Here is a roundup of restaurant news. Find out who has closed, where new restaurants are opening and other tidbits.
The sound of burgers sizzling on a grill has been replaced with the sound of silence as Five Guys Burgers & Fries seems to have left Lincoln.
The popular hamburger joint at 2525 Pine Lake Road is closed for what a sign on the door says is maintenance. The sign tells customers to visit Five Guys locations in Omaha.
Five Guys at 2525 Pine Lake Road has closed for maintenance. The restaurant's future is in limbo.
Remember Pier One at SouthPointe?
Who didn’t like wandering through the aisles of eclectic housewares, candles, fragrances and seasonal decor?
What once used to be Pier One at SouthPointe is being turned into a restaurant. Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is scheduled to open sometime in the summer of 2026.
Lincoln Journal Star
Diners placed orders by phone from their tables at King’s Food Host, 1315 N St. This file photo is from 1958. The restaurant, which began as a State Fair booth and grew to 140 locations in the U.S. and Canada, closed its last location in Lincoln, at 923 South St., in 2001.
Journal Star file photo
The Knolls County Club opened its golf course in 1963 and the restaurant three years later. The club was private, but the restaurant was open to the public. It closed in 2015.
Journal Star file photo
Chef Dennis Barratt (from left), assistant Lewis Prue and manager Dave Harrison at Tony and Luigi’s in a 1982 photo. The restaurant was founded in 1945 and grossed $6.50 on its first day. It closed in 1993.
Journal Star file photo
Scott Mercer (left) was helped by Bob Scura and Kurt Cameron of Grand American Fare chain in assembling décor for P.O. Pears, popular with college students in the 1980s and '90s. It closed in 2008.
Journal Star file photo
Clint and Shelly Burge hang a 26½-foot-long quilt on the north wall of Crane River Brewpub and Café in downtown Lincoln in December 1992. Shelly Burge worked on the quilt for 319 hours. It depicts sandhill cranes on the banks of the Platte River. The restaurant closed in 2003.
Journal Star file photo
Acme Chili Grill at 14th and O streets, shown the year it closed in 1963, served enough chili during its 54 years “to float the state Capitol,” according to the Lincoln Star.
Journal Star file photo
Paul Bruner entertains in 1979 in the Simba Room during dinner hour at K’s Restaurant, which was in the Piedmont Shopping Center on South Cotner Boulevard. Lions were a part of the restaurant’s décor. It closed in the early 2000s.
Journal Star file photo
This 1960 file photo of Tony Domino’s Italian Village restaurant at 5730 O St. was taken when the Legionnaire Club announced it was buying the building. The Italian Village, founded in 1936 at the same location, was rebuilt in late 1951 after a May fire destroyed everything but the building’s brick walls. Smoke from that early morning fire killed the restaurant’s custodian as he slept in the boiler room.
Journal Star file photo
In 1979, the Taco Hut, 233 N. 11th St., officially changed its name to Arturo’s. The Mexican restaurant was forced to move in 1987 when the city condemned it with other businesses to make way for development that didn’t happen.
Journal Star file photo
Bishop Cafeteria, which opened in Lincoln in 1956 at 1325 P St., moved into Gateway Shopping Center in 1972 and was renamed Bishop Buffet, shown here in 1985. It closed in 1996.
Journal Star file photo
Tastee Inn and Out, 1530 N. 48th St., opened in 1949 and was known for its loose-meat sandwiches and onion chips. Shown here in 1982, the drive-in restaurant closed in 2014.
Journal Star file photoA Facebook post intended to be what the owner of a Lincoln restaurant says was a political joke backfired.
On Presidents Day, Sultan’s Kite labeled the post "Happy Trump Day from Sultans kite Mediterranean Grill.” The post went on to describe "vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean" and listed customer favorites like falafel, shawarma and gyro.
Lee's Restaurant, shown in 2014 when the mascot Pete was welcomed home after being stolen, is Lincoln's oldest full-service restaurant. It is located at 1940 W. Van Dorn.
Journal Star file photo
Valentino's, the second-oldest restaurant, has multiple locations in Lincoln. The restaurant chain got started on Holdrege in 1957.
Journal Star file photo
Misty's (the sign for the original at 6235 Havelock is shown) is Lincoln's third-oldest restaurant.
