Below are the results of the first ever Best of Omaha Survey contest. 100,000 ballots were distributed, and winners were selected in 56 categories. The results are reproduced here as published in the March/April 1992 edition of Omaha Magazine.

The 2019 contest winners will be announced at the Best of Omaha Soiree on November 8. Get your tickets here: https://localstubs.com/events/best-of-omaha-soiree.

Best Family Restaurant

1. The Garden Cafe 2. Grandmother’s Restaurant and Lounge 3. Old Country Buffet 3. Valentino’s

Best Salon

1. Salon Tino 2. Garbo’s 3. Haircrafters

Best Omaha Tradition

1. River City Roundup 2. College World Series 3. Mannheim Steamroller

Best Annual Event

1. River City Roundup 2. College World Series 3. Septemberfest

Best Travel Agency

1. Travel & Transport Inc. 2. AAA Travel Agency 3. Pegasus Travel Center 3. Younkers Travel Service

Best Bakery

1. The Garden Cafe 2. Gerda’s Bakery 3. Hy-Vee Bakery

Best Yogurt

1. TCBY Yogurt 2. I Can’t Believe It’s Yogurt 3. Dannon

Best Nursery

1. Earl May Nursery & Garden Center 2. Mulhall’s Nursery 3. The Yard Co.

Best People Watching

1. Malls 2. Old Market 3. Airport

Best Place to Buy CDs and Tapes

1. Homer’s Record Store 2. Pickles Records & Tapes 3. Best Buy

Best Buffet

1. Old Country Buffet 2. Valentino’s 3. The Choice Smorgasbord

Best Happy Hour

1. Arthur’s 2. 3 Cheers 3. Grandmother’s 3. Mickey Finn’s 3. Sports Cafe

Best Financial Institution

1. First National Bank of Omaha 2. Norwest Bank Nebraska NA 3. FirsTier Bank

Best Live Music

1. Ranch Bowl 2. Orpheum Theater 3. Arthur’s

Best Sporting Event

1. College World Series 2. Lancer Hockey 3. Nebraska Football

Best Place to Dance

1. Arthur’s 2. Ranch Bowl 3. Peony Park

Best Place to Take Kids

1. The Henry Doorly Zoo 2. Omaha Childrens Museum 3. Showbiz Pizza Place 3. Peony Park

Best Free Entertainment

1. Jazz on the Green 2. Shakespeare on the Green 3. Music in the Park 3. Old Market

Best Picnic Spot 

1. Elmwood Park 2. Dam Site 16 3. Central Park Mall

Best Men’s Clothing Store

1. Landon’s 2. Dillard 2. Jerry Ryan 2. Younkers 3. Montage

Best Steak House

1. Ross’ Steak House 2. Gorat’s Steak House 3. Johnny’s Cafe

Best Not on Ballot

1. KKCD Radio 2. University of Nebraska at Omaha 3. Baker’s

Best Local Band

1. High Heel & the Sneekers 2. The Rumbles 3. Johnny Ray Gomez

Best Tourist Attraction

1. The Henry Doorly Zoo 2. Old Market 3. Boys Town

Best Deli

1. Spirit World 2. Baker’s 3. Little King

Best Mexican Food

1. Julio’s 2. Romeo’s 3. El Aguila Restaurant

Best Italian Restaurant

1. Grisanti’s Causal Italian Restaurant 2. The Olive Garden 3. Caniglia’s Venice Inn

Best Shopping Center/Mall

1. Crossroads 2. Westroads 3. Oakview Mall

Best Place to Meet Singles

1. Paradise Lounge 2. Grocery Store 3. Arthurs Church

Best Real Estate Company

1. CBS Real Estate 2. Home Real Estate 3. NP Dodge Co.

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This article was printed in the March/April 1992 edition of Omaha Magazine. To receive the magazine, click here to subscribe.