Weekend in Siouxland

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (Nancypalooza)

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:34:20 GMT

One shot Charlie did pretty good. :) I have a real weak spot for nice plain cake donuts.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (mr chips)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:00:05 GMT

Great update. Always enjoy reading about your adeventures.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:49:41 GMT

CK-
Now you know why I can eat 5 pieces of pie!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (CajunKing)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:23:23 GMT

Only 3 donuts......
This coming from the man who will eat 5 slices of pie at dinner, but only had 3 donuts????

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:34:04 GMT

Still being on Eastern time, I was waiting outside my breakfast destination, Harold's Koffee House,

in Omaha when they opened at 6:00AM.  It had been storming all morning and I liked the way the water looked on the window.

I was thinking Harold's would be a small place, but is actually fairly large. It has a wonderful, old-time Midwest coffee shop feel to the place, with all of the seats being comfy booths.   Among the reasons I came to Harold's was because they make their own pie and their own donuts! Unfortunately, they had no sour cream raisin pie on this day, but I did tell the waitress to reserve the last slice of banana cream for me. As for the donuts, they offer six different types. Even though they are small (only costing .69 cents each), I didn't want to fill up just on donuts alone, so I just tried three.  From the left going clockwise,

vanilla frosted, cinnamon sugar and cake. All were quite good, but the plain cake, which had a nice crunch when you bit into it, was the star. I noticed almost all of the regulars were buying donuts to start their meals. They also had some delicious looking, homemade sweet rolls

available.

Unfortunately, nothing on the menu really grabbed me.

Against my better judgement, I ordered the Pioneer Plate, which is biscuits and gravy.

Strangely, there were entire sausage patties sitting on top of the biscuits, which is a good thing! Unfortunately, both the gravy and the biscuits were forgettable. The hashbrowns

could have been a little crispier, but were otherwise fine.

The banana cream pie had a light as air meringue and lots of cut up banana slices in the filling. This was a good pie, but certainly not a great one.  They are very proud of their pies here and have a sign

telling you which pies are available on which days.

But, the single best part of eating at Harold's was the service. Since this was a Saturday morning and the much beloved to the locals Nebraska Cornhuskers were playing that day, my waitress

was dressed head-to-toe in Cornhusker gear.  This included bright red pants and socks, a Nebraska watch, a button that read "American by birth, Husker by choice", even red and white ribbons in her hair. She was a very sweet lady who really loves her local team, as that seemed be the only topic of conversation among the locals. While I was chatting with the owner, she told me you should see how my waitress dresses in all green for St. Patrick's Day. And she also told me that next time I come back, call ahead and they will have some sour cream raisin pie waiting for me. Although that is very nice of her, I was terribly concerned about it. That's because I knew where I was headed next!

There is a lot to like about Harold's Koffee House, especially those donuts. I would like to go back and try a different item, maybe even lunch. Has anyone else ever been here before?

Harold's Koffee House
8327 N 30th Street
Omaha, NE
402-451-9776

I got back in my car and headed east into Iowa.

Much more to come.....

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:18:39 GMT

Joe-
I sound much better blending in with lots of other voices!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (joerogo)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 14:16:03 GMT

Didn't you win a singing contest in NOLA a few years back?

Looks like the start of a great trip. Now, if that ain't country........

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:59:56 GMT

This past holiday weekend, I made a return trip back to Siouxland. My girlfriend was busy entertaining family in town, so I was on my own.

As all trips to the upper midwest should start, my first stop was at Interstate Bar-B-Que.

Luckily for me, my connection was through Memphis, so I took advantage of the opportunity and visited the airport location. There was a bit of a line and I heard customer after customer ahead of me tell the cashier no when asked if they wanted the cole slaw on top of the pork bbq sandwich. Come on people, you are in Memphis! That's how it is eaten around here! Yeah, I know, most people don't like it that way. I did not get asked that question and when I opened my to go bag at the gate, they had the cole slaw and some bbq sauce in seperate containers. I took both and dumped them on top of my sandwich.

Actually, the meat was a little dry, but this was still miles ahead of what you can get at most airports, so no complaints.

The flight was now boarding so I had to take my bbq spaghetti

on the plane. The smell of this unique and delicious Memphis side filled the air around me, enough so that I got several looks from other passengers. As much as I love bbq spaghetti, it can often be overly sauced, but this medium container had the perfect amount. One of my favorite side dishes all year!

My flight was due to land in Omaha around 9:30PM, which gave me no time to reach Roadfood favorites like Bohemian Cafe or Johnny's Cafe before they closed at 10:00PM. Halfway throught the flight, we were told that we were now several minutes ahead of schedule, so thoughts of hitting one of those places now sounded possible. No such luck! There was a thunderstorm hovering over the Omaha airport and we had to circle around for a while until it cleared. Since my hotel was in Council Bluffs, Iowa, I decided to try Hog Stop BBQ, which was open until 11:00PM.

