Review by J1 Reporter Elena Brown

If you’re looking for a small, locally owned restaurant in Omaha with a little bit of charm, the Alpine Inn might be just what you’re looking for.

The Alpine Inn is an offbeat home-style restaurant and bar located on 10405 Calhoun Rd.—near Fort Calhoun and Hummel Park. It draws in many locals from the northeast Omaha area for its famous fried chicken, live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays and another reason you probably would not expect. 

Every evening, chicken discards and half-eaten potato wedges are stacked on a tray and placed outside for the Alpine Inn’s furry visitors. Raccoons make their daily journey from their dens to the back porch where they eat dinner along with the restaurant’s human customers, separated only by a large pane of glass. 

Aside from the raccoons’ nightly appearance, their service is friendly and convenient. When I walked in, I was greeted by a waitress and was told that I could find a table and seat myself. No reservation is needed, but you might want to get there around 6 p.m. to beat the crowd. 

I would recommend getting there even earlier if you want a seat by the windows for the best view of the live entertainment. There are not many tables available as the restaurant is small, so if you arrive at a busy time you might have to be put on a waitlist. Our waitress never made us wait too long for refills and made frequent stops at our table to check in on us.

The atmosphere is as home-like as it gets, almost looking like it was originally a house before it became a restaurant. There are antique decorations, trophies and photos scattered around the dimly lit seating area, adding to the cozy feeling. 

The menu ranges from wings and shrimp to gizzards and liver. However, their specialty is their famous fried chicken made from a family recipe. Their menu is simple and easy. First, you choose your main dish; chicken, shrimp, gizzards, liver or wings. Then you choose what side you want; wedges, fries or onion rings. If this isn’t your style, they have other options like hamburgers and hot dogs. 

However, there doesn’t seem to be many accommodations for dietary needs. So if you need something cooked a special way or gluten free, this may not be the place. The pricing is pretty affordable in comparison to the portion sizes, with the whole menu ranging from around $5-$15. 

The food itself did not disappoint. It took about 15 minutes for it to arrive, which was a little longer than the first time I visited, but it was understandable because they were busier this time than the last. The food comes fresh out of the fryer, so it was very hot when it arrived. I ordered the famous fried chicken with a side of potato wedges, which cost $12.25. 

In my opinion, the praise for the chicken is well deserved. With the order, you get a thigh, wing, breast, and leg. It’s a very big portion size, even for an adult. My mom ordered the same thing and had a hard time finishing it all. Luckily, they offer to-go bags. Not to mention the potato wedges, which are about a fourth of a potato. Four are included, so you basically get a whole potato. Finally, I tried a small slice of their pecan pie, which was also very good.

The restaurant is very clean. There isn’t food left on the floor and the tables are cleaned immediately after a party leaves. The bar area is also kept tidy, and it also features a pool table. There is one single-person bathroom for both men and women which is also kept very clean. They look like they were recently updated, with nice sinks and electric hand dryers. 

From March 1 to Nov. 1, they are open seven days a week. The kitchen is open from 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. and the bar stays open until 11. Their winter hours (Nov. 1 to March 1) are the same, but they are closed on Mondays. Another thing to know is that they do not take credit or debit cards, which is rare to come across these days. Cash or check is accepted, however, my dad and I were able to pay with Apple Pay by scanning a QR code on my first visit. 

The Alpine Inn is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner with some friends or with your family. No need to dress up, just bring yourself and maybe your camera to take some photos of the raccoons when they pay visits at the window. Overall, I thought it was a great experience. Ponca Hills is a beautiful and pleasant area of Omaha to explore when you have some time, and if you’re looking for a quirky place to stop and eat, Alpine Inn is the perfect place!