This Restaurant Way Out In The Nebraska Countryside Has The Best Doggone Food You've Tried In Ages
By Delana Lefevers|Published February 16, 2018
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
There’s nothing we love more than finding another hidden Nebraska gem to share with you, and this one is a true treasure. You’ll almost definitely have to go out of your way to get to this extra-remote location, but you won’t regret it a bit.
Laura Lee's Double L Country Store and Cafe is located in a tiny building in the hills outside of Harrisburg in the panhandle.
When we say this place is remote, we really mean it. There's not much else to be seen for miles around. Its looks and location belie the wonderful experiences that await inside.
The little store and cafe was opened in November 2015 by owners Dave and Laura Whelchel, who spent more than two and a half years renovating the little country building. It had sat out there, empty and lonely, for years before the couple brought it back to life.
The interior is the most delightful blend of vintage charm, country chic, and modern style. You'll find a few stools at the counter and some tables scattered throughout the dining area. Pull up a chair and give yourself a minute to peruse the menu. There are so many delicious choices that it might take you a while to decide.
If you're there for breakfast, you can't go wrong with the delicious, handmade cinnamon rolls. They're perfectly flaky, buttery, and sweet, and they'll melt in your mouth. The biscuits and gravy are a truly special treat; the biscuits are made from an old pioneer recipe, the sausage is homemade (seriously), and the rich gravy will be the best you've ever tasted.
All of the delectable foods are made on site from farm-fresh foods. The restaurant partners with local farms to provide the absolute freshest ingredients available. The core ingredients all come from within a 20-mile radius. This is true farm-to-table cuisine, and you can taste it in every bite.
In true country fashion, there are rotating special based on what's available and what the chef feels like whipping up. No matter what the special is, it's guaranteed to be fantastic.
But the standard menu items are the ones that'll keep you coming back again and again. The homemade cabbage burger is just like the bierocks your grandma used to make - you might know them better today as the same type of stuffed sandwich you'll find at Runza.
The hamburgers are probably the most raved-about items on the menu. The burgers you can get every day are made with pasture-raised local beef and finished with a variety of creative toppings. Stop by on Friday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. to enjoy Wild Game Night, when you can order burgers made of elk, bison, white tail deer, or wild boar. This weekly event also features beer battered cod and Rocky Mountain oysters.
You'll have to top off your delicious meal with something sweet. Order an ice cream treat to feel like a kid again, or get a slice of fresh pie that, honest-to-goodness, you will dream about long after it's gone.
Don't leave without picking up some of the made-from-scratch bakery items. Everything is made fresh right here, from the hamburger buns to the flaky pies to the cookie of the week.
After your meal, take some time to peruse the "store" part of this country store and cafe. You'll find a variety of items on offer, from local honey to toys to antiques. As if the amazing food and delightful shopping weren't enough, the owners also make their very own line of bath and beauty products that are better than anything you'll find in the big-box stores.
One more delightful experience you'll have at this sweet country cafe is the little free library. It's one of a nationwide network of tiny boxes filled with books to borrow. Take a book and/or leave a book - it's a wonderful way to share your favorite literature with others.
Make it a point to stop by Laura Lee’s Double L Country Store and Cafe – even if you’re nowhere near the area. Find it at 2213 Highway 71, southeast of Harrisburg. It’s open Tuesday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Wild Game Night is 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.), and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Find out more on the store’s Facebook page or website.
