Watch: Why Nebraska Is Obsessed With the Runza Sandwich (2024)

FAQs

Why is runza only in Nebraska? ›

Our recipes and processes are decades old. Our ingredients are not. We started in Lincoln, Nebraska, then expanded throughout the state and into some neighboring states. To keep it fresh, we choose not to go national.

Somehow, some way, in Nebraska, the bierock became the runza. Sauteed ground beef and cabbage went into a rectangular, bread roll-like creation, was served to people who thought they really tasted good, and the rest is delicious history.

Many sources agree that Sally Everett invented the name "runza" although it is likely she adapted it from an existing name for the sandwich; either the krautrunz, an older, different German name for the bierock, or the Low German runsa, meaning "belly", alluding to the gently rounded shape of the pouch pastry.

In 1949, Volga German descendant Sally Brening from Sutton, Nebraska, converted the meat and cabbage-filled sandwich into a fast food and a Nebraska staple. Krautrunsa, an archaic name for the bierok, became runsa, which became Runza.

1. Runza. A Runza is a bread pocket filled with ground beef, cabbage, sauce, and seasonings. The first Runza was opened in 1949, in Nebraska's capital, Lincoln.

History. Founded in 1949 by Sally Everett, the chain began its expansion under Sally's son Donald Everett Sr. in 1966, and started franchising restaurants in 1979. As of November 2020, there are eighty-six Runza restaurants operating: eighty in Nebraska, two in Iowa, two in Colorado, and one in Kansas.

A runza (the dish) falls somewhere between a hot pocket and burger when it comes to the culinary spectrum; it's ground beef, onions, and cabbage all wrapped in yeast dough that's then baked. What you get is a savory pastry that's ideal for a Cornhuskers tailgate or any other meal on the go.

According to Omaha lore, the Reuben Sandwich was dreamed up at Omaha's Blackstone Hotel in 1925 by Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, to feed a group of late-night poker players.

Traveling through the Corn Husker State you might not be aware of the amazing sandwich creations waiting for you. For one, the state is known for the Cheese Frenchee (a deep-fried grilled cheese sandwich!) and massive pork tenderloin sandwiches.

Bierocks—pronounced bee-rock and also known as runzas—are a German/Eastern European roll that made its way to the American Midwest. They're similar to the Russian pirozhki, another popular European meat-stuffed pastry. They vary in shape, but the most popular ones are usually round or rectangular.

What ethnicity is runza? ›

In 1949, Sarah “Sally” Everett and her brother, Alex Brening, opened the first Runza Drive-Inn in Lincoln, Nebraska. The trade name and trademark of Runza Restaurants now belong to Donald R. Everett, Sarah's son. Both the Bierock and the Runza sandwich have German-Russian roots going back to the 18th century.

The Kansas crowd kept preparing bierocks as they had for years, passing down the recipe and solidifying its place in Kansas' history. In Nebraska, however, the bierock morphed into something called a runza. Runzas have the same ingredients but are usually rectangular and can include extra ingredients like cheese.

Similar to the pasty, a runza is basically a dough-filled pocket. The main difference is the dough used for runzas contains yeast, so it's more bread-like. According to the Chicago Tribune, the runza dates back to the late 1700s when Catherine the Great enticed German craftsmen and farmers to settle in Russia.

The Italian beef sandwich is one of the top foods Chicago is known for and is beloved throughout the city and surrounding suburbs alike. The origins of the Italian beef sandwich date back to early 1900s Chicago and its legendary combination of roast beef and spices have been tempting palates ever since.

German Frühstückfleish is usually similar to 'Spam' or canned 'Corned Beef'.

Bierocks—pronounced bee-rock and also known as runzas—are a German/Eastern European roll that made its way to the American Midwest. They're similar to the Russian pirozhki, another popular European meat-stuffed pastry. They vary in shape, but the most popular ones are usually round or rectangular.

According to Omaha lore, the Reuben Sandwich was dreamed up at Omaha's Blackstone Hotel in 1925 by Reuben Kulakofsky, a local grocer, to feed a group of late-night poker players.

In 1949, Sarah “Sally” Everett and her brother, Alex Brening, opened the first Runza Drive-Inn in Lincoln, Nebraska. The trade name and trademark of Runza Restaurants now belong to Donald R. Everett, Sarah's son. Both the Bierock and the Runza sandwich have German-Russian roots going back to the 18th century.