Finding Chick-fil-A in Omaha can involve drastic measures.
The next time you’re down South — for work or business or whatever — don’t stop at Chick-fil-A.
Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that it’s the best fast-food chicken you’ll ever taste; that it doesn’t even taste like fast food; that it tastes like a little bit of heaven in your mouth. A little bit of heaven with a slice of pickle.
Don’t listen
Because everything they say is true.
And if you do try Chick-fil-A, then come back to Omaha with that magical taste still on your tongue, you’re done for. You’ll be plagued by powerful, life-long Chick-fil-A cravings that you’ll never be able to satisfy without venturing far, far from home.
That’s why “Who wants Chick-fil-a in Omaha, NE???” has almost 10,000 fans on Facebook.
That’s why people who work at Mutual of Omaha — which has Nebraska’s only Chick-fil-A locked away in its headquarters — never want for lunch dates.
And that’s why I always try to fly through the Atlanta airport, even when I’m headed northwest. (Concourse A.)
If you’ve never tried Chick-fil-A, trust me, don’t.
“It’s not quite Runza, but it’s kind of like that. It makes every other kind of chicken a disappointment, a huge letdown,” said Michael Miller, 41, an Atlanta native who now lives in Omaha. “Whenever I go down there, it’s the first stop. Like from the airport to Chick-fil-A.”
But if you have — if it’s too late for you like it’s too late for me, if you’re already one of the Chick-fil-Afflicted — listen up.
I don’t have great news for you, but I do have news: Chick-fil-A does plan to come to Omaha . . . just not anytime soon. (See
1. Get a job at Mutual of Omaha.
(Or make friends with someone who already has a job there. Or get a job at the Omaha World-Herald and say that you need to have lunch at Mutual of Omaha “for a story.”)
The Mutual of Omaha Chick-fil-A is practically an urban myth. People who work at Mutual get used to answering the question: “Is there really a Chick-fil-A in there?” And the follow-up question, “Um, can you get me some?”
There’s been a Chick-fil-A in the Mutual of Omaha food court since 2002. There are other restaurants under the dome, too, but I didn’t take note of them when I visited Mutual last week. I couldn’t; Chick-fil-A was calling to me like the Ark of the Covenant.
It’s just a mini location, with a limited menu, but you can get the original sandwiches, the nuggets and the waffle fries. And everything tastes just like it does at a real Chick-fil-A.
Knowing that I might never get back in the building, I bought two extra sandwiches with my lunch and put them in my refrigerator to eat the next day. I was like an Israelite, trying to stash away manna in Tupperware. The buns got really soggy and ruined the chicken. Apparently, true Chick-fil-A diehards know to remove the bread before transport.
There’ve been rumors about Mutual opening another Chick-fil-A in Midtown Crossing. But that isn’t possible.
Even though Mutual of Omaha owns Midtown Crossing, it doesn’t own the relationship with Chick-fil-A. The restaurant under the dome is licensed and managed through a third-party catering company.
2. Shop at Midtown Crossing next week. Mutual can, however, give the sandwiches away. On July 23, Midtown Crossing gave out free Chick-fil-A sandwiches to anyone who bought something from one of its Outdoor Market vendors.
“I think I went through 600 Chick-fil-A sandwiches in no time,” said Molly Skold, Midtown Crossing’s marketing director.
The promotion went so well that Midtown is planning another Chick-fil-A giveaway for Saturday .
As someone who doesn’t have almost-daily access to Chick-fil-A, this strikes me as a little cruel. Like Mutual of Omaha is teasing us with its Chick-fil-A spoils.
But I’m also someone who wants a free sandwich. So you’ll probably see me there.
3. Find something to do in Sioux City. But not on a Sunday.Sioux City, Iowa, actually does have a Chick-fil-A location. Des Moines has one, too, in Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. (“Is this heaven?” “It’s Iowa.”) There’s also a restaurant in St. Joseph, Mo.
But no Chick-fil-A is open seven days a week. The company is still run by the founding Cathy family, and serving God is a central part of Chick-fil-A’s corporate philosophy. The employees have always had Sundays off to spend time at church or with their families.
There are dozens of Facebook groups just about that. About craving Chick-fil-A on a Sunday.
Those spoiled Facebookers should think about what it’s like to live in Nebraska . . .
Where every day is Sunday.
And there’s no Monday in sight.
Contact the writer:
444-1149, rainbow.rowell@owh.com
Eating at Chick-fil-A is a requirement when I go down south to visit family. I have also been known to suggest a family “drive” to my daughter’s birth city of Sioux City – on a Saturday of course. And what do you know? We end up at the Sioux City Mall for lunch. BTW one of the only good things about Sioux City is Chick-fil-A.
It amazes me that at a time in our society when we have an out of control problem with obesity (due largely to fast food)that the only thing you can contrive an article about is lamenting we don’t have yet another fast food chain in Omaha!
Why write on something so lame and useless in the first place that merely finds fault with our city as though the restaurants in Omaha are somehow lacking. If you don’t have anything good to say, then don’t!
