nebugeater wrote: Fri Mar 15, 2024 2:28 pm
Soft open today and tomorrow ( Sat). My wife drove by a while ago, and she said the line of cars made her think it was a Chic Fil La !!!!
were doing free lunches...and a new brand in omaha. we don't have a lot in this town, so people come from far and wide. Cletus and Ethel get the kids on the back of the tractor and head out to see what all the fussin is about with the new fangled eatery.
I like Hawaiian Bros. Solid, slightly different option for lunch. They picked an oddish location, but I'm happy they are in the market now.
Was by there on Sat on my way back from Costco and stopped at Walmart. it was 11 AM, and the line for the drive threw wrapped onto the main road to walmart well past before you got to Taco Ball.
I guess the Cletus and Ethel group you refer to must all live in Douglas, Sarpy, or Lancaster County because they mostly had XXX YYY plate numbers.
As for a strange location, maybe you just need to get out more. There is plenty of rooftops near by and the I-80 traffic. Think it is a Great location for first to market location selection.
It's on the fringes of town and Gretna has a history of struggling to make restaurants last while generally having trouble staffing their locations due to being far away from affordable housing. I'm very familiar with the location and Gretna in general.
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
Last edited by ChadJK on Fri Sep 13, 2024 8:41 am, edited 1 time in total.
Heck, even Pepperjax had a huge line when they opened their Bellevue location. Happens all the time with new to market places. We thought about going to Hawaiian Bros, but I think we will wait until it dies down.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
It does happen and I'll never understand it. I would never battle crowds to be the first to have a new place. But, I've had this chain in KC. It's solid if you like things like Chipotle or Pepperjax.
By weird location, I just hope Gretna works for them. Gretna just has problems with new places at times. We will see. fast casual works better down there vs. sit down, that's for sure. It's the distance from affordable housing and the pool of workers that's the concern by track record.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
It does happen and I'll never understand it. I would never battle crowds to be the first to have a new place. But, I've had this chain in KC. It's solid if you like things like Chipotle or Pepperjax.
By weird location, I just hope Gretna works for them. Gretna just has problems with new places at times. We will see. fast casual works better down there vs. sit down, that's for sure. It's the distance from affordable housing and the pool of workers that's the concern by track record.
It will do fine out there. Old stereotypes of Gretna are just that, old. The population out there is flat out booming. You will continue to see new things arrive and thrive there with the growth they are having.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
It does happen and I'll never understand it. I would never battle crowds to be the first to have a new place. But, I've had this chain in KC. It's solid if you like things like Chipotle or Pepperjax.
By weird location, I just hope Gretna works for them. Gretna just has problems with new places at times. We will see. fast casual works better down there vs. sit down, that's for sure. It's the distance from affordable housing and the pool of workers that's the concern by track record.
It will do fine out there. Old stereotypes of Gretna are just that, old. The population out there is flat out booming. You will continue to see new things arrive and thrive there with the growth they are having.
I hope so. They've struggled with the food tenants at Nebraska Crossing. They lost the Nolis after about a year. MacDaro's closed. Taco John's closed. Many restaurants I've been to out there perpetually have staffing issues. So, it may well get better as more people move out there, but I wouldn't call the idea that restaurants have struggled "outdated" with a half dozen closures in the last year alone due to staffing and lower sales. Restaurants struggle all over, but it's a decent percentage that fail out there.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
It does happen and I'll never understand it. I would never battle crowds to be the first to have a new place. But, I've had this chain in KC. It's solid if you like things like Chipotle or Pepperjax.
By weird location, I just hope Gretna works for them. Gretna just has problems with new places at times. We will see. fast casual works better down there vs. sit down, that's for sure. It's the distance from affordable housing and the pool of workers that's the concern by track record.
It will do fine out there. Old stereotypes of Gretna are just that, old. The population out there is flat out booming. You will continue to see new things arrive and thrive there with the growth they are having.
I hope so. They've struggled with the food tenants at Nebraska Crossing. They lost the Nolis after about a year. MacDaro's closed. Taco John's closed. Many restaurants I've been to out there perpetually have staffing issues. So, it may well get better as more people move out there, but I wouldn't call the idea that restaurants have struggled "outdated" with a half dozen closures in the last year alone due to staffing and lower sales. Restaurants struggle all over, but it's a decent percentage that fail out there.
Overall the Outlet is not primarily supported by Gretna, It's regional so I can't really see drawing conclusions based on restaurant experiences there.
