Dinker's Bar & Grill

Dinker's Bar & Grill at 2368 S. 29th Street is a South Omaha neighborhood bar built around burgers. Omaha Magazine reported that Frank "Dinker" Synowiecki opened a small bar two doors from the current site in 1965, and that his grandchildren later took over the business. Visit Omaha says it has served American comfort food for more than 60 years, and Midwest Living has named it among the Midwest's best burger places.

The room is casual and no-frills, with an old beer cooler, TV and Keno screens. Guests seat themselves, order food at the kitchen counter and drinks at the bar, and payment is cash only, so bring bills or use the on-site ATM. The Reader's readers chose it for best burger in its 2020 Best of the Big O awards, and it is a familiar stop for regulars throughout the day.

Burgers are hand-patted from fresh ground beef and cooked, unseasoned, on a griddle primed with bacon. The best seller is the Haystack, topped with honey-smoked ham, American cheese and a fried egg, while the Bluejay Burger with Swiss, bacon and bleu cheese dressing nods to Creighton basketball. There is also a three-patty Triple Decker, buttermilk-battered onion rings with house ranch, wings, soups and daily lunch specials.

Dinker's is best for a casual lunch or early dinner, for sports fans who want a bar atmosphere, and for visitors after a longtime local institution. Because it takes cash only and is run counter-style, keep the visit simple: order, grab a table and enjoy. Hours were not available from an official source, so check before going.

What to order

• The Haystack – ham, American cheese, fried egg
• Bluejay Burger – Swiss, bacon, bleu cheese dressing
• Ultimate Triple Decker Dinker Burger – three patties
• Hand-dipped onion rings with buttermilk ranch
• Chicken wings
• Daily lunch specials

Good to know

• Cash only; an ATM is on site (per Omaha Magazine and our listing).
• Self-seating: order food at the back counter and drinks at the bar.
• No official website found; confirm hours by phone or in person.
• Operates as a bar and grill; no age policy is published, so check before bringing children.

Recognition

• The Reader Best of the Big O 2020 – Best Burger (readers' choice)