Johnny's Cafe

Steak house · Omaha

Johnny's Cafe

Steak house · Omaha

2

4702 S 27th St, Omaha, NE 68107

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Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null
Johnny's Cafe by null

Highlights

Midwest beef, steaks aged on-site, retro lounge, cowboy bar  

Featured in Eater
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4702 S 27th St, Omaha, NE 68107 Get directions

johnnyscafe.com
@johnnyscafeomaha

$30–50 · Menu

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4702 S 27th St, Omaha, NE 68107 Get directions

+1 402 731 4774
johnnyscafe.com
@johnnyscafeomaha

$30–50 · Menu

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Last updated

Aug 21, 2025

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The 38 Best Restaurants in Omaha, Nebraska | Eater

"Frank Kawa, a Polish immigrant, opened Johnny’s Cafe in south Omaha a century ago, and today, his family still runs the state’s most iconic steakhouse. Located in the Union Stockyards area, once the home of the largest livestock market in the country, the restaurant greets diners with a lobby full of memorabilia and menus from the past. The kitchen is known for prime rib, soups, and the house salad dressing. Go for a classic cocktail in the cowboy-themed bar, and stay for the Midwestern hospitality." - Sarah Baker Hansen

https://www.eater.com/maps/best-omaha-restaurants
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Family‑run for over a century in South Omaha’s historic stockyards area, Johnny’s channels ranch‑house nostalgia with prime rib, classic cocktails, and hospitality that keeps regulars returning. Cited by Eater and beloved by locals, it’s pure Omaha tradition.

https://johnnyscafe.com/
Best Restaurants in Omaha (2025)
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Mark Baine

Google
We were visiting Omaha and wanted to try something local. Johnny's Cafe caught our eye thanks to its more affordable menu—and honestly, because we hadn’t made a reservation anywhere else. For once, our lack of planning and frugality really worked in our favor. From the outside, Johnny’s might give you pause, but once you step inside, it’s like traveling back in time—in the best way. The restaurant is over 100 years old, originally built next to the cattle stockyards, and expanded over the decades. In the early 1970s, it underwent a renovation that still defines its character today. The vibe is retro in the most authentic sense, lovingly preserved by the same family who opened it generations ago. Truthfully, we were a little unsure at first. But our doubts quickly disappeared thanks to the superb service and warm hospitality. We were even treated to a complimentary cottage cheese-based spread for the dinner rolls —something we devoured without hesitation. We asked for the recipe, but it’s clearly a closely guarded family secret. No luck there! 😄 Everyone at our table ordered steak, and each one was a hit. I had the T-bone, which was incredibly tender, and the rest of the group was equally pleased with their choices. The French onion soup of the day was also excellent—rich, flavorful, and something I’d happily order again. If you go (and I really think you should), take a moment to explore the restaurant’s vintage details and strike up a conversation with Carrie (spelling might be off) about her family's history with the place. It’s a story worth hearing—and a meal worth having.

Roy Napora

Google
So, I actually loved the 1970s atmosphere. Reminded me of some sort of mob movie. It was great. The prices are fair…actually better than the other steak chains out there. Food awesome BUT, the potato. I’d have given it a 5 star but cumon Johnny’s, you can get bigger potatoes. Too small. Everything else, loved it. The staff is awesome. The memorabilia on the walls inside, priceless. Just get bigger potatoes.

Andrew Carlson

Google
Not often I find a resturant that "checks all boxes" and exceeds all expectations. Johnny's Cafe is one of those rare jems. The inside of the resturant is visually impressive and most resturants these days lack that charm. The servers were very attentive and friendly. The food was exceptional. Best ribeye I have had in my life. It was perfectly tender, fatty and charred. Makes sense why they have been in business for over 100 years. Johnny's cafe will be my reason I revist Omaha.

