The Viking Steak & Seafood — Restaurant in Blair

The Viking is one of our favorite go-to places. We took our parents out for a quiet 56th wedding anniversary.

Dad had the strip steak. It was too big for him to eat it all so I got to enjoy some of it too. Cooked exactly the way we like it (medium rare) and juicy with a rich flavor. Reminds me a bit of Brother Sebastian’s in Omaha: the steak had an aged taste to it and very tender.

Mom and my sweetheart had the fried shrimp. Like other established small-town steakhouses the shrimp is exactly what you would hope for, lightly breaded and crisp, fresh (not freezer burned like some places, looking at you, Jade Garden/Omaha!) and flavorfully cooked.

I had my old standby, the bacon cheeseburger. I’m very particular about burgers. I want my burger to be properly cooked (no pink) yet juicy, with a little bit of a charbroiled taste to it, but not charred. The bacon needs to be just right: not too crispy so that it crumbles and crunches and not underdone so you can’t bite through it. This is exactly what I get. I’ve ordered the Viking’s bacon cheeseburger many times since we moved to Blair in 2003 and i can’t recall a single time it wasn’t just right.

That’s one of the things that keeps bringing us back year after year: the food is so consistently good. It makes it easier to have a nice relaxing time out when you know you’ll be welcomed like friends (rather than just a customer) and you don’t have to worry if the food will be great. Many happy dinners and...

I never take the time to do Google reviews, but this place made a such an impression on me!! My boyfriend and I went in for a late night dinner looking to try something new. Post covid I have felt like it is next to impossible to get a competent server, let alone someone who is genuine and kind! Our service was that and more, it felt like the entire staff took pride in the restaurant and weren't there just to make a quick buck!

He had the prime rib, steak fries (huge and delicious) and side salad. The cut and quality of meat was great. I went with the ribeye and it was one of the BEST steaks I've had in a very long time. The chef wasn't afraid to use seasoning on it and the favors were spot on (I asked what they used but he wont give up the secret blend of seasonings) and it was cooked perfectly.

By the end we were so stuffed it hurt, but I heard there was a red velvet cheesecake and so we ordered one to go....however when it got to the table in its togo box we both wanted to try a fresh bit which ended in eating the whole piece! It was too good to stop.

All in all if your looking for a chain restaurant, horrible service, over priced food, and long wait times this is NOT the place to go.

If you want a great meal, knowledgeable staff and friendly atmosphere this is the place to be! We will...

Honestly, I very rarely give negative reviews. This play wasn't bad so much as it was... Sad? I should have walked out when I realized I was the only patron at 6pm. The waiter was nice, but the entire place just gives off the vibe that it was dying a slow death. I ordered their special of the day, a beef sandwich which came with mashed potatoes and the whole plate was covered in gravy. I didn't finish half of it - the bread was soggy and the gravy seemed to have come out of a 5 gallon jug. The beef was very dry, almost so dry I was tempted to drown it in the gravy. I also ordered their side salad... Which was almost as sad as the restaurant itself. It's served on a flat small plate, had about 3 bites of lettuce, and a couple of tomatoes. I was going to leave one star, but it just felt wrong when at least the one server seemed friendly enough. Maybe I would have left a positive review if I tried one of their other meals, but you'd think if it was their special it would...