What Is The Worst Town In Nebraska? (Omaha, Grand Island: places to eat, farmer)

[shelly78]

I, too, agree with some of the views of some of you on both sides. I think Kosnebbear said it best, tho. I have travelled all over the western half of this great state and wouldn't trade it for anything. I really feel for these small towns because just like Kosnebbear said, they are struggling and they are afraid of change even if that means something better for the community as a whole. I have seen my own hometown turn down the college that went to Chadron, and a number of other big businesses because the city fathers were more afraid of what it would make our "little town" become. They didn't want all the "outsiders" coming to our town and ruining what was there. Unfortunately for this little town there has been more business close down than open. They are lucky to have a grocery store, unlucky because of the prices, however. But you also need to remember that alot of the locals still walk to town daily to have their coffee, etc. To me, it is a very sad thing to watch. This little town used to do a very booming business due to the soldiers at Ft. Rob. It used to boast many businesses and just in my lifetime I have known at least 2 grocery stores, 4 eateries, a few churches, a dime store (remember those?) drug store and other small businesses close their doors. It saddens me greatly because this is where I grew up. I will say, in the defense of those that still live there, that they see what the bigger towns have to contend with and I just really don't think they want the same for their little community. Yes,they want it to remain as it was 30-40 years ago but I think that was because it was a much simpler time and not as much crime and you didn't have to worry about your kids being out after dark or the elderly being looked after. Believe me! someone ALWAYS knew where you were and what you were doing and if you were up to no good that news usually beat you home!!!! There is a sense of closeness that I have never found in the bigger towns/cities. When in those I have always felt like the neighbors were afraid to talk to you or say "hi" in passing. So, I'm sure, like every other town/city in the world there is good and bad in all places. Sometimes it just takes a bit more diligence (than some are willing to give) to find the good. As for the family that didn't want to eat at a truck stop----that could have been your diamond in the rough. After all, you did say you got a lousy meal at the other place. Maybe next time you should give it a shot. When I was single I used to take off on vacation and go wherever my travel muse wanted to take me and I would purposely pick the most out of the way, off the beaten path, small town cafes just to see what was offered and the prices. Undoubtedly I would find extremely tasty meals, homecooked, and usually very, very inexpensive. Now, I'm not sure what you were expecting here in western NE but I can tell you that if you were looking for over priced ethnic food you should have gotten a newspaper and checked the larger towns around wherever you were. I'm not saying you would have gotten a better or worse meal there either, because as you should know that can happen in the big cities, too. I'm just saying that if you are willing to give western NE another chance sometime that maybe you should go with a serendipity attitude to the situation and when given two options--flip a coin. Heads we go to the diner, tails we go to the truck stop. You just might be surprised at the outcome. Also, I'd like to say that not all western Nebraskans are snooty, stuck up, or just plain rude....most of us are very friendly and will more than likely give you the shirt off our backs if you need it. But just because you run into a few that don't treat you like royalty it's nothing personal, how could it be? We don't know you and by the same token you don't know us and you have no idea what has been forced upon us or what could be happening locally at that time that may make the people wary of "outsiders". But I'd be willing to bet that if you are warm to them and ask about local places that might be of interest to see (even if you don't have any plans on going) and make small talk with them you will eventually get the warm reception you thought you should have. On the other hand, should you choose not to return to our great end of the state, I'm sorry for your loss.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by shelly78

. Sometimes it just takes a bit more diligence (than some are willing to give) to find the good. But just because you run into a few that don't treat you like royalty it's nothing personal, how could it be?

Can you stand one more post from me on this topic? (probably not) I almost wish I hadn't said anything. But, I was so hacked off at that restaurant in Ogallala and its rude employee. The burden of the responsibility is on the restaurant to provide good customer service. Period. It is not the customer's responsibility to suck up to the employee, make small talk with them, etc in order to get decent service. In our case, we had been driving all night and were exhausted. We just wanted to eat breakfast. We were polite. That should be all that is required.

