Dinker's Bar & Grill in Omaha: Famous Burgers Since 1965

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Dinker's Bar & Grill is a South Omaha neighborhood bar on South 29th Street that has been around since 1965. Ask locals where to get a classic burger in Omaha and this is one of the first names you'll hear.

Quick facts

• Cuisine: American bar and grill (burgers)
• Address: 2368 S 29th St, Omaha, NE
• Area: South Omaha, near the I-80 Martha Street exit
• Phone: (402) 342-9742
• Hours: Listings online don't agree, so call before you go.
• Payment: Cash only, with an ATM inside
• Seating: Seat yourself
• Good for: A casual lunch or dinner, a burger and a beer, showing out-of-town guests a true Omaha spot

The story behind Dinker's

Dinker's is named after its founder, Frank "Dinker" Synowiecki, the son of Polish immigrants who settled in South Omaha. He opened the bar in 1965 a few doors down at 2364 S 29th Street, then moved it about 14 years later into the building it's in today.

Back then, Dinker's didn't serve food. That changed after a fire in 1979, when the bar added a full kitchen. Frank's wife, Rosemary, had been making hamburger patties by hand before her shifts at Western Electric, and her burgers became the heart of the menu.

Sixty years later, those burgers are still why people come.

What Dinker's is known for

The burgers, plain and simple. Each one is a one-third-pound patty of unseasoned beef, scooped out to the same size every time and cooked on a griddle. They come on buns from Rotella's, the Omaha bakery.

Look for the Bluejay burger too. It's named for Creighton University and was inspired by former Creighton basketball star Doug McDermott.

Dinker's has picked up a lot of praise over the years. Local readers have voted it a best burger in town, Thrillist called it Nebraska's most iconic bar, and Eater named it one of the essential Omaha restaurants in 2019.

Who will like it

Dinker's is for people who want a no-fuss, old-school neighborhood bar with a great burger. It's not fancy, and that's the point. If you're visiting Omaha and want a place with real local history, this is a good pick. Take a look at the mural on the south side of the building, painted in 2016, which shows Omaha's Polish neighborhoods.

Before you go

• Bring cash. Dinker's is cash only. There's an ATM inside if you forget.
• Call ahead. Hours listed online don't all match, so call (402) 342-9742 to check before you head over.
• Expect a crowd at lunch. It's a popular spot, so a little patience goes a long way.
• Getting there: It's just off the I-80 Martha Street exit in South Omaha.

Have you been to Dinker's? Tell me your go-to order in the comments. ❤️