A Culinary Staple of Nebraska: The Runza
Traveling through Nebraska can be a true gastronomic adventure, with a plethora of local specialties that showcase the state's rich cultural heritage. Among them, one dish stands out for its unique flavor, texture, and enduring popularity: the Classic Nebraska Runza. This humble yet satisfying culinary delight is deeply rooted in the state's history and culinary traditions, with roots dating back to the early 20th century.
The Runza is essentially a sandwich made from a thick, fluffy bun, usually made from a secret yeast dough recipe, wrapped around a generous helping of seasoned ground beef and onions, similar to a pierogi or a cabbage roll. However, the Key to this Nebraska staple is the unique architecture: the thick, bread-made-from-scratch serves as both the filling vessel and outer covering, making it easy to eat on the go. Indeed, this design proved so popular that it won over the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and travelers alike. Its ubiquity and widespread consumption mean there are several dozen runza-themed eateries found across Nebraska.
The restaurant credited with bringing runzas to the mainstream is Runza Drive In and Restaurant, which first opened its doors in Lincoln in 1949 by Sarah " Sally" Everett, with business help provided by her daughter, the late Virginia Everett and her husband, the late Donald Everett. From its humble beginnings as a small diner, the family restaurant eventually expanded into a thriving business and eventually started franchising. Runza currently boasts over 80 locations in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and other neighboring states.
From a taste perspective, the runza boasts a rather unique flavor combination, as a savory fusion of the buns are deeply complementary to an ingredients-filled environment and is rich in various flavor tones. In spite of runza's casual status on the Nebraska dining scene, restaurants producing them invest heavily into making that specific flavor – and their efforts are supported – something that a local would think 'home.'
The runza's inherent adaptability is well-suited to regional flavors and tastes in several variations; numerous other different items offered by runza-based restaurants including a chicken, cheddar and broccoli, chicken and Swiss, cheese, chili dogs and chili cheese fries – all possessing and carrying that traditional runza theme by carrying different flavor-internal cargo. Seasonal options such as chili-filled, chili-cheese and dessert Runzas are available throughout various time periods as well.
While not strictly exclusive to runzas, Omaha's version often feature German-inspired items, since several German migrants traveled to the area during the early 1900s to escape conflict. Those immigrants influenced the modern runza sandwich as well. Runza Drive-In and Restaurant will certainly showcase local influences in a few German-inspired restaurants in Lincoln.
Visitors can try these delicious treats at either Runza Drive In and Restaurant - which also hosts its annual Runza Fun Day on the second Saturday in September - or through different variations at myriad independently owned Nebraska eateries such as Zee's or King's. Omaha's Lazlo's Brewery & Grill offers one alternative tasting experience with craft beer as a complement.
Classic Nebraska Runzas undoubtedly are a delicious culinary staple for Nebraska culinary aficionados. It remains a deeply essential and somewhat immortalized component in Cornhusker country that's incredibly likely to delight travelers and locals alike.
The Runza is essentially a sandwich made from a thick, fluffy bun, usually made from a secret yeast dough recipe, wrapped around a generous helping of seasoned ground beef and onions, similar to a pierogi or a cabbage roll. However, the Key to this Nebraska staple is the unique architecture: the thick, bread-made-from-scratch serves as both the filling vessel and outer covering, making it easy to eat on the go. Indeed, this design proved so popular that it won over the hearts (and stomachs) of locals and travelers alike. Its ubiquity and widespread consumption mean there are several dozen runza-themed eateries found across Nebraska.
The restaurant credited with bringing runzas to the mainstream is Runza Drive In and Restaurant, which first opened its doors in Lincoln in 1949 by Sarah " Sally" Everett, with business help provided by her daughter, the late Virginia Everett and her husband, the late Donald Everett. From its humble beginnings as a small diner, the family restaurant eventually expanded into a thriving business and eventually started franchising. Runza currently boasts over 80 locations in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas and other neighboring states.
From a taste perspective, the runza boasts a rather unique flavor combination, as a savory fusion of the buns are deeply complementary to an ingredients-filled environment and is rich in various flavor tones. In spite of runza's casual status on the Nebraska dining scene, restaurants producing them invest heavily into making that specific flavor – and their efforts are supported – something that a local would think 'home.'
The runza's inherent adaptability is well-suited to regional flavors and tastes in several variations; numerous other different items offered by runza-based restaurants including a chicken, cheddar and broccoli, chicken and Swiss, cheese, chili dogs and chili cheese fries – all possessing and carrying that traditional runza theme by carrying different flavor-internal cargo. Seasonal options such as chili-filled, chili-cheese and dessert Runzas are available throughout various time periods as well.
While not strictly exclusive to runzas, Omaha's version often feature German-inspired items, since several German migrants traveled to the area during the early 1900s to escape conflict. Those immigrants influenced the modern runza sandwich as well. Runza Drive-In and Restaurant will certainly showcase local influences in a few German-inspired restaurants in Lincoln.
Visitors can try these delicious treats at either Runza Drive In and Restaurant - which also hosts its annual Runza Fun Day on the second Saturday in September - or through different variations at myriad independently owned Nebraska eateries such as Zee's or King's. Omaha's Lazlo's Brewery & Grill offers one alternative tasting experience with craft beer as a complement.
Classic Nebraska Runzas undoubtedly are a delicious culinary staple for Nebraska culinary aficionados. It remains a deeply essential and somewhat immortalized component in Cornhusker country that's incredibly likely to delight travelers and locals alike.
