From the desk of Dan Hoppen
A few months ago, I wrote a love letter to Omaha restaurants. I wanted to commend the Omaha food community for its collective passion, creativity, and, most importantly, it’s incredible food.
It turns out that was just infatuation. Puppy dog love.
Now I’m ready to put a ring on it.
The coronavirus has completely altered how our world looks compared to just a few weeks ago. To be clear, this isn’t just about restaurants. The entire nation is hurting. Businesses are closing their doors. Hard-working, honest people are being laid off. Rent payments aren’t being made.
And restaurants, because people are practicing social distancing and staying inside, have been hit hard. Some of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at, incredible places like Au Courant, Lo Sole Mio, and The Hunger Block, have been forced to temporarily close. I’ve been in touch with many of my friends in the industry, and their stories, their suffering, breaks my heart.
But this hasn’t broken them.
And that’s why I love Omaha, now more than ever.
Because of people like Nick Bartholomew.
Two weeks ago, Nick was excitedly preparing to reopen the Dandelion Pop-Up, his passion project that was suddenly put on hold by something out of his control. Nick should’ve been crushed. Instead, he was empowered.
He immediately pivoted, turning Dandelion from a business idea into a hospitality station. He worked tirelessly this week to gather perishable food from restaurants that had closed. He then opened Dandelion Saturday afternoon and gave away ribs, ahi tuna, and more to the less fortunate. 200 people who might not know where their next meal is coming from got a 5-star meal.
I don’t have the words to describe that type of selflessness.
Of course, Nick couldn’t have done it alone. Alongside him was Glenn Wheeler, an Omaha culinary icon and the chef at Spencer’s for Steaks and Chops, which was forced to close this week. Rather than wallow in self pity, he worked day and night to prepare meals to give away.
Then there’s Matthew Carper, the owner of Butterfish, Stirnella, and the Red Lion Lounge. Tell me this isn’t incredible.
And Copps Pizza Company, going above and beyond to help others in this time of need.
These are but a select few of the awesome acts of hospitality going on in Omaha right now. Our restaurants took a couple haymakers to the face. But they didn’t stay on the mat. They punched back.
As awed as I am by the restaurants themselves, I’m also enamored by the way our community has risen up around them. In a time when people are getting laid off and have less disposable income, we’ve risen up as a team to do our part to keep as many restaurants alive as we can.
The thought that restaurants are selling out of food in this climate is downright absurd. Yet you’re making it happen, Omaha.
But my favorite story is one that started in a much more painful place. I’m a member of the Omaha Food Lovers group on Facebook. On March 19, a member posted a photo after ordering takeout from the Greek Islands, an Omaha institution since 1983. This is owner George Sgourakis, sitting alone in his once-bustling restaurant.
That turns my stomach in knots.
But you rallied, Omaha, just like you always do. That picture struck a cord with the community. The next day, Greek Islands sold out.
You’re incredible, Omaha.
The coming weeks and months are going to continue to test and stretch us. As much pain as we and the restaurant community has felt, worse may be coming.
Whatever happens, I’m confident that we’ll all come out the other side. This community is too strong, too powerful, too passionate to let this break us.
Restaurants, keep making awesome food.
Chefs, keep using your resources to help those in need.
People, keep supporting your local restaurants (while practicing responsible social distancing).
We can get through this. But we have to do it together.
And if this past week has shown me anything, we can. And we will.
I love you, Omaha. Never change.