Hi-Way Diner — Restaurant in Lincoln

**UPDATE 1/16/2021 After living in Lincoln for ten years, I've visited this restaurant hundreds upon hundreds of times. Especially considering that its located directly outside of my neighborhood. In the last few months I've experienced considerably worse manner and customer service from the employees that I'm ultimately going to stop coming here. I'm going to try my hardest to keep the review honest and without my frustration and anger. A middle aged woman is commonly behind the counter and she has been EXTREMELY rude to me and anyone I come in with, not to mention that she constantly doesn't wear her mask over any part of her face while handing food out and taking orders. My biggest frustration is that I happened to come in on the date of this review with 9 total people, myself included. They informed us that we cant have parties bigger than 8 at the same table, which is completely fine and I understand as a restaurant manager that you have to follow city ordinances and Covid procedures. We were figuring out how we wanted to split up within thirty seconds they come back and tell us "That means now, you have to move.". Twentyish minutes after that an entire family of 14 (yes I counted) sat where we were sitting and they never said a single word to them. So either they were completely lying to us or were just being rude to us for absolutely no reason. I want to explain that we weren't a disruptive bunch, we were just sitting down and talking and their children weren't quiet, as they're children, but it furthers my confusion as to why we were an issue. Eventually a different waitress than before came over to our table and asked if anyone needed water or coffee refills. I happened to have a sprite and walked up to the counter after she returned. Unbeknownst to me, there was a sign posted asking people to remain seated which is my fault for not seeing, but she responded with a snappy "Well why didn't you say that when I was literally just over there? Plus can't you read the sign?". This is, again, coming from a restaurant owner that this type of snotty behavior towards patrons is extremely unacceptable. If I owned this business I'd teach my employees what manners and decent courtesy are and how to use them because your employees just drove away someone that's probably spent over a thousand dollars over the ten years that I've lived here at your restaurant. Maybe I'll try this place again in the upcoming months or years and see if it becomes tolerable.

Original Review: Local run, small diner and a great place to grab breakfast. Open 24 hours and a great menu selection. Couldn't...

I used to really like this place, but it has really gone down hill over the last year. The last two visits the hash browns have been burnt to a crisp. When I spoke with the young lady behind the counter she said I could order another for the a la carte price. Drinks are rarely refilled, while watching them step out to smoke or stand behind the counter chatting or playing on their phone. My last visit almost got nasty though and I won't be back because of it. There is a light that hits the fan so it's like a strobe light effect. My date said she was feeling nauseous from it and I was getting a headache myself. When I finally got the attention of what seemed to be a busboy, I asked if there was a way to turn the fan off. He said, yeah, a lot of people complain but we don't know where the switch is to turn it off. I understood; if they don't know where the switch is, they don't know where it is. I made a comment about it being unusual for no one in the building to be unaware of the location of switches. I joked with my date that we could change tables if it became unbearable or I could reach the fan itself but it was probably frowned upon. She chuckled and the kid comes back to the table and bluntly asks, "Are we going to have an f'n problem?" I was shocked and said, "Excuse me? What did you just say?" He hesitated and asked nicer, "I was just asking if we were going to have a problem." I repeated the comments made that I found it odd about the switch, that I'd joked about turning it off myself, but he shouldn't approach anyone like that. He walked off and didn't see anyone for the remaining minutes before we left. My date said she was surprised I didn't explode on the kid, but what is the point? Maybe he was having a bad night. Regardless, the quality of food and service is enough to find alternatives. We found a national chain of all places with exceptional staff. Sad not to be able to patronize a local business but the downward trend says enough about the effort and care put into the...

My first visit to the diner. I was in Lincoln for the Huskers game and have been wanting to visit here. I wanted some comfort food and this did not disappoint. It is like most diners with exception you do order at the counter. The servers do still come refill drinks and check on you. My club sandwich was very good!!!! The ingredients went from crust to crust not just piled in the middle. The fries were seasoned well (I believe was lawrys seasoning?) Plus crispy and hot. The fries were shoestring cut. The chili was pretty good, nice flavor, good mix ratio of meat and beans. Also felt it was not too thin or too thick. I also ordered 2 cinnamon rolls to take with me. I must admit when I got back to my vehicle after the game I had couple bites and thought the roll was just so so, HOWEVER, when I got home in Kansas City and heated the roll up in the microwave for 20 seconds and that made a HUGE difference. I believe if I would have wanted to eat at the diner they would have heated it up. I look forward to trying the chicken fried steak on another trip for Huskers game. My only regret, I didn’t realize till after I left I didn’t tip the server. I feel horrible about that!!!!! I wasn’t thinking because of paying at the counter when I placed my order. Totally fumbled and hopefully the same staff will be there when I...