Big Fred's Pizza Garden & Lounge

I've been going to Big Fred's since the 80's mainly for the Friday night Prime Rib special Fred's had. But Fred was always there to Great you over by the bar and the food was always Great. I left Omaha for a few years while I was in the Marines but when I came back it was Great to see Big Fred's still going strong. I admit I haven't been there much in the last few years but with the closing of another of my favorite places I decided to pick up a pizza on the way home. This Pizza was THE WORSE PIZZA I'VE EVER HAD!. I've traveled around the world and been to most of the states and was highly disappointed tonight. Hopefully this was just a fluke and not a representation of the quality of food they serve now. Rose (the main cook in my teens) would be ashamed to serve this. First I order a 16" Jumbo and got a 14" Large so that was a rip off. Second there was no sauce on the pizza. Third there was way to much cheese and cooked incorrectly for it to melt into the ingredients. Fourth is was to salty and I didn't even get Anchovies, if that's still a option. In conclusion I'm not sure if I will be back. Even with the long history I had with the Resturant back when Fred and Rose were still there. The following pictures show (1) picking up the pizza by the cheese showing the lack of sauce (2) overcooked (3) pizza only 14" (4) box on 15" so how can a 16" fit

We showed up with a group of almost 20 people. There was no hesitation at all from the staff. It took a couple minutes but they moved tables and made it work like we had reserved in advance. Half of our group was 9 & 10 year olds from a hockey team. The staff were wonderful and patient. Food was amazing! It came out fast, hot and correct. There was a good variety on the menu, plus a kids menu; pizza, catfish, burgers, sandwiches and pasta. The server was on it the whole time. Checking on the tables and refilling drinks quickly. When we were ready, they got us checked out just as fast. The atmosphere just made you feel like you were home. Nothing fancy. Just warm and welcoming. Highly recommend!

Not sure they know how to cook anymore. Got one of their special pizzas and it had soggy crust in the middle. I suspect it was the amount of cheese they put on my pizza. It was way too much cheese. My aunt got the cheese ravioli but said the sauce tasted like chef boyardee. I tried it and it didnt remind me of that but it didnt really have much flavor to me. Probably the only thing decent we had was the cod my grandpa got (wow pizza place and they can only do fish right?). He said it had good flavor but the onions that came with it were some of the worst I've had. No flavor, just a little in the batter. Meanwhile you're trying to look for the onion because it's so paper thin with a large crust of the batter.

Went for the first time today to celebrate my birthday during lunch hours. We got the mozzarella sticks, the catfish bites, and a pepperoni pizza. Mozzo sticks are homemade and taste incredible. They are larger we we expect and they do not skimp on the cheese. Catfish was great, except it needed a bit of salt. Their pizza is amazing. It tastes like the homemade pizza my grandma used to make, only they didn't have to skimp on ingredient quality. Just beware that this pizza is much more rich than you would expect, even from the photos you see in reviews. You just can't have too much of it in one sitting. Wait staff was very attentive despite there being a big group taking up a lot of their time. Wait staff also had a very positive and welcoming personality. Great atmosphere- not corporate feeling, but still feeling fancy yet homey. Overall, very much worth the visit and will be going back in the future. Thanks, Big Fred's!

Went to try new pizza tonight. My husband and I shared a large sausage pizza at Big Fred’s. It was came out hot and the cheese was gooey- the way I love it. The taste was even better. Good crisp on the crust and the toppings were delicious. Our server was engaging and friendly. TY. We will beback

I would give zero stars if possible. Clearly the owners do not care about their reputation or their customers. This pizza was a joke. The crust is like a communion wafer. That’s how thin and crunchy it is. And even though it is paper thin it still manages to be hollow in the center of the edges! It’s like a magic trick. The pepperoni was so thin it was translucent-speaking of the few pieces we could actually see. The side salad was some iceberg with two olives and the grossest looking dressing I have ever seen. It looked like it had gelatin in it. I will never eat here again and I would advise anyone who asked to go anywhere else. The waitress did her best in an impossible situation.

We got big freds pizza and it was outstanding! Was breakfast the next morning also, good cold. We also had the house salad with house Italian dressing. Loved every bite. We even took 3 bottles of salad dressing home with us! You have to eat here!

I'm from Florida just visiting and let me tell you this pizza is absolutely amazing! It huge even for a medium. The pieces are thick with plenty of cheese. It is a little pricey but it was worth it . I got a medium all meat and it was $28. If I ever come back to Omaha I am definitely going back! Nice job guys ! Awesome pizza !