Marv Ulmet

Google
Old School, No Bull! What a neat experience, it’s like time stood still for a moment. If you like great food, laid back old school atmosphere, and wonderful service this is the place. A true tribute to the Cream & Crimson Hereford from the first picture outside, through the 1,000 pound doors, and the walls. The hostess was sweet and polite that greeted us. The lunch menu let you know this was the home of excellent vittles! This place isn’t over 100 years old, they take pride in telling you it’s a 103 years old. Johnny’s takes onion rings seriously! Not frozen, they are fresh! The Moscow Mule was spot on. The soup, it is real soup, not prepackaged. The broccoli and cheese was delicious. The perfect salad was served. The prime rib and real au jus(not the premade salty beef bouillon). Ultimate grilled cheese, scalloped potatoes finished out our lunch. Yum, Yum! Real Omaha dining, not for vegetarians 😁

Mad Buy

Google
Johnny's has been around for 102 years because they know what they are doing. The onion ring appetizer has good thick onion rings that seem hand battered. The Caesar salad has a full quartered egg and our server even brought me anchovies. The steaks are perfectly cooked and they brought out a Johnny's sauce that was pleasantly delicious. Our server was absolutely fantastic and the interior is clean and well-kept.

Linda Hennessy

Google
I had heard mixed reviews and honestly I hadn't been here since the 70s/80s. It was fantastic and now will add it to the rotation

Kassandra Brown

Google
A delightful experience! The food was delicious and Elizabeth was absolutely wonderful to us on our first time in. Will definitely be back!

Kathylene Stolzenburg

Google
Blackened prime rib was amazing. Service very friendly. Nice atmosphere for our group get together.
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Jessica S.

Yelp
Johnny's Café is renowned as one of the oldest and most cherished restaurants in the area, steeped in a rich history that adds to its charm. The captivating tales shared by the owners and staff paint a vivid picture of the establishment's journey over the years, making each visit feel like stepping into a living storybook filled with incredible experiences. The steakhouse boasts an impressive array of culinary options, expertly crafted to satisfy a wide range of palates. During our visit, we were eager to explore the menu, and we made it a priority to try all of the top sellers and chef-recommended dishes. Each bite was a delightful revelation, ensuring that our first experience at Johnny's Café would be one we cherish and remember for years to come.
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W C.

Yelp
An Omaha classic, so we had to try it while we were in town. The evening began auspiciously but quickly petered out once the main courses arrived. We kind of loved the kitschy decor and ambience--it definitely feels like you are stepping into a different world. Cocktails came out in super short mini-glasses, so that wasn't great. But the cottage cheese herb spread that they start you out with definitely feeds into the old world mystique, and we really enjoyed it because who ever serves cottage cheese?! All our apps (except for the beef and barley soup) were incredible: a tangy house dressing on a basic salad, a very nice caesar, and an absolutely incredible French onion soup. We thought we were off to the steak house races! ...And then the meat and sides arrived. We ordered our daughter the Omaha strip steak medium, but when we cut into it, it came out *barely* medium rare. They decided "to throw it back on the grill," but you could tell that it was on a super high heat that got it cooked quickly, but then the steak was tough. Huge disappointment. We went with the prime rib, natch, and while the slice was ginormous and correctly cooked at medium rare, the meat was cold, which was unappetizing. Our waitress, bless her heart, asked if we also wanted that "thrown back on the grill," but we said no after seeing our daughter's fiasco. Seriously cannot believe that they managed to screw up BOTH meats, which were supposed to be what they do best. Hardly! Sides here were meh: the scalloped potatoes were greasy, and the steamed veggies did not have the cauliflower we were promised. Fries were OK, and we do admire how much horseradish they will give you with the prime rib. We opted for two desserts to lift our spirits: the ice cream pie and the chocolate salted caramel decadence, both of which were just OK. The ice cream pie was supposed to have chocolate ice cream but didn't and you could tell that they used Hershey's syrup on top. The decadence felt like it just came out of a freezer and, while not bad, not necessarily great. We do want to say that we had excellent service. Our waitress was very attentive and the manager on duty was clearly invested in her guests' evening. While we wish that we would be able to land on four stars, the fact that the kitchen screwed up two pieces of steak really rankled us, so three it is. We wish this business well, however, and hope that others will have a better experience than we did, and we're still glad we visited.
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Amy W.

