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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 13, 1999)
JoshWolfe/DN KAREN HARTSHORN displays some of Wee B. Smo ken’s famous ribs inside the restaurant at 2441 N. 11th St. Sharon Kolbet/DN CATHY LEHN, left, chef Nader Farahbod and Brent Farahbod gather around a table at Billy’s, 1301 H St. This quaint and comfortable restaurant ranked at the top for food qual ity. Lincoln's restaurant scene offers some diamonds in the rough By J.J. Harder Staff writer It’s finally over. After a year of trying to eat at every restaurant in Lincoln, I’ve finally done it. That’s right. I ate at every single place in town. Bars, buffets, cafes, lounges - any establishment that serves food - I’ve been there. I don’t exactly know why I started this mission, but I completed it nonetheless. Sure, it was a good amount of money injected into the Lincoln econo my, but I received plenty of benefits in return. I discovered some great parts of Lincoln I did n’t know even existed. I met some interesting peo ple. And I enjoyed some great meals with friends. And now 1 will do the honorable thing and share the wealth I have gained from this “I-have no-life” experience. I will give you my opinion on those select places each of you must visit before leaving Lincoln. Keep in mind: No national or regional chains are covered in this list. Yes, I still ate at one loca tion of each of them, but national restaurants lack the character of local eateries. And that’s really what true dining is all about. Not just the food or the service, but the atmos phere, personality and intangibles that give the restaurant i*s identity. So if you want to get out and taste a little bit of what Lincoln has to offer, then at least give my favorites a shot. Ali Baba Gyros, 112 N. 14th St. Inside you won’t find much: a few Husker football posters, a television turned to “Headline News” and a big chalkboard menu. But you’ll also find three of die nicest guys in Lincoln. And they work harder than anybody in town just to serve up your gyro and fries. The gyros are by far the best in town, but try their chicken kabob sometime just for a change. Wee B. Smoken, Suite 1,2441N. ll*kSt When renowned blues star B.B. King came to town, only one restaurant catered for him and his crew - Wee-B. Smoken. Barbecue and the blues go hand in hand, so tffcg’s choice solidified Smoken’s status as thebest barbecue in town. Inside you’ll find the classic red-and-white checkered tablecloths and some great food. I rec NateWagner/DN ALI BABA GYROS’ owner, Naqibullah Attale, pre pares a Spanako pita, one of the many pita and gyro choices available at the restaurant. All Baba, 112 H. 14th St., has been noted for its service. Attale, who has owned the store since 1990, said the store gets Ns name from All Baba, the Robin Hood of the Middle East. ommend the barbecue chicken sandwich with Uncle Alan’s Taters. And don’t forget your free dish of ice cream. Billy’s, 1301H St. The lore surrounding this restaurant says it was once owned by famed Nebraska orator William Jennings Bryan (William - Billy’s, get it?). Regardless of its history, I bill it as the No. 1 place to take a date. It’s quaint, affordable and out of-the-way - quiet, but still close to all the down town activities. And it’s not packed with a two hour wait like the newest flashy places in south Lincoln. Billy’s serves continental cuisine on a chang ing menu by one of Lincoln’s only authentic cooks, chef Nader Farahbod. “Our food isn’t really fancy, with lots of extras sauces and decorations,” Farahbod said. “We have wholesome food with the best ingredients and a Please see FOOD on 13 Tup 20 "Best Of-” in Uncaln Best Buffet: Mr. Panda Best Place to Take Your Grandad (tie): Farabee’s, The Pantry Best Place to See Some Shady Characters: Tam O’Shanter Best Mexican: La Paz Best Music: Mazatlan (Mariachi Bands!) Best Chinese (tie): Egg Roll King, Windchimes Beat Chicken Strips: Gourmet Grill Beat Place to Have to Speak Another Language to Order: La Mexicans Best Bar Food (he): Beacon Lounge, Matt’s Bar Best Seafood: Inn Harms Way Best Place to Find Bikers and Businessmen at the Same Time: Duggan’s Pub Best Place to Talk to a Trucker (tie): Virginia’s Traveller’s Cafe, T&R’s Garden Best Fried Chicken: Lee’s Best Lighting: The Oven Best Place to Talk About NASCAR: Tina’s Cafe Beet Wings: Watering Hole Best Place for Women to Have Lunch: White House Tea Room Best History: Engine House Cafe (It was a real Havelock fire engine garage)