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Oso Burrito

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By JEFF KORBELIK / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Mar 23, 2007 - 01:32:52 am CDT

It’s natural to root for the underdog.

So when Nader Sepahpur opened a second Oso Burrito, there was reason to stand up and cheer.

The local restaurateur now has as many burrito places in Lincoln (two) as Chipotle does and one more than Qdoba.

Story Photo
A fish taco with chipotle crema and cabbage escabeche at Oso Burrito in Lincoln. (Gwyneth Roberts)
Oso Burrito

70th and Van Dorn streets

Atmosphere: Casual

Specialty: Burritos

Payment: Cash, checks, major credit cards

Cost: Entrees, $2.29 to $6.19

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Sunday

Phone: (402) 483-0227

Notes: Parking, no alcohol (wine and beer permit requested), daily specials, children’s entree, takeout



Food: 3½ stars

Atmosphere: 3 stars

Service: 2½ stars

Vegetarian friendly: 3 stars

The Last Bite: Locally owned Oso Burrito was selling giant burritos long before the national chains hit town. What separates it from the big guys is its diversity, with specialty burritos such as Thai Peanut and Buffalo.

Rating system: Outstanding 4 stars; Good 3 stars; Fair or uneven 2 stars; Poor 1 star

The thing about Oso is that its food is just as good if not better than the national franchises.

At Oso, diners can order giant burritos with beef, chicken or pork, rice and beans — just like at the other places.

What sets Oso apart from its competition is its variety. Oso also has specialty burritos, featuring a variety of sauces such as Thai peanut, BBQ, pesto and Buffalo.

The restaurant also has fish burritos and tacos, vegetarian burritos made with tofu, potatoes or portabella mushrooms, salads and a rice plate (Sepahpur’s favorite entree).

“You won’t find the word Mexican anywhere here because we’re not a Mexican restaurant,” Sepahpur said. “The concept is burrito and what we can put into them.”

Sepahpur opened the original Oso — the Spanish word for “bear” — in 2002 in downtown Lincoln, where he also owns and operates Yia Yia’s pizza.

The second Oso came on the scene in December in a strip mall at 70th and Van Dorn streets. It was the former home to Jerusalem Cuisine.

Sepahpur spent three months renovating the space. His hard work is evident. The new place has the look and feel of Yia Yia’s and the original Oso.

The pews, sanded and refinished, are similar to those in Yia Yia’s. The barn wood covering the walls gives the place a rustic feel, just like the downtown store.

Sepahpur plans to add outdoor seating soon.

Diners order at the counter and then choose between salsas, beans and other fresh ingredients to go along with their meat/veggie choice and rice. All the ingredients are fresh.

Burrito prices range from $5.19 to $6.19. Mini burritos are $3.69 or $3.89 and salads are $5.89.

I’m a creature of habit and usually order the fish burrito, which is made with a cabbage mixture, chipotle sauce, cilantro and pico.

On recent visits I tried a carnitas (shredded pork) burrito and sampled mini-burritos made with Thai peanut, Buffalo, pesto and jerk seasonings and sauces.

The jerk chicken burrito is the Tuesday special, and I highly recommend it. Sepahpur is toying with the idea of adding it to the regular menu.

The burritos are large and hard to finish in one sitting. Fortunately, they are wrapped in aluminum foil, making easy to keep and eat later.

I like Chipotle and Qdoba, but prefer to take my business to Oso Burrito because it’s locally owned. Sepahpur provides a quality product at a competitive price.

It’s nice to see the underdog succeed.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.