The wait service at Big Fred's was truly exceptional--prompt, attentive, and friendly which easily makes everyone feel welcomed from the moment they walk in. The ambiance matched the service, creating a positive atmosphere complemented by ample seating and convenient parking out front that made my visit even more enjoyable. However, when it came to the food, I found myself feeling less impressed. This wasn't my first experience at Big Fred's; I wanted to ensure my judgment was fair and not quickly judged, I decided to wait until after a few visits before forming a definitive opinion. Sadly, while the surroundings and service shone brightly, the culinary offerings didn't quite reach the same level of excellence for ME. The expectations didnt quite match the hype. I just want to say that the food here is definitely good--after all, they've been in business for a long time for a reason! It's one of those places that really leaves an impression on those who dine there, whether you love it or it's just not your cup of tea. Personally, I wouldn't say I'm overly impressed, but I still feel it deserves a solid 3-4 stars. I know I'm just extremely specific about what I like and my palette is sensitive, so I try to keep that in mind! I would, however, recommend Big Freds to anyone who would like to try an Italian dinner.

This was my first time at big Freds. I ordered an all meat pizza and a side salad. The restaurant when I walked in was big and clean and not very busy for a Saturday late afternoon/early evening. I came with a big party of 15 meeting there and our waitress was very good and very attentive considering our big party and all the food that came out that I ate was very good. I can definitely see coming back for more pizza or to try a different dish sometime.

This has got to be the best pizza I have had, I highly recommend going to this place, even the kids loved it I'm definitely coming back .

We started out with a small side salad that is decent sized & their Italian dressing is home made - Yum! We ordered two individual pizzas. I got Phil's Special which is chicken, red onions, mushrooms, Mancini peppers, and light mozzarella. That is full of toppings & delicious. My uncle got the hamburger and mozzarella pizza. He really enjoyed its thin crust & covered in cheese. Our waitress was tentative & quick to serve. She stopped at our table several times to make sure we were doing OK! It was busy on a Tuesday night with groups of people celebrating birthdays all around us so the noise level was a bit loud but we didn't mind. They have a few TVs that had golf on. I really enjoyed dinner and plan to be back soon!

Large, family friendly dining room - kid friendly but proportionately loud. Onion rings arrive quickly, quick, friendly and efficient service. Homemade onion rings had a heavier batter than I prefer. Decent thin crust pizza with fresh ingredients but a bland sauce.

I ordered the meatball sub with fries. The sub was hot and fresh, same with the fries. Only minor issue I had, was that I had to ask 3 different times to get a glass of water.

Iconic Omaha restaurant, related to the classic steakhouses here. For pizza, which, in my opinion, is better than a restaurant steak. And definitely less expensive! My husband is a man who doesn't ask for much of anything on his birthday - except that we HAVE TO go to Big Fred's. He gets a pizza with mushrooms and black olives. Every time! It is so good. My daughter and I always get the spaghetti and meatballs. We love the pizza too but we know from experience that we will be sad about not having the spaghetti and meatballs. The house dressing on the salad is the way to go, and I get anchovies for mine. The pizza is cut into squares, so it's always possible to sneak a piece or two. Not that I have to sneak it of course! Prices are reasonable and service is good. Sometimes it is super busy in there, staff are always doing their best to take care of everyone in a friendly and timely manner.

Double Crust pizza is the best! (Ordered another one to pick up before I went back to Texas.) Ordered a basket of crinkle cut fries and a basket of onion rings. Cooked crisp and came to the table hot! Been going to Big Fred's for over forty years and it is still one of the best in Omaha! Service was great and love going back here whenever I come back to Omaha!

They now have gluten-free pizza crust! They explained their process for preparing, cooking, slicing -to keep gluten free. Thin crust and SO good. Used to go to Oscar's for gluten free pizza, this is SO much better. Go try it!

Incredible pizza, great cheese and toppings! Something about this place that makes it good

The pizza was terrible not like the old days I. It was thin on ingredients and cheese and the cheese was burnt Take out was slow

Big Fred's always was a favorite for date night, back to Chase bartender to the timeless Pam! Living out of state now it was nice to return. However my once favorite dish has been reduced to salty salad and slimy overly buttered 'steamed' veggies and grease dripping catfish. My husband loved his pizza, as always his favorite to bring home leftovers for the next day even cold! Our bartender/server, Benjamin, was great! "Ditto"' as always nice to return to great service! I will get pizza next time with the usual great drinks!!

