Episodes
Neapolitan style pizza on a food trailer? An owner who got his start by building a pizza oven in his backyard? Nothing about Terrible Gerald’s is conventional or by the book, but the pizzas coming out of this trailer have Omaha coming out in swarms. Hear the science behind these delicious pies and the unique story that got Maggie & Adam to create a funky pizza sensation. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese....
Published 05/02/24
Published 05/02/24
The restaurant industry is really rough, and making it 3-5 years is an achievement. And then there's Dante, entering year 15 in business with no signs of slowing down. I chat with Owner/Executive Chef Nick and Head Chef Seth about what's led to Dante's sustained success, the trends it has helped set in Omaha, and more. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and receive...
Published 04/25/24
There's a lot of great Mexican food, but nothing like La Sierra. This restaurant brings a taste of Durango and its unique gorditas and burritos to Omaha, all with the love and intention one would expect from a family who grew up in the Mexican state. Hear what makes La Sierra different and what makes the Cazares family so passionate about showcasing this food to Omaha! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit...
Published 04/18/24
Ooh de Lally would be an excellent restaurant if all it did was serve excellent food. But on top of thrilling diners with delicious plates, this Dundee restaurant has a higher cause behind it. We chat about Ooh de Lally's partnership with Metro CC to help incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and find stability, the secret behind the legendary mac & cheese, why Gordon Ramsey's screaming doesn't actually work in a kitchen, and more! Also follow up...
Published 04/11/24
Nick has had the concept of and the passion for his own burger joint since high school, but some detours took him out of the restaurant industry. But once he found his way back into the kitchen, he knew it was home, and it shows in his food. We discuss the science behind smash burgers, the key to creating the perfectly fluffy french fry, and the journey that's led to his burger concept that's taking Omaha by storm. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND...
Published 04/04/24
What if I told you that you could get restaurant-quality meals delivered to your doorstep, ready after only a few minutes in the microwave? Crazy as it sounds, the crew at Mealbox has cracked the code to make it happen. Hear the science behind these magical meals, how they come up with 10 new meals each week, and the wild story of how the concept came to life. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their...
Published 03/28/24
What goes into the creation of a high-end whiskey bar? What's the R&D process to make craft cocktails? And how do bartenders express themselves through the drinks they create? The owner and head bartender of Proof open up on those topics and more in our fascinating conversation! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and receive 25% off your order! This is...
Published 03/21/24
Though they grew up in different countries on different continents, rotisserie chicken was an important food to both Carlos and Palmyra growing up. And after a life-changing meal in Miami, they decided to open a concept centered around rotisserie chickens together. Hear their story and what makes this poultry a cut above what you'll find at other chicken concepts. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their...
Published 03/14/24
Arthur had almost no restaurant experience before moving to Omaha and opening his restaurant in 2021, but he just had to share his Armenian food and culture with the masses. Learn what defines Armenian food, what makes his kebabs different from any you’ve had before, and how Arthur successfully jumped into the restaurant industry in the midst of a pandemic. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their...
Published 03/07/24
Omaha can't get enough of the newest addition to Omaha's pizza scene. This unique Neapolitan/New York combo dough is bringing customers like few restaurants experience right off the bat, but it's not all fun and games for this crew. Hear the hard work that went into developing the dough, perfecting the cook, and managing the hungry crowds. These veterans of the restaurant industry have a lot of experience, and the success of this new venture proves it. Also follow up...
Published 02/29/24
Tired of having to drive to South Omaha to get great Latin food and groceries, this long-time of the restaurant industry opened his own place! Hear Jose's story, how he created his life-altering (not an exaggeration) Cubano, the evolution of his market into offering more hot food, and the joy he gets from having freedom to run his business the way he wants. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their...
Published 02/22/24
Jack Heiman has always had a knack for making great burgers, but he never planned on making a food concept out of it. But friends pushed him to do pop-ups. And then he won the 2023 Omaha Burger Battle, which firmly put Nomadic Jack's on the map. Jack details his journey, what makes his burgers special, and how he rebounded from a humbling pop-up to regain his confidence and create on of Omaha's fastest-rising concepts. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND...
