What’s Happening Wednesday
Zesto
Sometimes when you plan a big family excursion or vacation you include places that you enjoyed as a child. One of those places for me is an ice cream shop in South Omaha, Nebraska called Zesto. Located on 13th Street, Zesto is a stone’s throw from the Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and across from Rosenblatt.
My parents are from South Omaha, they went to Omaha South High School. When I was brought home from the hospital, my first house was on 13th Street across from Zesto. Zesto has been a special treat in my family for years.
Now the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffet, may own Dairy Queen; but Zesto is the best for malts hands down.
Zesto has been a popular stop after a trip to the zoo or a game at Rosenblatt (it’s sad that Rosenblatt’s being torn down and the College World Series will no longer be played there). There is talk that Zesto will follow CWS downtown, I hope that they will not close the location on 13th that has been open for 60 years.
Our last trip to Omaha included a trip to the zoo and a much looked forward to stop at Zesto. There’s nothing like a chocolate malt from Zesto. So thick, so creamy, that my kiddos asked for spoons. Sacrelige! Spoons!? Wimps!
There isn’t any indoor seating at this Zesto location, so the kids and I walked down the parking lot to check out the house I came home to. But it was gone! However the two bars that were on either side were still there. Imagine that.
There are many Zesto locations, including Fort Wayne, IN, Jefferson City, MO, Atlanta, GA, and Wahoo, NE. Yes, Wahoo. I believe there’s a Wahoo/Late Night with Letterman connection, or at least there was for a while before he dumped the poor city of Wahoo.
The location in Wahoo is in a renovated gas station. There is indoor seating with a 50s theme. While both locations serve food, the Wahoo location has what The Boy declares as “The Best Chicken Strips Ever”. One chicken strip basket is enough to feed a 16 year old boy but plenty to feed two girls.
I love the Wahoo location because it’s another chance to have a malt and the booths are big enough for families of 8.
For us, Zesto is a must stop. Tell me about your favorite ice cream stop in your hometown or the best you’ve had on vacation. Or tell me about other childhood favorite places or activities that you’ve shared with your kids.