Yelp
We had a dinner for about 25 people following our wedding. Setting up an event is so easy. They are very easy to communicate with. Service was excellent and everyone loved the food! I had the ribeye which was perfectly cooked and those who had the salmon raved about it. The staff were accommodating and cooked some steaks to people's temperature preferences, even though for an event they say all steaks will be cooked the same. Our guests were very happy.
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Siera L.

Yelp
We had such a nice time here. Our service was great. Ken had us laughing each time he checked on us. The place is beautiful. It is so nice to still have this piece of Omaha history still up and running wonderfully!!!!! Our prime rib was cooked perfectly. Every single dish and drink we ordered was delicious. Can't wait to come here again!!!
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Sandra C.

Yelp
Horrible! Hash browns were floating in grease. Chicken fried steak looked and tasted like it was pre made and then microwaved, salmon was over cooked and dry. Very different than several years ago. Won't ever go back.
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Damian W.

Yelp
Food 3.5/5.0 Service 3.5/5.0 Value 3.0/5.0 Decor 3.0/5.0 Overall 3.5/5.0 Decent steakhouse. They could use a renovation if the numbers ever worked. That said, I wouldn't mind coming back.
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Chad W.

Yelp
Came to Jonny's again for lunch . Had the catfish. Was delicious! And once again the blue cheese dressing on my salad was by the best in Omaha.
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Rick H.

Yelp
What can I say about Johnny's that hasn't been said before? Nothing. This place is an Omaha staple, has been featured in major motion pictures, and has the reputation as one of the premier restaurants in South Omaha still going strong after 101 years. I had the daily special today - Turkey and dressing with mashed potato's. Had a side salad with house dressing. Service was fast and friendly, food was great. Why don't I come here more often?? Do yourself a favor if you're reading this and are looking for a place to eat. Eat here. Once. It won't disappoint.
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Roger H.

Yelp
Ambiance takes you back back back in time to an old era of Italian steak houses in Omaha. The setting is simply awesome with rafters shaped like T bones, Food is good not great. But worth it for the experience. A good value though!!!
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Charley B.

Yelp
Johnny's Cafe is an old fashioned South O steakhouse that hasn't made it out of the late 70s and early 80s. It's a perfectly fine restaurant that serves a-ok food from an unimaginative menu. It's also a perfect place to meet up with old friends, tell some stories and relive better times.
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Garth P.

Yelp
An iconic steak house- the interior is unique and has a great rustic vibe. Service is great with a knowledgeable staff. Food is great although they a limited on vegetarian options - they did serve a number of vegetarian sides.
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Steve H.

Yelp
After returning to town being gone for 40 years we went to Johnny's Cafe back in December. That time the food was awful and we wrote a review about our experience. Well after reading all the glowing reviews we decided to give it another try last night. And again, it was awful. How can people like this place? The filet seemed like it was cooked in a microwave, the prime rib had no flavor, the small baked potato was served on a tiny plate that you couldn't use, just one roll per person, salad uninspiring and apple crisp was soggy with tiny scoop of ice cream. Our server did a very nice job. Two strikes and you're out Johnny's. We won't be back.

Robert D.

Yelp
The Original Johnny's Cafe in Omaha has made several changes in the 102 years since their opening. Guns are no longer allowed and they have added electricity after the original Johnny broke a few laws during prohibition and his time was served he expanded his sandwich counter while serving good food with good service. Today the third generation granddaughters Kari and Sally run the business while keeping quality food and excellent service. I was there along with my son on July 6th 2024 we enjoyed a very good meal with fine service . I had a quality Pinot noir with dinner I throughly enjoyed my T Bone steak and my son says his Porterhouse was a quality steak. Both steaks were cooked right on the money . All in all it is a fine restaurant with good quality food and served. I highly recommend this establishment.
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Anthony P.

