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
2008
Antique Shop
The Brass Armadillo Antique Mall
1
2008
Appetizers
Upstream Brewing Company
1
2008
Assisted Living Facility
Bickford Cottage
1
2008
Auto Body Repair
Dingman's Collision Center
1
2008
Auto Glass
Harmon Auto Glass
1
2008
Bagels
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
1
2008
Bank
First National Bank of Omaha
1
2008
Bar-B-Que
Famous Dave's Legendary Pit Bar-B-Que
1
2008
Beer Selection
Old Chicago
1
2008
Boat Dealer
Omaha Marine Center
1
2008
Bowl of Soup
Panera Bread
1
2008
Brake Service
Jensen Tire & Auto
1
2008
Breakfast
Summer Kitchen Cafe & Bakery
1
2008
Bridal Shop
David's Bridal
1
2008
Buffet
Valentino's
1
2008
Burrito
Qdoba Mexican Grill
1
2008
Car Stereo Store
Stereo West
1
2008
Car Tire Service
Jensen Tire & Auto
1
2008
Car Wash
Fantasy's Food & Fuel
1
2008
Carpet & Floor Covering
Nebraska Furniture Mart
1
2008
Casino
Horeshoe Casino
1
2008
CD Store
Homer's Records Tapes & Discs
1
2008
Cellular Service
Verizon Wireless
1
2008
Chinese Restaurant
PF Chang's China Bistro
1
2008
Coffee Shop
Scooter's Coffehouse
1
2008
Consignment Store
Esther's
1
2008
Convenience Store
QuikTrip
1
2008
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Steven Wegner
1
2008
Cosmetic Surgeron
Dr. Joel Schlessinger
1
2008
Credit Union
SAC Federal Credit Union
1
2008
Deli Shop
Spirit World
1
2008
Desserts
The Chessecake Factory
1
2008
Dry Cleaners
Fashion Cleaners
1
2008
Exhaust & Muffler Service
House of Mufflers & Brakes
1
2008
Family Entertainment Center
The Amazing Pizza Machine
1
2008
Fitness Equipment Store
Body Basics Fitness Gear
1
2008
Florist
Piccolo's Florist & Gifts
1
2008
French Fries
Runza
1
2008
French Restaurant
The French Cafe
1
2008
Fried Chicken
Popeye's Chicken & Biscuits
1
2008
Funeral Home
Heafey Heafey Hoffmann Dworak Cutler Funeral Home
1
2008
General Auto Repair
Jensen Tire & Auto
1
2008
Golf Course
Tiburon Golf Club
1
2008
Greek Restaurant
Greek Islands
1
2008
Grocery Store
Hy-Vee Food Store
1
2008
Hair Salon
Creative Hair Design Salon & Day Spa
1
2008
Hamburger
Fuddruckers
1
2008
Health Food Store
Whole Foods Market
1
2008
Heating & AC Service
A-1 United Heating & Air Conditioning
1
2008
Home Audio Store
Stereo West Home Theater Store
1
2008
Home Builder
HearthStone Homes
1
2008
Home Cleaning Service
The Maids of Omaha
1
2008
Home Remodeling
RD Schuller General Contractor
1
2008
Hot WIngs
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
1
2008
Ice Cream Parlor
Ted & Wally's Ice Cream Shop
1
2008
Indian Restaurant
Indian Oven
1
2008
In-Home Nursing Services
Home Instead Senior Care
1
2008
Interior Design Firm
The Interior Design Firm
1
2008
Internet Provider
Cox Communications
1
2008
Italian Restaurant
Pasta Amore E Fantasia
1
2008
Japanese Restaurant
Blue Sushi Sake & Grill
1
2008
Jewelry Store
Borsheim's Fine Jewelry & Gifts
1
2008
Ktichen & Bath Remodeling
Ward's Kitchen & Baths
1
2008
Laser Tag
Skate Daze
1
2008
Life/Health Insurance Company
Physicians Mutual
1
2008
Liquor Store
Spirit World
1
2008
Margarita
Roja Mexican Grill
1
2008
Martial Arts Studio
San-Mai Martial Arts
1
2008
Martini
Charlie's on the Lake
1
2008
Men's Apparel
Parsow's Fine Clothing & Sportswear
1
2008
Mexican Restaurant
La Mesa Mexican Restaurant
1
2008
Motorcycle Dealer
Holstein's Harley-Davidson of Omaha
1
2008
Moving Company
Two Men and a Truck
1
2008
Musical Instrument Store
Russo's Music
1
2008
Neighborhood Bar
Dundee Dell
1
2008
