Cascio’s Steakhouse: The Last Stand of Omaha’s Italian Steakhouse Era

There was a time when Italian steakhouses were a defining part of dining in Omaha. Cascio’s Steakhouse is one of the places still carrying that tradition forward.  Third-generation owner Alfie Cascio joins Tony Vacanti Jr. to tell the story of the Omaha restaurant that opened in Little Italy in 1946 and became known for Nebraska steaks, Italian food, pasta, sauce and the unmistakable atmosphere of an old-school Omaha steakhouse.  Alfie shares what it was like growing up inside Cascio’s, starting with bussing tables and washing dishes before learning the kitchen, cutting meat, running the dining room and eventually taking over the family business.  He also revisits one of the most dramatic chapters in Cascio’s history: the 1978 fire that destroyed the restaurant. The family later learned the fire had been intentionally set, but from the beginning they were determined to rebuild.  The conversation also explores a dining tradition familiar to generations of Omahans: steak served alongside Italian bread, salad, pasta and sauce. It’s a combination that helps explain the distinctive Italian steakhouse culture that once flourished throughout Omaha.  This is the story of one restaurant, but also a look back at an entire era of Omaha dining and one family’s determination to keep part of it alive.  Italians Who Fed Omaha is a podcast from La Casa Pizzeria dedicated to preserving the stories of the Italian and Sicilian families who helped shape Omaha’s food culture. Hosted by fourth-generation pizzaiolo and La Casa owner-operator Tony Vacanti Jr., the series documents the restaurants, bakeries, recipes, traditions and families that helped make Omaha taste like home.  References: https://www.opentable.com/r/cascios-steak-house-omaha https://omaha.com/news/nation-world/business/article_1af85c7c-2210-59bd-93e3-f4e428c5dc32.html This podcast is part of Hurrdat ONE, an Omaha-based podcast and digital media network dedicated to telling the stories of our city and the people who make it what it is. Hurrdat ONE brings together local voices, creators, businesses, and communities through original podcasts, video, and social content made for Omaha and by Omaha. Discover more local stories and shows at Hurrdat ONE and subscribe to the Hurrdat ONE YouTube channel.