Lincoln will soon be getting its first Wahlburgers restaurant.
Hy-Vee confirmed that part of a $250,000 building permit it filed last week for the store at 5020 N. 27th St. is to convert its Market Grille Express restaurant to an in-store Wahlburgers at Hy-Vee location.
Wahlburgers is a fast-casual burger restaurant and bar that's owned by actors Mark and Donnie Wahlberg and their brother Paul, who's a chef.
The company announced a partnership in 2017 with Hy-Vee to develop more than two dozen franchised Wahlburgers locations.
The Lincoln location will be the second one in Nebraska. The first one opened last summer at the Hy-Vee in Kearney.
Hy-Vee spokeswoman Christina Gayman said she did not have an opening date for the Lincoln Wahlburgers because work has not yet started on it.
The 20th Wahlburgers at Hy-Vee opened in December in Columbia, Missouri. There, Hy-Vee breakfast favorites remain available during morning hours in the converted Market Grille space.
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The Wahlburgers at Hy-Vee locations, while slightly different than the full-service standalone locations, have most of the same menu items, including signature burgers, home-style sides, house-made condiments, salads, sandwiches, shakes and a full-service bar including beer, wine and cocktails.
Wahlburgers has locations in 21 states, including standalone restaurants in Olathe, Kansas, and the Mall of America outside Minneapolis.
Lincoln's most requested restaurants
P.F. Chang's China Bistro
P.F. Chang's brings an Asian fusion approach to Americanized Chinese food, serving dumplings, entrees, crab rangoons and things of that nature. Readers repeatedly asked about the restaurant coming to the Capitol City.Â
Waffle House
There are 1,500 Waffle Houses spread across 25 states, as far west as Arizona and as far north as Illinois, but the chain is still rooted deeply in the South and retains a distinctively down-home, blue-collar aura. Our readers think Waffle House would be right at home in Lincoln as well.Â
The Cheesecake Factory
By far, the restaurant that was most requested, The Cheesecake Factory is mostly known for a massive dessert menu and a large, varied list of entrees. While locations mostly are in larger areas, the exclusivity hasn't stopped Lincolnites from wanting the restaurant to come to their hometown.
Giordano's Pizzeria
While it may be coming to Omaha soon, Journal Star readers repeatedly asked for Giordano's Chicago-style pizza to be offered in Lincoln as well.Â
In-N-Out Burger
A west-coast burger phenomenon, In-N-Out has gained national attention online for its not-so-secret secret menu and commitment to freshness. Even former California Governor and occasional action-star Arnold Schwarzenegger is a fan.
Portillo's
Portillo's is a Midwestern chain with 50 locations serving Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads and chocolate cake.
Uno Pizzeria and Grill
After opening a location in Boston in 1978, Chicago-style pizza staple Uno Pizzeria has been seen in places far outside the Windy City. The chain has more than 140 locations in 24 states, as well as 160 Uno Express locations and fast-casual eateries, serving thick-crust pizza, sandwiches, salads and more. Many Lincolnites are waiting when they'll be able to get a taste of Chicago a little closer to home.Â
Whataburger
What In-N-Out is to the west-coast, Whataburger is to Texas. It's fans are obsessive and Whataburger pays attention to them. Here, Whataguy serves cake to Whataburger super fans Karl and Carol Hoepfner, who have been trying to visit every one of the restaurant's locations.
Joe's Crab Shack
Lincoln diners want more seafood options and Joe's Crab Shack might be just the solution with a menu filled with variations on crab and other New England favorites.
White Castle
A burger place with a true cult following, White Castle's iconic sliders are some of the most recognizable sandwiches on the market today. Inspiring movies, pop culture and much more, many readers want to see White Castle set up shop locally.Â
California Pizza Kitchen
The supposed originator of the now ubiquitous barbecue chicken pizza, California Pizza Kitchen has steadily become a recognized brand far beyond the west coast. While some of the company's products can be found in the grocery store freezer aisle, Lincoln diners are still clamoring for one of the company's restaurants to open locally.
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits
Boasting more than 600 restaurants, Bojangles is a key purveyor of fried chicken, biscuits and southern sides. However, the chain is only in 11 states, mostly in the Deep South, with a few international locations. That hasn't stopped Lincoln readers, however, from craving the company's chicken, signature seasoned fries and Bo Sauce.Â
A&W
A classic-diner themed burger joint famous for its root beer, A&W has expanded steadily in the last few years. If a location can open in Germany, as pictured above, where's the Lincoln location?Â
Tastee Inn
While the iconic restaurant may have closed its doors in Lincoln in 2014, many of our readers want to get another taste of Tastee Inn.
Hardee's
As well known for their often controversial commercials as their burgers, Hardees, or Carl's Jr. in some regions, was a frequently requested restaurant by local diners. Their Frisco Melt, as pictured above, just might be one reason why.Â
Taco Cabana
Similar to fast-casual Mexican food like Qdoba and Chipotle, Taco Cabana focuses on freshness and hand-made dishes that have been pleasing fans for years.Â
Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria
You can't buy better publicity than Big Mama's and Papa's Pizzeria received for free. When the restaurant delivered pizza to the Oscar's in 2014, they became a viral phenomenon and the owners have expressed a desire to expand. It looks like some Lincoln diners are interested in trying the pizza that was once served to the stars.
Bennigan's
Despite the restaurant filing for bankruptcy in 2008, Lincolnites still would like to see a Bennigan's in the capitol city. Unfortunately, this one might not be in the cards.Â
Jack in the Box
Famous for a diverse menu including an all-day breakfast, Lincoln diners would love to see a Jack in the Box come to town.Â
Reach the writer at 402-473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.
On Twitter @LincolnBizBuzz.
Matt Olberding
Business reporter
Matt Olberding is a Lincoln native and University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate who has been covering business for the Journal Star since 2005.
