The Best of Omaha contest, sponsored by Omaha Magazine , began in the mid-80′s. It started with votes from the magazine staff, but eventually expanded to the public in 1992. Readers could vote for their favorite Omaha businesses and services on paper ballots and fax or mail them; but today, all of the voting is done electronically. By switching to online voting, the contest became more secure and added a sense of validity, allowing only one log-in per IP address during the voting period (July 1st – Sept. 30th).
As the contest gained more popularity, the categories also began to expand. There are currently 176 Best of Omaha categories with around 425,000 votes from around 20,000 voters. The five most popular categories are Grocery Store, Mexican Dining, Pizza, Bank, and Italian Dining. Most of the Best of Omaha winners don’t actually advertise with Omaha Magazine;  and since the magazine is the only sponsor with its staff calculating the results, the businesses and services nominated in the contest can’t gain any headway by advertising.
The Best of Omaha results come out every year in Omaha Magazine ‘s January/February issue with a readership over 115,000 during the two month shelf-life.
Look up previous Best of Omaha® winnersÂ
Use this search form to find a particular company.
1
2006
Antique Store
Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
1
2006
Appetizers
Kona Grill
1
2006
Appliance Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
1
2006
Auto Body
Dingman's Collision Center
1
2006
Auto Dealer
Woodhouse Auto Family
1
2006
Auto Glass
ABC Auto Glass
1
2006
Bagel
Panera Bread
1
2006
Bank
First National Bank of Omaha
1
2006
BBQ
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que
1
2006
Beer Selection
Old Chicago
1
2006
Boat Shop
Omaha Marine Center
1
2006
Bookstore
Barnes & Noble Booksellers
1
2006
Bowl of Soup
Panera Bread
1
2006
Brake Service
Meineke Car Care Center
1
2006
Breakfast
IHOP
1
2006
Bridal Shop
David's Bridal
1
2006
Buffet
Valentino's
1
2006
Burger
Fuddrucker's
1
2006
Car Tire Service
Jensen Tire Co.
1
2006
Car Wash
VIP Touchless Car Wash
1
2006
CD Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
1
2006
Cellular Service
Verizon Wireless
1
2006
Chinese Restaurant
China Road
1
2006
Chiropractic
Omaha Spine Center
1
2006
Computer Store
Buy
1
2006
Corsignment Store
Esther's
1
2006
Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Joel Schlessinger
1
2006
Cosmic Dentist
Dr. Steven Wegner
1
2006
Credit Union
Centris Federal Credit Union
1
2006
Daycare
La Petite
1
2006
Deli
Spirit World and Deli
1
2006
Desserts
Delice European Baker
1
2006
Dry Cleaners
Fashion Cleaners
1
2006
Exhaust & Muffler Service
Midas
1
2006
Fitness Club
Prairie Life Center
1
2006
Florist
Piccolo's Florist & Gifts
1
2006
French Fries
Runza Restaurants
1
2006
French Restaurant
French Cafe
1
2006
Funeral Home
Heafey Heafey & Hoffman Mortuary
1
2006
General Auto Repair
Jensen Tire Co.
1
2006
German Restaurant
Das Rheinland
1
2006
Gift Shop
The Afternoon
1
2006
Golf Course
Indian Creek Golf Course
1
2006
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee Food Stores
1
2006
Hair Salon
Creative Hair Design Salon & Spa
1
2006
Hardware Store
Westlake Ace Hardware
1
2006
Health Food Store
Wild Oats Natural Marketplace
1
2006
Heating and AC Service
A-1 United Heating & Air
1
2006
Home Audio Store
Stereo West Home Theater Store
1
2006
Home Cleaning Service
Maids of Omaha
1
2006
Home Remodeling
Hometown Construction
1
2006
Homebuilder
Benchmark Homes
1
2006
Hot Wings
Buffalo Wild WIngs
1
2006
Ice Cream
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream
1
2006
Indian Restaurant
Jaipur
1
2006
Interior Design Firm
The Interior Design Firm
1
2006
Internet Provier
Cox Communications
1
2006
Italian Restaurant
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano
1
2006
Japanese Restaurant
Kobe Steak House of Japan
1
2006
Jewelry Store
Borsheim's Fine Jewelry & Gifts
1
2006
Karaoke
Grandmother's Restaurant
1
2006
Liquor Store
Hooch Hutch
1
2006
Lumber Store
Lowe's
1
2006
Margarita
Roja Mexican Grill
1
2006
Men's Apparel
Jerry Ryan Clothing & Sportswear
1
2006
Mexican Restaurant
La Mesa
1
2006
Mortgage Company
Wells Fargo Mortgage
1
2006
Movie Theater
Village Pointe (Douglas Theater Co.)
