Restaurant Hoppen

Hosted by Hurrdat Media

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372

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Aug 2026

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

September 3, 20261 hr 8 min

Using a Food Truck to Introduce Omaha to African Cuisine and Cooking with Love (Chuanjui)

Hope Ngamalue picked up a love for cooking and serving others from her grandmother in Cameroon, and that desire to feed people continued when she came to America. But it wasn't until she met partner Ebrima Minteh that she was encouraged to start her food truck, Chuanjui, and bring traditional African cuisine to Omaha. We discussed how Omaha has taken to the food, how Hope presents African food in an approachable way to Omahans, and the long journey that brought her from Cameroon to food truck ownership. Whether you've never tried African food before or you're already a fan, this conversation is full of warmth, inspiration, and unforgettable stories. If you enjoy learning about the incredible people behind Omaha's food scene, don't forget to Like, Subscribe, and share this episode! Try the sensation for yourself today! https://www.facebook.com/p/Chuanjui-LLC-61553802771595/ https://www.chuanjui.com/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠!  Follow Restaurant Hoppen for more conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs and food creators shaping Omaha's incredible dining scene. Timestamps: 00:00 Meet the Family Bringing African Food to Omaha 01:42 How a Love of Feeding People Started in Cameroon 05:58 Why African Hospitality Begins With Food 10:46 Making African Cuisine Feel Familiar to Midwesterners 15:52 The Dishes Everyone Should Try First 21:18 Building Chuanjui From the Ground Up 27:30 Bringing African Culture to Omaha—One Meal at a Time 33:18 The Challenges of Starting a Food Truck 39:02 Family, Faith & Never Giving Up 45:10 Why Food Is Meant to Bring People Together 50:26 What's Next for Chuanjui? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 27, 20261 hr 1 min

Meat-ing the Demands of Omaha's Best Restaurants w/ Jon Nelson (Jon's Naturals)

Jon's Naturals is the connector between local beef and pork producers and restaurants, helping chefs get their creative hands on a cleaner, more delicious product. But Jon's journey to thriving butcher shop was a very curvy one with lots of turns. Through perseverance and a crazy impressive DIY attitude, Jon is helping local farms and restaurants thrill diners with incredible dishes. 👍 If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who loves great food and even better stories. 📚 References Jon's Naturals – https://jonsnaturals.com/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠!  Follow Restaurant Hoppen for more conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs and food creators shaping Omaha's incredible dining scene. Timestamps: 00:00 Meet the Man Behind Omaha's Best Restaurants 01:10 Why Food Became Jon's Life Mission 05:00 From Sandwich Shop Owner to Master Butcher 09:45 Building a Bridge Between Farms & Restaurants 14:45 Why Knowing Where Your Food Comes From Matters 19:40 The Entrepreneur Who Refused to Quit 23:50 Learning Butchery From Scratch 29:45 How Great Chefs Changed Jon's Business 35:00 The Most Underrated Cuts of Meat 40:10 Mental Health, Family & Finding Purpose 46:30 Raising Kids Through Entrepreneurship 51:00 The Future of Local Food Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 20, 20261 hr 8 min

The Secrets Behind Omaha's Longest-Standing Restaurants (Bronco's, Barrett's, & La Casa Pizzaria)

Bronco's Hamburgers, Barrett's Barleycorn Pub & Grill, and La Casa Pizzaria have all thrilled Omaha guests for decades. What's the secret to their families' success? How have their restaurants not only survived, but thrived for decades? And how have they seen the attitudes and actions of diners (in Omaha, in particular) change over time? Blake Barnes, Jack Jeffrey Barrett, and Tony Vacanti joined me on an informative, hilarious podcast panel to discuss all of that and more! Check out these legendary restaurants: Broncos: https://broncoburgers.com/ Barrett's: https://order.toasttab.com/online/barretts-barleycorn-4322-leavenworth-street La Casa Pizzaria: https://lacasapizzaria.net/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠ or visit ⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠!  Follow Restaurant Hoppen for more conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs and food creators shaping Omaha's incredible dining scene. Timestamps: 00:00 Omaha's Restaurant Legends Take the Stage01:18 Meet the Families Behind Three Local Icons04:15 The Secret to Surviving for Decades08:05 Staying Relevant Without Chasing Trends13:00 Why Community Matters More Than Marketing15:02 The Employees Who Built These Restaurants20:18 Advice for Anyone Opening a Restaurant Today25:18 How Legacy Restaurants Continue to Evolve31:35 Why They Came Back to Save the Family Business37:05 Is Omaha's Restaurant Scene Too Competitive?43:45 Creating Customers Who Keep Coming Back49:30 Audience Q&A & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 13, 202659 min

