CULINARY 5 SIPS WORTH A TOAST Runza, Statewide Given Nebraska’s ties to the land, it’s no surprise that you’ll fi nd a number of noteworthy wineries, breweries and distilleries off ering welcoming vibes and fun times. 1. LOUP RIVER DISTILLING, ST. PAUL Owner Eric Montemagni walks you through his process at Nebraska’s only distillery that grows its own grains. THE HUMBLE, DELICIOUS RUNZA Comforting // Portable // Goes great with Husker football games The state’s signature sandwich just might be the Runza®: ground beef, cabbage, savory onions and a secret variety of seasonings cocooned in homemade dough, then baked ’til golden brown. In 1949, the fi rst Runza® Drive Inn opened in Lincoln. Today, the chain’s hearty meat-fi lled pockets are go-tos at Memorial Stadium during Husker football games and at more than 80 Runza® locations statewide. Gering Bakery calls its rendition a cabbage burger. Get to the original 1950s storefront before these batches—fresh-baked daily—sell out by day’s end. Family-operated Sehnert’s Bakery and Bieroc Café in McCook has served customers for more than 60 years. Matt and Shelly Sehnert proudly refer to themselves as fourth-generation bakers. In January 2019, Sehnert’s savory beirocs earned the café James Beard America’s Classic Award, bestowed upon just fi ve mom-and-pop restaurants across the nation annually. Sehnert’s is Nebraska’s fi rst establishment to receive the honor. 2. PAPA MOON VINEYARD & WINERY, SCOTTSBLUFF Near scenic marshy wetlands, this site hosts an annual Harvest Party, where you can help pick wine grapes. KOLACHES FROM SCRATCH CREDITS: RUNZA RESTAURANTS; KOLACHE FACTORY; LOUP RIVER DISTILLING; PAPA MOON VINEYARD & WINERY 3 local-favorite bakeries // Sweet to savory Verdigre calls itself the “Kolach Capital of the World,” which puts Verdigre Bakery at its epicenter. Every kolach is shaped, proofed twice, fi lled and baked—almost completely by hand, which takes up to fi ve hours per batch. The result? Pastry in the old Czech tradition: round with just enough “fl uff” to encase fi llings such as poppy seed, cream cheese and blueberry. For the adventurous, try enchilada or egg-and-sausage kolaches at Kolach Factory in Omaha. Kolache Korner Café in Prague serves authentic Czech dishes, including traditional and seasonal kolaches (imagine caramel-apple in autumn). Kolache Factory, Omaha 3. SILVER HILLS WINERY, TEKAMAH Stop in for wood-fi red pizza on Saturdays and grilled specials on Sundays, April through December. 4. PALS BREWING COMPANY, NORTH PLATTE Enjoy local craft beer at this spot where brewers reveal new small-batch releases on Sundays. 5. LOOP BREWING, MCCOOK Order a fl ight of house-brewed beer with stone-baked pizza at this brewpub inside a historic icehouse. Pro Tip: Look no further than Kearney’s Buy Nebraska store for locally made, edible souvenirs like fl avored popcorn and bison jerky. VisitNebraska.com 23
Nebraska Official State Travel Guide The Official 2020 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide: Page 23