Published 02/15/24
New or struggling restaurants may need some help getting off the ground, and that's where consultants like Matt come in. We discuss the role of a restaurant consultant, examples of what MJT Hospitality does for its clients, and look at overall food trends for restaurants to keep an eye on. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and receive 25% off your order! This...
Published 02/08/24
What's it like to be on the Food Network and meet Guy Fieri? Just how intense and chaotic is the filming process? The owners of these three restaurants were recently featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, and they tell all about their experience, what Guy is really like, and more in this fantastic episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and receive 25% off...
Published 02/01/24
This mother/son duo has incredible memories of spending summers in the New England area, so they decided to bring that cuisine to Omaha. Starting with a food truck and now a beautiful brick and mortar, the Taylors give Omaha a taste of the Northeast. Hear the excruciating process behind creating the lobster roll, how they source fresh seafood in the middle of the country, and more in this great episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND...
Published 01/25/24
Joel Hassanali is a lifelong savory chef, but when the Young family opened Salted Edge, they also wanted a bakery. So Joel gave himself a donut crash course and helped open Sugared Ledge, the brainchild of Ashley Young. Together this duo creates donuts, cakes, and breakfast sandwiches that are a cut above. Check out their story and learn what makes this place more than your average donut shop. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored...
Published 01/18/24
In 2006, two people with little to no professional food experience set out to do something completely new: not only open an ice cream shop, but ship it all over the country! And 17 years later and an appearance on Shark Tank later, they're still scooping some of Omaha's best ice cream and creating memorable gifts for delighted customers. Hear the story of this unique company on this fascinating episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND...
Published 01/11/24
What's it like to work at Block 16, one of Omaha's most beloved restaurants? Why not ask its first ever sous chefs?! Wyatt and Luke pull back the curtain about how they helped reassemble Block 16's crew coming out of COVID and established a line of communication that's just as important as cooking. We also discussed the creation of Block 16's wacky specials, learning from Jenny Coco, what it's like to cook with a line of 30 people spilling out of the restaurant, and more! Also follow up...
Published 01/04/24
As the calendar turns to 2024, I look back and hand out awards for my best meals of 2023 to celebrate the restaurants that served them and help you plan out your 2024 eating! Categories include Best Dish, Best New Restaurant, Best Burger, Best Dessert, and more! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and receive 25% off your order! This is another Hurrdat Media...
Published 12/31/23
The owners of Omaha's most popular Indian restaurant discuss getting diners to branch out from familiar dishes to try plates from Kerala (India), where Ashish grew up. They also discuss the joys and difficulty of moving restaurant spaces, the fun of adding a Chef's Home Table and thali while at the new location, and so much more!  Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN,...
Published 12/21/23
Someday, Ryan's goal is to have his signature hot dog, the Willie Dog, as not only a must-try Omaha food, but also mentioned among America's iconic dogs like the Chicago dog and New York coney. That might sound ambitious, but considering how far this business has come in a few years, don't bet against him. From its humble beginnings as a food cart, Willie Dogs just continues to grow. This episode explains what makes this different from any hot dog you've had and tells Willie Dogs story in a...
Published 12/14/23
Omaha has some great gyro spots, but nothing like the New York street gyros that Mo grew up eating. That style, combined with the Egyptian twists he and Faysal put on their sandwiches and rice platters, make Gyro Kings a one-of-a-kind flavor explosion that simply must be experienced. And once you hear what you these two have planned, you'll be even more enticed to experience this food and get excited for what's to come. Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND...
Published 12/07/23
We all love breakfast and brunch, right? So why not get the people who do it better than anyone in Omaha and pick their brains about this beloved meal. The owners of Saddle Creek Breakfast Club, Lemon Tree Cafe, Gravy Train, and Good Lookin' joined me for a fantastic live podcast and a discussion about crazy customer demands, what makes brunch feel special, breakfast sandwiches, and more! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified...
Published 11/30/23
Salted Edge provides an experience few other restaurants in Omaha can, and it has this duo to thank for that. We discuss the restaurant's origins, how dishes move from conception to reality, the relationship between sous chef and head chef, the importance of trust in the kitchen, and so much more. This is a can't miss episode! Also follow up on Facebook, Twitter,  Instagram, AND at RestaurantHoppen.com! Sponsored by Certified Piedmontese. Visit their website, use Promo Code: HOPPEN, and...
Published 11/22/23