New Car Dealer
Woodhouse Auto Family
1
2008
Nursery/Landscaping Service
Mulhall's Nursery
1
2008
Oil Change Service
Jensen Tire & Auto
1
2008
Optical Shop
Lens Crafters
1
2008
Orthodontist
Dr. Dennis Weiss
1
2008
Outdoor Spas & Decks
Superior Pool & Spa
1
2008
Painter
Gerst Paper Hanging and Painting
1
2008
Pasta
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano
1
2008
Pawn Shop
Sol's Jewelry & Loan
1
2008
Pet Grooming Salon
Bark Avenue Pet Grooming
1
2008
Pet Store
PetSmart
1
2008
Physical Therapy Clinic
Excel Physical Therapy
1
2008
Pizza
Zio's New York Style Pizzeria
1
2008
Plumber
Carmody Plumbing
1
2008
Real Estate Agent
Mark Renner, NP Dodge
1
2008
Retirement Community
Skyline Retirement Community
1
2008
Romantic Restaurant
The French Cafe
1
2008
RV Dealer
Apache Camper Center
1
2008
Sandwiches
PepperJax Grill
1
2008
Seafood
Charlie's on the Lake
1
2008
Sports Bar
Brewsky's Food & Spirits
1
2008
Steak House
Johnny's Cafe
1
2008
Sunday Brunch
Granite City Food & Brewery
1
2008
Tanning Salon
Ashley Lynn's Tanning
1
2008
Tattoo Parlor
Big Brain Productions
1
2008
Travel Agency
AAA Travel Agency
1
2008
Used Car Dealer
Lexus of Omaha
1
2008
Window Coverings
Omaha Door & Window
1
2008
Windows & Doors
Omaha Door & Window
1
2008
Wine Store
Spirit World
2
2008
Antique Shop
Second Chance Antiques
2
2008
Appetizers
Prestige World Class
2
2008
Assisted Living Facility
Westgate Assisted Living
2
2008
Auto Body Repair
Dave's Auto Body
2
2008
Auto Glass
Galvin Glass
2
2008
Bagels
Panera Bread
2
2008
Bank
Wells Fargo
2
2008
Bar-B-Que
McKenna's Blues Booze & BBQ
2
2008
Boat Dealer
Valley Marine
2
2008
Bowl of Soup
M's Pub
2
2008
Brake Service
Midas Auto Service Experts
2
2008
Breakfast
LePeep
2
2008
Bridal Shop
Sposa A Wedding Boutique
2
2008
Buffet
China Buffet & Mongolian Grill
2
2008
Burrito
Chipotle Mexican Grill
2
2008
Car Stereo Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
2
2008
Car Tire Service
Walker Tire & Auto Service
2
2008
Car Wash
Dolphins Fast Detail Center
2
2008
Carpet & Floor Covering
Odermatt Floor Coverings
2
2008
Casino
Harrah's Casino Hotel
2
2008
CD Store
Best Buy
2
2008
Cellular Service
Sprint PCS
2
2008
Chinese Restaurant
China Buffet & Mongolian Grill
2
2008
Coffee Shop
Starbucks Coffee
2
2008
Consignment Store
Plato's Closet
2
2008
Convenience Store
Fantasy's Food & Fuel
2
2008
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Chris Stanosheck
2
2008
Cosmetic Surgeron
Dr. John Edney
2
2008
Credit Union
Centris Federal Credit Union
2
2008
Deli Shop
Jason's Deli
2
2008
Desserts
Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery
2
2008
Dry Cleaners
Max I. Walker Cleaners & Launderers
2
2008
Exhaust & Muffler Service
Midas Auto Service Experts
2
2008
Family Entertainment Center
Dave & Buster's
2
2008
Fitness Club
LIFETIME Fitness
2
2008
Fitness Equipment Store
Push Pedal Pull
2
2008
Florist
Ken's Flower Shop & Greenhouse
2
2008
French Fries
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers
2
2008
French Restaurant
Le Voltaire
2
2008
Fried Chicken
Kentucky Fried Chicken
2
2008
Funeral Home
Roeder Mortuary
2
2008
General Auto Repair
Firestone Tire & Service Centers
2
2008
Golf Course
Champions Run
2
2008
Greek Restaurant
Katie's Restaurant & Taverna
2
2008
Grocery Store
Baker's Supermarkets
2
2008
Hair Salon
Salon Tino
2
2008
Hamburger
Don & Millie's
2
2008
Heating & AC Service
McCarthy One-Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
2
2008
Home Audio Store
Nebraska Furniture Mart