Yelp
The restaurant is near by itself and has a lot of history. The wait staff were very friendly and tried to show us things about the restaurant that we would not have figured out on our own (like the echo spot in the front lobby). The issue was, the management who were hanging about were clearly not thrilled with this and almost appeared annoyed by it. The food lacked seasoning. French fries didnt even have basic salt on them. Prime rib was sub par on every level. Tough and, again, no seasoning. Even with the end piece one at our table received there was a complete lack of seasoning. Chain steakhouses with prime rib deliver a better product for much less $$$. The saving grace for the food was the onion rings, A+.

Lisa H.

Yelp
Found this gem while passing thru on a road trip. Fantastic, unique, additional complimentary touches with each course. Cottage cheese w/ chives served with the bread. Delicious house vinegarette for the salad(purchased a bottle of the dressing) A side of brown mushroom & wine gravy served with the steak. Hashbrowns was one of the potato options that were yummy. (Would ask for them to be more crispy) Husband's Porterhousee steak was as big as the plate! & super thick. Cooked perfectly. Wish we loved closer! We would be repeat customers.
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Melissa A.

Yelp
You know, there's quite a bit of value in nostalgia, and Johnny's dishes it up with pizzazz. Some might think of it merely as inertia, as the place doesn't look like the decor or the menu has been updated since maybe the late 70s (except the prices!). And they look like deer in the headlights when gluten-free is mentioned. But it's sort of nice to take a couple of hours and enjoy a time when the world seemed more sane. The steaks, as always, are wonderful. And of course, it wouldn't be a Midwest steakhouse without baked potatoes and simple side salads. The service isn't elegant, but the servers are efficient. Saying "steakhouse" makes it sound dressy and perhaps upscale, but Johnny's isn't either. Come in a suit and tie, or wear blue jeans and a nice tshirt--either way you'll fit in. And you'll certainly be glad you came to experience one of Omaha's classics.

Angela L.

Yelp
I absolutely love Johnny's! I hope they never remodel! I was chatting with other customers tonight and they said they hope they never remodel too. It's always a fun experience when I go. Sue the bartender is awesome!

LaShawn H.

Yelp
The minute you step into John's café in South Omaha you will truly experience top notch, weight staff, bartender, food and the experience is amazing. We had steak and lobster for our main meal and the best I've had, more people need to go into Johnny's Café and enjoy the amazing food I had today.

Mike P.

Yelp
We have been going to Johnny's Cafe since 1978. Over the years I have only had to send.my steak back once. It was crowded and I ordered medium rare and the server heard medium. They changed it out without any trouble Last night my wife and I dropped in for a couple of martinis, two filets and some Fess Parker Frontier Red. We took half the wine home (you can do that in Nebraska) and our dinner was just fine. We have also had lunch here from time to time and no complaints there either. Part of the places charm lies with the fact that they have not redecorated the place over the years. It looks much as it did the first time I ate there in 1978. Well maintained but with a vintage vibe that is legit and I love it. Highly recommended. Good food, nice service and reasonably priced.

William S.

Yelp
Food was good but not enough for what they charge. I had the chicken fried steak full portion with mashed potatoes. For 19.95 the mashed potatoes could have been a bigger serving. Also there should have come with vegetable. Also serve a basket of bread, instead of having to ask for more. Service was ok but a bit slow when asking for more water and bread.

Paige H.

Yelp
Great food and service by Ellen! Had the Prime rib with a side on hashbrowns.......................
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Leah R.

Yelp
Great food, service and ambiance. I had the prime rib. It was very good. It was tender and served with a mushroom gravy/sauce. My husband had a porter house steak and it was great as well. The salads were fresh and served with homemade dressing. I had the blue cheese with crumbles and it was very good and not overpowering. Glad we finally stopped in as we enjoyed our meal and experience.
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John R.

