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
November 20, 2025 • 48 mins
Tomato-free pasta sauce?! This Omaha couple never knew they'd need such a thing until they developed a heartburn-inducing sensitivity to tomatoes. Rather than swear off pizza and pasta forever, they created a carrot-based sauce and launched Carinara, a product that is taking the Midwest by storm. We discuss where the idea came from, what the R&D process was like, how they got Hy-Vee to buy in, and the future of this exploding compa...
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November 13, 2025 • 58 mins
You know that good feeling you get at certain restaurants, where it just seems everyone is operating like a family? It's rare because it's a hard culture to cultivate, but it's intentional and you feel it at Good Evans, one of Nebraska's fastest growing breakfast spots. Angie Padgett (Executive Chef) and Tamra Johnston (Chief Marketing Officer) joined me to talk about how Good Evans cultivates that familial feeling, put together a ...
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November 6, 2025 • 49 mins
The Haven Express food truck comes from humble beginnings, but now DeVaute and his crew are feeding Bud Crawford and the Nebraska football team! The truck's wings, Philly egg rolls, and smoked meats have massive followings now, and while the road to get here wasn't easy, DeVaute is proud of his journey. And now he's using his story (and his food) to inspire the next generation.
Find Flavor Here:
Haven Express Food Truck – https:...
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October 30, 2025 • 54 mins
Bodegas were a part of Nate's daily life when he lived in New York, but after moving to Omaha, he wondered if the concept would work here, too. Three years and two locations in, it's safe to say Godega, Omaha's hybrid convenience store/bar/coffee shop is just what the city needed. Hear the origin story, what makes Nate so passionate about featuring local products and vendors, and the most important lessons he's learned since diving...
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October 23, 2025 • 68 mins
Joel has cooked various cuisines all over the world. He's worked for celebrity chefs and private sports teams. He's cooked dinner for Oprah and her family in his apartment. During this episode, Joel shares those stories and explains how they influenced and formed him into the chef now, and what he's trying to express through his restaurants in Omaha now.
Taste the Elevated Experience:
Salted Edge — https://www.salted-edge.com/
...
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October 16, 2025 • 57 mins
This new food truck is bringing the unique flavors of the Phillipines and Southeast Asia to Omaha. With a great respect for traditional dishes and an obsession with umami, Chef Gerald is using his 13+ years of cooking experience all over the world to power this food truck, all while completing nursing school. From cooking on seafaring ships to getting "murdered" during his first food truck service, Chef Gerald opens up on his food...
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October 9, 2025 • 53 mins
A college semester abroad in Sydney changed Eli’s life. Enthralled with the country’s creative fusion dishes, he decided to combine two of his favorite baked goods: cookies and muffin tops. The result is one of Omaha’s best cookies, and one he developed while not only going to college, but also was a student athlete. Safe to say, Eli’s story is fascinating. You have to learn about this guy and his cookies!
👉 Order online: http...
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October 2, 2025 • 67 mins
In 2016, Brian called Katie, then working as a pastry chef in California with an idea: come back to Omaha and let's open an ice cream shop. Little did either know the impact that call would have! It led to the creation of Coneflower Creamery, Omaha's beloved ice cream destination, that now has three locations, has garnered national awards, and still clings to its farm to cone ethos. Hear the story and all the magic that goes into t...
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September 25, 2025 • 52 mins
Few food/drink establishments in Omaha can match the vibe at Cafe Postale, which mixes the space's rich history with great coffee and modern elements to create an unforgettable coffee shop/cafe. General Manager Haley Farrell explains what makes the space special and how Cafe Postale partners with local purveyors and suppliers to serve great food and drink.
✍️ Episode References:
Café Postale: https://www.cafepostaleomaha.com/
...
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September 18, 2025 • 67 mins
The restaurants and food at Arbor Day Farm (Nebraska City) were overdue for an upgrade, and leadership tabbed Chef Garrett Kasper to level up the cuisine. And despite some reservations from long-time guests, the move has paid off and elevated the guest experience. Chef Kasper explains what changes he made, how he implemented them, and how seeing the staff get excited has energized him. We also touched on the importance of bringing ...