2
2008
Home Builder
Curt Hofer Construction
2
2008
Home Cleaning Service
Merry Maids
2
2008
Home Remodeling
Diversified Construction
2
2008
Hot WIngs
Wingstop
2
2008
Ice Cream Parlor
Cold Stone Creamery
2
2008
Indian Restaurant
The Jaipur
2
2008
In-Home Nursing Services
Visiting Nurse Association
2
2008
Interior Design Firm
Interiors by Joan and Associates
2
2008
Internet Provider
Qwest Communications
2
2008
Italian Restaurant
Lo Sole Mio Ristorante Italiano
2
2008
Japanese Restaurant
Sushi Japan
2
2008
Jewelry Store
Brodkey's Jewelers
2
2008
Ktichen & Bath Remodeling
Consolidated Kitchens & Baths
2
2008
Laser Tag
Zzzap Laser Adventures
2
2008
Life/Health Insurance Company
Blue Cross & Blue Shield
2
2008
Liquor Store
Hy-Vee Food Stores
2
2008
Margarita
Julio's
2
2008
Martial Arts Studio
Martial Arts International
2
2008
Martini
The Reel Martini Bar
2
2008
Men's Apparel
Jerry Ryan Clothing & Sportswear
2
2008
Mexican Restaurant
Hector's
2
2008
Motorcycle Dealer
Power Sports Pro
2
2008
Moving Company
Jim's Moving and Delivery Company
2
2008
Musical Instrument Store
Dietze Music House
2
2008
Nail Salon
Creative Hair Design Salon & Day Spa
2
2008
Neighborhood Bar
Clancy's Pub
2
2008
New Car Dealer
Performance Auto Group
2
2008
Nursery/Landscaping Service
Lanoha Nursery
2
2008
Oil Change Service
Jiffy Lube
2
2008
Optical Shop
Pearle Vision
2
2008
Orthodontist
Dr. Greg Samuelson
2
2008
Outdoor Spas & Decks
Robert's Pool & Spa
2
2008
Painter
Certa Pro Painters
2
2008
Pasta
Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
2
2008
Pawn Shop
Mid-City Jewelry & Loan
2
2008
Pet Grooming Salon
Susie's Professional Pet Grooming
2
2008
Pet Store
Petco
2
2008
Physical Therapy Clinic
Procare 3 Physical Therapy
2
2008
Pizza
Valentino's
2
2008
Plumber
Burton Plumbing Heating & Cooling
2
2008
Real Estate Agent
Ralph Marasco, CBS Home
2
2008
Retirement Community
Immanuel Lakeside Village
2
2008
Romantic Restaurant
V. Mertz
2
2008
RV Dealer
AC Nelsen RV World
2
2008
Sandwiches
Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
2
2008
Seafood
Bonefish Grill
2
2008
Sports Bar
Icehouse Sports Bar and Grill
2
2008
Steak House
Mahogany Prime Steak House
2
2008
Sunday Brunch
Grandmother's
2
2008
Tanning Salon
Tan World
2
2008
Tattoo Parlor
Grinn & Barrett Tattoo Studio
2
2008
Thrift Store
Salvation Army
2
2008
Travel Agency
Travel and Transport
2
2008
Used Car Dealer
Woodhouse Auto Family
2
2008
Window Coverings
Budget Blinds
2
2008
Windows & Doors
Pella Doors & Windows
2
2008
Wine Store
Vino 100
3
2008
Antique Shop
Katelman Antiques
3
2008
Appetizers
Old Chicago
3
2008
Assisted Living Facility
Remington Heights Retirement Homes
3
2008
Auto Body Repair
Charlie Graham Body and Service
3
2008
Auto Glass
Auto Glass Center
3
2008
Bagels
Bagel Bin
3
2008
Bank
American National Bank
3
2008
Bar-B-Que
Smoke Pit BBQ & Lounge
3
2008
Beer Selection
Crescent Moon Ale House
3
2008
Boat Dealer
Nebraska Watersports
3
2008
Bowl of Soup
Paradise Bakery & Cafe
3
2008
Brake Service
House of Mufflers & Brakes
3
2008
Breakfast
Wheatfields Eatery & Bakery
3
2008
Bridal Shop
Suburban Bridal
3
2008
Buffet
Old Country Buffet
3
2008
Burrito
Taco John's
3
2008
Car Stereo Store
Metro Audio Dynamics
3
2008
Car Tire Service
Tires Plus
3
2008
Car Wash
Russell Speeder's Car Wash
3
2008
Carpet & Floor Covering
Kelly's Carpet
3
2008
Casino
Ameristar Casino
3
2008
Cellular Service
Alltel
3
2008
Chinese Restaurant
China Road
3
2008
Coffee Shop
Crane Coffee
3
