Posted: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 7:00 pm
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/blog/gzo.php.
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.