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September 11, 2025 • 66 mins
Nothing about SET The Bar is like what you'd expect at a normal sports bar. From the focus on women's sports to the elevated takes on bar food coming out of the kitchen, it's a completely different experience. And it's Chef Kristin's dishes that take the Benson bar to another level... something she never could have imagined considering her culinary journey just began a few years ago and she didn't even apply to be the executive che...
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September 4, 2025 • 58 mins
When this couple opened Cumbia in 2021, they brought two relatively unknown concepts to Omaha: Latin American food and tapas (small shared plates). But the intent wasn't just to feed people. They wanted to educate guests on the various histories, cultures, and dishes that exist in Latin America. And though there were bumps in the road, they're definitely accomplishing their mission and bringing something special to Omaha now.
Re...
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August 28, 2025 • 65 mins
There's just something special about getting food from a truck, but the food truck life isn't quite as easy as it seems. The owners of 3 of Omaha's most popular food trucks (Javi's Tacos, Hyde's Slydes, and Sully's GastroBurgers) pull back the curtain and tell the good and the bad of what food truck life is really like and why we're seeing a growing trend of restaurants and concepts embracing the mobile life.
Mouth Watering Yet?...
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August 21, 2025 • 71 mins
Let's pull back the curtain on Food Network cooking competitions! Michelle Alfaro, the chef/owner behind her beloved restaurant, Sauced by Alfaro, got the chance to compete on Food Network show Supermarket Stakeout. She takes us behind the wall to dish on what the experience was like, the clips that get left on the cutting room floor, and the parts of food TV that the average viewer has no idea about.
This is a Hurrdat ONE Produ...
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August 14, 2025 • 59 mins
Outside of a high school job, Hannah had no experience in the custard/ice cream business. But her nostalgia, entrepreneurial drive, and love of frozen treats inspired her to learn the craft of custard making and opening her own business. Sprinkle Joy's story is inspiring as the custard is delicious, and you need to hear how this shop came to be!
🔗 References:
Sprinkle Joy Custard — https://www.facebook.com/p/Sprinkle-Joy-615750...
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August 7, 2025 • 65 mins
Mia Matlock always enjoyed baking, especially finding ways to inject her Pilipino heritage and ingredients into common desserts. But when COVID hit and she got the opportunity to turn her side hustle into a full-blown business, she took the leap. And now Oso Good Kitchen & Panaderya is thriving, introducing market customers to dishes and ingredients from the Philippines one cookie or cake at a time. Hear Mia's story and how she's u...
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July 31, 2025 • 62 mins
Granola that actually tastes good?! Believe it. People are blown away by the flavor of the products that come from The Gourmet Granola, but they're even more in awe of Nicole and Glenn's story. This couple transformed one of the darkest periods of their lives into a line of granola products, farmers market sales, and a spot in Hy-Vee grocery stores.
🔗 Featured:
Gourmet Granola – https://gourmetgranola.com
This episode was s...
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July 24, 2025 • 65 mins
Bread is one of mankind's most universally beloved foods, and it just brings people together. But have you ever thought about how it's made, or what it would be like to be a professional baker? Aires Reis (Reis' Bakery), Hank Shields (Omaha Bagel Co.), and Sadie Paulsen (Via Farina) didn't start their careers as bakers, but they fell for the craft and now couldn't imagine life without it. These 3 bread experts gathered to discuss a...
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July 17, 2025 • 64 mins
John was a psychologist for much of his career, and now he operates a bakery selling some of the best bread in Nebraska. The road and experiences that led him here are winding, but they've created an extremely passionate baker obsessed with ensuring the traditions of baking aren't lost over time. John shares all kinds of bread knowledge, from hydration levels to how caring for a starter is like raising a pet, and details the lesson...
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July 10, 2025 • 60 mins
For a decade, Clayton was the chef/owner of The Grey Plume, one of Omaha's most progressive and nationally recognized restaurants, racking up five Beard nominations during that time. But The Grey Plume closed during the pandemic... so what is one of Omaha's most decorated chefs up to now? We walk through Clayton's career from his beginnings on the sandwich line at Subway to opening The Grey Plume to where he is today, discussing wh...
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