ON THE ROAD AGAIN

"New York waiters, probably the surliest in the Western world...are better images of their city than that journalistic favorite - the taxi driver." - Alan Brien

I REALLY LIKE DRIVING and finding new dining delites along the way. For a number of years I've driven to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association annual bash. Not because I'm scared to fly, but because the drive is relaxing, I can visit Cuz Allan and his family, and get to eat at a score of different restaurants along the way.

Since this month is National Pick-On Nebraska Month, I thought I'd tell you that there are some mighty fine eateries in the Cornhusker state. Of course you might wonder about a state where the official state soft drink is Kool-Aid. But in all honesty, I probably found some of the best buggers I've ever had here. And other good eatin'.

Sydney's (In the Best Western) - 1010 W. 3rd Avenue, 308/236-6550, Kearney, NE
I've dined here four times since they opened in May 2000, twice by myself, twice with G. The food is superb. Super huge buggers, cooked perfectly, hand-packed. G goes bonkers over the LaRae bugger with Gorgonzola cheese, mushrooms and roasted garlic. The yummy french fries came with a mild Cajun seasoning. At breakfast I always get the excellent filet and scrambled eggs. Dinner sees a very upscale menu with lots of steaks and seafood. Service is always first-rate. Owner Shawn Engbert also runs the popular Alley Rose (2013 Central, 308/234-1261) in downtown Sydney. Great grub.

Chances "R" Restaurant -124 W. 5th Street, 402/362-7775, York, NE
Voted the best restaurant in Nebraska in 1995, this is one of the finest in the country. Two years ago they catered Son Primo's wedding rehearsal dinner with fabulous BBQ and all the goodies that go with it including fab desserts. It was unbelievable. Since then I've been a half-dozen times. Most visits were to chomp on the huge hand-packed bugger that overflows the already over-size bun. I've also tried a half dozen other dishes. Everything on the menu is delish. They have a fantastic in-house bakery that serves up killer Dutch apple pie. Shucks, even the iced tea is wonderful. On Saturday nite they have a prime rib buffet that brings folks from miles away. Their catering menu will blow your mind.

Lazlo's Brewery & Grill - 710 P Street, 402/474-2337, Lincoln, NE
Located in the famous Haymarket area of Nebraska's capitol, this fine eatery kick's butt. Ever since Recumbentibus Ron the Roquelaure took me here for lunch three years ago, I have to eat here every time I get anywhere near Lincoln. This beautiful restaurant offers excellent food and great service. The first time I came I had a giant bugger (naturally) that was accompanied by fantastic french fries. About the time Ron and I were guessing if the fries were house-made or frozen, a manager came by. I asked her about the fries and sed I was convinced that they were made on site. She told me that the fries were the only dish that wasn't made on site. They were Simplot's frozen Wonder Fries. Everything, including all the 2-die-4 desserts is made on premises. Of course my bugger was hand-packed, cooked perfectly and served on a great house-made soft sesame seed bun. RRR had maavelous fish and chips with house-made beer-battered bread. Then we shared the chocolate brownie served ala mode. On a later visit for Son Secundo's wedding, I took 13 family members here for lunch and we ate everything on the menu including all the desserts and pronounced it all absolutely wonderful. They recently opened a second location at 5900 Old Cheney Road. If you're into brewski's, note that Lazlo's operates the oldest and largest brewery in Nebraska. I go for the food.

Jimmy John's Subs - 101 N. 14th Street, 402/477-1400, Lincoln, NE
Ever seen a sub shop in the same building with another sub shop? As in right next door with a half wall separating the two eateries? They do weird things in Lincoln. At 101 N. 14th Street is Jimmy John's Subs. Also at 101 N. 14th Street is a Subway®. There's no typo in the directories, just one of each. Like on the other side of the wall from each other, but with a common entrance. Walk in, take your pick. They're both franchises but no common interest. So what's the difference? Other than there are a few (gazillion) more Subway stores than there are Jimmy John's, Jimmy John's serves great subs. On great bread. Coincidentally, Loren Prescott, the owner of the Lincoln franchise also operates a Jimmy John's in Boulder (3125 13th St, 303/447-3200). I had a tuna sangie that tasted like tuna. Served on real house-made French bread (or 7-grain whole wheat). Came with fresh-made tuna, provolone, cukes, lettuce and tomato; no foo-foo stuff. You can get any sangie Plain Slims™, meaning with no veggies or sauces. Quite yummy. Most stores are open 7 days, and deliver. Oh, the chocolate chunk cookies…

Misty's - 6235 Havelock Avenue, 402/466-8424, Lincoln, NE
Serving the finest Sterling Silver beef that has been aged 21 days, Misty's is an institution in this city that lives for University of Nebraska football. There is no other reason for Lincoln to be on the map. Misty's is full of football memorabilia. I was told it is a regular dining emporium for players and coaches, but the nite we were there we were the only customers in the dining room most of the evening. But that didn't affect either the kitchen or our very efficient W. We started with prime rib tidbits, a bit on the smoky side but very tasty. I had what may be the finest rib-eye steak I've ever had. It was fork-tender, cooked to perfection, and seasoned with Misty's special (and secret) seasoning. G had the special baby-back ribs and the Cuda had a small New York Strip. All was yummy. None of us even thought about dessert.

Vincenzo's - 808 P Street #100, 402/435-3889, Lincoln, NE
A fine Italian eatery with great ambiance, outstanding food, but a weakness in the service department. I had lunch twice and dinner twice, neither time was I impressed by the service but I was very impressed with the food. They do a Chicken Soto that's one the finest dishes I've ever had. The veal version is good but not as good as the chicken, perhaps the thinness of the veal doesn't allow for the unbelievable sauce to penetrate as it does the thicker chicken. Had a Soto dishes three of the four visits but I had an upset tummy the last visit so I had a plain ol' salad. 'Twas quite good. The elaborate menu offers a great deal of other fine Italian fare. Issa very nice place.

Whiskey Creek Steakhouse - 1624 E. 23rd Ave N, 402/721-1131, Fremont, NE
The baby-back ribs we had for a munchie were sooo good; we had 'em again for dessert. My medium bugger was cooked so long I used it as a hockey puck. The pulled pork was outstanding. The baked beans and the slaw were good. The service generally sucked. On both visits we had servers who had not a clue. On one visit I sent for a manager who likewise did not have a clue. The thing that got me was when the grill cook took his spatula to squish the steaks. And squished all the juice out of the meat. But the peanuts on the floor (I guess Nebraskans aren't sue-happy like folks are elsewhere) add to the fun ambiance; just don't order a steak. There are a half dozen of these places across Nebraska and several in neighboring states, but none in Colorado.

I left out the bad ones cuz I'm nice.

Cya.