Yelp
Beautiful and delicious beef & barley soup and I'm not a fan of soup! Good lord this place is incredible, I got the ribeye and the old lady got the prime rib, both were cooked to perfection. If you want a great steak go where everyone's been going for 101 years!
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Robyn P.

Yelp
We met my cousin here for dinner, and she was anxious for us to try Johnny's. I see why she chose this restaurant, as the interior decor is really interesting and fun. We had fried chicken and it was delicious. Lacy, our server was very sweet and accommodating. The only thing I didn't care for was the parking- a little awkward to get back on the freeway ( at least it was on this dark rainy night).
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John M.

Yelp
I am a sucker for old school restaurants and let me just say, I've been here before but I was a kid and Yelp wasn't around. This place hasn't changed much which I love. It can be a little rough around the edges but damn, my porterhouse was cooked to perfection, juicy, tender and flavorful. The service both at the bar and table were great. They cooked my friends salmon a special way per her request without issue. She gave it a thumbs up as well. Don't expect new flashy steakhouse. Respect the history, enjoy the food. I still love this place even after 40 years of coming here.
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Joe R.

Yelp
Still a Fabulous Place to eat!! Friendly staff, great atmosphere ( it's still original ) And the Food is ALWAYS GOOD! Prices are very reasonable!
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Linda B.

Yelp
Not the Johnny's I remember from years ago. Staff was attentive and the decor was as beautiful as I remembered. The food was sub par. Luncheon steaks were not flavorful nor were they tender. The special of braised ox tails was disappointing. Very fatty and a boiled potato for the side. The salads were only arugula. Not a fan of these greens. The waitress said they couldn't get iceberg lettuce?? Overall, not great. Don't think we will be going back. Almost $95.00 for lunch and only water to drink for the 5 of us

Chris C.

Yelp
Great food. Never disappoints. Service is always friendly. Love the old school ambiance.

Barb K.

Yelp
Enjoyed a great Valentine's Day dinner last night. Our first visit there in a long time. We had the chateaubriand special for two and a great bottle of wine. The meat was prepared perfectly and the presentation very nice. Susie our very friendly server did a great job. She even suggested we come back and enjoy their wine tasting events twice a month. My only suggestion would be that they dim the lights a little bit--a little too bright in the dining room especially on Valentine's Day.
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Dianna A.

Yelp
I would give Johnny's 2.5 stars if this were a choice. My entree was mediocre. I asked my server if rare prime rib was available; was told yes; requested as rare as possible. I was served medium well to well done, lukewarm, tough, flavorless roast beef. I should have returned it, but did not have time to wait for another entree. The drinks and appetizers were good. The service personnel were friendly and attentive. The restaurant is clean and has a nice ambience. I was very disappointed at the roast beef's poor quality. Johnny's is not competitive with other Omaha beef restaurants.
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Jody D.

Yelp
I was excited to visit the oldest Steakhouse in Omaha especially because it was near the old Stockyards. This reminded me of my childhood and a steakhouse next to Stockyards in Indiana. We had the NY Strip and it was delicious! The flavor was unique and our service was on point. One of the owners even stopped by our table to see how our meal was going. If you are looking for a old school steakhouse experience I would highly recommend coming here for it, will not disappoint!!

Sherri G.

Yelp
We went to Johnnys Cafe for a late Valentines dinner: My husband ordered the filet and I ordered the small cut of prime rib When bringing us our food the lobster fell on the floor. My husband's filet was way to done my prime rib was mostly fat and was horribly over cooked! They brought my husband's filet out and it was practically raw ,my lobster was chewy and like rubber!!! For 155 dollars we wont be going back .
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Fati A.

