Lazlo’s Prime Rib Enchiladas with refried beans, mexi rice and Caesar salad.
For the past couple of months, L Magazine has looked at how some of Lincoln’s catering and dining establishments have adapted to serving customers during a pandemic. Specifically, we’ve looked at the servicing of prepared meals for delivery or pick-up to ease the stress on families.
This month’s issue looks at a pair of local entities responsible for several of Lincoln’s most popular and successful dining establishments.
Lazlo’s marks 30th year
March 20 marks the 30th year that Lazlo’s Brewery & Grill has been serving diners in Lincoln’s Haymarket District, according to Jay Jarvis, director of operations and co-founder of the restaurant. Over the years, the Lazlo’s brand has expanded to Lazlo’s South, Lazlo’s Omaha and its affiliated Lincoln restaurant FireWorks.
The three Lincoln establishments have always had take-out and delivery options for their customers. But three to four years ago, Lincoln Lazlo’s established a Dinner on the Run service featuring some of its most requested and best menu items. FireWorks has followed suit with its FireWorks Feast items.
Both options are geared to expand the restaurants’ services to a greater group of customers. And with COVID-19 concerns, that’s something many of their guests have said is needed.
The available meals are found on the restaurants’ respective websites under the Curbside & Delivery option, with orders being phoned-in to the appropriate establishment. Contactless meals (fully prepared) can be picked up curbside at any of the three, or delivered to a destination if it is within an approximate 10-minute car delivery. (General delivery area maps are on each restaurant’s website.)
Jarvis emphasizes that delivering meals is usually limited to one address during a trip to maintain the quality of the meal. There is a $6 flat delivery fee with delivery hours from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and from 4-8 p.m.
The services are a nice option for families of working adults. “Just pick-up or delivery … it’s dinner at home with no fuss,” Jarvis said. Since the beginning of the pandemic, Jarvis noted that the Dinner on the Run and FireWorks Feast requests have more than doubled.
Since the offerings are among the restaurants’ customer favorites, the Dinner on the Run and the FireWorks Feast dining options are essentially static, with very few changes.
Serving 4-6 people, the Haymarket and South Lazlo’s Dinner on the Run offerings include a salad tray (Lazlo’s or Caesar) with two side dishes (1 quart each) and choice of the following entree: Rainbow Chicken, $39.99; Voodoo Chicken, $39.99; BBQ Chicken, $39.99; Prime Rib Enchiladas, $44.99; Kabobs (sirloin or chicken), $41.99; Baby Back Ribs, $60.99; and Ribs & BBQ Chicken, $50.99. Side dish options include mashed potatoes, coleslaw, wild rice, homemade applesauce, honey-glazed baked beans, refried beans or Mexi rice.
Lazlo’s Voodoo Chicken with coleslaw, salad, wild rice and beer.
FireWorks Feast’s “Family” offerings are geared to serve 4-6 individuals and include choice of salad and two side dishes along with choice of Chicken Enchiladas, $39.99; Baby Back Ribs, $59.99; Bourbon Street Chicken, $39.99; Backdraft Brisket, $40.99; and Chicken Milan, $39.99.
The restaurant’s “Pasta” options include a choice of salad and 10 slices of grilled herb bread with choice of Philly Pasta, $56; Euro Pasta, $48; Fettuccine Jabrisco, $42; Peking Peanut Penne, $46; and Grand Mac Daddy, $46.
At $61.99, the FireWorks “Feast” serves 4-6 and features a full rack of Baby Back Ribs, one pound of Backdraft Brisket and Whole Rotisserie Chicken, plus four side dishes (cheese and macaroni, sautéed broccoli, pinto beans, almond rice, cilantro-lime rice, coleslaw, smashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes).
FireWorks – Benissimo! Fettuccini Jabrisco with bread and salad.
The restaurants are anticipating some special event dinner packages this coming spring and summer, according to Jarvis. A prime rib dinner that was offered during last December’s holiday season was received “incredibly well.” He said similar packages – possibly around Memorial Day, July 4th or other summer dates – are being considered.
While the pandemic has been difficult and trying for all types of businesses, Jarvis is confident that the Lazlo’s and FireWorks restaurants will continue to offer quality dining experiences to customers, whether through dine-in, pick-up or delivery.
FireWorks’ Baby Back Ribs with macaroni and cheese, salad and steamed broccoli.
Pillar Restaurant Group
People may not be as familiar with the name Pillar Restaurant Group, but the entity is responsible for three Lincoln restaurants that are very familiar to diners – Venue Restaurant and Lounge, Piedmont Bistro by Venue and Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina by Venue.
Pillar’s marketing director Craig Zimmerman explained that all three restaurants are represented in the Venue at Home weekly home meal service, which was started in March 2020 and motivated by the COVID-19 crisis. He said that the service had been discussed and considered, but the pandemic was the extra push that brought it to fruition.
Venue at Home is a subscription service posted online that presents a new menu every week – a mixture of customer favorite dishes from all three restaurants. Meals can be picked up at the Venue at Home storefront (4111 Pioneer Woods Dr., Suite 104) or delivered, with most of the dishes requiring 20-30 minutes of reheating in an oven (instructions are provided for each item). Delivery cost is $3.99 and is available for most of the Lincoln area.
Venue at Home’s Italian Wedding Soup.
Individuals receive three meals with two portions each for couples ($34.99) or four portions each for families ($59.99). Subscription details are available at the Venue at Home website (www.venueathome.net), including how to sign up, order deadlines, subscription pauses, renewals and more.
