Yia Yia's coming to Omaha?

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:31 am

I heard that the new pizza place going in at Saddle Creek's development is going to be a Yia Yia's. My source was 100% positive, but I've never gotten any info from him before so I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me though, as I know that the SCers can often be found at the Yia Yia's in Lincoln.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:05 am

Yia Yia's has really good pizza and atmosphere. It will be a good addition to the metro.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:51 am

Easily the best pizza I am aware of in Nebraska. Big Fred's is there, but they aren't the same type of pizza, so you can't compare them. Instead of apple's and oranges, it comparing seasoned ground beef and pepperoni to pineapple, Canadian bacon and feta and olives.

-Big E

KCPowercat1 · Post by **KCPowercat1** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 10:56 am

sure it's not this place?

http://www.yiayias.com/

It's owned by a KC restaurant group that has been expanding to surrounding cities lately.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:20 pm

He was 100% it was the one in Lincoln, and I'm 90% sure it is. It seems like something Saddle Creek would do.

Edit: Also, I always thought the pizza was sort of bad at YiaYia's. Not gross bad, but bad in an "it adds to the ambiance" sort of way. It is, however, probably my favorite pizza place in the nation.

omahastylee459 · Post by **omahastylee459** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:20 pm

Easily the best pizza I am aware of in Nebraska. Big Fred's is there, but they aren't the same type of pizza

sorry I think i just threw up in my mouth a little....

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 3:33 pm

Like Bob said, it really wouldn't be surprising if Yia Yia's in Lincoln opened up a restaurant at the SC deveopment in Omaha, since those guys do hang out there a lot. It does have great atmosphere, and would be perfect for that area with creighton students and young professionals.

The "decor" of Yia Yia's in Lincoln is so quirky and very much benefits from the vintage building it is in. I wonder how or if they would/could reproduce that atmosphere in Omaha. Or, maybe they want it to be a different atmosphere. If that's the case, I'd like to see it go ultra modern and sleek.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 2:22 am

Mama's and Srgt. Peffers both in the Saddle Creek area have great pizza.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:21 am

I heard a hair-cutter talking about Srgt. Peffers moving into the old Zio's Pizzeria (I think?) that was over by the new Hobby Lobby on Millard Ave. Family Cutters are getting pushed a little further down on the strip to make more room for Srgt. Peffers. This will be happening by the end of the year.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 3:27 am

I like to take the trek southbound on Saddle Creek..To Leavenworth St..Turn left..And enjoy the best pizza in Omaha: La Casa, on 45th..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 8:16 am

La Casa's is my favorite too.

guy4omaha · Post by **guy4omaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:31 am

La Casa's - #1 for pizzzzzzzaa. yeah baby. the lasagna is great as well.

Bene's - #2 if you order the Gracie's Special

Mama's - #3 how can you not like a pizza stacked this high?

Yia Yia's - dying to find out

Traveling?

Marco's - in an old Dubuque neighborhood for part of the charm - about 8 tables serving slices of heaven

Pasquales - Humboldt, IA - the place is a dive with long shag carpeting on the walls. Raw meat cooked on the pizza. So greasy you can feel your arteries constrict with each bite. But, it was made for beer and beer was made for Pasquale's Pizza. Warning: for your well-being, I would not recommend consumption of this pizza more than twice a year. But if it kills you, what a way to go.

Post by **Brad** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 11:58 am

I like to take the trek southbound on Saddle Creek..To Leavenworth St..Turn left..And enjoy the best pizza in Omaha: La Casa, on 45th..

I forgot all about that LaCasa because I usually end up on the one on 84th street. LaCasa is great!

eomaha · Post by **eomaha** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 12:44 pm

Yes... La Casa 'West'... I wish they would build a REAL La Casa West out by me.

Locke · Post by **Locke** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 5:26 pm

The best thing about Yia Yia's is the extensive beer selection. Old Chicago is the only other place around (that I can think of) that has that extensive a beer list. It would be a great place for beer lovers who don't want the Old Chicago feel.

(Yia Yia's food is poop though.)

Asten · Post by **Asten** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 6:40 pm

Locke wrote:The best thing about Yia Yia's is the extensive beer selection. Old Chicago is the only other place around (that I can think of) that has that extensive a beer list. It would be a great place for beer lovers who don't want the Old Chicago feel.

(Yia Yia's food is poop though.)

Fox & Hounds (120th & Dodge, 178th & Center) has *almost* as good a beer selection as Old Chicago. I still vastly prefer Old Chicago, but not having any Old Chicagos in the Chicago area makes it difficult (and is a head-scratcher)

jsheets · Post by **jsheets** » Sun Nov 06, 2005 9:57 pm

Yia Yia's pizza is great! What are you guys talking about? Have you eaten it?

I like Lazarri's best, but Yia Yia's is great too!

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 10:08 am

bump

according to omahachef, this is no longer a rumor.

and actually, my original source for this rumor was working for saddle creek at the time...and he said it was pretty much a done deal then.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 4:26 pm

So, you're saying that it will infact be at the Slowdown site?

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:07 pm

This should be a really cool development. Sorry Chef, it looks like you have some competition now.