Yelp
I've driven by Johnny's Cafe so many times after having worked in South Omaha that I finally found out how to get here (since it's kind of in its own little street) and experience what's inside. You know you're walking into a steakhouse when you see bull horn decor as the door handles. My coworker who grew up coming here since he was young showed me a wall that had the history of Johnny's Cafe and other cool wall decor and memorabilia. As we walked in to get seated, the hostess walks us into this giant room and takes us to our seats. There was a beautiful art work in the back and the space looked amazing. I never knew how big this restaurant was. Our waitress was super nice and bubbly and provided great recommendations on items. We first started with the complimentary cottage cheese spread with and saltines and a bread roll. I wasn't sure how the cottage cheese spread was going to taste but it was pretty good. I liked how it tasted with the bread roll. Next we went with onion rings and as we ordered our main course it came with soup or salad. I ordered their salad with their house Italian dressing. As I ordered my main meal I wasn't sure what to get for the side. The waitress shared what the options were. I never knew there were so many variations of potato sides, then again I don't go out for steak often. I tried the top sirloin steak with a side of hash browns. She also brought this mushroom sauce that complimented both dishes well. Overall, my experience at Johnny's was pretty comforting in my opinion. Usually at steakhouses I feel like I have to dress super fancy, but I felt pretty comfortable and the ambiance was nice. I like how historic this restaurant is and it gives you a glimpse into the history of Omaha.
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Paul T.

Yelp
Went with my wife for my birthday. Was really exciting when we arrived. Old school decor gave the place a bit of a pre prohibition feel to it which was super cool. Early signs of failure started when we got to the bar and ordered our cocktails. Expecting recipes honed to perfection over the years, I ordered the old fashioned. Wasn't asked what bourbon I wanted, so I asked what they made it with. Jack Daniels. What I got was a JD in a glass with an ice cube. Missus had a dirty martini - was ok. Then we went over to dinner. Starting with the crab stuffed mushrooms, they showed up soaking in grease and were really stodgy with no actual crabmeat to speak about. Mainly all cheese. Server was nice enough, but the place clearly is struggling to fund the type of pros you expect to see at a Nebraska steakhouse. Ordered the porterhouse, medium rare. Wife ordered the sea bass 'special'. Chef said I got the 'best cut' according to the server. Turned up, steak knife couldn't cut through it. Filet was edible, the rump part wasn't even close. Decided to not make a big deal about it - when the server came over - she noticed 70% of the steak was uneaten. I explained because it was raw and inedible. She offered a 'discount'. Very sad to see such an institution fail like this - it's clearly a funding thing. You get what you pay for, or at least that's what we thought for a $300 dinner. Still - I was with my wonderful wife, so I had a lovely birthday. There are better steaks at literally any restaurant in Omaha. Avoid.....
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Ron P.

Yelp
Ok, nice thick and perfectly cooked rib-eye. Prices aren't fuddy duddy This place is a relic. Great atmosphere. Would definitely come back.

Lisa K.

Yelp
Had a great Tuesday night dinner! Our server Ellen was great and all food was delicious. My gf and I each got the prime rib with hashbrowns and crème brûlée for dessert. Will definitely be back!
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Antonio T.

Yelp
Johnny's Cafe is a part of Omaha's history having been around since 1922. It is one of the few remaining big-name steakhouses of the past. Walking into here is like walking into a time capsule with it's neat retro lounge-style setting. Service is very friendly as well as speedy; probably got my main course in less than 20 minutes. The steak itself is very flavorful, mine was medium well and tasted great along with the mashed potatoes. Appetizer (soup du jour + bread w/ butter) was very nice as well. Pricing is good as well, pretty reasonable for what you get. Overall great experience. Johnny's definitely deserves more business.
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Dan S.

