Restaurant Hoppen
Dan Hoppen breaks down the Nebraska cuisine scene one bite at a time. He talks to local chefs, media members, and just interesting people about what's going on in the Cornhusker State when it comes to food, where people need to eat, and how food relates to Nebraska sports.
Episodes
July 3, 2025 • 69 mins
Let's talk about the universally beloved food item: pizza! Dan (Backlot Taphouse; Backlot Pizza & Kitchen), Adam (Terrible Gerald's), and Joel (Noli's Pizzeria) talk about how they fell in love with pizza, the intricacies of the craft, how delicate and finicky dough can be, the upcoming trends in the pizza industry, and more!
This episode was sponsored by Semo Pasta. Homemade pasta from local ingredients and an unfor...
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July 1, 2025 • 62 mins
Dan gets the microphone turned on him in this one-of-a-kind live episode. Paul brings the heat, asking Dan the questions so many people ask: does he ever have a bad restaurant experience? Why is he so thin? How did he go from a lame food blogger to a podcast host? We cover all that and much, much more!
🔗 Episode Reference:
Block 16 – https://www.block16omaha.com
This episode was sponsored by Semo Pasta. Homem...
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June 26, 2025 • 70 mins
Matt blew my mind in this episode. Behind the craft of creating cocktails, making drinks based off of guests' moods and memories, and the insane in-the-moment balance of making and taking orders at a bar, this conversation gave me an entirely new respect for anyone in the bar industry. But what I'll remember most is how Matt emphasizes that it's not about what's in the cup; it's how the bar (and the person serving you) make you fee...
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June 19, 2025 • 61 mins
Chef Djamil doesn't just want to serve great food; he wants to change the way Omaha's food community interacts. In our deep, wide-ranging conversation, we discuss how Djamil and his foundation, which empowers and educates immigrants and refugees in the kitchen, is trying to change the conversation around food in Omaha in a way a restaurant couldn't do. We also remark on how, while there are different cuisines and cultures, all food...
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June 12, 2025 • 70 mins
John Rea had limited experience with pizza and pasta when he took over the Via Farina kitchen nearly a decade ago. The move was a game changer for both parties: Via reignited John's passion for cooking, and John's leadership and desire for knowledge (especially about pizza) have taken Via Farina to another level with a second location. We discuss that transition for both he and the restaurant, the art of pizza making and how the 20...
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June 5, 2025 • 67 mins
Frios pops combine the creamy consistency of ice cream with the convenience of a popsicle... but could the concept succeed in Omaha, where it's cold nearly half the year? That's the bet that local couple Chris & Liz, along with their 3 kids made, and after 1 year they're happy they did. We discuss social media strategies, the rise of mobile options in the food industry, the wild story that got this family into the food truck game, ...
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May 29, 2025 • 71 mins
In less than 2 years, Semo Pasta + Wine has established itself as a restaurant Omahans are more than happy to drive to Fremont for. The chefs and owners describe how the restaurant came to be, the concept of serving "European-inspired Nebraska cuisine", hosting Guy Fieri and the wild experience that was, and so much more.
This episode was sponsored by Semo Pasta. Homemade pasta from local ingredients and an unforgettabl...
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May 22, 2025 • 64 mins
How has HomeGrown, a restaurant group with 14 locations (including one that opened in Omaha in Feb. 2025) maintained its strong culture and its love for local products as it has expanded? Omaha General Manager Paul Dullard explains how HomeGrown's team looks to highlight local products (like Archetype Coffee and FatHead Honey) and how it identifies ideal partners in each city. We also chat about the reality on pricing for restauran...
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May 15, 2025 • 65 mins
If you're a wine aficionado, this is the episode for you! As the General Manager at one of Omaha's classic steakhouses, Andrew has a great depth of knowledge about wine, and he shares about sommelier tests, how to pair wine and food, and more. Plus, we talk about what it's like to work for a chain restaurant and how he was involved in the design process of Omaha's new Mahogany location.
🔗 More About Mahogany Prime:https://www.m...
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May 8, 2025 • 62 mins
Why did a successful business woman leave a stable job to start a cake baking business in her home in 2019? She was tired of people saying no to her, so she said yes to her dream... and Omaha quickly developed a ravenous appetite for her cakes. We discuss Stacey's journey as a baker and entrepreneur, how she creates cakes from the base up, and why she's never looked back since starting this unique journey.