Creating Community Through Coffee & Custard w/ Cup & Cone

Bennington wouldn't be the same without Cup & Cone, the custard/coffee shop that has become a community hub since it opened in 2023. But getting the shop up and running wasn't easy; in fact, owners Amber and Jeremy Tkaczuk knew almost nothing about ice cream and coffee when they started it! The couple, along with their oldest daughter, Thea, discuss the difficulties and joys of opening and operating the shop, the R&D process behind their inventive lattes and coffees, and how the family dynamic has evolved now that they're in business together. Restaurant: Cup & Cone 🌐 https://cupandconebennington.com/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel!  Follow Restaurant Hoppen for more conversations with the chefs, restaurateurs and food creators shaping Omaha's incredible dining scene. #RestaurantHoppen #Coffee #FrozenCustard #Omaha #Bennington #SmallBusiness #CoffeeShop #NebraskaFood #FoodPodcast 00:00 Welcome & Why Cup & Cone Feels Like "Nirvana" 01:11 How Cup & Cone Was Born 03:00 Building Community in Bennington 05:18 Supporting Other Local Businesses 06:58 Frozen Custard vs. Ice Cream 10:12 Signature Sundaes & Customer Favorites 13:02 Creating Seasonal Coffee Drinks 18:15 Behind the Scenes of Recipe Development 22:18 Running a Business While Working Full-Time Jobs 25:15 Taking the Leap Into Entrepreneurship 30:45 The Chaotic Grand Opening 36:05 Lessons Learned From Opening Week 40:22 Working Together as a Family 46:42 Celebrating Every Anniversary 50:07 Favorite Drinks & Future Plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 6, 20261 hr 4 min

Creating a Brand New Food & Rescuing a Business w/ Nichole Taff & Vincent Rissell (OCookieOs)

Nichole created a brilliant gluten-free cookie/donut mash-up in 2020, but the business was on the brink of collapsing earlier this year. Now it's thriving inside a brand new brick and mortar location! Hear how Nichole and her son, Vincent, created and built the brand and ultimately saved it when it appeared they might be done. 🌐 Learn more about OCookieOs: www.ocookieos.com 📍 OCoockieOs 2575 S 171st Ct Omaha, NE 68130 This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

August 3, 20261 hr 2 min

TV Cooking Competitions and the Culture of Food Media w/ Christian Alquiza (First We Feast)

After nearly 20 years in restaurant kitchens, Christian has transitioned to life as a media and social media chef. We discuss what the term "chef" means in this age and how, for some, it brings more balance. We also go deep into his experience competing on FOX's Next Level Chef and what it's really like to be a part of those crazy competition TV shows. References Restaurant Hoppen – Hosted by Dan Hoppen First We Feast – First We Feast Bastos Sauce – Follow for updates on this all-purpose sauce at @certifiedbastos This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to Hurrdat ONE Website or visit Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel! #RestaurantHoppen #ChristianAlciza #NextLevelChef #FirstWeFeast #FilipinoCuisine #CulinaryJourney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 30, 20261 hr 8 min

Uprooting One's Life for the Love of Baking w/ Damie Elder-Hiscock

Fariner Bakery is a magical space, a cafe with a gravitational pull that makes you want to stay for hours. That's because of the love people like Damie put into it and every bread and pastry that comes out of the kitchen. You won't believe the crazy road that brought Damie from Lincoln hospital to Fariner in Ashland or the struggles she and her husband endured to get here, but their perseverance has helped create one of the most special spaces in the greater Omaha area. 🌐 Learn more about Fariner Bakery: www.farinerbakery.com 📍 Fariner Bakery 120 N 14th St Ashland, NE 68003 This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 23, 20261 hr 7 min

Bringing Jamaican Cuisine and Culture to Omaha with Shava Jackson (Jerk Makin Shack)

Shava Jackson left her home of Jamaica to attend medical school with no thoughts of entering the hospitality industry, but her food truck has become one of the hotspots in Omaha. It's incredibly meaningful for Shava to share her food and culture with Omaha, and customers love it so much that some have said they've booked trips to Jamaica after visiting Jerk Makin Shack! Hear Shava's story and better understand the beauty of this cuisine. 📍 Jerk Makin Shack 7100 Dodge Street Omaha, Nebraska This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠ or visit ⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠! #RestaurantHoppen #OmahaFood #JamaicanCuisine #FoodTruck #OmahaRestaurants Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 20, 20261 hr 4 min

Top Chef Takeaways and the Power of Food Memories w/ Anthony Jones

As the Executive Chef at Marcus Samuelsson's Washington DC restaurant and a contestant on the most recent Top Chef season, Anthony Jones is one of America's rising culinary stars. His success comes from his humility and the unique way in which he's able to connect his food with culture and memories. We discuss his restaurant goals now compared to when he started cooking and get into all kinds of fun Top Chef discussion. References Restaurant Hoppen – Hosted by Dan Hoppen Marcus Samuelsson's Restaurant – ⁠Marcus Samuelsson⁠ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! #RestaurantHoppen #TopChef #OmahaFood #CulinaryJourney #AnthonyJones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

July 16, 20261 hr 3 min

Where Omaha's Food Comes From—LIVE Panel w/ Local Producers

We hear about how important it is to shop and eat locally produce meats and vegetables, but do we really know why? Three local producers—Tiff Clifton (Long Walk Farms), Roger Morgan (Morgan Ranch), and Kevin Novak (Flavor Country Farms)—joined me to discuss the benefits of eating and buying local products, both for the individual and the economy. We also discussed the need for farming education, what types of conversations they have with restaurant chefs, and so much more! References Tiff Clifton - https://www.longwalkfarm.com/ Roger Morgan - https://morganranchinc.com/ Kevin Novak - https://flavorcountryfarms.com https://www.facebook.com/p/Flavor-Country-Farms-100063458495359/ This is a Hurrdat ONE Production. Hurrdat ONE is a podcast network and digital media production company based in Omaha, NE. Find more podcasts on the Hurrdat ONE Network by going to ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE Website⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠Hurrdat ONE YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices