2-26 to 2-28-11 Dixie Quicks, Vietnam Restaurant, Leo's Diner and Trail's End

As we do every year, we attended the Ice Bowl bowling tournament in Omaha. If you haven't visited, put it on your bucket list as it is a gem of a town. Here are a few of the places we visited while we were there and on the way home.

Dixie Quicks

We've been trying to go to this place every time we are in Omaha and this year, we finally made it! We found out that they opened at 9 am on Saturday and Sunday so we were there at 9 am. It was already getting busy and they suggest RSVPs for this reason but we still got in.

This place was featured on an episode of Drivers, Dine-Ins and Dives awhile back. And it's the only gay owned and operated restaurant in Omaha.

The place has a homey/artsy feeling with fresh food that has a southwestern flair to it.  The menu is on chalk board and it is varied. 

While we waited for our food, jazz music played. They have crayons on the table for you to draw. JE made a photo of Gypsy.

JE got the eggs benedict that came with potatoes. He loved it.

I got a Dixie Scramble which is a toasted english muffin, with grilled tomato, sausage, egg and tomato butter on top. It also came with the potatoes. Mine was spicier than I expected, but it was still really good. I would have licked the plate if I could. Sausage, eggs, and english muffin were delish and the sauce was good too.

As mentioned, they have some different items on the menu as well. They have something called Sexual Chocolate and if you think it's like hot chocolate, you would be incorrect. I still don't know what that was on the menu.

Dixie Quicks pulls in a very eclectic crowd. People stand up to read the menu. One lady was talking about the apple and brie omelet but got the red beans and rice omelet instead. She told us while looking at the menu that she made something with all these fruits, honey mustard, and tuna for her husband. We didn't think that sounded very appetizing. Her dad who is like 85 makes ratatouille every Sunday. Amazing what you can learn while someone is looking at the wall menu.

We have to say that the owner/manager is a very energetic guy especially at 9am! He makes the Dixie Quicks experience one you won't forget.

We heard that DQ is moving to Council Bluffs if they haven't already which is just across the river from Omaha. We wish them well in their new location.

Vietnamese Asian Restaurant

We love pho and found this little restaurant near the original Nebraska Furniture Mart.

We both ordered the same thing. Combo pho beef with two kinds of meat -- beef and meatballs.

The pho was delicious and very filling. When you get a big bowl of ramen (I'm over simplifying here) with broth, meat, and added condiments like basil, it's going to be filling. It's not like you go to have a half bowl of pho anyway. You want it all.

We also ordered spring rolls. I got mine with tofu and JE got his with shrimp. 

These were the biggest spring rolls we've ever had. One order had two spring rolls for $4 or something ridiculous like that. I think maybe the spring rolls filled us up first and didn't allow for all the pho-ness that we wanted.

We do have to ding the place on one thing though. The ice tea sucked. It came out warm with little ice in it. I know ice tea isn't a selling point at a Vietnamese restaurant, but it was a disappointment. I had to ask if it was a different kind of tea, but it was normal ice tea.

Leo's Diner

This is one of our destination places every time we're in Omaha and it gets better every year. We got here at 9:55 am and waited 10 minutes for a booth. There is always a wait time for this place, but you'll be glad you waited.

JE ordered the tamale platter that had 2 tamales, eggs, choice of chili, hash browns and toast. 

I tried an edible fiesta bowl that came with hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, red chili, tomato, onion, black olives, sour cream, salsa and taco meat. I also got a pancake on the side and on second thought, due to the size of it, I really should have reconsidered.

As usual, the food was delicious. We love Leo's and stop by any chance we get. Check it out for yourself and get ready to wait for some great food.  

Trail's End Restaurant (Rockport, MO)

On the way home, we needed to stop and get gas. We happened upon this truck stop cafe.  

The decor was like the inside of a barn. It had a homey atmosphere, bargain prices and fantastic food. You'll think you went home to the farm.

JE ordered chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes and a house salad. It came with a big buttery dinner roll. JE was happy with his choice except for the lettuce leaf under the chicken fried steak which he thought was an unnecessary garnish.

I ordered the country meatloaf with mashed potatoes and a house salad too. Mine also came with a big buttery dinner roll. 

I enjoyed my selection as well. It tasted homemade and was great comfort food after a weekend of mass drinking.

One other item on their menu I wanted to try was their signature Grandma's sour cream apple pie. I was too stuffed from everything else and the waitress didn't even ask if we wanted anything else. I guess I'll have to wait for another trip to Omaha to try it out.