[Jehruh]

I read most of the posts about the towns in Ne. I have lived in Ne. for over 30 years after having lived in S.A. for many years. I have lived in CA. and Ohio. I have visited 50 of the continuous states. There are rude people every where. It's something we have to learn to deal with and not lower ourselves to the level of rude and ignorant people.
However, it was amusing to me as I read so many of the posts, that some of you people that "put down" the small town people for one reason or another, sound just like those so called "ignorant" small town people. Your grammar is pathetic.

[star_gazer]

Welcome to the forum Jehruh.

[Yac]

Jehruh, just becaue other people might be rude, doesnt mean you can be too. Calm down, please. Be polite.
Yac.

[kosnebbear]

pittnurse70,

I have not posted behind you for a while as I have been busy. Can you do something for us all western Nebraskans? The next time you are going from Colorado to Omaha stop at the same cafe and see what kind of service you get. Then tell all of us about it. Yes you are right that the waitress/waiter needs to give good service. Maybe the waitress or waiter was having a bad day that we all have had at one time. Just maybe they got fired for the bad service that they were giving maybe not just to you, but to others. But please give it a second chance the next time you are traveling through. You might be surprised. As for everything else remember Ogallala gets a lot of its income from travelers off of I-80 and from those going to Big Mac fishing, boating, camping and other recreation so gas will be higher here than other places.

[Katiana]

I'm not sure I remember which restaurant it was. I know I got a little worked up about that, but I do think it's important for people to remember that employees are getting paid to do a job, whatever it is. There is no excuse for bad service, period. You should not have to "earn" it in any other way than by being polite and paying your bill. I think we both agree on that.

That said, I don't hate all western Nebraskans, and I don't think I ever said "they" were all rude, etc. I did say the service at that particular restaurant gave us a bad impression of Ogallala. And some of what you said, such as "Ogallala gets a lot of its income from travelers off of I-80" is what I said in a different way. Ogallala is not some little outpost of civilization that never had a traveler pass its way before. I actually fault the employer for not teaching good customer service skills. I have seen that all over the country, not just in W. Nebraska.

Cheers! I have a day off, have to work on my house today.

[Gretchen B]

I lived in Ogallala for over 13 years, and large 1m+ cities for almost 10 years. When we lived in Ogallala, I only remember a couple of times where we were upset about the service; however we normally did not eat at one of the restaurants close to I-80. Those restaurants were usually much busier than the restaurants in town or out at the Lake, and I never thought their food was as good. It always seems to me like restaurants that cater to the "passing-through-town-on-the-Interstate" crowd are never as friendly or have as good of food as the places where the locals eat. And ithat seems to be the case no matter whether you're in Nebraska, or Colorado, or any other state. When we travel, (as long as we're not in a big hurry to get from Point A to Point B) we make it a point to ask around and try to find some really unique eatery. We've had some great dining experiences doing that.

[Katiana]

We like to do that, too, when we have time. The drive from Omaha where my in-laws live to Louisville, where we live is long enough with trying to do it in one day. We figure, it's just one meal. We have been to some neat places when we take time to explore, also some dumps. It's all an experience.

[Gretchen B]

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

We have been to some neat places when we take time to explore, also some dumps. It's all an experience.

Indeed, it is. I like traditional Mexican food, so we usually ask, "Is it authentic?" "Oh, yeah. It's great!" And then we find out that Taco Bell is more authentic than the place they recommended.

It's always a gamble on where to eat when you travel. I guess that's why we do the fast-food drive-thru's alot when we're on the road. But even then you can have a really bad experience. btw, used to be that Ogallala's McD was really, really slow. I remember going back to visit friends and we were ready to get on the road - - I think we waited in drive-thru 25 minutes, and we were the third car!

But seriously, I hope folks on this thread won't judge Ogallala and the people there by a couple of bad experiences out by Interstate. There are some good places to eat there with great service. And just alot of really nice people, in general. I remember when we first moved there from Denver and needed a new washer & dryer. The store owner delivered and hooked them up before we had even signed anything. All he had was our word. I was amazed. Over the years we were there, we had many similar experiences. We left there with many happy memories. It was a great place to raise kids, too.