As far as the others, that's nothing that isn't happening all over the metro (and I would assume based on reports, nationwide). I work in Bellevue and see restaurants open then close here. Same in West Omaha where I live. It's been well documented to be happening in Omaha's core as well. We talked extensively about it in regards to mid town crossing, Muchacho's and others. Heck even the thriving Ak Sar Ben Village has been dealing with a decent amount of turnover at Inner Rail.
omaha79 wrote: Mon Mar 18, 2024 9:14 am
But, my comment about Cletus and Ethel is how it makes people look like hicks with nothing else to do when you get that excited over fast casual food just because it's something new.
That seems fairly normal. Remember the wait to be seated at IHOP when it first returned to Omaha? Remember the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A when they opened their first location here? Remember the lines at Raising Cane's when they first came to town? The hordes of people lining up for chain restaurant food when it first comes to town isn't limited to the outskirts of Omaha.
It does happen and I'll never understand it. I would never battle crowds to be the first to have a new place. But, I've had this chain in KC. It's solid if you like things like Chipotle or Pepperjax.
By weird location, I just hope Gretna works for them. Gretna just has problems with new places at times. We will see. fast casual works better down there vs. sit down, that's for sure. It's the distance from affordable housing and the pool of workers that's the concern by track record.
It will do fine out there. Old stereotypes of Gretna are just that, old. The population out there is flat out booming. You will continue to see new things arrive and thrive there with the growth they are having.
I hope so. They've struggled with the food tenants at Nebraska Crossing. They lost the Nolis after about a year. MacDaro's closed. Taco John's closed. Many restaurants I've been to out there perpetually have staffing issues. So, it may well get better as more people move out there, but I wouldn't call the idea that restaurants have struggled "outdated" with a half dozen closures in the last year alone due to staffing and lower sales. Restaurants struggle all over, but it's a decent percentage that fail out there.
McDarios sold out and the location is still operating and busy as always
Nolies They were there own worst enemies and I have posted elsewhere what IMO they did wrong. The location ahs a new tenant and is waiting on Fire inspection o open
TAco Johns. Kind of a surprise to me so
Nebr Crossing. Not the ideal place to just go to eat.
In my opinion only, I don't think the failure rate is any higher around Gretna than anywhere else post-COVID.
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
My wife and I tried Hawaiian Bros Island Grill last night. We really liked it. We got there about 5:30 and were able to go inside, order quickly, and get a table. 10 min later, we would have just driven by. The line to get in and the drive-through got crazy quickly shortly after we arrived. I had the Luau Pig plate, and my wife had the Hulu Hulu chicken plate. Both were really good and well-seasoned. Portions were plenty. Pricing was in line with where other places are now. I would call this quick casual and not fast food. Since it was our first time there, we got an order each of the Tropical Dole Whip. A side of fresh pineapple and a Spam Musubi. We will be back, but we will probably let the new wear off a bit and the crowds thin. We got lucky on timing.
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
nebugeater wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 5:57 am
My wife and I tried Hawaiian Bros Island Grill last night. We really liked it. We got there about 5:30 and were able to go inside, order quickly, and get a table. 10 min later, we would have just driven by. The line to get in and the drive-through got crazy quickly shortly after we arrived. I had the Luau Pig plate, and my wife had the Hulu Hulu chicken plate. Both were really good and well-seasoned. Portions were plenty. Pricing was in line with where other places are now. I would call this quick casual and not fast food. Since it was our first time there, we got an order each of the Tropical Dole Whip. A side of fresh pineapple and a Spam Musubi. We will be back, but we will probably let the new wear off a bit and the crowds thin. We got lucky on timing.
Tried tonight. I don’t get the hype. It feels like Panda Express with a new, dry entree selection. Dole whip is basically pineapple sherbet whipped. Too much rice…not enough meat. Dry meat squares…..sort of like a dry flavorless burnt end. Mac salad was excellent. Side note: the new trend of very small drink areas is frustrating. Any more than one person in that area creates a back log in an already tight dining room.
CBJason wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:18 pm
My wife and I tried this and we liked it. It also reminds us of the Hawaiian version of Panda Express. We might even go a second time before we leave.
I drive by fairly regularly and have made a point of noting how busy they look. So far, the parking lot and drive-through always seem to be busy during the hours when they should be
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
CBJason wrote: Sat Jun 15, 2024 8:18 pm
My wife and I tried this and we liked it. It also reminds us of the Hawaiian version of Panda Express. We might even go a second time before we leave.
I drive by fairly regularly and have made a point of noting how busy they look. So far, the parking lot and drive-through always seem to be busy during the hours when they should be
We were there about 1. All the seating inside was basically full.
We tried it a couple of weeks ago. Shiny and new. Friendly and helpful employees. The food is basically Chicken + Asian-Inspired Sauce + Served over White Rice. That's pretty much it. Very similar to getting teriyaki chicken except diced up. It's good, but there's not a lot of variety here.
