Looking Back at Omaha’s Evolving Food Scene
Fifteen years. That’s how long we’ve been tasting our way through Omaha, telling stories one plate at a time. If you’ve followed Omaha Food Magazine since the beginning, you know this city’s story isn’t told through press releases or ratings. It’s told through the people who wake up before dawn to light the grill, roll the dough, and keep the heart of Omaha’s food scene beating.
When we started, the city was still finding its culinary identity. Social media was new, and the idea of a digital food publication felt like an experiment. But from the very first story, we knew Omaha had something worth documenting. We’ve seen the openings, the closings, the comebacks, and the kind of resilience that defines a city through its restaurants.
The Highs, the Lows, and the Rebuilds
We were there when M’s Pub and Sons of Italy burned down and when they rose again, stronger than ever. We remember doing reviews at Salt 88, where Chef John Horvatinovich pushed the customer experience to new heights. That restaurant may be gone now, but Chef John’s influence remains—today, he helps other restaurants find their own success in new ways. So many things have changed, yet the passion behind every plate remains the same.
We’ve watched icons like the original B&G, Joe Tess, Mr. C’s, Venice Inn, Amato’s, Bohemian Café, Lo Sole Mio, Dario’s, and The Grey Plume become part of the city’s history. And we’ve celebrated the rise of new legends—Porky Butts, Salted Edge, Semo, Square Donut, Dirty Birds, Sweet Magnolia’s, and dozens of others—each one shaping the modern flavor of Omaha.
Through it all, some names have never left our collective table. Orsi’s, La Casa, and Big Fred’s continue to remind us what tradition tastes like. They’ve been constants, feeding families for generations and proving that some recipes don’t need reinvention to stay relevant.
The Work Behind the Scenes
We’ve been on more than a thousand food shoots, captured over a million photos, and reached hundreds of millions of people online. But numbers don’t tell the full story. What matters most are the moments behind the lens—the laughter in the kitchen, the nervous excitement before a grand opening, the pride of a chef watching a full dining room.
For nearly fifteen years, we’ve been there to support the mom-and-pop shops, the food trucks, the cottage bakers, and the dreamers who make Omaha taste like home. And for most of those years, we did it without asking for anything in return. We carried the cost ourselves, because we believed Omaha’s culinary stories deserved to be told. That’s something we’ve always been proud of.
Today, our team includes more than fifteen writers, photographers, videographers, editors, designers, reviewers, and creators. These aren’t contractors chasing trends. They’re people who love this city and the flavors that define it. Together, we’ve built something that belongs to Omaha—a living, breathing record of a city’s appetite for creativity.
Behind the Scenes of the Rebrand
When we decided to reveal the new Omaha Food Magazine brand, we knew the community had to be part of it. After all, they’ve been the heartbeat of this publication since the beginning. So instead of a flashy announcement, we chose something more meaningful—a video that celebrates the people who feed this city every day.
We gathered food from seven locally owned restaurants that represent Omaha’s incredible diversity and culinary creativity: Ika, La Casa, Lyle’s Pizza, Porky Butts BBQ, Jackson Street Tavern, Square Donut, and Los Portales. Every bite on that board told a story, and together they covered the new logo like a culinary time capsule.
As the camera rolled, hands reached in—one by one—removing each dish. Pizza slices, tacos, ribs, sushi, burgers, and donuts disappeared slowly, revealing what was underneath: our new identity. The message was simple. Omaha’s restaurants built this city’s food culture, and Omaha Food Magazine has been here to tell their stories every step of the way.
This wasn’t just a video shoot. It was a thank-you. A tribute to the chefs, bakers, pitmasters, and kitchen crews who have turned Omaha into one of the Midwest’s most surprising and inspiring food destinations.
The Rebrand and the Road Ahead
After fifteen years, it felt like time for a new look—something that reflects who we are today and where we’re going next. We partnered with 316 Strategy Group, Omaha’s leader in logo design and branding, to help us bring that vision to life.
316 Strategy Group has shaped some of Omaha’s most recognizable brands, and their deep understanding of local culture made them the natural choice. The new design keeps our heart where it belongs—in Omaha—but adds a modern energy that mirrors the evolution of the city’s food scene. The bold red and yellow palette reflects warmth, confidence, and community. It feels vibrant, familiar, and alive.
This rebrand isn’t about changing who we are. It’s about growing into what we’ve become. Omaha’s only dedicated food-centric digital publication, committed to telling the stories behind every plate, every chef, and every dream that fuels our city.
Food as Identity
Fifteen years later, we’re still hungry...for the next great meal, the next great story, and the next generation of restaurateurs who will define Omaha’s future. Because here, food is never just food. It’s identity, community, and culture on a plate.
We’ve seen trends rise and fall, restaurants open and close, and an entire city grow up around its food. Through it all, one thing has remained constant: Omaha Food Magazine. We’ve been here through the heat, the heartbreak, and the triumphs...and we’re just getting started.
The Omaha Food Magazine rebrand is more than a new look; it’s a reflection of fifteen years of stories, community, and the city’s unstoppable passion for food.
#OmahaEatsDifferent
