JUNIATA — The Plainsman Steakhouse in Juniata made it to the ‘Final Fork’ in the inaugural Central Nebraska TODAY.com’s Tournament of Taste.
The Tournament of Taste featured 64 different central Nebraska restaurants and eateries that had been nominated by residents through a vote.
A bracket was set up and those businesses with the higher number of votes moved ahead. In the end, it came down to Skyline Café of St. Paul and Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery of Central City, with Skyline taking home the top spot.
During the Tournament of Taste, The Plainsman went up against McLean Beef Café, Balz Sports Bar, Sin City Grill and R Bar and Grill.
A trophy and full bracket were presented to Kayla Edwards, one of the owners of The Plainsman, on Wednesday, April 10.
The Plainsman is located at 1304 N. Juniata Ave. in Juniata, a village in Adams County to the west of Hastings.
Reviews for the location praise the Prime Rib buffet, chicken fried steak, covered wagon salad bar, with one calling it, “our special little gem in Juniata.” Many also praise the service and the atmosphere.
Edwards said she started working at The Plainsman when she was 14 years old as a table busser and eventually worked her way up to hostess at 16. She continued working at the location as an adult and later purchased the location with her husband in 2019.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Edwards said there were several thoughts of, “what have we done,” but she said with the support of the community and surrounding area they are still going strong in 2024.
Edwards said they are known for the Prime Rib buffet on Friday and Saturday evenings and noted people have come from as far as Lincoln just to try it.
She said they offer dinner specials at night and lunch specials during the day, their latest lunch special included a prime rib sandwich, fries and dessert.
Another thing that makes The Plainsman stand out is being known as the “small town restaurant,” and said they go out of their way to make people feel welcomed.
Edwards said their slogan is, “Where friends become family,” she said many of their regular customers have come to seem like family to the Edwards, saying that they helped them through the pandemic and other hardships.
When asked about their involvement in the Tournament of Taste, Edwards said her husband received the email about it, but was skeptical about how much they would participate. They decided to see where the contest would go.
As The Plainsman kept working their way through the bracket, Edwards said they were thankful for the support to make it as far as they did. “We are very surprised and thankful,” she said.
Edwards said many people might think of the larger communities when it comes to choosing a place to eat, but said the smaller towns often have their own specialties to offer.
“It is neat that the final four were in small towns,” Edwards said of Skyline Café of St. Paul, Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery of Central City, Dick’s Place of Lawrence and The Plainsman.
Edward said that without the support of the surrounding area and community, they wouldn’t be able to do what they do and they do their best to give back.
