Restaurant Hoppen

Restaurant Hoppen

Dan Hoppen breaks down the Nebraska cuisine scene one bite at a time. He talks to local chefs, media members, and just interesting people about what's going on in the Cornhusker State when it comes to food, where people need to eat, and how food relates to Nebraska sports.

Episodes

July 30, 2026 68 mins
Fariner Bakery is a magical space, a cafe with a gravitational pull that makes you want to stay for hours. That's because of the love people like Damie put into it and every bread and pastry that comes out of the kitchen. You won't believe the crazy road that brought Damie from Lincoln hospital to Fariner in Ashland or the struggles she and her husband endured to get here, but their perseverance has helped create one of the most sp...
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Shava Jackson left her home of Jamaica to attend medical school with no thoughts of entering the hospitality industry, but her food truck has become one of the hotspots in Omaha. It's incredibly meaningful for Shava to share her food and culture with Omaha, and customers love it so much that some have said they've booked trips to Jamaica after visiting Jerk Makin Shack! Hear Shava's story and better understand the beauty ...
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As the Executive Chef at Marcus Samuelsson's Washington DC restaurant and a contestant on the most recent Top Chef season, Anthony Jones is one of America's rising culinary stars. His success comes from his humility and the unique way in which he's able to connect his food with culture and memories. We discuss his restaurant goals now compared to when he started cooking and get into all kinds of fun Top Chef discussion. ...
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We hear about how important it is to shop and eat locally produce meats and vegetables, but do we really know why? Three local producers—Tiff Clifton (Long Walk Farms), Roger Morgan (Morgan Ranch), and Kevin Novak (Flavor Country Farms)—joined me to discuss the benefits of eating and buying local products, both for the individual and the economy. We also discussed the need for farming education, what types of conversati...
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Daniel worked in some of America's most well-known restaurants in San Francisco and now brings those unique experiences and what he learned to Koji. We talk through his career and unpack the different levels of service he's overseen. From Michelin stars to mismatched forks, personalized tasting menus, and more, Daniel's had a fascinating career, and I learned a lot from retracing his steps. If you've ever wondered what happens b...
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Margartia Gonzalez's food has always thrilled her family; so much so that it became a goal to open a food truck since they came to the United States from Jalisco in 2010. That dream was finally realized in 2023, and Omaha has absolutely fallen in love with the tacos, tortas, tamales, and especially the vampiro tacos coming off this truck! Hear the story of this family-run business and how they're using the food truck to share their...
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He was born in China and grew up in Hawaii, so Peter has a great desire to bring those cuisines to Omaha. But it was actually his wife and their shared love of food that got him into the restaurant industry! The owner of Bobo's Noodles & Dumplings, Blue Hawaii, and Bo Bo China tells his story and what inspired him to open 3 restaurants, all of which bring something very unique to the Omaha restaurant scene. If you love Omaha...
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For all the great food Omaha has, indigenous and Native American cuisine wasn't really available... until this food truck/pop-up arose! Cassie Hinman started baking and cooking with Against the Current because she enjoyed it, but she and Quentin realized Omaha deserved to experience the brilliance of Indian tacos, bison ribs, and other indigenous foods. Hear their story on this episode! Check them out today!! Tradish(Ish)ht...
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Kate has seen customers tear up while eating her hand pies, and the warm, nostalgic feelings tied with that buttery, flaky crust are indeed powerful. Stuffed with either sweet or savory fillings, her hand pies have transformative powers. Kate and I talked about how she's constantly coming up with new variations, how Carter & Rye grew from a side hustle in her full-time gig, the value of growing a business slowly versus rapid ex...
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We hear consistently that life as a restaurant owner is so hard... but as diners, we can't fully understand what that reality is really like. On this panel, Ben Maides (Au Courant), Paul Urban (Block 16), and Katina Talley (Sweet Magnolias Bake Shop; Know Good) pull back the curtain, tell stories, and lay bare why the restaurant industry is so hard... and why they love it so much that they keep coming back! This episode is raw, ...
