Restaurant Hoppen

4.8 (84)
FOOD
UPDATED WEEKLY

Dan Hoppen breaks down the Nebraska cuisine scene one bite at a time. He talks to local chefs, media members, and just interesting people about what's going on in the Cornhusker State when it comes to food, where people need to eat, and how food relates to Nebraska sports.

3D AGO

Food Network Competition TV w/ Clayton Chapman, Michelle Alfaro, & Larissa Codr

Food competition TV shows are fun, but what are they like behind the scenes? Three Omaha chefs/bakers who've competed on Food Network dish on the behind-the-scenes details that we don't see on camera for a fascinating conversation! Episode References Food Network — https://www.foodnetwork.com Supermarket Stakeout — https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/supermarket-stakeout Beat Bobby Flay — https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/beat-bobby-flay Christmas Cookie Challenge — https://www.foodnetwork.com/shows/christmas-cookie-challenge Sauce While Alfaro — https://saucewhilealfaro.com Noble Hospitality — https://noblehospitality.com The Finicky Cookie — https://thefinickycookie.com This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro & Teaser 00:01:23 – The Food Network Party 00:08:51 – Show Prep & Getting Casted 00:17:14 – Themes & Improvisation 00:24:07 – Calming the Nerves 00:34:54 – Hold-Over Time Challenges 00:44:02 – Physical Challenges 00:55:05 – Advice for Future Competitors 00:58:29 – Final Question & Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 8m
12/25/2025

Carlos Cuevas & Gillian Cromwell-Cuevas—Masa Luna

When Carlos decided to make tamales for his own wedding a few years ago, he had no idea he was starting down the road to a thriving restaurant. Those tamales led to a tamale delivery business, which blew up so quickly that it blossomed into a brick and mortar restaurant that is consistently packed with diners excited to try this couple's "authentic-ish" takes on tamales, tacos, tortas, and more. Hear the story of Masa Luna's rapid rise and the way Carlos and Gillian have leaned on the wonderful people around them to make it to this point. Masa Luna – https://masaluna.com/ This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro & Teaser 00:01:36 – What is Masa Luna? 00:06:50 – The Love of Tamales 00:12:48 – Signature Offerings 00:21:35 – Amazing Staff & Culture 00:26:34 – Cocktails 00:38:03 – Creative Tamales 00:47:51 – Restaurant Lessons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 2m
12/18/2025

Doug Case & LaRue Marcos—Ooh De Lally

Ooh De Lally is a restaurant serving great food, but its mission goes much deeper. It partners with Metro CC to help formerly incarcerated individuals get jobs, skills, and training to get back in the work force. LaRue knows firsthand how difficult that life can be, and Chef Doug and the rest of the Ooh De Lally team treated him differently and embraced him. Hear LaRue's story and get an inside sense of how Ooh De Lally's program gives new life to its participants. Ooh De Lallyhttps://www.oohdelally.org/ This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Timestamps: 00:00:00 – Intro & Teaser 00:01:32 – What Makes Ooh De Lally Special? 00:11:58 – A Restaurant that Cares 00:20:07 – Personal Growth 00:26:27 – First Months of Training 00:35:11 – Friends & Family Night 00:45:50 – Dispelling Stereotypes 00:53:06 – The Redemption Feast 00:57:11 – Final Question & Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 8m
12/11/2025

How Does Restaurant Design Affect Both the Guest and Chef Experience?

So much of a restaurant experience is defined before a bite of food is served, as the atmosphere, vibe, and design of a restaurant set the tone for the guest. Omaha veteran restaurateurs Carlos Mendez (Au Courant; Dolomiti), Tom Allisma (Flagship Restaurant Group), and Sagar Gurung (Kathmandu Momo Station; Cattle Call) discuss the ins and outs and restaurant design and architecture and the way restaurants can set themselves up for success. Episode References Kathmandu – https://www.kathmandurestaurant.com Momo Station – https://www.momostationomaha.com Saffron Urban Indian Kitchen – https://www.saffronurban.com Cattle Call – https://www.cattlecallomaha.com Bluejays Sushi – https://www.bluejayssushi.com Roja – https://www.rojaomaha.com Blatt – https://www.blattbeer.com Ghost Donkey – https://www.ghostdonkey.com Flagship Commons – https://www.flagshipcommons.com Plank – https://www.plankomaha.com Champagne Lanes – https://www.champagnelanes.com Memoir – https://www.memoiromaha.com Cleo – https://www.cleorestaurant.com Dolomiti Pizzeria – https://www.dolomitepizzeria.com Ruby Rotisserie Urban Bistro – https://www.rubyurbanbistro.com España – https://www.espanaomaha.com Hunger Block – https://www.hungerblock.com V. Mertz – https://www.vmertz.com Boiler Room – https://www.boilerroomomaha.com This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro & Teaser 00:04:26 - Restaurant Design Affecting Guest Experiences 00:16:34 - Focal Points & Pros/Cons of Open Kitchen Concepts 00:32:09 - Layout Design & Restaurant Balance 00:42:57 - Lighting 00:59:01 - Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 5m
12/04/2025

