This Wahoo’s For You
By: Mr. Wilson on
August 6, 2012
Lincoln's location is on the east end of the heart of Downtown's major dining district. With its proximity to UNL's campus and oodles of Downtown businesses, Wahoo's can't blame location if it doesn't find success. The interior has seen a wonderful remodel since the Runza days. Customers can enter via P Street or the parking lot on the north side of the building. A gentle ramp or a few stairs take patrons to the front counter. Perhaps a dozen indoor tables -- plus a few more outside -- offer plenty of seating options. There is also a small bar for those who prefer that style of seating. Add in the open ceiling and ample, south-facing windows, and you've got yourself a very pleasant dining atmosphere. My one complaint: the music was a few decibels too loud.
Service is as you would expect for a fast-casual restaurant. Customers order at a counter, above which is a large and legible menu. Printed menus are also available for those who prefer to hold something in their hands. Employees were extremely friendly and eager to help on our visit. In fact, I was surprised how many employees were on hand. Perhaps they expected a big Saturday lunch rush? Long-time readers of my restaurant reviews know that I like to ask employees what I should order. The woman behind the counter didn't hesitate to give me her recommendations.
Wahoo's menu primarily features tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and "bowls" of rice, beans, and other fillings. Choices for fillings for the various menu items include: chicken, carnitas, carne asada, fish (grilled or cajun), shrimp (extra charge), and a vegetarian mix. Prices per person are generally going to run in the $5 to $9 range, depending on how much you order and whether or not you order a drink. Those prices are exactly in line with fast casual standards in Lincoln. Our bill for two, two-item combos with waters to drink came in at just over $14.
After ordering, customers fetch their own drinks and place a number on their table. Our food took approximately five or six minutes to come out. That's a bit slow for the most pressed-for-time Downtown diners, but it's within reasonable limits for most folks. Meals are served on "real" plates with "real" silverware -- no red plastic baskets or plastic utensils here. And again, the folks who brought out our food were very friendly and all smiles.
Wahoo's is a fast casual joint along the lines of Panera. One's expectations, therefore, are that the food and presentation are above fast food standards, but not quite up to "sit-down restaurant" standards. How does Wahoo's do?
They pass with flying colors. Food presentation is excellent, far beyond fast food and on par with many restaurants at which you'd expect to leave a tip. Items are plated relatively neatly, the ingredients appear fresh, and the food appears freshly prepared. Contrast this with some of Panera's pre-assembled sandwiches.
Both my dining companion Mr. T and I ordered the two-item combo. Combos are served with your choice of rice (seasoned white or brown) and beans (cajun white or whole black). I went with one spicy fish taco and one grilled fish enchilada with spicy green sauce, while Mr. T opted for two tacos, one carne asada and one spicy fish. Both plates also included a light tomato pico and a lime wedge.
My fish taco included cabbage, pico, and a somewhat spicy green sauce. It was fresh and light. I'm not a cabbage fan -- I forgot to request that they substitute lettuce instead -- but I was pleased to find that the cabbage's flavor was mild and complementary to the taco. The grilled fish enchilada was tasty and I particularly liked the cheese and sauce. The fish itself seemed a bit heavy for my tastes; perhaps it was a touch overcooked? For my first side I went with the brown rice. It was ... brown rice, a bit plain, but with a nice enough natural flavor. I went with the white beans for the other side. I quite enjoyed and was surprised by their spiciness, but some folks will find it too potent and will instead want to opt for the black beans.
Mr. T went with two tacos, one cajun fish like mine, and one carne asada. The carne asada featured tasty marinated and grilled steak that won't hold up to the best stuff you'll find on the border, but was good coming from a fast casual restaurant in Nebraska. It featured lettuce, rather than the fish taco's cabbage. Mr. T went with the white beans like me, but he chose the seasoned white rice rather than the brown. He described the rice as light and fluffy and not over-seasoned.
All in all I was extremely pleased with Wahoo's and I'm eager to go back. In fact, I was surprised by my own level of surprise with Wahoo's. I didn't realize it beforehand, but apparently I went in with a bit of a bias against the place. So much for that. In fact, if I worked Downtown I have no doubt that Wahoo's would quickly become a frequent lunchtime stop for me. Looking at all of the quality food options Downtown, I consider that a fair compliment.
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I went in to Wahoo’s with an opposite bias (I think I squealed when the sign went up), and it didn’t disappoint. I used to go a lot in California - it was different than I remember (I seem to remember specific fish options, but I may be confusing it with one of the other fish taco places). The music wasn’t overloud when I was there, but then I’d just had my ears rattled at bison witches recently so that bar has been set higher. I liked the mix of music a lot - seemed like classic rock with a bit of ska. I also loved the decorations and color, felt very california (obviously).
I got the kahuna grande and got a spicy fish taco with the chicken taquitos. The taquitos were slightly overcooked but really, really good. Maybe some of the best I’ve had in Nebraska, and definitely the best fast food taquitos. mmmm, I want more already.
One disappointment: the website lists a couple of extra vegetarian filling options on their menu (http://wahoos.com/menu.php): sauteed veggies, and sauteed mushrooms. I know a lot of people who would *love* these options - it’s be great if they brought them here. It would make it easier to convince veggie friends to go with me, at least. 😊 I also noticed they are open ‘till 2 Thursday - Saturday, so I bet it’ll be a popular late night hangout.
Between Wahoo’s and Raising Cane’s going in at that corner, I see way too much eating out in my future.
I just looked it up, and I think the Wahoo’s we used to go to when I was a kid was the very first one opened.
Mr. Wilson - My review of your review of Wahoo’s is 4 out of 5 stars. Pretty much agree with everything you said. I actually did not have high expectations for Wahoo’s. It had been several years since I had been in one and, since they have opened, the fish taco is no longer the novelty it was a decade or so ago. One can get really good fish tacos all over the place, so some of that luster Wahoo’s had years ago is no longer as shiny.
Regardless, I was very pleasantly satisfied with the meal. The prices were very fair, and my food was definitely pretty good for a fast casual quality level. The spicy white beans were very good. Right mix of tenderness, texture, and spice. The white rice was cooked almost perfectly! I will definitely go back.
Great stuff, Karin. Thanks!
I agree about the veggie options. I wonder if Wahoo’s fell into the “Nebraska == beef” mindset. I’m going to drop them a tweet and see if they’ll respond.
Does the Lincoln location have the tofu option I saw on their website?
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