We've consistently had good service whether dining in or getting takeout. The restaurant does great with accommodating large crowds and families. While the pizza quality has been hit and miss- the menu offers other standout items. My husband enjoyed the catfish dinner, and I still love their garden salads (sans the anchovies). I've also heard good things about their spaghetti & meatballs. Speaking of the pizza, there are times when it's perfect, with the right toppings balance, but occasionally, it can be overwhelming with too much cheese and toppings. It makes the crust a bit floppy for my liking. Being a sauce enthusiast, I often wish for more sauce, and I make sure to request it when ordering. Despite these nuances, it remains a classic Omaha pizza place, and it's worth exploring the other items on the menu. Service & atmosphere: 5 stars, pizza: 2 - 3 stars.

Big Fred's Pizza has been a staple in the Omaha community for quite a while. I've been coming here off and on for several decades. Over time, the menu has changed a bit but the restaurant has maintained the same appearance and the food quality stayed high for as long as I can remember. I recommend trying the fried ravioli and the double crust pizza, but lately my go to food item has been the Combination pizza. Good food, great service, casual and inviting atmosphere and sports on TV - it's all here and I recommend you try Big Fred's at least once if you haven't already. Big Fred's is good for couples, families with children, coworkers, friends, and large groups.

Wow! I was back visiting my parents, as I grew up in West Omaha and, after hearing about Big Fred's pizza for the last 30 some odd married years-my husband wanted to go! And so glad we did! The pizza is absolutely amazing...just like I remembered! The toppings -including the meats were very generous, the staff and service was attentive and the atmosphere was true Big Fred's (with obvious updates here and there over the past few years)! I noticed lots of carry out business as well. Will now be a "regular" as since being retired, coming back more often. Big Fred's...thanks for staying true to who you are and keeping your original recipes! The best pizza!

Everytime were in town we talk about going to some of the other great establishments in town, but we usually end up at Big Fred's. The tomatoe & Romano cheese pizza is the best pizza around plus it's great that you can order take & baked pizza to take home. The mozzarella sticks with their pizza marinara sauce is also awesome.

Have not eaten at Big Fred's in quite awhile. Heard rumors since Fred passed it had gone down hill. Could not be further from the truth. Ordered a salad with blue cheese dressing and the Meat and More Pizza Extra Large with olives and a side of ranch. There three of us, and we couldn't stop. The toppings were excellent, loaded with cheese and I love the thin crust. My salad dressing was also creamy and delicious.

this is probably the cutest idea I've seen for your tip cups. I was here this past summer and I got to go order and I know restaurant people do not make nearly enough so this is such a good idea to have so that they get a little extra money. They deserve with all the hard work and the pizza was amazing. I got a Hawaiian and then I got boneless barbecue wings and they are so good.

Once a year I come back for a Nebraska game and Big Fred's is a mandatory stop. We are unable to find decent running pizza out west and forget hamburger pizza -- it's just not an option. This place has been my favorite for 50 years!

I and my family have been eating at Big Fred's for years, and a realize that it's kind of a divisive place amongst Omaha people, some love it, some hate it, but (and this is only my personal take), I've never had bad service, food, or drink at this place. The staff has always been friendly, the food has always been good, and the the restaurant is always clean. I know some people like to say the food isn't as good as it used to be, or the place has gone downhill, but I haven't experienced anything like that. The place is supposed to look old school, if you want new and fancy go to Dante or Pitch, but if you want a classic Omaha pizza go to Big Fred's.

Ordered two catfish dinners one with fries and one with pasta. No pasta was in the wrapped up order. The fish was cooked in dirty oil! The chicken tenders were overcooked and from dirty oil! The onion rings in dirty oil and over cooked! All fried items on this order was extremely bad, my waste basket threw it back at me!! The salad was old, not crispy as fresh would be. The double crust pizza was ok but had too much mozzarella when I ordered 50/50. Pizza was slightly undercooked and had to go I the oven. See pictures!