I learned about the merits of a Chick fil a sandwich from Jeff Foxworthy’s book. They are good sandwiches – and about “if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all” good piece of advice. You should take it. This particular piece is a nice break from all the teeth gnashing and hair pulling over who the next idol judge might be.
Allie and Ixnay, I appreciate both of your comments, but I probably won’t be following your advice. For me — for a lot of people, I think — the whole point of watching a show like “American Idol” is for the joy of gnashing my teeth over it the next day. I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot lately, whether it’s a waste of time to care — and write — about pop culture. Whether, as Allie points out, there are more worthwhile topics out there… I’m going to write about this in my Sunday column, I think. A hopefully not-too defensive defense of pop culture.
Some people just don’t know when to hush.
We don’t always read an article because of the topic at hand, but because we enjoy the writers style. We know the regardless of the topic your articles are either going to be informative or entertaining (generally a good combination of both). I think a lot of your readers enjoy your column because of how you relay the information to us, not necessarily because we find an intellectual interest in the information itself.
Whether you’re writing about Idol, Mad Men, Project Runway, or local restaurant chains that we do/don’t have, you’ve made it abundantly clear that you’re writing about Pop (deriving from POPular) Culture – and all of the previously mentioned topics fit into it beautifully. Popular Culture = popular topics the general public find of interest.
Aside from the two that oppose this article specifically because of the topic, I’m sure there are five-times as many that would agree Omaha needs a Chick-fil-A.
Furthermore, I appreciate that they chose to write negative comments “advising” your articles contain more meaningful topics but the focus of this one obviously struck their fancy or they wouldn’t have read it to begin with. =)
Some people…
I say keep doing what you do because you do it well and there are PLENTY of people that enjoy your point of view!
Chick-Fil-A brick-fil-a.
What you want is an In-N-Out
Fresh, Clean, Never Frozen, Real Potato Fries – real food for real people.
A little bit of SoCal heaven…
(and I just eat there)
Great column, Rainbow! My wife and I appreciate your public lobbying effort to lure Chick-fil-A (a public store) to Nebraska. This is a long-time coming — getting them here.
I grew up in Siouxland and my in-laws live in Des Moines. Yes, I readily admit that one of my first (and last) stops when visiting either Sioux City or Des Moines is Chick-fil-A. Your “Israelite hoarding manna” analogy is exactly the mode I am in when leaving one of those two oases.
In addition to Omaha, Lincoln definitely needs a Chick-fil-A. If Sioux City, IA (population 75K) can support one for the last 30+ years, I believe the two aforementioned communities definitely would support them. While I appreciate the company’s intense and thoughtful planning for future market expansion, Tom Petty said it best in one of his songs, “…the waiting is the hardest part.”
Pssst Rainbow,
I have 3 Chick-fil-A sandwiches in my freezer right now! I’m from the deep South, and Chick-fil-A is always on our list of places to go when we head South. On my last trip to Dallas for Mary Kay Seminar (a couple of weeks back), I insisted my girlfriends come with me to Chick-fil-A for lunch – and then on the way home, I picked up a half dozen original sandwiches to put in the cooler. I returned to my Chick-fil-A deprived family as a hero!
I do recommend removing the bread!
Rainbow, you are a godsend in that you are capable of writing about many things in a manner that is informative and entertaining. I found it hard to believe someone would chastise your fast-food chain topic amid an obesity crisis, then follow it up with ‘if you can’t say something nice’…
I’m aware of other columnists who seem to think the only pop culture topic is Idol. Your ability to include it without being obnoxious is refreshing. I was a fan of yours since before you pursued other endeavors, and am thrilled to see you’re back! I wasn’t telling you what to write. I’m pleased with your range of topics, and the ones I know nothing about are as entertaining as those I am familiar with. Keep up the good work.
Ixnay, thanks for the encouragement. I see now that I misunderstood your initial comment. Sorry!
Rainbow, Rainbow, Rainbow, – you speak the words of my heart!!! My husband and I are recent transplants here from South Carolina. There are many things my heart pines for from home…like WATER(as in numerous lakes, rivers, and the beautiful beaches of the Atlantic!),salt air, southern hospitality, the colorful history and culture, a lively social scene, being able to eat out after 8 PM on a weeknight,fresh seafood, fried green tomatoes …oh I can go on, and on
, but one of the main things we miss is Chick-fil-A!!! You obviously can relate, and it makes me feel giddy that so many others can relate too! BTW …if you have not had Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits for breakfast you are missing out on a little taste of heaven (and I am not a breakfast person). It is horrible to feel “teased” by knowing there is a local Chick-fil-A, and I can’t access it. I appreciate your upbeat, creative, entertaining style of writing, and I thank you for this news worthy article! Sincerely, THANK YOU!!!
Now…while we have come to find many things in the Omaha area that we appreciate or enjoy (and the list continues to grow!) – …I have to be blunt and say that to you – Miss Allie – you should take some of your own advice, and not say anything if you don’t have anything nice to say at all. However, I won’t take your advice, and I have to tell you…I have had the opportunity to live all over the world, and it never ceases to amaze me how there are small close minded people everywhere! If you don’t care about Chick-fil-A then don’t waste your precious time reading the article, and certainly don’t take the time to leave a negative comment. The article was well written, and entertaining!
Rainbow, As I read your article, I am sitting in my office at Chick-fil-A of Loveland, Colorado, which is the closest Chick-fil-A to you if you are traveling west. I thoroughly enjoyed your article, both for your astute wit, and because I have been through Omaha twice in the last month as we drove across the US to New England and back. I have to admit, I felt the same pain, driving through Omaha, knowing that there was a Chick-fil-a there, but that even as an employee of Chick-fil-A, I couldn’t get to it. I can’t wait for the day I can stop into your fair city and enjoy one of our meals.
Regarding the comment about fast food and obesity, I lost 42 pounds since I started working for Chick-fil-A, have never felt better in my life, (I am 51) and I eat Chick-fil-A six days a week – Honest!
Thank you very much for your words… I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Dusting off from ROFL,
David Legg, General Manager
Chick-fil-A at Loveland, Colorado
I wanted to share some info, this is off of the CFA website’s meal calculator (http://www.chick-fil-a.com/#calculator). I use it as a guide. All of Chick-fil-A food is made fresh in the store. Carrots, celery, lettuce, cabbage, tomatoes, strawberries, and even lemons for the lemonade etc arrive in bulk from a produce vendor just like buying them at a grocery store and are cleaned, peeled, chopped, sliced, and or squeezed etc every day. The chicken is hand fileted and dipped in milkwash and seasoned coater fresh to order in the store. If you don’t want fried, get it grilled. You can’t get more real than that.
Chargrilled Chicken Sandwich- 300 calories/3.5 g fat
Yogurt Parfait- 230 calories/ 3 g fat
Dasani Bottled Water- 0 calories/0 g fat
#7 meal w/fruit sub. for waffle fries- 530 calories/ 6.5 g fat
CFA Original Chicken Sandwich w/lettuce & tomato on Wheat Bun-
420 calories/ 13 g fat
Medium Fruit Cup- 70 calories/0 g fat
Diet Dr Pepper- 0 calories/ 0 g fat
#2 Meal sub wheat bun, w/sub yogurt parfait for waffle fries- 490 calories/ 13 g fat
8 count Chicken Nuggets- 270 calories/ 12 g fat
Medium Fruit Cup- 70 calories/ 0 g fat
Coke Zero- 0 calories/ 0 g fat
#5 Meal w/substitute fruit cup for waffle fries-
340 calories/ 12 g fat
Chargrilled & Fruit Salad- 230 calories/6 g fat
Reduced Fat Berry Balsamic Vinaigrette- 70 calories/ 2 g fat
Unsweetened Iced Tea- o calories/ 0 g fat
Meal 300 calories/ 8 g fat
Hearty Breast of Chicken Soup- 220 calories/ 6 g fat
Side Salad- 70 calories/ 4.5 g fat
Light Italian Dressing- 15 calories/ .5 g fat
Diet Coke- 0 calories/ 0 g fat
#11 Meal- 305 calories/ 11 g fat
Chargrilled Chicken Garden Salad- 180 calories/ 6 g fat
Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing- 60 calories/0 g fat
Chick-fil-A Fresh Squeezed Diet Lemonade- 20 calories/ 0 g fat
Meal 260 calories/ 6 g fat
Mark moore, there used to be and In N Out and they had better fries than McDonalds (the old ones). It just never took off.
Rainbow,
I’m so glad you’re back! This made me giggle. I’m always hearing my cousins brag about their free Chick-fil-a a week for a year because they were one of the first ones in line at a grand opening. It’s one of the first places I like to hit when I get out of Dodge. It’s the ONLY fast food place I like.
Allie
Chill. You’re sounding like the food police. MYOB
Rainbow, I very much enjoyed your article. I worked for Chick-fil-A for 8 years, as a team member and then as a marketing director, and I must say I LOVE it when people adore the taste of Chick-fil-A. Since I don’t work there anymore, the one thing I hate is that I can’t have Chick-fil-A every day like I used to. I truly hope that all of the Raving Fans in Oklahoma get a Chick-fil-A, and soon!!!
thought all the chick-fil-a fans might enjoy this……..
http://www.godtube.com/featured/video/god-bless-you-chick-fil-tim-hawkins/all
i’ve never eaten there myself but it’s on my “gotta try” list now!
I am a former Omahan now living in Austin, TX. I can’t drive a few miles without seeing a Chik Fil A, but oh what I’d give for a Runza right about now! Or a Trader Joe’s.
Every Chick-fil-a in omaha has closed for a reason. When they open the food tastes as good as down south. Shortly after the franchisee hires a bunch of unskilled labor with no care about the food and then they close. We have had several in omaha. They come into the hot mall dejure and then when the mall is no longer hot they close.
Rainbow on twitter
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