Runza

937 South 13th Street, Lincoln, NE - (402) 475-7320

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Posted By Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle on 7/9/2009 9:53:00 AM

One of the problems we have with fast-food chains is how the food's had all traces of regionality wrung out of it. To a large extent, the success of national or global fast-food chains depends on their ability to serve the same burger and fries in Maine that's served in New Mexico. So we think it's interesting when we encounter a local fast-food chain serving something unique to its region, like Runza does in Nebraska.

The first Runza opened in Lincoln in 1949, yet it was another 30 years before they began franchising. Today, Runza is a chain of 70+ restaurants in Nebraska and the surrounding states, and also the trademarked name for the unique food they serve.

A Runza is a hot bread pocket filled with ground meat and cabbage and onions. The bread is soft, freshly-baked white bread, and the filling is mildly spiced beef; the cabbage stays well in the background. They make a warming, filling bread-and-meat lunch, similar in spirit to pasties and loosemeats, two other Upper Midwest ground beef favorites. The concept has been expanded to include things like BBQ Bacon Runzas and BLT Runzas (untried and untempted).

Runza restaurants have a full menu of typical burger-fries-chicken items, and in our experience, most people seem to order those things rather than the Runzas. The burgers and such do look good for chain food but, frankly, if we weren't going to eat Runzas, we doubt we'd pay a visit. We could be wrong but our guess is that as Runza (the chain) continues to expand, Runza (the food) will recede further and further into the background. We wouldn't be surprised if, one day, Runza no longer sells Runzas.

Scorecard

Overall: Excellent - Worth a Detour

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Reviewers Photos [Upload Your Photos]

"A Runza is a hot, soft bread pocket filled with seasoned ground beef and onions, and some cabbage. The photo angle may make it appear that a Runza is a giant loaf, but they are single-serving-sized."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"The onion rings are homemade and greaseless (perhaps too grease-free for us)."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Runza restaurants are very similar to other fast-food chains, with the exception that they also serve the Runza."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle

"Runza also seems to take some pride in their chili. We didn't get to try any."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle