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    Johnny's Cafe

    3.6 (224 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM

    Johnny's Cafe Photos

    Business Info

    JOHNNY'S CAFE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Johnny's Cafe

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    Reviews With Photos

    Shelby C.

    Wow, what a Time Machine! First impression when I walked in was that the place smells like a bowling alley. Not a bad thing, just reminiscent of a time where people smoked indoors and decorated with carpet and dark wood. The entryway is a small museum of newspapers and menus and photographs of the restaurant through the ages, starting in the 1920s. Really interesting and fun to check out. The place itself is like stepping back in time. The decor feels like being in a steak house from a movie in the 60s. Huge faux windows with a forest scene, dark wood and leather give it a smoking lounge vibe. Really fun ambiance. We did the meal for two with the shrimp cocktail, house salad, strip steak, and chocolate caramel decadence. The salad was lackluster and was basically lettuce with a cherry tomato and whatever dressing you choose. Would be nice to have a little onion or croutons. The shrimp cocktail was fine. Nothing unique. The strip steak was cooked well but had a ton of marbling that made it tough to eat. We saved a hefty amount of fat to feed my friend's dogs later. The waitress was great and attentive and brought us over a member of the staff who helped us choose our wine and she nailed it. Super good. But the dessert is really what made this a worthwhile trip. The caramel chocolate decadence was out of this world. I don't have a photo because we were too busy dying over it. Not sure this will be a place I come often, it was pretty pricey even with the deal. But it's certainly good if you're looking for atmosphere.

    Ginger Chicken

    Food was very good, especially enjoyed the cottage cheese and roles. Service was solid but not exceptional. This place is very retro, so if you are nostalgic for 70s, this is the place for you!

    Omaha Strip Steak

    First time coming here for our wedding anniversary and it was extremely disappointing! We were seated right away and our waitress came over to get our drinks order. She was friendly but service was a bit slow as it took awhile to get things we requested (spoon & steak sauce). We got bread and the cottage cheese spread which was pretty good. Next we each got a house salad. The salad was delicious but the one tomato in my salad had mold on it. I brought it up to the attention of the waitress and felt dismissed because she just said, "okay do you want a manager?". I said no because her tone felt condescending. There was no apology, & didn't ask if I wanted another salad after she took mine. Steaks came out soon after, I had ordered the Omaha Steak Strip, medium well. Center was pink but it was charred and the taste of charred meat over powered the entire thing even with steak sauce. Husband ordered the T-bone steak and he was content with his.

    Chris D.

    It's been so long since I came to this place, which is a shame because I live so close. I absolutely love being taken back in time when I walk through the doors. Our service was amazing. I wish now that I would've tried the fillet. I went with the prime rib because I was really hungry for it. Unfortunately, it fell short. There was not much of a cap on it, which is usually the most tender part but even that part was a bit chewy. As soon as I got into the main area of the prime rib, it was so chewy had I not been with others I would've spit out my bites on a napkin. I tried just a couple bites and could not do it. The waitress was kind enough to take it off the bill without argument, which was really nice. I really want this place to succeed. It's part of the history Of Omaha! I will indeed give them another try! On a sidenote, my baked potato was good and my drink delicious. I just love the ambience there.

    Rick H.

    What can I say about Johnny's that hasn't been said before? Nothing. This place is an Omaha staple, has been featured in major motion pictures, and has the reputation as one of the premier restaurants in South Omaha still going strong after 101 years. I had the daily special today - Turkey and dressing with mashed potato's. Had a side salad with house dressing. Service was fast and friendly, food was great. Why don't I come here more often?? Do yourself a favor if you're reading this and are looking for a place to eat. Eat here. Once. It won't disappoint.

    Saddles!!!
    Roger H.

    Ambiance takes you back back back in time to an old era of Italian steak houses in Omaha. The setting is simply awesome with rafters shaped like T bones, Food is good not great. But worth it for the experience. A good value though!!!

    Charley B.

    Johnny's Cafe is an old fashioned South O steakhouse that hasn't made it out of the late 70s and early 80s. It's a perfectly fine restaurant that serves a-ok food from an unimaginative menu. It's also a perfect place to meet up with old friends, tell some stories and relive better times.

    Fried whole Mississippi Delta Catfish!

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    5 years ago

    Had an amazing steak dinner; the waitress was tremendous. Loved the atmosphere. We really enjoyed our night out.

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    Page 4 of 6

    Ask the Community - Johnny's Cafe

    Is it a good place for lunch, can we get in and out in an hour?

    Great place for lunch with daily specials. Yes, you can get in and out in an hour, just notify your server you are looking for a quick lunch.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Louie M's Burger Lust

    4.4
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    Fantastic Spot! When I first walked in I was taken back to the 60's because of the decor, not bad…read morejust pleasantly surprised. I also knew when I saw the USMC decor on the "I Love Me" wall that I was in the right spot. HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Omaha Reuben sandwich that was an outstanding choice. Thick cut corned beef with molten cheese and the dressing also accompanied by thin cut fries that were served hot! Perfect! The biscuits and gravy with eggs were perfectly prepared and also served hot. Wifey said probably the best B&G w/eggs she's had. If you are flying in to Omaha or your local and looking for a good meal, this is the place. This is a must-return if I'm ever back in the area.