Taste the sensation fo...
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May 1, 2025 • 65 mins
Omaha has never had a greater collection of coffee knowledge in one place. Autumn Pruitt (Hardy Coffee Co.), Isaiah Sheese (Archetype Coffee), and Abby McLeay (Zen Coffee Co.) dish on all things coffee, from how and where they source their beans to the coffee trends they can't stand, the link between coffee and community, and what it's like to move from being a coffee lover to owning their own shop.
Sip for Yourself!
Archetype Cof...
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April 24, 2025 • 65 mins
Afghan food has a rich history and a unique blend of spices that make it particularly delicious, but there aren't many places in Omaha that offer it. Thankfully we have Shaheen's Afghan Cuisine to showcase this wonderful spectrum of food. Omed and Waheed, the sons of chef/owner Shahen Shah, joined me to discuss what makes Afghan food special and how their family brought it to Omaha.
Taste the flavors of this sensational restaurant...
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April 17, 2025 • 59 mins
When sisters Zarina Boardman and Debora Aguilar moved to Nebraska, they were disappointed they couldn't find any Chilean food... so they decided to make it themselves! This pair hustled like crazy to get into events, pop-ups, and other opportunities to showcase their brilliant homemade empanadas, and now they have a beautiful cafe where they get to showcase their food and culture. Hear their story and why this food is so meaningful...
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April 10, 2025 • 43 mins
The Miranda family is passionate about bringing Salvadoran food and their culture to Omaha, but they had no idea how quickly it would all come together! Erick and Jeni discuss what makes the cuisine so meaningful to them, why they're passionate about sharing it with Omaha, and how, in a matter of months, their family went from thinking about starting a restaurant to it being opening day.
Is your mouth salivating after this episode...
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April 3, 2025 • 68 mins
Few, if any restaurants, are as synonymous with Nebraska food than Runza. Donald (President) and Becky (Director of Marketing) take me down memory lane to the very beginning when Donald's grandmother opened the first Runza in 1949. 75 years later, the restaurant has grown to 91 locations, introduced chili & cinnamon rolls to the menu, had limited runs of breakfast Runzas, received celebrity taste tests, catered weddings, partnered ...
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March 27, 2025 • 60 mins
Francisca may not be a trained chef (she was a doctor in Nicaragua), but she has a deep passion for cooking and helping others experience Nicaraguan food and culture. That's why she opened QS Grill Steak in 2021, and Omaha's food scene is better for it. Francisca and her daughter explain why it was important for them to showcase Nicaraguan food to Omahans and how the restaurant (and food in general) have connected and impacted thei...
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March 20, 2025 • 63 mins
In just a few years, these buddies went from line cooks at another restaurant to owning their other concept in one of Omaha's most historic buildings. How did they create the Dirty Birds empire so quickly? What about their fried chicken resonates so strongly with people? And what was it like to meet Guy Fieri and be featured on the Food Network?! Dan and Whalen answer all those questions and more in this fascinating, illuminating e...
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March 13, 2025 • 61 mins
The stories that formed one of Omaha's most beloved breweries are priceless. The rage recipe that created NBC's flagship Cardinal Pale Ale. The lunch where Paul, then just a home brewer, quit his job to pursue brewing full time. The award ceremony where NBC won a competition over their idols. Paul & Kim share those stories and the dream that turned a home brewing passion into a full-scale brewery that has fully embraced the local c...
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March 6, 2025 • 54 mins
John and Lisa Anderson had no experience in the restaurant business… so how did they create a beloved diner that’s thrilled guests for over a decade? John discusses their journey and how he got AJ’s off the ground, as well as the importance of making guests feel loved and creating a homey atmosphere.
This episode was sponsored by Semo Pasta. Homemade pasta from local ingredients and an unforgettable dining experience awaits. Buon ...
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February 27, 2025 • 63 mins
As diners, there are just some things we don't know about what it's like to own, operate, and work in a restaurant, but if we understood the realities, we might have a more understanding view and a better relationship with the places we eat at. Three veterans of Omaha's restaurant industry unpack some of the difficulties and joys of restaurant life, offering a peak into the realities that serving great food entails. I truly believe...
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