1
2006
Moving Company
Two Men and a Truck
1
2006
Musical Instrument Store
Dietze Music
1
2006
Nail Salon
Creative Hair Design
1
2006
Neighborhood Bar
Dundee Dell
1
2006
Nursery/Landscape
Mulhall's
1
2006
Oil Change
Jensen Tire Co.
1
2006
Painter
Gerst Paper Hanging and Painting
1
2006
Pasta
Pasta More E Fantasia
1
2006
Pawn Shop
Sol's Jewelry and Loan
1
2006
Pet Store
Petsmart
1
2006
Pharmacy
Walgreen Drug Store
1
2006
Pizza
Valentino's
1
2006
Plumber
Advantage Plumbing
1
2006
Real Estate Agent
Mark Renner
1
2006
Romantic Restaurant
The French Cafe
1
2006
RV Dealer
AC Nelsen
1
2006
Sandwiches
Quizno's
1
2006
Seafood Restaurant
Charlie's on the Lake
1
2006
Shoe Store
DSW Shoe Warehouse
1
2006
Sports Bar
Ice House
1
2006
Steak
Mahogany Prime Steak House
1
2006
Sunday Brunch
Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery
1
2006
Tanning Salon
Ashley Lynn's
1
2006
Tattoo Parlor
Big Brain Productions
1
2006
Thrift Store
Goodwill Industries
1
2006
Toy Store
Wishing Well Toy Company
1
2006
Travel Agency
Travel and Transport
1
2006
Used Car Dealer
Lexus of Omaha
1
2006
Veterinarian
Ralston Veterinary Clinic
1
2006
Women's Apparel
Von Maur
2
2006
Antique Store
Katelman's
2
2006
Appetizers
Old Chicago
2
2006
Appliance Store
Harman Appliance
2
2006
Auto Body
Dave's Auto Body
2
2006
Auto Dealer
Lexus of Omaha
2
2006
Auto Glass
Harmon Auto Glass
2
2006
Bagel
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
2
2006
Bank
Wells Fargo
2
2006
BBQ
Amarillo
2
2006
Beer Selection
Upstream Brewery
2
2006
Boat Shop
Nebraska Watersports
2
2006
Bookstore
Borders Books Music & Cafe
2
2006
Bowl of Soup
Lithuanian Bakery
2
2006
Brake Service
Midas Auto Service Experts
2
2006
Breakfast
Le Peep's
2
2006
Bridal Shop
Suburban Bridal
2
2006
Buffet
China Buffet
2
2006
Burger
Louis M's Burger Lust
2
2006
Car Tire Service
TO Haas Tire
2
2006
Car Wash
Fantasy's
2
2006
CD Store
Buy
2
2006
Cellular Service
Sprint PCS
2
2006
Children's Apparel
Old Navy
2
2006
Chinese Restaurant
PF Chang's
2
2006
Chiropractic
Koca Chiropractic Clinic
2
2006
Computer Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
2
2006
Corsignment Store
Deja Vu
2
2006
Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. John Edney
2
2006
Cosmic Dentist
Dr. McCaslin, Evergreen Dental
2
2006
Credit Union
SAC Federal Credit Untion
2
2006
Daycare
Imagination Station
2
2006
Deli
Razzy's Deli
2
2006
Desserts
Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery
2
2006
Dry Cleaners
Max I. Walker Cleaners & Launderers
2
2006
Exhaust & Muffler Service
House of Mufflers & Brakes
2
2006
Florist
Stems at Countryside
2
2006
French Fries
McDonald's Restaurants
2
2006
French Restaurant
Le Voltaire
2
2006
Funeral Home
John A. Gentleman Mortuary
2
2006
General Auto Repair
Firestone
2
2006
German Restaurant
Edelweiss
2
2006
Gift Shop
Borsheim's Fine Jewelry & Gifts
2
2006
Golf Course
Champions Club
2
2006
Grocery Store
Baker's Supermarkets
2
2006
Hair Salon
Garbo's Salons
2
2006
Hardware Store
Dundee Hardware
2
2006
Health Food Store
Jane's Health Food Market & Deli
2
2006
Heating and AC Service
Frazier Heating & Air Conditioning
2
2006
Home Audio Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
2
2006
Home Cleaning Service
Merry Maids
2
2006
Home Remodeling
RD Schuller
2
2006
Homebuilder
Hearthstone Homes Inc.