Yelp
Went in Aug 10, 2022 for anniversary dinner. Great service! Mae was a fantastic waitperson. Side dishes - amazing, especially cowboy mashed potatoes and the spread for the bread was incredible. My wife's steak - an expensive cut - was delicious and cooked to perfection. My New York Strip was tough, gristly, unevenly cooked (some medium rare and some medium) and was AT LEAST one third fat - no meat. It wasn't worth 46 bucks, but I'm not ruining the atmosphere of anniversary dinner by sending it back. Johnny's really damaging Omaha's steakhouse rep by putting out steaks like that. Oh.. and must have been less than 7 tables of people in the joint. Maybe a sign things are slipping at this venerable steakhouse
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Scott N.

Yelp
I wanted to give this 3 1/2 stars, but that's not an option. The staff was very friendly. The ambiance left a lot to be desired. I'd read the place was full of dark wood, red leather, etc. I also read it was dimly lit... so I had a picture in my mind what to expect. Reality did not meet my expectations. The ambient light (that's an understatement) from the ceiling light fixtures was like those spotlights they use outside to draw attention to a new store opening or some other 'big' event. I needed sunglasses inside the restaurant. There was a group of eight of us. We didn't order any appetizers. I ordered the Native Filet Mignon, medium rare. It came with a salad and choice of side. Menu side options are potato related. Someone declined the potato and was offered a vegetable side. I immediately changed my order to have the broccoli/cauliflower side. It's not on the menu, so don't be afraid to ask. Salads came out first. Iceberg. Everyone got the option of having an anchovy. I thought yes please... a little flavor... with dressing on the side. The salad was fine; no real complaints. The dressing on the side was served in a gravy boat! Freaking hilarious! Had a person poured all that dressing onto the salad, they would have had salad soup. Next the steak and the veggies. Delivery of the food to the table was slow. REAL slow. Quite literally one person's food (well, SOME of their food) at a time. I suppose that might explain why my veggies were stone cold. They were nicely cooked. They most likely came out of a big, frozen bag, but they were steamed, not soaking in butter or any topping, or for that matter any seasoning. Had they been hot, I would have been pleased. And now the star of the show... the steak. The steak is the reason for the three-star review. If I had issues with the steak, we'd be looking at a two-star review or less. As stated before, I have the Native Filet Mignon, medium rare. In hindsight, the petite filet would have been plenty. The meat was cooked perfectly and was the perfect temperature. I was able to take my time and eat the entire, beautiful piece of meat with no issue. The last bite was as good as the first. Have I had better steak? Yes, but this steak was very, very good. This steak made the entire visit worthwhile. I think everyone should make at least one trip to Johnny's Cafe. Even if I lived in Omaha, I think one trip would do it for me.
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Lindsay S.

Yelp
My husband and I came here with high expectations with it being one of the oldest and most known steakhouses in Omaha, and we were completely let down. Walking into this restaurant was kind of cool because of the history with the stock yards and everything still being original (from the decorations, carpet, to the chairs and tables). I have no problem getting thrown back in time, but having nice chairs and tables for quests to take it all in would have been nice. I felt like I was sinking into a chair from the 70's. Service did the best they could, but the real issue was with the quality of the food coming from the kitchen. The waiter came multiple times to apologize because of how slow the kitchen was, and it got worse once we received our Ribeyes. We asked for medium rare (pretty common I'd think for a quality steak house), but both of our steaks were cooked to a crisp and well done. When we showed the waiter, he lost it. He was pissed and let us know he was so sorry, and he was so sick of the kitchen screwing things up. It was honestly extremely awkward... at that point we just wanted to leave, but sat it out and waited for our corrected order. The new steaks still came out over cooked but we didn't want to deal with mentioning it again. After leaving this place, we decided we can't come back. It felt like we were on an episode of Kitchen Nightmares and Gordon Ramsey might jump out to close the place down at any second. Very sad, because we definitely want this nostalgic place to excel and be a top spot in Omaha like it deserves.
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Michele R.