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O-SO good wrote on March 23, 2007 12:06 pm:
" don't bother going to Chipotle. Oso has 10x the variety and you can actually taste the flavors. Chipotle is just a big bag of salt and fat. Oso is much healthier and is locally owned. keep it going Nader! "
oso wrote on March 23, 2007 12:10 pm:
" oh so, so so "
Chad wrote on March 23, 2007 1:57 pm:
" Oso is definately one of the best places in Lincoln. The curry sauce is one of my favorites. On Fridays you can't pass up the fish burrito. Great prices, outstanding service. "
Barbara wrote on March 23, 2007 3:35 pm:
" Oso Burrito is more than "just as good if not better than" the chains -- there just is no comparison. Good variety, interesting food, excellent prices, great atmosphere. And it's locally owned by really nice people. Walk the couple of extra blocks away from Chipotle and all those other chain "wrap" places, and get something genuinely good at Oso. "
Jeramie wrote on March 23, 2007 8:19 pm:
" OSO is so much better than the competition, there is really no reason to visit one of the chain restaurants. Nadar brings creativity, intelligence, terrific food and service to Lincoln's restaurant scene. He treats his customers and employees with dignity and respect, which is not always an easy thing to find from restaurant owners. Congratulations Nader on another successful restaurant venture. "
Kat wrote on March 24, 2007 12:03 am:
" Okay, maybe I didn't pay you to hire my son, but I am glad you did. I just cant see him working for anyone else but you guys. Of course the food is fantastic and I like the relaxing music which puts me in a better mood to go back to work. When I eat at Yia Yia's or OSO, I feel like I am at home.....I stay out of the kitchen! Yes, Nader, I am probably the only person who misses your hummus. "
Jennifer wrote on March 24, 2007 8:20 am:
" Oso Burrito is Oh So Delicious! It is far better than Chipotle or Qdoba by far. "
Michelle wrote on March 27, 2007 9:32 am:
" Nader knows what he’s doing! So happy to see continued success. As a college student, I worked for Nader when he also owned The Rotisserie (anyone remember that restaurant??). He is a true restaurateur at heart and Oso is just another example of a wonderful man following his passion. Congrats Nader! Wishing you well as always! My five-year old daughter, BTW, has tried a few times to finish a burrito to no avail. Happy to pick off of her plate! "
JT wrote on March 30, 2007 8:33 am:
" Oso is undoubtedly better than Chipotle. Whenever I walk by the downtown Oso and hear that bluegrass music coming from the speakers I feel like a buffalo burrito. "
YUMMY! wrote on December 12, 2007 1:24 pm:
" OSO is the BOMB! I was hesitant to go there and get a burrito because I heard it was comparable to Chipotle, which I didn't like. But I was SO glad I went to OSO and got a buffalo burrito with the most delicious shredded beef I've ever tasted! Not even close to Chipotle. Qdoba was pretty good, but OSO is WAY better! "
Great Food Great Employees wrote on February 13, 2008 6:51 pm:
" If you've never been there, just ask them for their help, what they suggest. Put what you like to eat into a burrito and there you have it.

I love their vegetarian burritos, they have so much taste to them, their ginger garlic salsa is one of the best I've tasted in my life. Support LOCAL food! "
Burt wrote on April 9, 2008 9:33 am:
" A lovely choice of food and variety. The mulligitaney (sp) soup is always a highlight and this is the only 'fast food' restuarant I would ris ordering a fish burrito at, it's simply delicious. Support your local businesses Lincoln! "
Chris wrote on April 9, 2008 4:38 pm:
" I'll just echo what has been said here:

1. Oso has by far better food than anyother comparable restaurant
2. Oso is locally owned and operated: keep your money in Lincoln, people. There is no reason a corporate conglomerate should take profit out of the Lincoln market when there is an alternative in which the profit is again spent (and taxed) in Lincoln. It's good economics.
3. Chipotle is owned by McDonalds...don't eat there, it is crap (just like McD's).
4. Try something different for goodness sake. Don't go to Chipotle or whatever the other dump is because its familiar.
5. Did I mention the food is indescribably better? Taste. Who knew you should be able to actually taste what you are eating.
"
Nic wrote on April 9, 2008 7:01 pm:
" I'll give people the truth: non-locally owned restaurants are capable of serving good food. That is why they are successful, because it tastes good. Having filled up many an Oso loyalty card, I think it is pure crap that Oso is better quality or better tasting. I go there because they have more menu option and the atmosphere, not because of superior food quality. The chicken is never as tender as Chipotle and the corn salsa isn't as good. Plus I like the rice better at Chipotle. Don't tell me where to eat because YOU like dry chicken with half the portion size. This "Eat local" madness at all costs allows vendors to get away with serving crappy food just because they are local. Eat what tastes good to you and let the chips fall where they may. "

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