Runzas – Honestly, They’re Not For Everyone
“Nebraska: Honestly, it’s not for everyone”. Yep, that’s Nebraska’s new slogan – for real. We know we are a little self-deprecating and somewhat quirky and so are our choices for fast food. We go so far beyond tacos and burgers; eating at a national fast food chain borders on sacrilege. So, when local folks want to grab a quick bite at a fast food restaurant, they head straight to one of the 78 Runza Drive-In Restaurants in the state for that iconic, uncompromised comfort food that only Nebraskans can claim.
The Runza sandwich is Nebraska’s most treasured, simple recipe of lightly seasoned ground beef, cabbage, and onions stuffed into a rectangular pillow of dough, then baked until golden brown and steaming hot. Add a little American cheese to the filling and you’re that much closer to nirvana. Sounds like a Hot Pocket, you say? Nonsense! Sounds a little like a pierogi? You’re getting a little closer to its Germans from Russia roots. You don’t like cabbage? That’s understandable if you’ve never had it in a Runza!
When people think of foods that come from Nebraska, they typically think of beef and corn. While those are precious, important commodities that keep the state’s economy humming, I would challenge anyone to ask expatriates from Nebraska what food they miss the most. I would bet my last head of cabbage that it would be the Runza.
In 1990, my husband Joel and I had the honor of chairing an event in the heart of New York City – specifically at St. Bartholomew’s Church on Park Avenue – called “A Taste of Nebraska”. Several Runza restaurant employees drove across the country with a refrigerated truck transporting the precious cargo to the event. For the 800+ hungry Nebraskans who had found themselves transplanted in New York and yearned for the unique sandwich, their cravings were satisfied – at least for a day. So, if you are living in New York City, arguably the most food dense city in the country and you have an insatiable longing for a Runza, then it must be pretty special.
Nebraska is well known for its “Big Red” football, but a crisp autumn game day is never complete without that green and yellow paper wrapper, concealing the warm, aromatic pillow of goodness known as a Runza.
But, honestly, it’s not for everyone.