Alpine Inn Omaha: Fried Chicken, Raccoons, and Nebraska's Most Unique Restaurant
Behind these doors awaits one of Nebraska’s most memorable dining experiences: great fried chicken and a front-row seat to nature!
Perfectly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, Alpine Inn’s signature fried chicken has been delighting diners for more than 50 years! (No, it’s not raccoon!!)
A hungry raccoon eagerly awaits his next meal, as he watches us carefully while we dine on our fried chicken.
It’s appetizer time! A handful of cat food has been thrown outside to keep hungry raccoons at bay while scraps are collected.
Alpine Inn: Omaha's Wildest Dining Experience
What if I told you that one of Omaha's most beloved restaurants serves award-winning fried chicken while dozens of raccoons gather outside the windows for dinner? It sounds like something out of a roadside attraction guide, but it's absolutely real.
Welcome to Alpine Inn, "Home of the Wildlife," one of the most distinctive dining experiences not only in Nebraska but arguably anywhere in the United States. Nestled on the northern outskirts of Omaha, this legendary restaurant has delighted customers for decades with hand-dipped fried chicken, live entertainment, and a nightly gathering of very hungry furry visitors.
Dine While Raccoons Scavenge
The restaurant's slogan says it all: "Dine While Raccoons Scavenge."
At first glance, that might sound like a joke. But the slogan is dead serious! As diners finish their meals and staff clear the plates, food scraps are placed outside where raccoons emerge from the surrounding woods to enjoy their own feast. Depending on the night, visitors may see just a handful of raccoons—or what feels like an entire army of them. Watching the animals interact, play, and compete for leftovers has become part of the Alpine Inn experience. It has attracted generations of families, students, couples, neighborhood regulars, and curious travelers looking for something completely different. I've visited Alpine Inn three times, and the raccoons never fail to entertain! You’re best off visiting on a Friday or Saturday night for the best views…just be sure to grab a window seat!
A Nebraska Tradition Since 1973
The Alpine Inn's modern story began in 1973 when Glenn and Flavia Robey purchased the establishment. Today, the restaurant remains family-operated and is run by their granddaughter, Jaimi. Over the decades, Alpine Inn has become one of Omaha's most recognizable restaurants, earning a loyal following and attracting visitors from throughout Nebraska and beyond. The restaurant recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, a milestone that few independently owned restaurants ever reach.
Is the Fried Chicken Really That Good?
In a word: yes. It’s pretty darn good!
The Alpine Inn's hand-dipped, homemade fried chicken has earned a reputation as some of the best in Omaha. In fact, it was voted "Best of Omaha" and remains the menu item most visitors come to experience.
A traditional chicken dinner includes a breast, thigh, wing, and leg, along with hand-dipped potato wedges and your choice of coleslaw or macaroni salad. The chicken arrives perfectly golden brown, crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. If chicken isn't your thing, the menu also includes burgers, jumbo shrimp, chicken wings, tenders, gizzards, livers, onion rings, and fries.
If it's your first visit, the fried chicken dinner is the clear choice. The potato wedges always make an excellent addition, and the burgers—though not their specialty—are tasty, too!
More Than Just Great Food
One thing that stood out during my visits was the hospitality. On one particular visit, the restaurant was working through staffing challenges after losing a regular cook and bringing in a temporary replacement. While the kitchen was running slower than usual, Jaimi, our server, Josh, and the rest of the staff continually checked on guests, communicated openly, and made sure everyone felt welcome. The food was well worth the wait, and the experience reinforced something increasingly rare today: genuine customer service from people who truly care about their guests.
When you dine at places like Alpine Inn, you're supporting a family-run Nebraska eatery staffed by hardworking people who take pride in their work!
Tips for Visiting Alpine Inn
If you're planning a visit, a few insider tips can make your experience even better:
Visit on a weekday evening for your best chance at securing a window seat overlooking the feeding area.
Friday and Saturday nights often feature live music, adding an extra layer of energy to an already lively atmosphere.
Alpine Inn is a cash-only establishment. Debit and credit cards are not accepted, though an ATM is available on-site if needed.
One of Nebraska's Most Unique Restaurants
Omaha is home to hundreds of restaurants representing virtually every cuisine imaginable. Yet despite all those options, there is only one place where you can enjoy award-winning fried chicken while watching raccoons gather outside your window. It is quite literally a one-of-a-kind experience that you can’t find anywhere else.
Come for the fried chicken…and stay for the wildlife! You won’t regret visiting!
Alpine Inn "Home of the Wildlife"
10405 Calhoun Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68112
402-451-9988
Learn more about Omaha, Nebraska, by picking up an Omaha Visitors Guide here. Visit Nebraska’s full state guide can be found here.
The warm glow of the Alpine Inn bar offers a cozy contrast to the wildlife gathering just beyond the windows in the other room.
The food may be served inside, but the evening’s entertainment is waiting just beyond the glass!
"I heard somebody ordered the fried chicken..." 🦝🍗
Good luck deciding whether to watch the raccoons scavenge or focus on the food in front of you!
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