Can anything unite and divide Nebraskans quite as much as food? We all need it, and most of us love it, but opinions vary widely on what, exactly, is the most Nebraskan food and who serves it best. We wouldn’t be so bold as to name a single food that’s more Nebraskan than all the others, but we’ve got a pretty solid idea of which foods every Nebraskan (and probably every other person) needs to eat at least once before they die. These famous foods in Nebraska (famous to us, at least!) are listed here in no particular order.

1. Sweet corn on the cob
flickr/Drew Geraets
A classic Nebraska food if there ever was one, this seems like kind of a no-brainer since we live in the Cornhusker State, right? Pro tip: it tastes way better after you've hunched over the trash can in the produce aisle of the grocery store to shuck the corn before you bring it home.
2. Rocky mountain oysters
flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Half of you will wrinkle your noses in disgust and half of you will start salivating. You see, with so many cattle ranches in the state, there are a lot of...um, raw materials to work with. These are a staple of rural restaurant buffets, and we even have whole festivals to celebrate the existence of this delicacy.
3. Nebraska steak
flickr/Shelby Bell
Whether you're in the corn-fed or grass-fed camp, I think we can all agree that Nebraska steaks are hands down the best. Grill them at home or have someone else make them for you at a restaurant; they're delicious however.
4. Breaded pork tenderloin sandwich
By Glane23 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) or GFDL (http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons
If that patty comes even close to fitting in that bun, you're doing something very, very wrong. These patties were meant to look ridiculous on a standard size bun.
5. Dorothy Lynch dressing
Facebook/Dorothy Lynch
...on just about anything. Admittedly, I've never tried it on desserts, but it's essential on taco salads, fries, chicken, steak, sandwiches...a million other things. You know how other states put ranch dressing on everything? Dorothy Lynch is our ranch dressing.
6. Fried morel mushrooms
flickr/Dana McMahan
Hunting for elusive morels is a springtime tradition in Nebraska. There's nothing more satisfying than bringing them home, frying them up, and not sharing them with anyone because you worked so hard to find them.
7. Fresh apple pie
flickr/Brandie Kajino
Yes, you can get this literally anywhere in the country. But we think Nebraska apples make pie so much better. Pie made with apples you've picked straight from the tree tastes way better than pie you buy at the bakery...or worse yet, pie made with canned filling.

Related Stories

Everyone In Nebraska Should Check Out These 9 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals

Everyone In Nebraska Should Check Out These 9 Tourist Attractions, According To Locals

 Chadron State Park In Nebraska Is Turning 103 Years Old And It's The Perfect Spot For A Day Trip

Chadron State Park In Nebraska Is Turning 103 Years Old And It's The Perfect Spot For A Day Trip

 You Won't Believe The Views You'll Find At This Incredible Airbnb In Nebraska

You Won't Believe The Views You'll Find At This Incredible Airbnb In Nebraska
8. Rhubarb crisp
flickr/Alicia
The one in this picture has strawberries in it, but I'm a hardcore rhubarb enthusiast - no other fruit sullies my homemade rhubarb crisp. But you won't be judged by Nebraskans if you want to go wild and throw some strawberries in there. Have some vanilla ice cream on top for an extra special treat.
9. Runza
flickr/Michael McLean
This one doesn't really need an explanation. Go eat a Runza. Seriously.
10. Cheeseburger pizza
flickr/BXGD
What do you do when you can't decide between your two favorite types of fast food? Nebraskans figured out a long time ago that cheeseburgers + pizza = never having to make that choice.
11. Reuben sandwich
flickr/Gloria Cabada-Leman
This delightful mashup of corned beef (or pastrami), Swiss cheese, Thousand Island dressing, and sauerkraut on toasted rye bread is a true Nebraska original. We hear some east coast state is trying to claim credit for the Reuben's invention, but we know the truth.
12. Fresh fried fish
flickr/Matt Johnson
It tastes best when you catch it, clean it, and cook it yourself, but local fish fries and your favorite restaurant are also acceptable ways to get this delicious treat into your body.
13. Kolaches
flickr/Rosie Lutrova
Mmmm...these Czech pastries come in poppyseed, cheese, and all kinds of fruit flavors, and they're all magnificent. In my Czech family, they were a special holiday treat. Now it seems that more and more bakeries are carrying them, which is good for nostalgia but bad for diets.
14. Wimmer's red hot dogs
Wimmers Meats
Wimmer's is actually no longer owned by a Nebraska foods company, but their bright red hot dogs are still a part of the Nebraska culinary experience.
15. Chili and cinnamon rolls
Runza
Not all of the most popular foods in Nebraska make sense to non-locals. Most people from other states think we're crazy until they actually try this unlikely combination. The flavors complement each other so well that it's kind of hard to eat one without the other after you've been pairing them for so long.

What other essential “Nebraska” foods should everyone eat at least once? Add your favorite to the list in the comments!

For restaurants that everyone in Nebraska needs to try before they die, check out this list of 20 essential eateries.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Famous Foods in Nebraska & Related Info

Jennifer | March 03, 2023

What restaurants in Nebraska have the prettiest views?

Nebraska has no shortage of phenomenal views, and many of the state's best restaurants boast front-row seats to some of the state's best angles. These restaurants in Nebraska offer some of the best views:

 

What are the most romantic restaurants in Nebraska?

For a special night out with a special someone, Nebraska delights with a fantastic selection of romantic restaurants that boast the perfect combination of ambiance, décor, and cuisine. Some of the most romantic restaurants in Nebraska include:

 

Does Nebraska have any waterfront restaurants?

Nebraska may not be a coastal state, but it's home to quite a few lakefront and riverside restaurants that offer jaw-dropping waterfront views. Whether you're craving an upscale place to experience a sunset over the water or searching for a casual, laid-back spot to dine al fresco by the lake, Nebraska has a full spectrum of spectacular waterfront restaurants:

 

What are the most unique places to eat in Nebraska?

Dining experiences come in a variety of forms in Nebraska. Just a few of the most unique places to eat in Nebraska are:

Related Articles