Yelp
We went to this restaurant as part of a family birthday celebration and was pleasantly impressed with the quality of food, service & ambiance. We arrived a bit early and had a drink in the bar while we waited for our party. The bartender was prompt, friendly and personable. Dinner was more of the same. Brian was our server and he was fabulous. The food was fantastic. Honestly the best food AND service I've received at a local Omaha steakhouse in years. Yes years. We will definitely be back - I can't say enough good things about our experience.
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KC C.

Yelp
Stopped by on a Friday night. Sat at the bar, but didn't realize you needed to be seated by hostess. Bartender prepares drinks, but it's the waitress that serves you. Took advantage of their $5 burger special, which was ok. Enjoyed the ambiance.
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Matt C.

Yelp
The food was ok, but our waitress took forever and always disappeared when we needed her. But the history of the place is good for being open 100 years and still going
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Mon M.

Yelp
Johnny's is a really neat place with a lot of history and cool decor. The staff was nice and we wanted to like the place. However, for being a long time Omaha staple, the food left a lot to be desired. The prime rib was cold! It was almost impossible to cut and stringy. It was nearly inedible. The au jus was in the middle of the plate around the meat, rather than on the side, which added another challenge to cutting it and keeping my clothes clean. We took the meat home and thought we could try to somehow repurpose the leftovers. The potatoes, loaded baked and mashed were good. Salad was swimming in dressing and soup had good flavor, but lacked anything substantial, such as meat or vegetables. On our way out, we were greeted by 2 super cute feral kitties that begged for our leftovers. We made sure they didn't go hungry. Overall, not good. Sadly, we will not return.

Sonia R.

Yelp
From Texas and traveling, tried to give this place a try, never again. Waitress was not helpful. Explained we were from out of town and asked what were popular items on menu, her reply "everything". Asked her what vegetables they served and she said "well vegetables". I ordered their lunch steak and it was flavorless and tough, mushroom gravy was dark and congealed with no actual mushrooms., roll served was cold, It came with options of soup or salad, salad was literally a serving of iceberg lettuce and NOTHING else. No croutons, no cheese, no tomatoes nor carrots. HIGHLY disappointed in this "steakhouse".

Steve H.

Yelp
Such a disappointment. We just moved to town after being gone for 38 years. My wife and I were very excited to go to dinner on new Years Eve to Johnny's since we had not been there for about 40 years. We were so disappointed. Ambiance was lacking. This is supposed to be an upscale steakhouse. The tables were formica that we used to see in the 1960s. The place mats were just paper. Our nice wait person took our order. She then brought each of us a roll and a package of 2 crackers - no butter. Salads arrived and were good although they consisted of just lettuce and a very small piece of tomato. I ordered the strip that was described on the menu as the owners favorite. What a joke. It was a plain piece of meat that had zero seasoning and no grill flavor. My wife ordered the hamburger steak with mashed potatoes. Her hamburger steak seem to have been some sort of meat that was tenderized but no hamburger meat was present. She ate a few bites and did not continue eating it. And to top it off - the mashed potatoes were instant!!!! We couldn't believe it. What happened to this icon restaurant that has been in business for over 100 years? This place needs some serious updating, some serious improvement in food quality and some serious improvement in food preparation. We both agreed that Texas Roadhouse or Outback would have been far better.

Andy J.

Yelp
I'm an Omaha foodie since the early 90s. Proud to call this place a staple of south Omaha. Rachel's service was outstanding last night. The hosts and complimentary staff were great. Chicken cordon blu Inside Out Upside down had a perfect sear and was a new dish for me. Special dinner for family and a soon to be wedded couple, a great aesthetic to fill full of at Johnnys. Will be making the rounds back again off HW75 - great scene great spot. Of the highest quality old school. Keep it up y'all ! We'll be back .. :)

Scott H.

Yelp
Great food. Fun ambience. Service was amazing. Will be back. Food was delicious. Fun atmosphere.
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Susan W.

Yelp
Filets were great the pate was chunky and not quite right. However Mae was a super server highly recommend her, she made our dinner experience memorable in a good way. We will request Mae as our server next visit.