When I pulled up, I was mildly surprised that the place looked much more like a bar than a bbq parlor. A couple people who looked like they work in the kitchen were smoking just outside the door. They greeted me and when they found out it was my first time there, told me how much I was going to love the ribs. The inside was one big room, with a bar to the right, a few tables in the middle and a small dance floor to the left. In the far corner was a dj playing country music. I grabbed a table in front of the tv, which was showing the very exciting TCU-Baylor football game.

The waiter quickly came over to get my order and I had a strong feeling that this guy was the owner. He looked amazingly like a character actor I have seen in several films, but can't remember the name. Anyway, he was extremely helpful and made some good suggestions on what to order. My dinner ended up being shaved pork bbq (what places in the South would probably call sliced) and sides of smoked mac & cheese and bbq beans. This wasn't the type of place where I was going to sit there and try to take the perfect food shoot, so here

is what one shot Charlie came up with. The server showed me the three different types of red bbq sauce, all three of them quite tasty. Sorry, I can't remember what they were, but was told they were all made on site. There was some smoke flavor to the pork, but it took a backseat to the excellent sides. The mac & cheese was piping hot, creamy and I seemed to be able to taste several different cheeses. The bbq beans was full of shreds of pulled pork and plenty of the sauce. You do get your choice of breads with the meal and mine was some kind of thick slab of cornbread. I was cutting off slices with my fork and covering it with what the server called Aloha sauce, which is another homemade sauce, heavy on the pineapple.

By the time my food arrived, instead of just playing music, it was now karaoke time. So, I had the pleasure of watching heavily drinking patrons get up to put their own spin on such lovely tunes as "Kiss My Country A**". To say I was out of my element would be a gross understatement. Still, I was made to feel very much at home by the owner. For all that food, plus a Pepsi, the bill came to only $11.00, which isn't too bad.

Even though I wouldn't necessarily go back on karaoke night, I would definitely go back to Hog Stop BBQ.

Hog Stop BBQ
3621 9th Avenue
Council Bluffs, IA
712-328-2277

From there, I checked into my hotel for the night.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Tue, 01 Jan 2008 06:02:02 GMT

jwagnerdsm-
You mentioned a website.....if it is a food website, how about providing us with a link? Is it on Iowa food?

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (wanderingjew)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:28:46 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by buffetbuster

WanderingJew-
Interesting idea.....I think the three of us together could do some serious damage at Bohemian Cafe.

You are going to the College World Series right? I have always wanted to go there. Let me know the dates when you get a chance or we could talk about it in Boston.

Absolutely,

We don't have specific dates set yet, I know that the dates we choose to go are going to have revolve around games scheduled for the Colorado Rockies, Albuquerque Isotopes and Salt Lake Bees. I already checked out the schedule for these 3 teams and they're going to work out perfectly. I know we're going to definetely hit Johnny's Cafe too while in Omaha, as I've never been there and I've never had a cheese frenchie before so Don and Millie's will be on my list too..
Oh, and we can also discuss if we'll let Bill Voss join us!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (1bbqboy)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:22:17 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by buffetbuster

WanderingJew-
Interesting idea.....I think the three of us together could do some serious damage at Bohemian Cafe.

You are going to the College World Series right? I have always wanted to go there. Let me know the dates when you get a chance or we could talk about it in Boston.

It's my goal to be back there too, if you guys'll let me

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:20:19 GMT

WanderingJew-
Interesting idea.....I think the three of us together could do some serious damage at Bohemian Cafe.

You are going to the College World Series right? I have always wanted to go there. Let me know the dates when you get a chance or we could talk about it in Boston.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (wanderingjew)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:12:57 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by buffetbuster

Bill Voss-
I wish I could go to the Bohemian Cafe with a big group of people, so I could try lots of different things. The plum dumplings are a must, but I just might go for that duck next time.

Buffetbuster
I plan on heading back there next June possibly with the Travelin' Man in tow too.
Care to join me??

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:09:10 GMT

Bill Voss-
I wish I could go to the Bohemian Cafe with a big group of people, so I could try lots of different things. The plum dumplings are a must, but I just might go for that duck next time.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (1bbqboy)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:42:09 GMT

I missed this the first time around
Yess BB, you should have asked for a taste of the Duck. Just about the only place I ever order it is at the Bohemian Cafe. It's one of those places where my wife and I
always order different things so we get to sample twice the food

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (LegalLady)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:41:30 GMT

Skip the dogs, my son worked at a butcher shop during college. BUT, I would almost kill for a piece of the SCR pie!

Yum Yum

Da Judge

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (wheregreggeats.com)

Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:21:30 GMT

Nice review ... puts me in the mood for a dog ...

Being in Massachusetts, it shouldn't be too much of a challenge. (Maybe Nick's?)

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (jwagnerdsm)

Sat, 29 Dec 2007 19:31:44 GMT

Nice report. I've done lots of eating in Iowa but I've never had the pancakes in Stanton. When the caucuses are over I hope to hit the road and finally update my website.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 22:46:29 GMT

I'm really glad I went back and added the photos.

