Buzzard Billy's — Restaurant in Lincoln

What happened to us??! I’ve worked in the service industry for years managing retail, full service, quick service just about everything including Chick-fil-a, Casey’s, Sam’s Club. I’m only 39 and I tell you this to prove experience in Successful Customer Service. I know what has happened to the manners and kind of treatment we endure from the nonservice Industry people since Covid. I know we are short staffed and over worked. I know the cost of living is up and just getting by is often a struggle. I know. People can be, and often are, rude.

What I experienced at this establishment tonight is every reason why the outside world believes we don’t deserve pay increases and benefits. I’m a female; very tattooed and was dressed up for my birthday. My hometown is close to the Louisiana border and homesick I ordered from Buzzard Billy’s with full knowledge it would be different but should be pretty decent at almost $15 each plate and $23 for another. I bought a lot of food. Just for me. I wanted to see if anything sparked joy ;) lol

I walked in to an empty restaurant except 1 table visibly seated. I stood at the front counter waiting. Immediately one server leaves the kitchen looks directly at me, doesn’t say a word and walks right passed me: That always makes me laugh inside Just a little. Another 5 minutes passes and the bartender and at least one of the kitchen staff moved around the restaurant. I made eye contact with most of them. Still nothing. At this point the only seated table has noticed me and have watched in shock at each employee who doesn’t speak to me to a point I make eye contact with them and shrug my shoulders just as invested in just how long I’ll go before anyone acknowledges me.

Exactly 11 minutes and 21 seconds in and finally a server walks out of the kitchen and straight to me. She simply said “Yes?” I let her know I was picking Up a to go order and she let me know that I was to wait at the bar and let the bartender know When she returned lol I sat for another Couple of minutes before the bartender came out and let me know it would be a couple more minutes for my order and walked away… didn’t ask me if I wanted a drink and didn’t offer an explanation as to why my order was delayed from The promise time. She brought out my order in a single bag (over $100 in food) and said “‘maybe hold it on the bottom so the bag doesn’t break that’s a lot of food” and WALKS AWAY. At this point surely the food is fantfreakingtastic. No. It wasn’t. It absolutely wasn’t.

Shrimp fettuccine- undercooked by farrrr, had almost no sauce in it and the shrimp were chewy and old.

Fried pickles- do you know the left overs at the end of a bag of frozen food? The small bits and crumbles? Yep. That was my order with the exception of 5 pickle slices at the largest being the size of a quarter.

Bayou Platter (I think that’s what it was called I did not get a receipt) It was actually decent despite being overcooked and pretty much all fryer foods.

Seafood jambalaya: No complaints

Portions on everything except the crawfish Étouffée was pretty spot on but the amount Of Étouffée put in the container did not even cover the bottom of the container at $17? Come on yall.

I really am the least objectionable person and I’m the first to side with our industry at every chance I get. A staff of 90 employees inside the Union building will enthusiastically tell you I am patient and understanding. But tonight. I am not. It’s a Tuesday night. I spent over $100 and did not dine in and require any server labor hours until hand off. I smiled at each employee that I made eye contact with and remained calm and patient.

This service and this quality of food is why some of the public believes we don’t deserve pay increases. Why would they? Their cost is double while the quality and service are cut in half. If you hate your job and you don’t want to be there… do Something else because you are making it harder for those of us that genuinely love the...

Our server, Riley, was great. This review is not a reflection of his service! That being said... (knuckles cracked) let's get into this.

We ordered about 8 different dishes so we could sample the "authentic Cajun" flavor - which was about as underwhelming as you can get outside of eating unseasoned rice porridge.

Next, there is a difference between Creole and Cajun... a fact sorely missed with their choice of menu items. If you don't know the difference... don't serve the food.

Lastly, the Louisianan chef who invented "blackened' dishes literally said it was a mistake and he should have never served the dish. Most places serve "blackened" dishes because they think it's hip and cool, but those dishes are often very dry and burnt. Buzzard Billy's menu is full of Blackened dishes, which shows they have no business serving Cajun food. Here is a review by dish:

Abita Beer - This was on the menu and there were signs on the wall, so I was pretty excited to order an Abita beer. Unfortunately, the server told me they hadn't served Abita in quite some time. They should definitely take it off their menu if they are no longer serving it.