2
2006
Hot Wings
Wing Stop
2
2006
Ice Cream
Cold Stone Creamery
2
2006
Indian Restaurant
Indian Oven
2
2006
Interior Design Firm
The Designers
2
2006
Internet Provier
Qwest
2
2006
Italian Restaurant
Pasta Amore
2
2006
Japanese Restaurant
Sushi Ichiban
2
2006
Jewelry Store
Brodkey's Jewelers
2
2006
Karaoke
Choo Choo's Bar
2
2006
Late Night Grub
Village Inn
2
2006
Liquor Store
Louis Liquor
2
2006
Lumber Store
Menards
2
2006
Margarita
Hector's
2
2006
Men's Apparel
Parsow's Fine Clothing & Sportswear
2
2006
Mexican Restaurant
Fernando's
2
2006
Movie Theater
AMC Oakview
2
2006
Moving Company
Mayflower Moving & Storage
2
2006
Musical Instrument Store
Russo's Music
2
2006
Nail Salon
Top Q Nails
2
2006
Neighborhood Bar
Tanners
2
2006
Nursery/Landscape
Lanoha Nursery
2
2006
Oil Change
Jiffy Lube
2
2006
Optical Shop
ShopKo Optical Center
2
2006
Painter
Faux Finish Institute
2
2006
Pasta
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante
2
2006
Pawn Shop
Bud's Pawn & Gift Shop
2
2006
Pet Store
Petco
2
2006
Pharmacy
SuperTarget Pharmacy
2
2006
Pizza
Zio's Pizzeria
2
2006
Plumber
Burton Plumbing
2
2006
Real Estate Agent
Ralph Marasco
2
2006
Romantic Restaurant
Flatiron Cafe
2
2006
RV Dealer
Apache Camper Center
2
2006
Sandwiches
Schlotzky's Deli
2
2006
Seafood Restaurant
Blue Sushi Sake & Grill
2
2006
Sports Bar
DJ's Dugout
2
2006
Steak
Gorat's
2
2006
Sunday Brunch
Grandmother's
2
2006
Tanning Salon
Desert Tan
2
2006
Tattoo Parlor
American Tattoo & Body Piercing
2
2006
Thrift Store
New Life Thrift Store
2
2006
Toy Store
Toys ïR' Us
2
2006
Travel Agency
AAA Travel
2
2006
Used Car Dealer
Performance Auto Group
2
2006
Veterinarian
Elkhorn Animal Hospital
2
2006
Women's Apparel
Ann Taylor
3
2006
Antique Store
Second Chance
3
2006
Appetizers
Upstream Brewery
3
2006
Appliance Store
Sears
3
2006
Auto Body
B Street Auto Body
3
2006
Auto Dealer
Performance Auto Group
3
2006
Auto Glass
Husker Glass
3
2006
Bagel
Bagel Bin
3
2006
Bank
Commercial Federal Bank
3
2006
Beer Selection
Dundee Dell
3
2006
Boat Shop
Lincoln Marine
3
2006
Bookstore
The Bookworm
3
2006
Bowl of Soup
Paradise Bakery
3
2006
Brake Service
House of Muffler & Brakes
3
2006
Breakfast
Summer Kitchen Cafe & Bakery
3
2006
Bridal Shop
Sposa A Wedding Boutique
3
2006
Buffet
Harrah's Casino
3
2006
Burger
Don & Millie's
3
2006
Car Tire Service
Walker Tire
3
2006
Car Wash
Dolphins
3
2006
CD Store
Homer's Music & Gifts
3
2006
Cellular Service
Alltel
3
2006
Children's Apparel
Gymboree
3
2006
Chinese Restaurant
China Buffet
3
2006
Chiropractic
Elsasser Chiropractic Clinic
3
2006
Computer Store
CompUSA
3
2006
Corsignment Store
Designer Consignment
3
2006
Cosmetic Surgery
Dr. Ronald Hollins
3
2006
Cosmic Dentist