    Louie M's was top of the list when I searched for burgers near downtown Omaha and I can see why…read more This is an old school, classic downtown diner with a ton of character. The first thing I noticed is that it's in kind of an unassuming part of Downtown Omaha. I'd call it off the beaten path for sure, and after chatting with some folks I know in Omaha I got the vibe that it maybe isn't in the most common part of town to explore as a tourist BUT I kind of loved that. This part of town feels lived in, authentic, and maybe a bit up and coming, like it's going through it's own sort of revitalization. All of that being said, I felt safe, and I knew I'd love dining here when I approached the building and there was a group of regulars gathered outside soaking up the sun that greeted us. One of them said "those are the days" to his buddies, upon seeing us with two little kids in tow and I honestly enjoyed hearing that little reminder to try and soak up these long but important days with our girls. Once inside I had some of the best hospitality I've had ever at a restaurant. The server was top notch - so friendly, answered all questions, and really made us feel at home. I'd return just for the vibes and service alone. We ordered burgers as it's in the name! They were good - I was I think expecting to be blown away given the reviews and blown away I was not, BUT I was really impressed with the onion rings, the burger was solid, and I'd not hesitate to return. The cherry on top? The owner was making the rounds - Louie himself! - and he was so kind, and thoughtful. There is something to be said about someone taking pride in what they do and I think that really came through here. Overall you can't go wrong stopping in here for a meal - I promise you'll enjoy it!

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    Everett's

    Everett's

    4.6
    (201 reviews)
    7.1 mi
    $$

    Oh my , these fried , char grilled bone in wings are so delicious!…read moreCannot wait to enjoy them again. Servers were right on the spot. It was so busy , yet being sat, and served seemed fast ! Nothing fancy ! Comfortable, I liked sitting by the windows. Only one toilet in each bathroom. So you may have to wait awhile there. Just writing this makes me hungry for those wings again.

    Everett's is one of those places you'd probably drive past if you didn't know it was there. It has…read morethat tucked away dive bar feel, but the food is on a completely different level. My wife and I both ordered the Everett's #2 with pulled chicken, coleslaw, and BBQ sauce. Everything just worked together perfectly. The chicken was tender, the slaw added the right crunch, and the bun tied it all together. It was one of those sandwiches where after the first bite you just look at each other and know you made the right choice. We also ordered the Saucy Rossy wings and they were the perfect heat level for both of us. Not so mild that they're boring and not so hot that you're suffering. Pro tip: get them fried and grilled. The extra texture and flavor are absolutely worth it. My wife is a total Brussels sprouts snob and she was absolutely in love with theirs. The funny part is that I'm usually not much of a Brussels sprouts person, but I kept asking for more off her plate. That alone should tell you how good they were. The fries were okay. Nothing that stole the show, but nothing to complain about either. The service wasn't the best during our visit, but they also had a 30-person table they were dealing with, so it was completely understandable. Even with that, the food was so good that it's already a top 3 meal for my wife. We'll definitely be thinking about those sandwiches, wings, and Brussels sprouts until we're back, and I don't think that'll take very long.

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    Block 16

    Block 16

    4.5
    (1.4k reviews)
    3.2 mi
    $$

    Truly a gem, which explains why it's so popular amongst the locals. It's located in downtown Omaha,…read moreand attracted lots of visitors on the weekend that my partner and I were in town. Most of the highlight was the various types of burgers and fries they had, so my partner and I got two kinds, and we both enjoyed our respective meals. I had the block burger, which was as good as I imagined it to be, with juicy patty cooked to medium and every ingredient needed to make a good burger. The poutine had a lot of beef gravy and cheese curds, which made the dish a comprehensive experience to consume, rather than just fries. The duck duck goose fries were amazing! The duck confit, cheese curds, mayo, gravy, and gooseberry gastrique combination worked super well on top of the fries, because they altogether basically made it a gourmet dish that I had to eat with a fork. Finally, the sloppy nick was seasoned very well, even if we got the vegan version, which used impossible meat instead of ground beef. It was still really great! Hope everyone who visits Omaha gets to try this spot! Their wall has quite a few articles that recognized them as a locally renowned burger joint, and I could see why. Since they can be busy, I would recommend people getting there earlier to secure a good table spot, if dining in.