We tried it a couple of weeks ago. Shiny and new. Friendly and helpful employees. The food is basically Chicken + Asian-Inspired Sauce + Served over White Rice. That's pretty much it. Very similar to getting teriyaki chicken except diced up. It's good, but there's not a lot of variety here.
This was our experience as well. It was fine, but I don’t think it was much more special than rather run-of-the-mill teriyaki chicken.
Same here. We went and it was good, but since its not close to where we live, probably not special enough to warrant another trip unless we are nearby.
Styrofoam is so ecologically unfriendly. It’s not reusable or biodegradable. In most places it’s also not recyclable. That alone is reason enough for me to avoid this place.
nativeomahan wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2024 3:57 pm
Styrofoam is so ecologically unfriendly. It’s not reusable or biodegradable. In most places it’s also not recyclable. That alone is reason enough for me to avoid this place.
You can mix it with gasoline and it makes a sticky flammable substance. Sort of a poor man's napalm. So, umm, there's that.
Last edited by ChadJK on Fri Aug 09, 2024 9:47 am, edited 1 time in total.
nativeomahan wrote: Tue Jul 09, 2024 3:57 pm
Styrofoam is so ecologically unfriendly. It’s not reusable or biodegradable. In most places it’s also not recyclable. That alone is reason enough for me to avoid this place.
You can mix it with gasoline and it makes a sticky flammable substance. Sort of a poor man's napalm. So, umm, there's that.
If that is what you are after just eat at Taco Bell and avoid the extra effort
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
HskrFanMike wrote: Fri Jul 26, 2024 12:53 pm
We tried it last weekend, it was pretty good. I love Hawai'i, and this seemed pretty authentic as far as plate lunches go.
When this was originally announced, there were plans to open several more locations...anybody know if they are still thinking that?
As far as more locations, I have not heard any more one way or another.
We go there occasionally and have been happy with it so far. When we go or when I drive by, since I live in Gretna, it seems to have a steady flow of customers and is busy
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a lease to move into the former Boston Market building at 704 North 114th Street in Miracle Hills. Perkins-Critser Construction will start working on the renovations soon. Hawaiian Bros’ first Nebraska location is near Interstate 80 & Highway 370 in Gretna.
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a lease to move into the former Boston Market building at 704 North 114th Street in Miracle Hills. Perkins-Critser Construction will start working on the renovations soon. Hawaiian Bros’ first Nebraska location is near Interstate 80 & Highway 370 in Gretna.
That should be a good addition to the area.
We last went to the one by Gretna late afternoon last Sunday. It always seems busy, and being there about 3:30 and not being a traditional meal time, there was plenty of dining in
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a lease to move into the former Boston Market building at 704 North 114th Street in Miracle Hills. Perkins-Critser Construction will start working on the renovations soon. Hawaiian Bros’ first Nebraska location is near Interstate 80 & Highway 370 in Gretna.
That should be a good addition to the area.
We last went to the one by Gretna late afternoon last Sunday. It always seems busy, and being there about 3:30 and not being a traditional meal time, there was plenty of dining in
It's tasty. There's not a lot of selection as I previously noted, but if you're craving chicken coated in an Asian-inspired glaze served over rice, then it's pretty good.
nebugeater wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:13 am
Are there any updates on the additional location(s) that they said were coming when the Gretna one was announced and opened?
The previously announced location in Miracle hills at 704 N 114 ST has been issued several building permits in the past 2 weeks.
nebugeater wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:13 am
Are there any updates on the additional location(s) that they said were coming when the Gretna one was announced and opened?
The previously announced location in Miracle hills at 704 N 114 ST has been issued several building permits in the past 2 weeks.
Is that the old Boston Market building in Miracle Hills Park?
nebugeater wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:13 am
Are there any updates on the additional location(s) that they said were coming when the Gretna one was announced and opened?
The previously announced location in Miracle hills at 704 N 114 ST has been issued several building permits in the past 2 weeks.
Is that the old Boston Market building in Miracle Hills Park?
nebugeater wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 6:13 am
Are there any updates on the additional location(s) that they said were coming when the Gretna one was announced and opened?
The previously announced location in Miracle hills at 704 N 114 ST has been issued several building permits in the past 2 weeks.
I knew about that location but hadn't heard or seen any activity.
I believe they said four total
For the record NEBUGEATER does not equal BUGEATER !!!!!!!
We're fans of Hawaiian Bros. It's a nice break from burger and fry joints and pricing is good. The Miracle Hills location is never that busy and they people working there are friendly.
I like it. The food is good, but the selection is lacking. As previously noted, it's all basically a diced meat tossed in an Asian-inspired sauce served on a bed of white rice. They just have like 9 variations of that same thing.