Dr. Dan Beninato, Premier Dental
3
2006
Credit Union
Mutual First Federal Credit Union
3
2006
Daycare
Millard Children's Academy
3
2006
Deli
Little King
3
2006
Desserts
Summer Kitchen Cafe
3
2006
Dry Cleaners
Camelot Cleaners
3
2006
Exhaust & Muffler Service
Meineke Car Care
3
2006
Fitness Club
Gold's Gym
3
2006
Florist
Ken's Flower Shop
3
2006
French Fries
Bronco's Self-Service Drive-In
3
2006
French Restaurant
Cafe de Paris
3
2006
Funeral Home
Roeder Mortuary
3
2006
General Auto Repair
Tuffy's Auto Service
3
2006
German Restaurant
Gerda's
3
2006
Gift Shop
Hallmark Shops
3
2006
Golf Course
Tiburon Golf Club
3
2006
Grocery Store
No Frills
3
2006
Hair Salon
Salon Tino
3
2006
Hardware Store
CJ's Ace Hardware
3
2006
Health Food Store
No Name Nutrition Market
3
2006
Home Audio Store
Buy
3
2006
Home Cleaning Service
The Cleaning Authority
3
2006
Home Remodeling
Ward's Kitchen & Baths
3
2006
Homebuilder
Regency Homes
3
2006
Hot Wings
Hooters
3
2006
Ice Cream
Ted & Wally's Ice Cream Shop
3
2006
Indian Restaurant
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
3
2006
Interior Design Firm
Gloria's Elegant Interiors
3
2006
Internet Provier
American Online (AOL)
3
2006
Italian Restaurant
Spezia
3
2006
Japanese Restaurant
Blue Sushi Sake & Grill
3
2006
Jewelry Store
Fourteen Karat Gold
3
2006
Karaoke
Brass Knocker
3
2006
Late Night Grub
Perkins
3
2006
Liquor Store
Spirit World
3
2006
Lumber Store
Home Depot
3
2006
Margarita
Julio's
3
2006
Men's Apparel
Men's Warehouse
3
2006
Mexican Restaurant
Maria's
3
2006
Movie Theater
Twin Creek (Douglas Theater Co.)
3
2006
Moving Company
Jim's Moving & Storage
3
2006
Musical Instrument Store
Schmitt Music
3
2006
Nail Salon
Legacy Nails
3
2006
Neighborhood Bar
Brewsky's
3
2006
Nursery/Landscape
Trees Shrubs & More
3
2006
Oil Change
Insta-Lube
3
2006
Optical Shop
Millard Family Eye Care
3
2006
Painter
Frank Eby and Sons
3
2006
Pasta
Macaroni Grill
3
2006
Pawn Shop
Mid City Pawn
3
2006
Pet Store
Pets ïR' Us
3
2006
Pharmacy
Kohll's Pharmacy
3
2006
Pizza
La Casa Pizzeria
3
2006
Plumber
Tritz Plumbing
3
2006
Real Estate Agent
Jeff Rensch
3
2006
Romantic Restaurant
Passport
3
2006
RV Dealer
Leach Camper Sales
3
2006
Sandwiches
Razzy's Deli
3
2006
Seafood Restaurant
Absolutely Fresh Seafood
3
2006
Shoe Store
Deniz
3
2006
Sports Bar
Brewsky's
3
2006
Steak
Johnny's Cafe
3
2006
Sunday Brunch
Mimi's Cafe
3
2006
Tanning Salon
Tan World
3
2006
Tattoo Parlor
Liquid Courage Tattoo & Piercing
3
2006
Thrift Store
Junior League of Omaha's Jumble Shop
3
2006
Toy Store
Learning Express
3
2006
Travel Agency
Regency Travel
3
2006
Used Car Dealer
Woodhouse Auto Family
3
2006
Veterinarian
Harvey Oaks Animal Hospital
3
2006
Women's Apparel
Kohl's
