How the Caniglia Family Helped Shape Omaha’s Restaurant Scene

Few family names are as deeply connected to Omaha restaurant history as Caniglia.  In this episode of Italians Who Fed Omaha, Tony Vacanti Jr. sits down with Chuck and Jordan Caniglia to trace a family restaurant story that stretches from an early bakery and pizzeria to steakhouses, the Venice Inn, Mr. C’s and other establishments connected to generations of Omaha dining.  Chuck remembers growing up in the family business, the rise of the Venice Inn and an era when places like Aksarben helped make Omaha restaurants destinations for dinner, entertainment and special occasions. He also shares the realities of running a multigenerational family business as Omaha expanded and the restaurant industry changed around them.  The conversation shows just how broad the Caniglia family’s influence became across Omaha’s food scene and how many recognizable restaurants grew from different branches of the family.  Today, Jordan Caniglia is carrying the name forward through Caniglia’s A Mano, using family recipes, scratch cooking and old-school hospitality to connect another generation with the traditions that came before him.  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://omahaexploration.com/2024/08/24/eli-caniglias-venice-inn/ https://www.wowt.com/content/news/New-restaurant-carries-on-Venice-Inn-legacy-444798313.html https://www.facebook.com/canigliasamano/ https://www.mistercs.com/our-story https://northomahahistory.com/2017/12/06/a-history-of-mr-cs-restaurant-in-north-omaha/ 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.