Shelby Woodard

If you’re anything like me and my group of friends, you know that finding a restaurant that everyone agrees on can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. 

The struggle seems to be never ending and usually results in us ordering a pizza or eating at Texas Roadhouse for the sixth time in the span of only a couple months.

Don’t get me wrong; of course everyone loves those warm rolls paired with a hearty slab of cinnamon butter. But for those nights when you and your gals are feeling a little extra, I’ve put together a small list of some alternative places to try out. 

Say you want to dress up and take some Instagram pics but are also itching to try a new Mexican restaurant. My top choice has to be Trini’s. A small hidden gem tucked away in the Old Market Passageway, Trini’s has it all. 

I’m sure we’ve all seen the iconic Instagram pics of girls surrounded by greenery and lights. Want to know where you can snap some pics just like those? You guessed it: right in the very Passageway where Trini’s is located. 

Not only is Trini’s located in the ultimate spot for Instagram aesthetics, it’s also got some fantastic food. From the necessary complimentary chips and salsa, to their wide range of burritos, tacos and fajitas on the menu, Trini’s has something for anyone craving a good Mexican meal for under $25. 

To get a little change of pace, a good breakfast place is always a great option for the morning after a night out with your girls. 

I tried Vidlak’s Brookside Cafe off 156th and Center recently and boy was I pleasantly surprised. The line was out the door and, once I tried the food, I understood why. 

Whether you’re looking for something sweet or something savory, you won’t be disappointed by the vast menu at Vidlak’s. From omelets to blueberry pancakes, Vidlak’s offers most any kind of breakfast food you could imagine. 

The cafe has been around for a long time and their devotion to the traditional methods of using pen and paper rather than computers and technology just add to the cafe’s charm. Not only has their system of using paper and pen remained unchanged, but, it seems, so have their prices. 

I was able to get a piece of country fried chicken as big as my face, two fried eggs, enough hash browns to feed three people, two pieces of toast and a glass of chocolate milk all for $15. Who doesn’t love a good, cheap meal?

Finally, what’s a list of places to try without a good place to get dessert? One of my favorite things to do is go out with my friends for a sweet treat when we’re not necessarily hungry enough for a full meal. 

Ted and Wally’s is a must-have on those warm summer nights when you and your friends are craving a good cup (or cone) of ice cream. At certain times of the day, they even offer other types of desserts such as beignets that Tiana herself would approve. 

Ted and Wally’s has two locations: one in downtown Omaha in the well-known Old Market and one in the Benson area, right near the Waiting Room Lounge. 

Say it’s a hot summer day and you and your gals just happen to be roaming the Old Market or attending a concert at the popular Waiting Room Lounge: walk just down the street and enjoy a refreshing cone for under $5. If I were you, I wouldn’t pass up any opportunity to visit Ted and Wally’s. 

Now, I wouldn’t consider myself a Michelin-level food critic. Let’s just say I know what I like and what I don’t like, and I notice things that make a place special. 

So, take out of my list what you will. Who knows? Maybe you’ll find yourself at one of these places and think “Hey, reading the Network really did pay off.”