Favorite Closed Restaurants

[ricko]

I’ll start. Lot 2, French Bulldog, Bishop’s, Rose Lodge.

[Padre]

Gerda’s and Das Rheinland in the Old Market.

[nebugeater]

Maybe because it has been gone for so long and my memories are tied to other experiences, but I would love to be able to go to the Firehouse Dinner Theater one more time.

[djc311]

Grisanti's, Malara's, Bella Vita and one that probably doesn't make sense to most people... W.C. Frank's (more for the atmosphere than anything... but at the same time, it was hard to beat a good hot dog at a great price!)

Obviously we love our Italian food - and I just haven't been impressed with most of those that are still around. Vincenzo's is "OK", but I heard it sold and perhaps that's affected the food. We like Spezia, but I prefer lasagna and it's not even on their menu.

[Brad]

Grisanti's, Malara's, Bella Vita and one that probably doesn't make sense to most people... W.C. Frank's (more for the atmosphere than anything... but at the same time, it was hard to beat a good hot dog at a great price!)

Obviously we love our Italian food - and I just haven't been impressed with most of those that are still around. Vincenzo's is "OK", but I heard it sold and perhaps that's affected the food. We like Spezia, but I prefer lasagna and it's not even on their menu.

We miss Malara's too.

Vincenzo's sold to its employees helped by an oversight company called "Teamshares" https://www.teamshares.com. I believe the same company is switching Don and Millies to employee ownership too.

Right down the hill from Spezia, Jimi D's has a good lasagna.

[ChadJK]

There's some I miss because they were so darn good and some I miss out of nostalgia and the two don't entirely overlap. Most of mine are in Bellevue as that's where I spent my youth and so was long ago enough that a lot of them have closed.

Amarillo BBQ in Bellevue
Breadeaúx Pisa (Pizza) in Bellevue
British Specialties (British) in Bellevue
Courtyard Cafe (American) in Bellevue
Edelweiss (German) in Bellevue
Frank's Treehouse (Bar/Grill) in South Omaha
Gerda's German Restaurant & Bakery in Omaha
Hunan Palace (Chinese) in Papillion
Jazz, A Louisiana Kitchen (Cajun/Creole) in Downtown Omaha
La Fonda's (Mexican) in Omaha
Lo Sole Mio (Italian) in Omaha
Lums (American) in Bellevue
Mama Alvino's (Pizza) in Bellevue
Millard Roadhouse (American) in Omaha/Millard
Nettie's (Mexican) in Bellevue
Pefferoni's Pizza in Bellevue
Piccolo Pete's (Steakhouse) in Omaha
Rena's (Greek) in Bellevue
Taj (Indian) in Omaha
Thai Pepper in Omaha/Millard
That's Amore (Italian) in Bellevue
Tired Texan BBQ in Omaha/Millard

Now, don't get me started on restaurants that are still around (by name), but I'm nostalgic for their original ownership.

[Greg S]

Grisanti's, Malara's, Bella Vita and one that probably doesn't make sense to most people... W.C. Frank's (more for the atmosphere than anything... but at the same time, it was hard to beat a good hot dog at a great price!)

Obviously we love our Italian food - and I just haven't been impressed with most of those that are still around. Vincenzo's is "OK", but I heard it sold and perhaps that's affected the food. We like Spezia, but I prefer lasagna and it's not even on their menu.

I am so with you on WC's!

[zippy]

Gallaghers
Grandmothers
Senior Matias

[Greg S]

Great topic. I am sure I am going to miss some and have to come back. Anyway here we go:

Papa Calvetti's
Caniglias Top of the World (top of the Woodmen)
Caniglia's (6th st)
Maxine's (for the Sunday Brunch)
Old Mill BBQ
King's
Lario's Pizza
Amato's
Scribbles
Kings
Lo Sole Mio
WC Franks
Great Wall (downtown by the Leahy Mall for sentimental reasons)

Greg

[Linkin5]

Grisanti’s
Jabriscos (Lincoln)
Fireworks (Lincoln)
Na Trang (Lincoln)
M&N Sandwich (Lincoln)
Mark’s
Chicago Dog House
Mother India

[Omaha Cowboy]

A lot of excellent examples posted of restaurants closed that I miss..

One that has yet to be mentioned is Chu’s..one of my favorite Chinese (Cantonese style) restaurants ever. The best egg rolls and sweet and sour sauce I’ve ever had. When they closed in 2004, I cried a little…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

[remline]

Grisanti’s
King Fong

[djc311]

I'd say based upon the posts thus far, I'd like to open a "new" Grisanti's and perhaps WC Franks... any takers?

[nativeomahan]

This thread rekindles a lot of memories of dining at many of these named restaurants. While the current restaurant scene is vibrant we truly have lost some classy as well as classic spots over the years. To the lists above I will add Dixie Kitchen, Cliffs at 114th off of Dodge Rd, the Ranch Bowl, Leonarda’s on Leavenworth, Bonaratti’s in Ralston, Jack Holme’s Ground Cow at 74th and Pacific, B Piggs at the same location, Kauffman’s Bakery on Farnam, Tiner’s Drive In at 42nd and Dodge, Acapulco y Los Arcos in Old Mill, Kenny’s steakhouse at 73rd and Pacific, Bonanza on Dodge, Lyle’s Patio in Rockbrook, the several actual full service Valentino’s restaurants, the Sidewalk Cafe, the Neon Goose on 10th Street, Firmatures (several locations through the years) Mr. Steak on south 72nd, Angie’s on south 10th, Cities on south 13th, the Gas Lamp on Leavenworth, Venice Inn on Pacific and Italian Gardens in Little Italy.

[Brad]

Omaha Artist Frank Costanzo made this cool poster with all the old Omaha Italian Restaurants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WTXpoRXCY/

FRANK-COSTANZO-ART.jpg

[nebugeater]

Omaha Artist Frank Costanzo made this cool poster with all the old Omaha Italian Restaurants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WTXpoRXCY/

FRANK-COSTANZO-ART.jpg

That would make a cool puzzle

[TitosBuritoBarn]

Grisanti’s
Ingredient
Mister C's
Romano's Macaroni Grill

[djc311]

Grisanti’s
Ingredient
Mister C's
Romano's Macaroni Grill

Several on here (myself included) had Grisanti's on their list. I know that The Daily in Bel Air Plaza has been doing some pop-up thing where they're selling a copy cat Grisanti's limited menu. I saw they have the bread, salad, alfredo, etc... not sure how close to the originals they are. However, I read this past weekend they claimed to have had people standing in line for 4-5 hours waiting to purchase this food.

Is this for real? I mean I miss the place, but a $14 loaf of bread (The Daily's price) for a 4 hour wait seems beyond crazy.

They also stated people were selling their places in line. Again, for bread? Perhaps if this was the great depression, but this just doesn't sound right.

I believe they've done this at least twice now - and the first time they apparently had quite a bit of product leftover they were trying to clear out. I'm not sure how that turned a full 180° from the first try.

Has anyone on here picked up food from this event?

[ricko]

Omaha Artist Frank Costanzo made this cool poster with all the old Omaha Italian Restaurants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WTXpoRXCY/

FRANK-COSTANZO-ART.jpg

I’d forgotten about some of these places. This poster helped me remember Salvatore’s on Saddle Creek, considered the best Italian restaurant in Omaha at the time. Its owner, Sam Bonnafate, was a family friend. It wasn’t around long since Sam passed away very young. I’ve eaten at most of these, and an uncle was part owner of a couple listed. Oddo’s was a drive-in on S. 13th that had a very cool futuristic look.

[Brad]

Omaha Artist Frank Costanzo made this cool poster with all the old Omaha Italian Restaurants.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1WTXpoRXCY/

FRANK-COSTANZO-ART.jpg

I’d forgotten about some of these places. This poster helped me remember Salvatore’s on Saddle Creek, considered the best Italian restaurant in Omaha at the time. Its owner, Sam Bonnafate, was a family friend. It wasn’t around long since Sam passed away very young. I’ve eaten at most of these, and an uncle was part owner of a couple listed. Oddo’s was a drive-in on S. 13th that had a very cool futuristic look.

The artist who made that, his dad owned Frankie & Phyl's on that poster. When I was in the gallery with him, people would always stop by and want his dad's Linguini and Clams recipe.

[Stan]

I think Grisanti's had a great building though too. It always felt really nice and comfortable there.

Anyone missing Joe Tess'? That's about the only nostalgic place I have since I didn't grow up in Omaha.

Because of that, I have no love for the old italian places except for Lo Solo Mio. I had a boss take us to Venice Inn before they closed and by that time, there wasn't much to love.

[ChadJK]

Do I miss them because they were good, because they are nostalgic for me, or a bit of both. Hard to tell.

I do miss Amarillo BBQ , Nettie's, Mama Alvino's, China Road and Siam Cuisine by Nit in Bellevue. I miss Newman's Pasta and The Taj (original owners' version) in West O. I miss Jazz downtown. I miss Millard Roadhouse and Tired Texan BBQ in Millard. Probably several others if I dwell on it long enough.

I will say, similarly to djc311 comments, that I do see Grisanti's on a lot of these lists, but Grisanti's was getting a lot of hate in the last few years before they closed for reduced quality and horrible service. So, miss the Grisanti's of the 90s? Maybe. Miss the Grisanti's of the 2010s? Are you sure about that?

[nativeomahan]

I definitely miss Grisanti’s, and Amarillo BBQ, China Road and Jazz. The Millard Roadhouse was wonderful in their prime years, but not at the end. The Neon Goose as always fun as well. Then further back in time were two iconic places: Scribbles and Gallagher’s. Grandmother’s had a loyal following as well. The Bombay Bicycle Club and Rusty Scupper were two places popular in the 1980s. Omaha’s restaurant scene has evolved over the decades, but it would be even better today if some of these long gone places were still in business.

[djc311]

Another place I miss is McKenna's BBQ on 75th & Pacific. Drove down that road a couple of weeks ago and totally forgot it used to be there. Never hung out at the place the see music, but I'd stop in for lunch quite often when I worked in that area.