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 5:37 pm

Personally

My favorite pizza I have ever eaten has been at Lombardi's in NYC...

...but in the area...

I tend to stay only local.

I vehemently refuse to eat at chains. I will eat at some if people take me or just to try it

But I always always always will go to a local place over a national chain.

IN sioux city I definately suggest trying El Fredo's pizza.

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:00 am

Was Lombardi's on the West Side around 50th or so? If so, I think I ate there. Great NY style pie. Whole basil leaves and whole slices of mozzarella. Fantastico!

Also, anyone ever have Giordano's in Chicago? It's like eating a pizza cake it's so deep, with the sauce on top of everything else. You order when you walk in, and then if you're lucky you get a table 45 minutes later to eat these monster. Bring friends. Hungry ones.

Omaha really needs a break from the red sauce and processed mozzarella plan. Yia Yia's is an excellent start.

Also, can someone give me an inclination to the infatuation with LaCasa's pizza? I'm not bad mouthing it, but I just really don't get why so may people rave about it. I must be missing something.

-Big E

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:31 am

Giordano's is sweet. I was saddened, though, when I found out it was a chain.

Hands down, best pizza I've ever had is Grimaldi's (http://www.grimaldis.com/) in Brooklyn. If you're ever in NYC, it's worth the trip across the Brooklyn Bridge. I had dinner there Christmas Eve ;) Incidently, here http://pizzatoday.com/features_articles ... NyZXQ4OTY= is a good article on the lost art of pizza making (and it features Grimaldi). Explains pretty well why places like Zio's just don't cut it. It's impossible to find good "New York Style" pizza around here, just like you can't find "Chicago Style" around here either. Saddens me.

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:27 pm

...It doesn't have to be a certain style of pie to appease.

Make a good pizza with locally grown ingredients, a friendly, pizza joint type atmosphere (it doesn't have to be nice. just your typical pizza joint, have some attitude for christ's sake and don't be so homogenonzed...have flair!)

and you'll make bank.

I make my own pizza sauce at home right now, as well as I grow my own tomatoes and garlic..basil..etc in the spring.

The pizza I make, was truly home made. (the dough I also made)

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:32 pm

^Maybe you could open up your own place downtown, with a garden of all the ingredients on the roof. That would be cool, and you could save a couple of bucks by growing everything yourself. Money really can grow on trees.

Just something to think about.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:35 pm

Im sure he already is growing his own ingredients

………… so at least he would have plenty of experience.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:38 pm

MTO wrote:Im sure he already is growing his own ingredients ………… so at least he would have plenty of experience.

Ya, that's what I'm saying.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 9:51 pm

It cracks me up when the River advertise “hydroponics growing systems”, like they got a bunch of horticulturist wanting to grow a garden in their closet tunning in.

adam186 · Post by **adam186** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 10:00 pm

MTO wrote:It cracks me up when the River advertise “hydroponics growing systems”, like they got a bunch of horticulturist wanting to grow a garden in their closet tunning in.

Haha, me too. There must be a market for people wanting grow something (you know what I'm talking about) in their closet.

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:33 pm

I absolutely refuse to go hyrdo.

When I grow my ingredients...I go soil.

It just is less hassle and less start up cost.

And you get about the same quality.

Might try it for my upcoming harvest...

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 5:38 pm

I knew he would know what he was doing.

ModestMouse · Post by **ModestMouse** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 8:57 pm

It's just my experience and what Iv'e read.

I heard tehre is a new method, like aeroponics, where you grow in really high oxygen concentrated air or something

some REALLY advanced stuff.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 12:08 am

haha...okay, let's get back to Pizza.

I wonder if they're going to have the same sort of murals in the omaha location they have at the lincoln location.

Scuzz · Post by **Scuzz** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 1:25 am

Swift wrote:haha...okay, let's get back to Pizza.

Good point... Happy Joe's is my fav. Home of the "Taco Pizza." I understand that Happy Joe's was in O-town back in the day, but it has been some years since they have made a presence here... There have been times that I have driven back to Omaha from Minneapolis; side-stopped in Des Moines to pick up a Large, original crust canadian bacon and sauerkraut pizza from Happy Joe's... heck, I have the number to their Euclid Street location programmed in my phone, and I only go through Des Moines a few times a year!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 19, 2006 9:41 pm

All-
Here's an update on the entire Slowdown project, as written in this week's City Weekly.

http://www.omahacityweekly.com/article.php?id=1048

Looks like they've pushed the openings back to spring '07.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri May 19, 2006 10:42 pm

im all for calling the area slowdown instead of North Downtown or whatever goofy names they have for the area between qwest and cu.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 03, 2006 10:55 am

Now I'm hearing that Yia Yia's has pulled out of this project. Anyone got any info?

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Sun Jun 04, 2006 10:06 am

There was just something in the paper about YiaYia's opening as part of Slowdown. I haven't heard anything about them pulling out.

OmahaChef · Post by **OmahaChef** » Fri Jun 09, 2006 9:07 pm

From what I heard, they are still in. The project is just delayed a bit due to the current national steel shortage.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:24 am

That's good news.

I'd heard they pulled out (and not necessarily beccause of project delays).