That piece of sour cream raisin pie was my first experience with it and it was fantastic. I have ordered sour cream raisin a few other times while I was in the Midwest since, but none of the others have been nearly as good. I think I got lucky and had one of the greats on my first try.

I also ate a piece of chocolate cream pie at the Crystal Cafe, but it didn't look nearly as good or taste as good.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (cecif)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 19:33:38 GMT

Excellent stuff BB! As always... many thanks.

Your first photo of pie reminded me of a book I loved that I have not seen mentioned around here (though I'm sure it must've been, I just haven't seen it).

It's called "American Pie" by Pasquale Le Draoulec [yes she is French, part of the plot... though it is non-fiction!]
I don't promote any particular booksellers (I support independents) but the 1st link I found was B&N:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?z=y&endeca=1&isbn=0060957328&itm=1

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (mayor al)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:16:15 GMT

The Corn Palace is worth a side-trip every time we pass thru also!! It is amazing what they do with Ag-products!

Thr fruit dumplings were a real Czech treat for us each year in SoCal. Mother would make them using Apricots off of our one Apricot tree. Melted butter and spooned on sugar made them a wonderful treat. I like the Plum also, but Cherry and Apricot are my favorites.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (CajunKing)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 11:00:51 GMT

Davydd

I was thinking the same thing, Gee, I remember reading this before but with out photos....I didn't even look at the original post date.

I was thinking, gee the snow melted awfully fast up there. DUH

BB

I am glad you went back and added the pictures, the old saying stands true... a picture is worth a thousand words.

You could describe that sour cream raisin pie, but that picture..... HEAVENLY!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (Davydd)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 09:21:29 GMT

I was thinking how did I miss this the first time around. The pictures! Thanks Buffetbuster for the update. Sour cream raisin pie is the big seller in those parts. In my recent pork tenderloin sandwich pursuit through Iowa in October I stopped at the Farmer's Kitchen in Atlantic, Iowa (Blizzardstormus' restaurant) sour cream raisin pie was the number one seller there. Blizzardstormus' mother made the pies fresh but admitted to me it was not her favorite. Nevertheless, I had one.

Every trip west that we make we usually go across South Dakota to the Black Hills first. As a matter of ceremony we take a quick side trip off the freeway and drive around the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD. It changes every year. Then we head on to Wall Drug and get that free glass of water.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:01:44 GMT

Mr. Mayor-
Here are the plum dumplings. I snapped so many photos of them trying to get a good one, I stood up over the table much to the amusement of my waitress and the others dining nearby. And still, this is the best of a bad lot. One of my all-time favorite dishes, though!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (billyboy)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 03:22:41 GMT

I had never heard of sour cream raisin pie before Roadfood, but that looks might good!! I love that tribute to the retired mustard stick. Classic!! Great pics and report!

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (mayor al)

Wed, 05 Dec 2007 00:16:26 GMT

Show me the Plum Dumplings......

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 23:17:32 GMT

I hope everyone doesn't mind, but I was a little bored tonight. So I went back and added photos to one of my old trip reports, since I didn't know how to insert the photos as the time.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Thu, 31 May 2007 15:56:23 GMT

Paul-
It looks like that review has been archived and the website doesn't seem to work. Makes me think they are no longer in business.

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (Sundancer7)

Wed, 30 May 2007 17:27:08 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by Sundancer7

Wasn't there a popcorn write up on roadfood located near Yankton?

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

I missed it. It was potato chips but I knew that the name rang a bell.

http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=673

Paul E. Smith
Knoxville, TN

RE: Weekend in NE/IA/SD (buffetbuster)

Wed, 30 May 2007 15:28:29 GMT

Mr. Mayor-
While driving through Tabor, I saw the signs for the upcoming Czech festival. When I stopped at the SD information center, I picked up the brochure, with every intention of posting about it to let you know. I should have known you were already aware of it and have probably been there! The dates this year are June 14-16.

ChiTown Diner-
That is one of the bad things about traveling by yourself....you can only sample the stuff you order. Although, at Bohemian Cafe, I was mighty tempted to ask the people at the table next to me if I could sample their roast duck. They wouldn't have minded, would they?

Paul-
The popcorn write up near Yankton doesn't ring a bell with me. If you find anything, I would be very curious.

lleechef-
I'm not surprised to hear you received a little of the attitude when you went to Bob's, too. Looking back on it, I wish I had handled things differently. His very first comment to me made me defensive and I didn't enjoy myself as much as I should have. After the other customers had left, he became much nicer. He even had me sign a guestbook they have for all Roadfooders when they visit. I really could have handled the situation much better.

While visiting the Tripp Sports Bowl Cafe, the owner Junellia told me about another website they are mentioned on. Here it is:

http://turtleislandtravels.com/sportsbowlcafetrippsd.shtml