Every year in Lincoln, new restaurants open, existing restaurants move or expand their footprint, and restaurants close.
The past year was no different. While there is no way to keep up with all the happenings, here are some of the more noteworthy openings, expansions or moves that either have occurred or are in the planning or construction phases.
National chains
Chick-fil-A opened its second Lincoln location at 48th and O streets this month. The 4,000-square-foot restaurant has seating for 88 people inside and 12 outside. It offers a double drive-thru lane. Chick-fil-A also is opening a location in the Nebraska Union, which will share space with Lincoln's first Steak 'n Shake. Both are expected to open in March.
Panera Bread opened a new location at 14th Street and Pine Lake Road at the end of January. It replaces the Panera at SouthPointe Pavilions. Panera also has a new location near 62nd and O streets that replaced a location at Gateway Mall.
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Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers opened two new restaurants in Lincoln last fall. A location at 3220 N. 27th St. opened in October and one at 5717 O St. opened in November. The chain now has four Lincoln locations.
IHOP opened its second Lincoln location in December in the former Jimmy's Egg location at 6440 O St.
Subway opened its Telegraph District location at 330 S. 21st St. in December. It's the 29th Subway in Lincoln and 32nd in Lancaster County.
The Rusty Taco opened its first Lincoln location in September in the former Wahoo's Fish Tacos space at 201 N. 14th St.
North Carolina-based Salsarita's opened its first restaurant in Lincoln in February 2018 in the Wilderness Hills shopping center.
Godfather's Pizza opened a new location at 3301 O St. in April, Little Caesars Pizza opened a new location at 4822 Pioneers Blvd. and Domino's is in the process of converting the former Five Guys Burgers & Fries at 1230 P St. into its fifth Lincoln location.
Among the coffee franchises that opened one or more new locations in Lincoln were Starbucks, Bagels & Joe, Rock 'n' Joe, Poindexter Coffee and Scooter's.
Among the chain restaurants that are coming soon are a new Panda Express location near 14th and Pine Lake Road, and a Perkins Restaurant & Bakery near the 27th Street exit on Interstate 80. Perkins closed both its Lincoln locations in 2018.
Local restaurants
Shokunin, a Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi, opened in January in the former Bread & Cup location at 440 N. Eighth St.
Another local restaurant that opened in January is South 48th Bistro, which took over a space near 48th Street and Nebraska 2 that was formerly occupied by Hickory Road BBQ.
One more eatery that opened its doors in January was Seyo Thai Restaurant in the Village Square shopping center near Southwest Fifth and West A streets.
Honest Abe’s opened at 8340 Glynoaks Drive in November. Sebastian’s Table opened at the same address in December, along with Eleanora lounge.
Smoothies & More opened in the Clocktower Shops at 70th and A streets in November. The restaurant offers smoothies, as well as coffee, sandwiches, wraps, pizza, desserts and other items.
Cactus Modern Mexican & Cantina by Venue opened Oct. 31 in the Edgewood Shopping Center in a spot formerly occupied by Chevys Fresh Mex.
Koen Japanese BBQ & Sushi opened in September at 2601 Jamie Lane.
Single Barrel, the steakhouse at 10th and P streets, opened a barbecue restaurant, Mulberry BBQ, in July in the Belmont Shopping Center.
Aroma Contemporary Indian Cuisine opened May 1 at 114 S. 14th St., in the former Falafel King space.
Grey Whale opened a second location at 1317 Q St., called Grey Whale Poke Bowl, in April.
A new Mexican restaurant, Mi Tierra, opened in February 2018 in the Old Cheney Center.
Local restaurants that are in the process of opening new locations include Yia Yia's Pizza, which was hoping to have its new spot at 70th and Van Dorn streets open this month; HF Crave, which plans to reopen at 48th and Holdrege streets in March after closing its location at 27th Street and Pine Lake Road last year, and Tavern 180, an Omaha-based bar which plans to open at 8600 S. 30th St. later this year.
Two new breweries opened in Lincoln last year: Green Flash Brewhouse and Eatery at 16th and P streets (June) and Cosmic Eye Brewing at 6800 P St. (October).
Kinkaider Brewing, based in Broken Bow, opened a taproom in August in Lincoln Station.
Saro Cidery, the state's first cider-only operation, opened in September at 1746 N St.