a friend mentioned this place several times, always saying how wonderful the food tastes. we have not spoken since her last referral, as i can no longer believe her judgement. i should have trusted my instinct never to eat at an establishment where someone named fred claims to be big. interior was run down looking, kind of sad and dreary, but very clean. there were obviously regulars there, as the waitresses greeted them with familiarity. the staff is genuine - friendly, kind, patient. i appreciate that in a business. let's get to the food. i had spaghetti and meatballs (2). i felt like i was eating the spaghetti they used to serve in junior high, but with less flavor. seriously, babies could have been fed this spaghetti and meatballs with no chance of anything being too flavorful. even salt and pepper didn't help. my lovely date had a goodie roonie, which is like a gigantic, extra doughy calzone, but also, with no flavor. he ordered green pepper as an extra. $2.50 buys a small sprinkling of green pepper in the overly doughed goodie roonie. however, it was served hot, so that was a plus. onion rings came out hot and looking tasty. however, they might or might not have been fried in pancake batter. i ate another one, just to make sure i wasn't incorrectly saying the first one wasn't very good. yes. the second one tasted like the first. i almost asked for maple syrup instead of ranch dressing. plusses are - friendly environment. great wait staff. clean establishment. even the bathroom was clean. minuses - the food. total for spaghetti/meatballs/onion rings/goodie roonie/two ice teas - $60.23 with tip, since the waitress was so sweet. i did have the pleasure of hearing the table of grandpa's next to me discussing how many teeth each of them had recently (and without urging) lost, and how much their insurance would pay for these replacements. then one of them mentioned something about one of the men being in the civil war, which made me almost choke on a bland meatball. this table of men actually made the trip worth it. hilarious conversation.

We had family in town and needed a large number of seats for lunch. Somewhere Nebraskan. Suitable for all. Noisy With kids. Big Fred's solved. Eating out with kids is already tough. They're usually more particular than the adults. They can be noisy, though my cousins escape this rule inexplicably. Every kid can find food at Big Fred's. The vegetarian kid, even. The traditional pie is thin crust, which I like. If you want a casserole pizza, find Chicago style elsewhere. They do thin crust here. It was tasty and filling. We had pepperoni. I understand their Italian sausage is a hit, too. Mozzarella sticks won over one of my cousins. I've had the pasta there before and liked the sauce. The seating is extensive. Bring your family of 15. We did. The price is pretty usual for a pizza joint. Plenty of parking. Uncle parked an RV. I wasn't sold on this place before bringing family. It's a family restaurant. It's ideal for that.

We ordered Big Fred's thru their website to be delivered. After almost 2 hours and several delays I was notified that my order had been canceled and I was to contact the restaurant for more info. I called and was told by the manager that there was nothing the restaurant could do to help me and couldn't refund my money.

Been coming here for Best Pizza for many years! A few months ago they changed their dough, or more specific started thinning their dough. I've been inquiring about it each time I go in to ask why? Manager told me today "I've been here 26 years & we haven't changed a thing." Well, you have & I would bet other loyal customers have noticed. Please comment if you've noticed as well. I get a half baked & now it just falls apart it's so thin!! So Sad

Ok so we have come back now a few times since my last review. I still don't order take out anymore. Only dine in. Plus our kids eat early so it's not crowded yet. I have to say Big fred's has the best Italian sausage for their pizzas. So full of flavor and juicy. The big dress combo is bomb! I've ordered the same toppings (Italian sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms and bell peppers) at other places and it's not the same. So when we crave that we come back here.

This might be the MOST bland pizza I've had in Omaha. In the past, I've been blinded by sentimentality, but no more. It's a great atmosphere, with fantastic service. It's too bad the pizza sucks.

This restaurant smells like sewer, and rotten cheese. The wait is over an hour. They put dressing in the salad, soggy. The onion rings are cold, and limp. It's on a hill, that's so steep, they won't even bring the orders out, or plow. Rudest staff in Omaha, besides the sweet little lady. Staff on cell phones, making comments. Eating food, loud, and way overcrowded. Smoking at the door. Weed pens too.

Big Fred's pizza sucks. I haven't had anything else. My guess is it sucks. They use cheap cheese. No sauce and a combination pizza doesn't include black olives.

I like Big Fred's pizza. However, Saturday when I picked up a pizza I called in there with two "To-go big red cups" on the counter with Nebraska written for one and Colorado written on the other. WTAF? It reflects very poorly on Big Fred's that you allow your employees to solicit and seek tips on 'To go' orders. I'm a big tipper on sit down, table service orders. However, if I remain standing for the entire transaction there is zero chance of me leaving a tip. Seriously, what would I be tipping for? Is the counter person making $2.13 per hour like waitstaff do? Didn't think so.

Growing up in the area, I've been thru all the upgrades and changes, but they really do have the same recipes I've grown up on. My favorite goto is the catfish filet/s, onion rings and the Salad! My Dad love this place!

I don't know why my experience was so bad a year ago, but I'm glad I gave this place another try. The pizza is fabulous. We get the cheese combo (2 cheeses), the hamburger or hamburger/sausage mix, various veggies and WOW! Great non-greasy pizza. Delicious

Ordered a large pepperoni pizza and the fried ravioli. Absolutely delicious! Everything tastes homemade. One star off because they say it's a lounge, they need old school lounge singers. Now that would be awesome.

