Strolling through the historic downtown area of Fairbury, Nebraska makes you feel like you have stepped back in time. In its heyday, Fairbury flourished with the rise of the Rock Island Railroad, which also gave rise to many amazing Fairbury restaurants. Come with an appetite, because even though it may surprise you, this small town has delicious food you just have to taste for yourself. Take a look at the amazing places to eat in Fairbury, Nebraska:

Fairbury is located where Highways 15 and 136 meet, in southeastern Nebraska.
Fairbury Nebraska/Facebook
Fairbury is at the heart of the Oregon Trail, a route thousands traveled in the 1800s, in hopes of staking a claim to land out west. Rumor has it that Wild Bill Hickok, the famous gunslinger of the Wild West, got his start here when he shot a man over money.

1. Rowdy's Steakhouse

Rowdy’s Steakhouse Fairbury, Nebraska/Facebook
Rowdy’s Steakhouse in Fairbury cooks up a mean steak, whether it be an elephant ear or prime rib. Customers rave about the homemade cheddar broccoli soup and the BLT sandwich, as well as the lunch specials.
Choose your pleasure. The prime rib special, the broasted chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy, a juicy burger, and more grace the menu.
321 F St, Fairbury, NE 68352
Rowdy’s Steakhouse Fairbury, Nebraska/Facebook

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2. Jalisco Mexican Restaurant

417 D St, Fairbury, NE 68352
shannonpatrick17/Flickr
Open for lunch and dinner on D Street, Jalisco Mexican Restaurant is serving up authentic cuisine right here in Fairbury. Sample the cheese dip, fajitas, fried ice cream, or other dishes to make your mouth water.

3. Runza

Runza Restaurants/Facebook
Chili and a cinnamon roll, anyone? It's a local tradition here. For a quick meal with roots in Nebraska, stop in at Runza. Runza opened its first location in Nebraska in 1949. For a chuckle, check out the entertaining menu item descriptions and History page (under About) on the Runza website. You can even buy hats and other Runza gear online if you are a diehard fan!
Try a one-of-a-kind signature Runza sandwich or one of the tasty burgers or salads. And don’t miss the Frings, French fries, and onion rings together in the same bag.
2630 Industrial Drive, Fairbury, NE 68352
Runza Restaurants/Facebook
On Temperature Tuesday, the outside temperature at 6:00 a.m. determines the price of a sandwich for the day, with a purchase of a medium drink and fries. You can even have frozen Runza sandwiches delivered to you if you have a craving and find yourself outside of town.

Learn more about the delicious Runza sandwich:

4. Classic Cones

611 6th St Fairbury, NE 68352
Classic Cones- Fairbury, Ne/Facebook
Who wants more ice cream? Don’t let the modest exterior of the Classic Cones ice cream shop deceive you. Inside the masters are at work. Stroll over to finish off your meal with a delectable dessert, or just to indulge in an afternoon delight. The ice cream shop is located near the corner of Sixth and F Streets. Patron favorites include Root Beer Freezes, milkshakes, malts, and twists. Be advised that Classic Cones is open seasonally.

It may be a small town of 3,686 residents but you will never regret the trip when you decide to feast on the food at one of these Fairbury, NE restaurants!

Have you dined in this quaint town? Do you have any favorite places to eat in Fairbury, Nebraska? Share your thoughts with us in the comments. When you visit, why not stay for a night or two, and check out some of the other fun things to do in Fairbury, Nebraska?

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

More to Explore

Small Towns With Places To Eat Near Me In Nebraska

William Suphan | March 21, 2023

What are the most charming small towns in Nebraska?

The most charming small towns in Nebraska include:

  • Aurora. This town is widely considered to be one of the best places to live in Nebraska. Locals love the Edgerton Explorit Center. 
  • Chadron. This little town is so beautiful. It’s surrounded by Chadron State Park, the Nebraska National Forest, and other lovely natural parks.
  • Minden. This town has a lively holiday season with a vibrant lights display as well as its Harold Warp Pioneer Village.
  • Nebraska City. Home to the Apple Jack Festival, this town has ample historic attractions and all kinds of fun activities.

Learn more about the most charming towns in Nebraska. 

What are the most historic towns in Nebraska?

The most historic towns in Nebraska include:

  • Plattsmouth. This was once known as The Barracks when it was built as a trading post in 1854 and its location at the mouth of the Platte River inspired the newer name.
  • Fort Calhoun encapsulates Fort Atkinson which is the first town to be settled in the state of Nebraska. 
  • Nebraska City. This city was the only known stop along the Underground Railroad in the state and has the largest number of slaves in the territory.
  • Brownville. This town was founded in 1854 and was a critical transport hub on the Missouri River. 

Find out more about the most historic towns in Nebraska.

What are some of the smallest towns in Nebraska?

Some of the smallest towns in Nebraska include:

  • Gandy. This town only has a population of 31 and was a rather dangerous town in the Old West and now is a quiet place.
  • Lushton. This town is claimed to have the smallest National Cemetery in the country with 24 soldiers from the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and both World Wars.
  • Strang. This town has 28 people and was once known as Media, and later Bixby before A.L. Strang donated a windmill and water pump to the town.
  • Brewster. This town was named for a homesteader named George Washington Brewster whose family arrived on the Mayflower.

Discover more about the smallest towns in Nebraska. 

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