The Nebraska Restaurant In The Middle Of Nowhere That’s So Worth The Journey
You can find a decent place to eat in just about any town in Nebraska. In some towns you can even find incredible gourmet meals that you’ll never forget. But sometimes, the best restaurants are hiding outside of the cities – and in this case, pretty far away from anything at all.
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To be completely fair, The Speakeasy isn't miles away from everything. Holdrege, a city of about 5,500, is nearby. The next closest major city is Kearney, about 45 minutes away. But take a look at that map - that's pretty much the middle of nowhere, wouldn't you say?
Google Maps
The restaurant actually sits in the historic Phelps County village of Sacramento. The town was established in the late 1870s and had a peak population of around 200. Today, you won't find much in Sacramento other than the Speakeasy.
Usually, when you find a popular restaurant in the middle of Nebraska farmland, it's a down-home diner or a farmhouse-style place serving huge portions of familiar, comfortable, but mostly predictable food.
The Speakeasy doesn't have a grizzled cook behind the grill flipping endless cheeseburgers. This place has a chef. The talented Chef Ryan Puls took over the Speakeasy from his father in 2012, and since then he has been introducing rural Nebraska to new flavors while staying true to the traditional local preferences as well.
Chef Puls serves up all of the Nebraska standards - steak, fried chicken, prime rib, onion rings - but he also dishes up some incredibly inventive creations.
The Speakeasy's daily specials are where Chef Puls' creativity really gets to shine. He creates the type of sophisticated, multi-layered meals that would be difficult to find in most rural Nebraskan restaurants.
Filet Mignon with Blueberry Port Demi Glace, Bleu Cheese, Grilled Asparagus and Mashed Potatoes.
But the daily special entrees aren't the only remarkable part of The Speakeasy's offerings. There are special desserts like tiramisu, make-your-own s'mores, and these delectable-looking French macarons...
The Speakeasy is a beloved favorite, and people come from all over Nebraska – and even neighboring states – to sample the flawless food at this unexpected fine dining establishment. You can find The Speakeasy at 72993 S Rd, Holdrege, NE 68949. (Despite its street address, the restaurant is actually a few miles southeast of Holdrege.) Find out more at their website.
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
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