Have been a fan of their pizza and yes it's my favorite, for 40+ years! Still have yet to find better pizza anywhere. Caniglia's in LaVista is a very close second. Service is polite and fast. Ambiance is sports related with emphasis on the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Parking can be tricky if the place is packed, which happens frequently. They do a very good business.

I have been going here for years HOWEVER, the last 2 times the food (pizza, onion rings and mortadella) weren't good at all. Didn't even take leftovers home. I probably won't go back and won't recommend anymore.

Big Fred's is my fav place to sit down and have an awesome meal and relax. Service was super and a go to spot to bring friends.

We hadn't had big Fred's in very long time and it was not good! The pizza was blah no flavor. It was very expensive and disappointing. The service was great! Food was just very disappointing

Catfish bites. Very good Crispy outside, juicy and flaky inside. I don't usually care much for the tartar sauce but that was ok. I feel like I've had better tartar sauce somewhere else. Cindy's Veggie pizza. Weird crust. Seems pre-made. Like they just bought pre-made dough that's already shaped. Veggies was on the bottom then cheese on top, so that was odd. And even more interesting is that the cheese falls right off the slices when you pick it up. Friendly service. Nice hostess and servers. Big parking lot

The original white pizza was delicious. The service was decent, though it seemed that waitress tried to rush us to finish a few minutes before closing time. Ambience was TERRIBLE! For most of our visit a worker loudly vacuumed the dining room and bar. Yes, we got there at 8:20, and closing time is 9:00. However, even customers who come right before closing time should receive good food, good service, and a pleasant environment. The loud vacuuming was annoying and prevented our ability to hear each other for conversation. Probably won't return.

We came here a few weekends ago looking for that delicious food I've been telling my wife about forever... We showed up around 8:15pm and the place was half empty. We got seated right away which was nice but also expected. Looking over the menus our mouths were watering and we were getting more excited about what great food we will ve eating. After 20 minutes we still haven't seen a server anywhere close walking around we could flag down. No waters, no "hi how are you?". The couple on the table over had to go to the bar to get refills on their drinks... After another 10 minutes of wondering if it is a self service place tonight, we decided to leave and let the hostess on the way out know. But she was nowhere to be found either! So sad to write this review as I remember eating here a few years ago with my boss and the service and food were amazing. After this recent experience we will have a hard time giving this establishment another chance to earn our business

most amazing food i have ever had and the people up front at the to go counter were so nice we just chitchatted up a storm while I was paying for my food

All is great! Especially the pizza! I have been eating here for years with not one negative experience!

I went to Big Fred's last night with my gf's family and we had a good time. Our waitress was really nice, accommodating, and checked in regularly. The food was just okay. We ordered a medium Combination pizza and the cheese and toppings were tasty, the sauce was very bland. The cook on the pizza was very uneven as the middle was a tad doughy and the outside was a perfect cook. I wouldn't mind going back to Big Fred's to see what else their menu has to offer.

We ordered a large sausage & hamburger pizza to go. We ordered it via Yelp & were happy to see the choices you could make to personalize your pizza. The pizza was on time & piping hot. We gobbled it up & can't wait for our next pizza from Big Fred's! Oh, there were a few pepperoni on it, a tasty surprise since we hadn't ordered them. You'll love your pizza!

Awesome place I love it for me was first time and I like the service and food! I want to go back and try other dishes

Best pizza in omaha! Love the food here and the service is always great. A staple in omaha history !

Its probably been a good 5 years since my last Big Fred's visit. Unfortunately, my memories of the past were better than how I felt after a recent Saturday night visit. At 5:30 on a bad weather day, the place was already full. We opted for individual pizzas but both my husband and I were disappointed. Toppings were haphazardly thrown on the dough and overall flavor was lacking. Our youngest daughter's meal came out a good 5 minutes after everyone else. I love supporting local businesses, especially one around since the 60s, but if I am in the mood for pizza, I can find better elsewhere.

This place is an Omaha classic. It's traditional ways have pleased visitors for years. The venue has been getting more modern. The onion rings are definitely the best thing the menu has to offer. The ranch is about a 3/10 on the scale, taste like it's from a store bought bottle. Moving on to the pizza it's just bland and not flavorful. It's just not able to compete with so many of the other pizza places in the city. Service is well and always love the Andes mints

If you like square pies loaded with cheese and toppings, this is the place for you. It's kind of between a "normal" slice and a deep dish/chicago style slice but much less crust than the later.