    Having just got to town and hungry for lunch I walked a few blocks to Block 16. I came because I…read moreread amazing reviews about them and saw they won numerous awards. I also checked out their menu and noticed it was definitely a unique, interesting menu. Upon walking in, there was a line backed up to the door and I waited in it about 15 mins and it didn't move one person, but I used this time to check out the menu and decide what I wanted. After noticing the line not moving and the cashier in heavy discussion with the family that was there placing their order, I felt it might be best to use their online ordering for carryout pickup instead. While doing this, the line moved up once and I suppose that next party had questions too and of course, plenty of time was spent answering those questions. This might seem like good service, but when the line is that long, either have more people there taking orders or use a kiosk for those of us who don't need to ask questions, or remind guests that there are many others in line (probably after the first 5 mins of discussing the menu) and the line needs to move up. After I placed my order, it told me it was accepted and gave me a time range of when to expect my order. I sat down and waited until the end of that range, which was only a few mins, and then went back up to the pick up area to ask about my order. The lady working was very friendly when I explained what I did. She gave me a number and told me she'd bring my order out, she also gave me the drink I pre-ordered. A few mins later, she brought my food out. I looked around to notice that people who were waiting for food prior to me still hadn't gotten their food. I'm not sure if it's always this slow in there or if it was busy because there's a conference in town. Opening the clamshell that my food was in - I noticed a beautiful sandwich and fries. The fries were piping hot and crispy and tasted great. The sandwich looked really nice, but when I went to pick it up, I noticed the entire bottom was soaked in grease and their hot sauce that was on the chicken. So, I fork & knifed this meal. The flavors of all the parts of the sandwich together were nice, just wish I could have picked it up without being a mess. If I ever returned, I'd get something different.

    Photos
    Front counter
    Front counter
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    Philly Cheesesteak Special and Duck Duck Goose Fries
    Poutine burrito

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    Gl Forum

    Gl Forum

    4.0
    (64 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $

    The tacos are BOMB! But I love their specials ..Margaritas are a special price on Thursdays ...oh…read morewait...today IS THURSDAY!

    Bookguy, Big Bro, and I stopped in at the GI Forum for lunch. Originally established in Texas to…read moreprovide support for the rights of Hispanics in the American military, it has a plethora of veteran resources cited on their website. For those of us who are non-military, it has become a great place to eat and is open to the general public. We were seated quickly, received menus, and ordered. My interest was in the toad taco, but when the waitress told me the chili in it was very hot, I opted for a bean taco. Bookguy was disappointed to find that the very hot chili was the only kind. We had previously ordered chili from Nettie's and missed the hot warning so we decided to heed it this time. Bookguy ended up with shrimp and fries. Big Bro ordered a huge beef dinner plate of a taco, enchilada, tostada, with rice and beans included. We also ordered mixed chips and guac. Big Bro had a margarita which looked good to me, but I was driving. I liked the taco which was generously stuffed with beans, lettuce, cheese, and diced tomatoes. I added the salsa from the table. It was excellent. With the chips and flavorful guac, I had a just right lunch. Bookguy said his shrimp and fries were just ok. Big Bro thought everything in his meal was very good, except he wasn't sold on the rice. He wanted another margarita but decided against it and said he should have ordered the grande size. It's amazing to me that the prices here are so reasonable. It's good for families on a budget. They do charge extra for using a credit card. It's not fancy, but it's clean, bright and inviting. What's not to like?

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    The Drover Steakhouse

    The Drover Steakhouse

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    4.3 mi
    $$$

    This was my first time here, and overall I had a great experience. The place was packed for a…read moreTuesday, but with the College World Series in town, that made sense. For starters, we had the bacon-wrapped shrimp, which came with mushrooms on the side. It didn't look particularly appetizing when it arrived, but it was absolutely delicious. The mushrooms were especially good--salty without being overpowering, which I really enjoyed. To drink, I tried the sangria. It didn't particularly stand out, but it was still enjoyable. For my entrée, I chose the whiskey ribeye cooked medium-rare, and it came out exactly how I like it. The steak was cooked perfectly and was very flavorful. The salad bar wasn't huge, but it had a nice variety of toppings to choose from. The atmosphere is rustic with very dim lighting, and there were a few TVs throughout the restaurant as well. It does get quite loud when it's busy, though. Our waitstaff was attentive without being overbearing, which I appreciated. Overall, it was a good experience, and I will definitely be back.

    The Drover has been an institution in Omaha since 1977. It's known locally for its…read morewhiskey-marinated steaks and old-time salad bar, and is a favorite for locals and tourists alike. But I'm not a huge fan. First, it's really, really dark and really, really noisy. Not a place for a conversation, especially if you are dining with kids. The salad bar is, well, meh. The tastiest part is the super sweet poppy seed dressing. As far as the stars of the show go, I've eaten several of their steaks. They've all been well marinaded and perfectly cooked, but the ribeye and strip had a lot of exterior gristle that should have been trimmed off before grilling. Meals come with a baked potato, and other sides are available. I wish creamed spinach and corn were options (it is the Cornhusker state, after all), but those are just my preferences. We made reservations weeks ago (we knew the College World Series would be in town) so we did not have the 2+ hour wait that less organized folks were complaining about. We were seated right away - yay, OpenTable! Service was very attentive, and our meal's timing was impeccable. Omaha has a lot of choices for carnivores, and The Drover is a long way from the worst I've tried. I'm just not not sure it's where I'll get my steak fix in the future.

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    Johnny's Cafe - steak - Updated June 2026

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