Elizabeth & Jack Pooley—Square Donut

When Elizabeth decided to open a donut shop in Omaha, she had no idea the trials and hardships to come. But she and her son Jack fought through tremendous hardship both in and outside the business to create a donut shop that few—if any—in Omaha can rival. We talked about the science behind what makes these donuts unique, why Square Donut places such a high priority on hospitality, and how the rough road has helped form not only Square Donut, but who Elizabeth and Jack are as people and family. Bite into Square Donut Today! https://www.squaredonutomaha.com/ This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Timestamps: 00:00:00 - Intro & Teaser 00:01:20 - 5 Years of Squared Donuts! 00:13:13 - The Donut Making Process 00:21:00 - What Sets Square Donut Apart from the Rest? 00:29:28 - D2Donuts (The Precursor) 00:36:50 - How to Make a Successful Business 00:43:02 - First Year Open 00:55:08 - A Rewarding Creation & Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 8m
11/27/2025

John & Seth Quiring—Le Quartier

Le Quartier has become Omaha and Lincoln's go-to spot for bread and pastries, but the path that led these brothers to open their bakery nearly 20 years ago is one neither saw coming. Hear how a random interest in baking, an apartment in Montreal, and a baguette-attached resume led to a bread supplier that many Omahans (and Omaha restaurants) couldn't live without. Check Out Le Quartier Today! Le Quartier – https://lequartierbakingco.com/ This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro & Teaser 00:02:12 - What is Le Quartier? 00:06:08 - The Collective Shift 00:15:15 - Learning to Teach with Four Locations 00:21:00 - Sibling Synchronicity 00:37:32 - “Listening to the Dough” 00:46:40 - Working with Restaurants (Establishing & Maintaining Relationships) 00:49:07 - The Bank Robbery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 4m
11/20/2025

Jacque & Jake Burklund—Carinara

Tomato-free pasta sauce?! This Omaha couple never knew they'd need such a thing until they developed a heartburn-inducing sensitivity to tomatoes. Rather than swear off pizza and pasta forever, they created a carrot-based sauce and launched Carinara, a product that is taking the Midwest by storm. We discuss where the idea came from, what the R&D process was like, how they got Hy-Vee to buy in, and the future of this exploding company. Order Carinara Pasta Sauce: https://carinara.com This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro & Teaser 00:01:22 - What is Carinara? 00:04:39 - The Problem with Nightshades 00:10:48 - Other Favorite Recipes 00:17:18 - A Clean, Healthy Product 00:25:28 - Tweaking Recipes Until They Work 00:33:39 - Getting into Stores & a New Sauce! 00:38:56 - Dynamic in the Kitchen & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

49 min
11/13/2025

Angie Padgett & Tamra Johnson—Good Evans

You know that good feeling you get at certain restaurants, where it just seems everyone is operating like a family? It's rare because it's a hard culture to cultivate, but it's intentional and you feel it at Good Evans, one of Nebraska's fastest growing breakfast spots. Angie Padgett (Executive Chef) and Tamra Johnston (Chief Marketing Officer) joined me to talk about how Good Evans cultivates that familial feeling, put together a menu that's comfortable for IG-loving teenagers as well as grandparents, and crafted a culture that has allowed it to expand to five locations (including two in Omaha) in less than a decade. Taste the Difference that from Scratch Makes: Good Evans – https://goodevans.com This is another Hurrdat Media Production. Hurrdat Media is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat Media Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HurrdatMedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat Media YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ channel! Chapters: 00:00:00 - Intro & Teaser 00:01:02 - Guests’ Backstories 00:02:18 - What is Good Evans? 00:18:00 - Creating Flavor 00:22:01 - Good Evans’ History 00:34:02 - Pros & Cons of a Breakfast Joint & The Responsibilities 00:40:02 - Specialty Menu 00:46:47 - Final Questions & Wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

58 min

See All (334)

4.8

out of 5

84 Ratings

Next stop Omaha!

06/22/2024

Joe's View

I don’t live anywhere near Omaha but I love Dan Hoppen’s podcast for its insights into good food and the restaurant business (material that can apply to almost anywhere in the country). Hoppen asks great questions and clearly loves his city and its eateries. The recent episode about an innovative couple who run a food truck was especially good. Omaha is now near the top of my bucket list thanks to this podcast.
Never let’s me down!

03/07/2023

NEgirl60

I’ve been motivated to try several of the restaurants featured in Restaurant Hoppen and never been disappointed! Keep up the great work!
Unbearable

06/21/2024

MmmorgannRene

If Dan didn’t have followers from his church no one would be listening to this. His hot takes are just plain lame. Mediocre dude who appeals to old people and raves over crappy food.
Bagel Bin

08/25/2022

2SmithsFPU

I’m not sure why this episode “hit” me a little different; EXCELLENT episode in my opinion. Thank you

Dan Hoppen breaks down the Nebraska cuisine scene one bite at a time. He talks to local chefs, media members, and just interesting people about what's going on in the Cornhusker State when it comes to food, where people need to eat, and how food relates to Nebraska sports.