JOHN MABRY
Virginia's Travelers Cafe at 3280 Cornhusker Highway is Lincoln's fourth-oldest full-service restaurant. In this picture, Rich "Rob" Robinson eats breakfast at Virginia's in 2008.
ERIC GREGORY, file photo
Tico's, 317 S. 17th St., is Lincoln's fifth-oldest full-service restaurant.
LJS file photo
DaVinci's has multiple Lincoln locations, all serving pizza, pasta and sandwiches. The Knudson family began their restaurant business in Lincoln in 1978 with Pontillo's Pizzeria downtown. The first daVinci's location opened in 1984 on South 48th Street.
Journal Star file photo
Piezano's, 2740 South St., is Lincoln's sixth-oldest restaurant. In this photo, Shawn Watters takes down a ticket at Piezano's on Super Bowl Sunday in 2016.
MISCHA LOPIANO, Journal Star file photo
Isles Pub & Pizza, 6232 Havelock Ave., tied for seventh-oldest full-service restaurant in Lincoln.
Journal Star file photo
Imperial Palace, 701 N. 27th St., tied for seventh-oldest Lincoln restaurant.
Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Billy's Restaurant, 1301 H St., is Lincoln's ninth-oldest restaurant.
Journal Star file photo
Lincoln's Hi-Way Diner, 2105 Nebraska Parkway, has plenty of homestyle favorites such as meatloaf on the menu. The restaurant opened in 1988.
LINCOLN JOURNAL STAR FILE PHOTO
In a 2008 file photo, Dennis Taylor performs live music during the evening at The Oven in the Haymarket.
GWYNETH ROBERTSLunar New Year, or Chinese New Year as it is often called, falls on Tuesday this year when the Year of the Fire Horse, which comes around every 60 years, is ushered in.
Eating specific food during the New Year is supposed to bring luck. For instance, eating fish will increase prosperity. Dumpling and spring rolls will bring wealth. Noodles will increase happiness and longevity.
Owner Lynette Farabee said that her customers all know each other at Woodees on Capitol Beach Boulevard.
Journal Star file photo
Lincoln's Hi-Way Diner, 2105 Nebraska 2, is known for for great hash browns. It also has plenty of homestyle favorites such as meatloaf on the menu.
LJS file photo
Virginia's Travelers Cafe is at 3280 Cornhusker Highway is a longtime favorite for visitors and for locals. In this picture, Rich "Rob" Robinson eats breakfast at Virginia's Travelers Cafe in 2008.
Journal Star file photo
Tina's Cafe is at 616 South St. Dining critic Jeff Korbelik enjoys Tina's giant homemade cinnamon rolls, the smoky bacon and blueberry pancakes. Plus, the restaurant has a cool NASCAR theme.
In this photo, Sue Mueller poses with her husband, Jerry, at Tina's Cafe in February 2011.
LJS file photo
Chicken friend steak with mashed potatoes and peas, a dinner roll, coffee and French silk pie are featured on the menu at Stauffer's Cafe & Pie Shoppe, 5600 S. 48th St.
LJS file photo
The Engine House Cafe, 6028 Havelock Ave., is decorated with authentic firefighting equipment. Our favorite has to be the build-your-own breakfast burrito.
LJS file photo
A sausage and cheese omelet with toast is accompanied by a homemade cinnamon roll and coffee at Cook's Cafe, 1300 N. 66th St. "The mom-and-pop cafe reminds me of the diners I ate at growing up. I order the omelets here, which are the size of small cars," Korbelik said.
MATT RYERSON/Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Penelope's Lil' Café is at 4724 Pioneers Blvd. and serves breakfast and homestyle comfort food.
PHOTO BY LARRY L. KUBERT
The Eatery, 2548 S. 48th St., serves breakfast all day among many other menu options. On The Eatery's menu: the Black and Blue Burger (foreground), the Supremery personal flatbread pizza (left) and Classic-Your Way Alfredo with blackened salmon.
LJS file photo
Shoemaker's Travel Center is at 151 S.W. 48th St. In this 2010 photo, Teresa Stinson shows off the bacon cheesburger, the chicken fried steak breakfast and the chocolate peanut butter cream pie at Shoemaker's Travel Center.
ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star file photo
Greenfield's Cafe is at 7900 S. 87th St. The Red, White & Bleu Burger, all-day breakfast and a variety of other homestyle entrees are available at Greenfield's.
ERIC GREGORY/Lincoln Journal Star file photo
The dining room of Good Evans, 6981 A St.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal StarA Lincoln Pizza Hut appears to have closed as part of a national move to shut down about 250 stores.
Lincoln has seven Pizza Hut locations, according to the company’s website. A restaurant at 2662 Cornhusker Highway is no longer included in that list. The location, near the corner of Cornhusker Highway and North 27th Street, is also listed as permanently closed on Google Maps.
Lincolnites will once again be able to order a charbroiled burger at Hardee’s starting next week.
A restaurant called The Golden Chickens is Lincoln’s first restaurant focused on Peruvian-style chicken.
Lincoln's first Cheba Hut, a sandwich chain with a cannabis theme, is set to open in a suite at 200 S. 21st St. in the Telegraph District.
After being charmed by Lincoln, a seafood restaurant with roots in Texas is laying down roots in Lincoln.
Cody Schmick opened Sideshow Speakeasy in the basement of German beerhall-style bar Bierhaus Maisschäler in September.
Rutabagas Comfort Food is closing its location in east Lincoln to pivot to a new format. The restaurant’s last day at the location will be Jan. 4.
Lincoln welcomed chains like Hardee's along with local restaurants with a variety of different tastes, from Cajun seafood to Peruvian chicken.
More than 15 restaurants closed their doors in 2025, but many are still finding ways to serve food in Lincoln.
Several Lincoln businesses have started opening pop-ups instead of traditional restaurants as an alternative way to serve their customers.
The Belmont neighborhood is getting a new sports bar in a familiar spot.
Cornhusker Bar & Grill opened Friday at 1445 Cornhusker Highway in the former space of the Tack Room Bar and Grill, which closed in 2022.
Cornhusker Bar & Grill opened at 1445 Cornhusker Highway on Friday.
COURTESY PHOTO
Lincolnites will once again be able to order a charbroiled burger at Hardee’s starting next week.
A restaurant called The Golden Chickens is Lincoln’s first restaurant focused on Peruvian-style chicken.
Lincoln's first Cheba Hut, a sandwich chain with a cannabis theme, is set to open in a suite at 200 S. 21st St. in the Telegraph District.
After being charmed by Lincoln, a seafood restaurant with roots in Texas is laying down roots in Lincoln.
Cody Schmick opened Sideshow Speakeasy in the basement of German beerhall-style bar Bierhaus Maisschäler in September.
Rutabagas Comfort Food is closing its location in east Lincoln to pivot to a new format. The restaurant’s last day at the location will be Jan. 4.
Lincoln welcomed chains like Hardee's along with local restaurants with a variety of different tastes, from Cajun seafood to Peruvian chicken.
More than 15 restaurants closed their doors in 2025, but many are still finding ways to serve food in Lincoln.
Several Lincoln businesses have started opening pop-ups instead of traditional restaurants as an alternative way to serve their customers.
The sign is up and the anticipation is building, but cookie lovers will have to practice patience — proving once again that all good things come to those who wait.
That instantly recognizable pink crumbl sign went up earlier this month near 27th Street and Pine Lake Road and people were speculating when some of their favorites, like the pink sugar or celebration cake cookie, would be available on the south side.
The future, permanent home for Smoking Crab in Lincoln still is under construction, according to CEO Jonathan Benjamin.
The long and much-anticipated wait is over.
The future, permanent home for Smoking Crab in Lincoln still is under construction, according to CEO Jonathan Benjamin.
Charles Brewer, the former owner of Stur 22, is rebranding his sauce and seasonings company.
The Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development has named this year’s LaunchLNK Grant recipients. Six startups each will receive $20,000 to “spur revenue and job creation.”
Zesto will kick off its 76th season on Thursday. Until the shop is fully staffed, Zesto, at 1100 South St., will operate with shortened hours, owner Linda Rediger said.
Los Gonzalez Mexican Food began as a food truck seven years ago before the Gonzalez family opened a permanent restaurant at 2310 N. First St.
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