Some of the past menu offerings have included Italian Wedding Soup (meatballs, kale, carrots, Italian parsley, and orzo pasta in a rich chicken broth, rustic baguette on the side); Lemon Pepper Chicken (lemon pepper seasoned chicken breast with a creamy herb butter sauce served with candied sweet potatoes); Green Goddess Chicken Pasta (whole grain penne, grilled chicken, parmesan cheese, creamy green goddess pasta sauce and seasonal veggies); 3 Little Pigs Burrito (sausage, bacon and ham burritos served with crispy breakfast potatoes); Hawaiian Turkey Sliders (sweet Hawaiian buns with turkey, green chilis, cheese and spicy aioli); and BBQ Pork Mac & Cheese (cavatappi noodles with cheddar cheese sauce, topped with pulled pork BBQ sauce and more cheddar cheese).
Venue at Home’s Hawaiian Turkey Sliders.
Zimmerman said that they have received lots of positive comments about the service, from the convenience of the meals to customer requests that they make sure to keep “doing what we are doing.”
“We haven’t had to shut our doors or experience any staff reductions, and we are so thankful for the support we have received during this period,” he said.
LINCOLN’S MOST-REQUESTED RESTAURANTS
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro
P.F. Chang’s brings an Asian fusion approach to Americanized Chinese food, serving dumplings, entrees, crab rangoons and things of that nature. Readers repeatedly asked about the restaurant coming to the Capitol City.
Waffle House
There are 1,500 Waffle Houses spread across 25 states, as far west as Arizona and as far north as Illinois, but the chain is still rooted deeply in the South and retains a distinctively down-home, blue-collar aura. Our readers think Waffle House would be right at home in Lincoln as well.
The Cheesecake Factory
By far, the restaurant that was most requested, The Cheesecake Factory is mostly known for a massive dessert menu and a large, varied list of entrees. While locations mostly are in larger areas, the exclusivity hasn’t stopped Lincolnites from wanting the restaurant to come to their hometown.
Giordano’s Pizzeria
While it may be coming to Omaha soon, Journal Star readers repeatedly asked for Giordano’s Chicago-style pizza to be offered in Lincoln as well.
In-N-Out Burger
A west-coast burger phenomenon, In-N-Out has gained national attention online for its not-so-secret secret menu and commitment to freshness. Even former California Governor and occasional action-star Arnold Schwarzenegger is a fan.
Portillo’s
Portillo’s is a Midwestern chain with 50 locations serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads and chocolate cake.
Uno Pizzeria and Grill
After opening a location in Boston in 1978, Chicago-style pizza staple Uno Pizzeria has been seen in places far outside the Windy City. The chain has more than 140 locations in 24 states, as well as 160 Uno Express locations and fast-casual eateries, serving thick-crust pizza, sandwiches, salads and more. Many Lincolnites are waiting when they’ll be able to get a taste of Chicago a little closer to home.
Whataburger
What In-N-Out is to the west-coast, Whataburger is to Texas. It’s fans are obsessive and Whataburger pays attention to them. Here, Whataguy serves cake to Whataburger super fans Karl and Carol Hoepfner, who have been trying to visit every one of the restaurant’s locations.
Joe’s Crab Shack
Lincoln diners want more seafood options and Joe’s Crab Shack might be just the solution with a menu filled with variations on crab and other New England favorites.
White Castle
A burger place with a true cult following, White Castle’s iconic sliders are some of the most recognizable sandwiches on the market today. Inspiring movies, pop culture and much more, many readers want to see White Castle set up shop locally.
California Pizza Kitchen
The supposed originator of the now ubiquitous barbecue chicken pizza, California Pizza Kitchen has steadily become a recognized brand far beyond the west coast. While some of the company’s products can be found in the grocery store freezer aisle, Lincoln diners are still clamoring for one of the company’s restaurants to open locally.
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ‘n Biscuits
Boasting more than 600 restaurants, Bojangles is a key purveyor of fried chicken, biscuits and southern sides. However, the chain is only in 11 states, mostly in the Deep South, with a few international locations. That hasn’t stopped Lincoln readers, however, from craving the company’s chicken, signature seasoned fries and Bo Sauce.
A&W
A classic-diner themed burger joint famous for its root beer, A&W has expanded steadily in the last few years. If a location can open in Germany, as pictured above, where’s the Lincoln location?
Tastee Inn
While the iconic restaurant may have closed its doors in Lincoln in 2014, many of our readers want to get another taste of Tastee Inn.
Hardee’s
As well known for their often controversial commercials as their burgers, Hardees, or Carl’s Jr. in some regions, was a frequently requested restaurant by local diners. Their Frisco Melt, as pictured above, just might be one reason why.
Taco Cabana
Similar to fast-casual Mexican food like Qdoba and Chipotle, Taco Cabana focuses on freshness and hand-made dishes that have been pleasing fans for years.
Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria
You can’t buy better publicity than Big Mama’s and Papa’s Pizzeria received for free. When the restaurant delivered pizza to the Oscar’s in 2014, they became a viral phenomenon and the owners have expressed a desire to expand. It looks like some Lincoln diners are interested in trying the pizza that was once served to the stars.
Bennigan’s
Despite the restaurant filing for bankruptcy in 2008, Lincolnites still would like to see a Bennigan’s in the capitol city. Unfortunately, this one might not be in the cards.
Jack in the Box
Famous for a diverse menu including an all-day breakfast, Lincoln diners would love to see a Jack in the Box come to town.