get some of the good stuff in Lincoln too, but if you are looking for the best of the best from a high-end steakhouse, you should probably take a trip up to Omaha for the evening or just go to the best fancy steakhouse in your area and eat the stuff we’ve shipped out to you. What you will find here in Lincoln is probably closer to what I had growing up, “normal” (probably choice) grade, un-aged or minimally aged steak that’s probably bigger, cheaper and fresher than the same thing you can get outside of beef country. For a city with a modest population and access to cheap, quality beef, I can see why an expensive steakhouse isn’t something you’ll find here.

5 places to get started

1. JTK

OK, so I just fed you all that talk above about not getting too excited about a top grade steak and the first place on my list is exactly that. Sorry. JTK has the best steak in town, a Nebraska Wagyu Filet that is just wonderful. JTK itself has a the most upscale vibe in town and is pretty darn good even without the steak. Bonus, while Single Barrel probably has the best Bourbon selection, as far as restaurants go, JTK probably has the best overall whiskey selection in Lincoln. So if you want steak and whiskey, JTK should probably be close to or at the top of your list.
http://www.jtkrestaurant.com/

1. Single Barrel

When thinking steak and whiskey, it’s hard to not think of the Single Barrel. They’re a steak joint named after a whiskey process. I don’t know if I need to say anything else, it speaks for itself. Need more? The whiskey they specialize in is Bourbon and the Bourbon selection is excellent, including some Nebraska Bourbon from Cut Spike. The Bourbon review named them one of the best in the midwest. Single Barrel’s tomahawk ribeye for two (three?) is one of the best and most memorable steak experiences I’ve ever had in Lincoln or anywhere. Their other steaks are good too, including some USDA Prime and dry aged options. The rest of the menu is no slouch either, including burgers and my favorite beef brisket in Lincoln. Game, set, match Single Barrel, right? If you came here looking for Bourbon and Beef, what else do you really need?
http://thesinglebarrel.com/

1. Misty’s Havelock

If you go out and ask people on the street where to get a steak, Misty’s is probably where they will send you. Misty’s has been around forever and beef is what they do. If you find yourself at Misty’s, get the prime rib. While the best prime rib I’ve had is from a caterer who resides in a town of 200 (Boelus NE), Misty’s is pretty darn close. It’s also very important that you go the original Misty’s in Havelock. Not that the downtown location isn’t good too, but the original location is dripping with unique character that you shouldn’t miss. Oh yea, you’re in town for a football game, right? Go on Friday night before the game and get there around 5. It will be crowded, but it’s worth it. The Cornhusker marching band will show up. Cheerleaders will be dancing on the bar. The prime rib will be amazing. The fans will be happy to see you and eager to talk football. You’ll think you died and went to college football heaven.
https://www.mistyslincoln.com/

Why three #1s? I don’t know, how about we just call the top three a group of great options. You just need to try all of them and let me know which one you prefer. They each offer an awesome experience in their own way. Do you like a more upscale atmosphere? Go to JTK. A country atmosphere? Single Barrel is your choice. Want to soak in college football and all it’s pageantry? Go to Misty’s.

4. Venue

USDA Prime and dry aging. Venue has it. They also have a good atmosphere, especially if you sit in the bar area, and they offer a good whiskey selection. They are one of my favorite spots in town in general and are well worth a visit when looking for a steak.
https://www.yourvenue.net/

5. Fireworks

When someone asks where to get a steak in Lincoln on various social media platforms, I’m surprised to see how many answer Lazlo’s. I don’t typically think of Lazlo’s as a steakhouse. When I want a Lazlo’s steak, I’m going to the restaurant Lazlo’s created to specialize in wood-fired meats, Fireworks. They do a fantastic job with steak. They have a good whiskey selection too, but really, if you’re heading there, I would probably guide you toward their beer that they make in-house.
http://www.fireworksrestaurant.com/

Quick hits

I feel like this is the section where we get into what makes Lincoln a really good place for a good steak. You can almost go anywhere and get a decent cut of beef for a good price. Here are a few places where I’ve had a really good steak experience.