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Pizza culture embedded itself in Dylan's DNA around 2009, and he always dreamed of opening a pizzeria. That dream finally came to fruition in 2006 with Very Important Pizza, a NY style slice shop that has quickly gotten Omaha's attention. Dylan and I discuss what makes pizza culture different, why a cheese slice defines a pizzeria, and what it was like to finally realize his lifelong pizza dream. This episode is about more than ...
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Top Chef alums and restaurant veterans Joe and Adrienne started a podcast to bring the conversations inside kitchens to the world, and the Chef's Cut has blown up! Check out my conversation with these beloved chefs as we discuss the podcast's origins, what the term "chef" means today, Top Chef memories, and whether Padma Laksmi or Tom Collichio would be a better podcast guest! 🌐 Check out Chef’s Cut Podcast:https://c...
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Collin Werner might only be 27, but don't let his age fool you. He's already worked in some of the most well-regarded kitchens in Omaha, now advancing to become the Chef de Cuisine at Au Courant. We run through Collin's career, assess the lessons he learned at different stops, discuss the value of culinary school, and more! This episode is a deep dive into creativity, discipline, and what it really takes to succeed in a modern k...
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Understanding and reacting to guest expectations. Reacting to and engaging with shifting staff expectations. Crafting experiences different from those found at chain restaurants. These are but a few of the obstacles restaurateurs juggle, and few are better to talk to them about than Paul Kulik, the James Beard-nominated chef at Le Bouillon and one of the most interesting men I've met. Paul and I have a fascinating smorgasbord of a ...
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Tony and Amber Ellsworth are farmers, store owners, and give Omahans so many ways to support local. Their store, Ellsworth Crossing, features meat, vegetables, and more from more than 100 farmers and ranches, giving Omahans easy access to great products. This isn't just great for the taste of the food, but also for the health benefits it has for customers. Tony goes into detail on all that and the origins of the store in our great ...
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Don Doty and Wendy Becker were both comfortable in their culinary positions, but memories of a trip to Rome inspired Don to make a bold move—open a new restaurant late in his career. The gamble paid off as Cibo Vino is thriving and supplying downtown Omaha with a welcoming, down-home Italian experience. 🌐 Learn more about Cibo Vino:https://www.cibovinoomaha.com/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ...
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Abe began the Executive Chef at Cattle Call at age 22, but don't think this youngster is over his head. He's creating a wide variety of amazing culinary experiences at this downtown Omaha restaurant, from exquisite fine dining plates to incredible desserts and one of the weirdest (and most delicious!) burgers in the city. This is one of Omaha's next star chefs, and he's ready for his introduction. Get to know him on this fascina...
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There are a lot of debates about the state of culinary school in America, and as Metro CC's Dean of Hospitality & Horticulture,  Brian O'Malley has heard them all. In a wide-ranging conversation, we discuss the debate of attending culinary school versus learning solely in professional kitchens, the state of leadership in modern kitchens and avoiding toxicity, the importance of Metro's on-site restaurant, and so much more. ...
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3 chefs from beloved Omaha sandwich restaurants joined me to discuss why sandwiches are so universally loved. Paul Urban (Block 16), Chloe Tran-Thompson (The Banh Mi Shop), and Andrew Novak (All In Thyme Bakery & Cafe) discuss why sandwiches are so closely tied to memory, the art of sandwich construction, choosing the right bread for a particular sandwich, the craziest sandwiches they've created, and more! References All In...
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If Omaha had a hospitality Mount Rushmore, Matt Brown's face would be chiseled onto it. The GM of V. Mertz joined me to discuss how he and his team customize the restaurant experience for each individual guest, how he's helped keep a beloved, classic Omaha restaurant modern and current without alienating original customers, what an advanced sommelier wine exam entails, and so much more. If you want to understand what goes into a...
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