Reviews:
Runza is mostly your local fast food joint... mostly. While it's fast food, it's a bit nicer than your average fast food. They serve some pretty nice items for a fast food restaurant--seasonal chili, fresh (never frozen) burgers, polish "dogs" (I think that they're hot dogs in the form of a polish sausage), and Runzas. The Runza (the food item that the restaurant gets its name from) is basically a hot pocket of freshly cooked ground beef, cabbage, onions, and cheese all together in this freshly baked bread sleeve. Again, kind of like a hot pocket burger, but fresher and tastier. I had a Runza when going to Runzas. This appears to be a regional dish that came from (german?) settlers in the area. However, I understand that back in the day, it was called a "cabbage burger" before it was called a Runza. Anyhow, the Runza was very good. If it's your first time at Runza, I'd probably order the Runza to have the true Runza experience. The restaurant was very clean, and the service was very quick. I'd recommend this to someone looking for a quick, yet quality, bite to eat.
I didn't get the memo to order the 'Runza', and indeed did not know what a 'Runza' was until some post-burger-eating research, when I discovered that it is apparently a regional German-influenced specialty, and that I should have ordered that. Damn. Oh well. The burger, for a fast food burger, was unimpeachable. I did not feel sick after eating it, there were no chemical undertones to the meat, and it was balanced nicely and obviously put together as I ordered it, as nothing was oozing or mushing together all over my lap as I bit into it. Really, it was a pleasant surprise. I'm not going to go so far as to say it was GOOD, by overall burger standards - but by fast food standards, it beats In-n-Out, it beats Wendy's, it obviously beats McD's, etc. I'd put it up against a burger from Five Guys!
With new jobs come new travels and my new travels have brought me to Nebraska. I know what you're thinking, but I'm optimistic that Nebraska has good food to offer me. Still holding out, I'm still looking. After a long day of travel and an equally long day I was looking for something fast and satisfying. I've never heard of a Runza and was intrigued enough to give it a try. Now I learn later that a Runza is a Nebraska thing, good for me. Runza is a fast food chain with a twist, seems like a diner inside a bit. I went up to the counter and ordered a Runza (ground beef, cabbage, and onions baked in a dough), burger (in case I didn't like the Runza, you never know) and an order of frings. Food was ready quickly and was piping hot. The Runza was intriguing to say the least. It was good, just not great in my opinion. It may be a taste thing, others seem to love the Runza so I'll let them have them. The burger was a fast food staple and the frings were on point. Overall a little underwhelming but if I was passing by and needed a quick bite I would stop by and grab something to go.
