In Nebraska, you can find fascinating history in the most unexpected places. Take Columbus, for example. The city of around 22,000 residents has an interesting claim to fame: the tavern in town is the oldest continuously operating tavern west of the Mississippi. Maybe even more interesting is the fact that Buffalo Bill Cody and his entourage once frequented the establishment.
Back in 1876 (approximately) when the tavern was founded, it went by the name of Bucher’s Saloon.
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Legend has it that Buffalo Bill and his entire entourage would ride through the area on the way to Omaha.
TripAdvisor/SIdSidow The group stopped in at Bucher’s for drinks and Buffalo Bill would - with his well-known flair for the dramatic - drop a $1,000 bill to pay his tab.
The tavern has changed hands a few times over the years, but its appearance has remained largely untouched.
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Glur’s is so unique that it has earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
So we know about the history…what about the food?
Yelp/Scott M. Believe if or not, this once rough-and-tumble western saloon has now become a favorite place to eat in Columbus.
The famous Glur Burger is just the right amount of tender, juicy, and smoky - but there’s no need to limit yourself.
Facebook/Glur’s Tavern There are plenty of other basic but delicious menu items like chicken fried steak sandwiches, Polish sausages, and chicken strips.
This is a great place to spend an evening - and it’s not nearly as rowdy as you would expect, given its past.
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Families actually come out to eat at Glur’s, and special events are even held here.
Glur’s is still going strong after 140 years. It’s not the kind of place you should expect to find fancy cocktails, modern decor, and five-star dining; it’s a Nebraska institution that serves a limited menu. But they make every one of those items just the way you remember them from home.
By Edwin Grosvenor (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
TripAdvisor/SIdSidow
The group stopped in at Bucher’s for drinks and Buffalo Bill would - with his well-known flair for the dramatic - drop a $1,000 bill to pay his tab.
Glur’s is so unique that it has earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.
Yelp/Scott M.
Believe if or not, this once rough-and-tumble western saloon has now become a favorite place to eat in Columbus.
Facebook/Glur’s Tavern
There are plenty of other basic but delicious menu items like chicken fried steak sandwiches, Polish sausages, and chicken strips.
Families actually come out to eat at Glur’s, and special events are even held here.
Visit Glur’s at 2301 11th Street, Columbus, NE 68601. They are open from 10 am to 1 am every day except Sunday.
Want to try out another unique restaurant that is more or less the polar opposite of Glur’s? Check out this unusual eatery.
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