2008
Consignment Store
Designer Consignment
3
2008
Convenience Store
Bucky's Express Food Shop
3
2008
Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Jay Samuelson
3
2008
Cosmetic Surgeron
Dr. Jeffrey Popp
3
2008
Credit Union
Metro Health Services Federal Credit Union
3
2008
Deli Shop
Little King
3
2008
Desserts
Delice European Bakery and Cafe
3
2008
Dry Cleaners
Camelot Cleaners
3
2008
Exhaust & Muffler Service
Mad Hatter Mufflers & Brakes
3
2008
Family Entertainment Center
Family Fun Center
3
2008
Fitness Club
Prairie Life Fitness Center
3
2008
Fitness Equipment Store
2nd Wind Exercise Equipment
3
2008
Florist
Beyond the Vine
3
2008
French Fries
Bronco's Self-Service Drive-In
3
2008
French Restaurant
Mimi's Cafe
3
2008
Fried Chicken
Millard Roadhouse
3
2008
Funeral Home
John A. Gentleman Mortuaries
3
2008
General Auto Repair
Walker Tire & Auto Service
3
2008
Golf Course
Pacific Springs Golf Club
3
2008
Greek Restaurant
Jim & Jennie's Greek Village
3
2008
Grocery Store
Bag ïN Save
3
2008
Hair Salon
One Drake Place
3
2008
Hamburger
Runza
3
2008
Health Food Store
GNC
3
2008
Heating & AC Service
Thermal Services
3
2008
Home Audio Store
Custom Electronics
3
2008
Home Builder
Celebrity Homes
3
2008
Home Cleaning Service
Maid Brigade
3
2008
Home Remodeling
G & J Remolding
3
2008
Hot WIngs
Hooters
3
2008
Ice Cream Parlor
Maggie Moo's Ice Cream Treatery
3
2008
Indian Restaurant
The Taj
3
2008
In-Home Nursing Services
Alegent Health Home Care
3
2008
Interior Design Firm
Gloria's Elegant Interiors and Consulting
3
2008
Internet Provider
MSN
3
2008
Italian Restaurant
Vincenzo's Ristorante
3
2008
Jewelry Store
Malashock's Jewelry Company
3
2008
Ktichen & Bath Remodeling
Lowes
3
2008
Laser Tag
Family Fun Center
3
2008
Life/Health Insurance Company
United Health Care
3
2008
Liquor Store
Cornhusker Beverage Mart
3
2008
Margarita
Hector's
3
2008
Martial Arts Studio
Mick Doyle's Kickboxing Gym
3
2008
Martini
Prestige World Class
3
2008
Men's Apparel
Lindley Clothing
3
2008
Mexican Restaurant
Roja Mexican Grill
3
2008
Motorcycle Dealer
BMW Motorcycles of Omaha
3
2008
Moving Company
I-Go Van & Storage
3
2008
Musical Instrument Store
Schmitt Music
3
2008
Neighborhood Bar
Goldberg's Bar & Grill
3
2008
New Car Dealer
Lexus of Omaha
3
2008
Nursery/Landscaping Service
Moore's Landscaping
3
2008
Oil Change Service
Tuffy Auto Service Center
3
2008
Optical Shop
Malbar Vision Center
3
2008
Orthodontist
Dr. Clarke Stevens
3
2008
Outdoor Spas & Decks
Custom Decks & Spas
3
2008
Painter
Terry McGill Painting
3
2008
Pasta
Spaghetti Works
3
2008
Pawn Shop
PJ's Pawn
3
2008
Pet Grooming Salon
in Show Pet Salon
3
2008
Pet Store
Pets R Us
3
2008
Pizza
La Casa Pizzeria
3
2008
Plumber
Backlund Plumbing
3
2008
Real Estate Agent
Deb Cizek, Prudential Ambassador
3
2008
Retirement Community
Richmont Village
3
2008
Romantic Restaurant
Brother Sebastian's Steakhouse and Winery
3
2008
RV Dealer
Leach Camper Sales
3
2008
Sandwiches
Quizno's Subs
3
2008
Seafood
Absolutely Fresh Seafood
3
2008
Sports Bar
DJ's Dugout
3
2008
Steak House
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
3
2008
Sunday Brunch
Ameristar Casino
3
2008
Tanning Salon
Tanners
3
2008
Tattoo Parlor
Dr. Jack's Ink Emporium
3
2008
Thrift Store
New Life Thrift Store
3
2008
Travel Agency
Carson Wagonlit Travel
3
2008
Used Car Dealer
Performance Auto Group
3
2008
Window Coverings
Tretiak's Home Decorating Center
3
2008
Windows & Doors
Champion Doors & Windows
3
2008
Wine Store
The Winery