Dish

Another of my favorite places to eat in general and they have a good steak on the menu too.
http://www.dishdowntown.com/

 Vincenzo’s Ristorante

One of my favorite filets in town is from an Italian place, imagine that.
http://vincenzos-ne.com/

Wilderness Ridge

Eat a good steak in a big fancy lodge. +1 if it’s nice enough to sit outside on the deck, it is top notch.
https://www.wildernessridgegolf.com/

Green Gateau

Yet another cool place in general, but with good steak too.
https://www.greengateau.com/

Piedmont Bistro

Owned by the Venue, which was listed above. But with a little more character and more casual vibe.
https://piedmontbistro.com/

Carmela’s

Carmela’s almost gets lost in the mix when I think of steak. But then I remember the great steaks I’ve had and it makes me want to go back.
https://www.carmelasbistroandwinebar.com/

Billy’s

A cool setting and story. Chef Nader can cook you up a great steak. http://www.billysrestaurant.com/

Burgers

Crave

My favorite Burger joint in town. Most people will tell you Honest Abe’s is the best, but when it comes down to the actual beef in the burger, Crave has them beat hands down. It’s owned and run by a local farm, where all of the beef comes from. So if you want to get some really good Nebraska beef straight from the farmer, this is the place to do it.

Honest Abe’s

Lincoln’s favorite. It’s been successful enough that they’ve expanded from their original location and I feel like there’s now an Honest Abe’s on every street corner in town. They have a lot of things down, a cool, hipster vibe, really creative burgers and awesome adult milkshakes. It’s worth a stop.

Runza

I’ve said this before, but Runza has better fast food burgers than your favorite fast food burger joint. It’s just a thing. Try one and tell me I’m wrong.

Other Beef

These options get a little away from your typical beef. But if you really want to experience what Lincoln does, you need to get one or all of the following:

Runza

You need to get a Runza. It is beef (and cabbage), so I think it counts in our “where to eat beef in Lincoln” post. Get over yourself, it isn’t that strange. You eat cabbage all the time in other things and Runza’s are extra wonderful. You can get an actual Runza from any of the million (Runza) fast food restaurants across the city or go to the Local and get their fried Bierrocks to try their version.

Valentino’s

The other Lincoln staple you need to have when in town is a slice of Val’s pizza. I prefer mine in Memorial stadium, and the only kind you can get in the stadium is hamburger, so you’re covered on beef there too. A friend once told me they went to the east coast and tried to order a hamburger pizza and the people had no clue what she was talking about. I find it hard to believe that hamburger pizza isn’t one of the default slices everywhere in the US, but if it’s not a thing where you come from, more reason to try a slice of Val’s while watching the game.

Chili & Cinnamon rolls

I’ve highlighted this strange combo before and made the case that Lincoln is the (beef) Chili and cinnamon roll capitol of the world. Check out the post.

The bourbon

1. Jake’s

Single Barrel and JTK have a great whiskey selection, but it is hard not to give Jake’s the crown for best overall whiskey selection in Lincoln. I get it, the image above is a beer. Trust me, they do whiskey very well. But they also have one of the best beer selections in Lincoln which is my thing, so all my pictures of Jakes are of me holding a beer. All of that said, the real reason you should go to Jake’s is that they have spirits from all of the Nebraska distilleries. I haven’t been able to find anywhere else that carries all of the Nebraska spirits … isn’t that what you’re here to try anyway? Spirits from Nebraska using Nebraska grain that you can’t get anywhere else?
https://jakescigars.com/

Between Jake’s, Single Barrel and JTK, I think you’re covered in straight Bourbon tasting. But if you like your whiskey in a cocktail, there are a couple other bars that you need to stop by:

Barrymore’s

Barrymore’s doesn’t have a great whiskey selection, it’s just fine. But they do have a great setting to drink it in. The entrance is in an alley and it’s an old theater stage. Well worth a stop.
http://rococotheatre.com/barrymores/

The Other Room

The other room plays up the speakeasy concept. You have to enter in the alley and can only come in when the light turns green outside. If it’s green, knock on the door and they’ll let you in. Once inside, it’s small and you are required to speak quietly. The drinks are craft cocktails done up by an award winning owner/cocktail artist. If you’re not looking for straight Bourbon, it’s the best place in Lincoln to get some Bourbon done up in a creative way.
https://www.facebook.com/theotherroomlincoln/

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