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