Featured Links:
Extreme Makeover
Husker Poster Clearance


Brought to you by:
[include_if_video:/resources/includes/story/video_listing.inc]
[include_if_link:/resources/includes/story/related_links.inc]
Stories in Gz:
  • Big Sal's
  • Rib Ranch
  • The Lodge at Wilderness Ridge
  • DoughBoyz Bistro
  • Little Caesars
  • Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon
  • The HoneyBaked Ham Co.
  • Bennigan's Grill & Tavern
  • Grateful Bread
  • Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant
  • The Best of Omaha
  • El Comal
  • Taco Del Mar
  • Top five in '05
  • Christo's Pub
  • Spikes Beach Bar & Grille
  • The Sweeter Side
  • One Eyed Dog Saloon
  • Krem Le Bistro
  • USA Steak Buffet
  • Red Onion
  • Tico's
  • Scrumpy Jacks
  • Country Sliced Ham
  • The Best of Lincoln: KFOR survey
  • Scooter's Coffeehouse
  • El Chaparro
  • Qdoba Mexican Grill
  • Bagels & Joe
  • Shogun
  • The Best of Lincoln: KFOR survey

    Monday, Jun 05, 2006 - 05:54:33 pm CDT

    Apparently the people surveyed for KFOR’s “Best of Lincoln” publication either forgot or never tried the hand-pattied burgers at Parkway Pub.

    Those 1/3-pound wonders created by Fred Valenta, who got his start in the restaurant business at the legendary King’s Restaurant, are indeed the best in Lincoln.

    If voters ever had a Parkway patty, I’m sure there is no way they would have ranked it behind burgers from Runza, Wendy’s and Burger King, which were ranked Nos. 1, 2 and 3, respectively, in the KFOR survey.

    Unless they forgot.

    Last week, the Lincoln AM radio station released the results of its latest survey, which it’s been doing since 1984. KFOR has used an independent research firm since 2000 to determine Lincoln’s favorites in 61 categories, ranging from the best Mexican food to the best health club.

    What KFOR does is great, but the results tend to raise a few eyebrows.

    The restaurant portion of the list is dominated by corporate chains such as Applebee’s, Village Inn, Outback Steakhouse and Famous Dave’s.

    While these places are popular, I don’t believe they are the best.

    I didn’t get a call from the research firm because I’m one of those people who gave up a home phone in favor of a cell phone to avoid those kinds of calls.

    Had I voted, Valenta’s burger would have topped my list.

    Here’s a look at KFOR’s list and my choices, which, of course, are purely subjective.

    You’ll discover I’m big on local places, but there are some instances when I went with a corporate giant. Yes, I admit it, I really like Starbucks coffee.

    I’m curious about your picks. Send me an e-mail or check out the Ground Zero blog on this subject under dining at www.journalstar.com.

    Steak

    KFOR: 1. Misty’s, 2. The Steak House, 3. Outback Steakhouse

    Korbelik: 1. Wilderness Ridge, 2. Marz Intergalactic Shrimp and Martini Bar, 3. Misty’s

    Pizza

    KFOR: 1. Valentino’s, 2. Pizza Hut, 3. Godfather’s Pizza

    Korbelik: 1. Yia Yia’s, 2. Venue, 3. Piezano’s

    Chicken

    KFOR: 1. Popeyes, 2. Lee’s, 3. Kentucky Fried Chicken

    Korbelik: 1. Lee’s, 2. Grandmother’s, 3. Culver’s

    Breakfast

    KFOR: 1. Village Inn, 2. IHOP, 3. Green Gateau

    Korbelik: 1. Green Gateau, 2. Tina’s Cafe, 3. Kuhl’s Restaurant

    Lunch

    KFOR: 1. Applebee’s, 2. Lazlo’s, 3. Green Gateau

    Korbelik: 1. Lazlo’s, 2. Brewsky’s, 3. Duggan’s Pub

    Dinner

    KFOR: 1. (tie) Applebee’s and Lazlo’s, 2. Olive Garden, 3. Famous Dave’s

    Korbelik: 1. Dish, 2. The Oven, 3. The Parthenon

    Hamburger

    KFOR: 1. Runza, 2. Wendy’s, 3. Burger King

    Korbelik: 1. Parkway Lanes, 2. 1st Avenue, 3. P.O. Pears

    Buffet

    KFOR: 1. Valentino’s, 2. Old Country Buffet, 3. Golden Corral

    Korbelik: 1. The Knolls, 2. Peking Palace, 3. Valentino’s

    Mexican

    KFOR: 1. La Paz, 2. Carlos O’Kelly’s, 3. Tico’s

    Korbelik: 1. La Mexicana, 2. D’Leon’s, 3. El Rancho

    Italian

    KFOR: 1. Grisanti’s, 2. The Olive Garden, 3. Vincenzo’s

    Korbelik: 1. Vincenzo’s, 2. Grisanti’s, 3. Romano’s Macaroni Grill

    Fast food

    KFOR: 1. Runza, 2. Burger King, 3. Wendy’s

    Korbelik: 1. D’Leon’s, 2. Ali Baba, 3. Oso Burrito

    Fine dining

    KFOR: 1. Misty’s, 2. Venue, 3. Vincenzo’s

    Korbelik: 1. Wilderness Ridge, 2. Billy’s, 3. Venue

    Seafood

    KFOR: 1. Red Lobster, 2. Long John Silver, 3. Lazlo’s

    Korbelik: 1. Venue, 2. Red Lobster, 3. Wilderness Ridge

    Barbecue

    KFOR: 1. Famous Dave’s, 2. Rib Ranch, 3. Skeeter Barnes

    Korbelik: 1. Paul’s BBQ, 2. Rib Ranch, 3. Famous Dave’s

    Sandwich shop

    KFOR: 1. Subway, 2. Doozy’s, 3. Mr. Goodcents

    Korbelik: 1. M&N Sandwich Shop, 2. Maggie’s, 3. Manhattan Deli

    Bakery

    KFOR: 1. Hy-Vee, 2. Conroy’s Bakery Shoppe, 3. Panera Bread

    Korbelik: 1. Grateful Bread, 2. Panera Bread, 3. Open Harvest

    Coffeehouse

    KFOR: 1. The Mill, 2. Starbucks, 3. Village Inn

    Korbelik: 1. The Mill, 2. Scooter’s, 3. Starbucks

    Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

    Subscribe Today
    Your Rating and Comments:
    Article Rating:
    This article has a user rating of:
    0
    [include_if_comments:/resources/includes/story/comments_no_form_check.inc]