Chicken Tschapatulus - meh... the chicken was tough, overcooked, and old. If you're going to serve old food... at least zhuzh it up with tasty flavors... don't just put creole seasoning on it and slop it on a plate. I give it 2-stars.

"Red Beans" and Rice with Andouille Sausage - epic fail y'all. Don't serve a fat Cajun man red beans and think you're gonna get away using kidney beans; that was the first mistake in this dish. Next, don't just season smoked sausage and call it Andouille; that was the second mistake. Overall, I have to give this dish a 1-star.

Seafood Gumbo - This dish was fairly tasty, but the roux was overcooked, so it made the dish taste funny. Also... there was no okra. Sorry, but if there ain't any okra or filé... it ain't gumbo. I will have to give dish 2-stars.

Blackened Catfish - guys... blackened doesn't mean burnt... and fish should never be tough. The flavor was decent, but it was like eating overcooked chicken, so I will have to give this dish 1-star.

Jambalaya - Holy Moly... there was zero heart-and-soul put into this dish. In Louisiana, Jambalaya is often a personal dish... usually a recipe passed down the generations within a family. The cubed chicken was tough, old, and flavorless. The tomatoes tasted metallic because they were certainly from a can. Seriously... don't attempt jambalaya if you're not willing to put in the work to make it right. I will not even give this dish a rating because it literally offended my taste buds.

Crawfish Étouffée - now we're talking. This dish was pretty good. Nothing to write home about, but it was worth eating. My only suggestion is that they need to get better crawfish - it was too pungent, which means it was frozen crawfish and probably a couple of days old. I will give it 2-stars in terms of effort.

Shrimp Creole - the was actually a good dish. They cooked the shrimp way too long so they were small and tough, but the flavor was spot on, so I will give this dish 3-stars.

Fried Catfish - Definitely on-point! The catfish was tender and cooked well. The flavor was well balanced too! My only complaint is that they breaded the catfish with flour?!? People from the south know there is only one way to bread any type of fish... and that is with seasoned cornmeal. I'll give this dish 4-stars in terms of taste, but only 3-stars in terms of execution.

Overall, this isn't a bad place to eat... but the owners should really consider what's on the menu and make sure the kitchen staff is able to properly cook everything. I probably wouldn't come back to Buzzard Billy's, but at least the...

Title: A Tasty Experience at Buzzard Billy's

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Buzzard Billy's, a charming restaurant located in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. While my initial experience with the service was a bit slow, the overall dining experience left a positive impression.

Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed that it took a while to be attended to. However, I decided to head to the bar instead, where I was pleasantly surprised by the prompt and attentive service. The staff behind the bar were friendly and efficient, ensuring that I felt welcomed and taken care of.

I opted for the catfish strips, and I must say, they were absolutely delicious. The catfish was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, flavorful meat. The dish was complemented perfectly by the sweet potato waffle fries, which were a delightful twist on the classic side. The addition of the jalapeño ranch dip added a tangy and spicy kick, elevating the overall flavor profile.

To accompany my meal, I indulged in some local craft beer, and I was not disappointed. The selection was impressive, and the beer I chose was refreshing and well-crafted. It was evident that Buzzard Billy's takes pride in offering a variety of quality beverages to enhance the dining experience.

The ambiance of Buzzard Billy's is worth mentioning as well. The restaurant exudes a cozy and inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for a casual meal or a gathering with friends. The cute little place in downtown Lincoln adds to its charm and makes it a memorable dining destination.

While the initial delay in service was a minor setback, the attentive and efficient service at the bar, along with the delectable catfish strips, sweet potato waffle fries, and flavorful craft beer, made up for it. I would highly recommend Buzzard Billy's to anyone looking for a satisfying meal in a cozy setting.

Overall, my experience at Buzzard Billy's was enjoyable, and I look forward to returning to explore more of their...