Billy’s Restaurant

Best atmosphere of any restaurants in Lincoln great place for special events like birthdays or anniversaries romantic setting, near downtown but with its own parking lot easy and relaxing.
Food is exceptional in particular I love their vegetarian gyro oh my gosh so original so good!
Billy’s is the best

Poor, slow, inattentive service. Came for lunch. Took forever. Server brought menus and then disappeared. Coffee, but no cream. No water. Dirty tablecloths. Restaurant in general seems very worn around the edges. Unimpressed.

My fiancé’ and I ate here on a Sunday night in December for my birthday. There was one other group at another table, but otherwise the place was nice and quiet. When the chef’s son (who was our waiter) learned that I was vegetarian, he had the chef come out to talk with us. He spent at least 20 minutes talking and joking with us and finding out what I might like. The dish he came up with was not only utterly delicious, but there also was a LOT of it! I was able to eat the leftovers for the next three day! My fiancé’ is not a vegetarian, and he got a steak — which he also really enjoyed. We both plan on going back for another special occasion.

This was the venue for a business dinner on a weeknight. Because of the proximity to the State Capitol, I was told that senators frequent the place during the legislative session. Parking at the restaurant is limited on property and are tight spots. So unless you drive a Focus or Prius, you will be putting in additional fitness tracker steps by parallel parking on the street and taking a short walk to the restaurant. We all need more steps, don’t we?
For my dinner, I had the pistachio crusted salmon served with sautéed vegetables. It was very good. The side salad was a fresh spring mix with a nice balsamic vinagarette.
The wine list is extensive and they have a couple of local beers on tap. Also, a good selection of liquors for your favorite mixed drink. All in all, a good place with good service.

Despite numerous other negative reviews, I was very excited to try out Billy’s restaurant. I was very pleased to find very friendly staff and quick service. The food was amazing and great portion size. I ordered the lamb and it was delicious and cooked well. The staff was constantly joking with our table and making us feel right at home.

With one night in Lincoln on business, I was directed by a native-​son friend to Billy’s. I was looking for a good meal and a taste of Nebraska. Mission accomplished! The (smoked) pork barley soup was interesting, paired with crusty bread. The New York steak was excellent — grilled and seasoned to perfection. Paired with grilled shrimp, garlic mashed potatoes and grilled local vegetables. Simple but well executed and very tasty! Attentive, family service and enjoyed the historic art work. Billy’s was a great pick.

Not wanting to go out last night, but being rather hungry, Margaret and I decided to order a meal by delivery. While looking over the available delivery choices, I came across Billy’s, a restaurant I like a lot but haven’t visited in a while. So that was an easy choice. We ordered on line with ease. Margaret chose the Steak Diane and I selected the Pork Shank. It was delivered by none other then the Executive Chef Nader himself! I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the door. After he left, we commenced to dine, and was quite pleased with our excellent dinner. And we have leftovers! I highly recommend Billy’s whether you dine there or have it delivered to your home.

I’ve wanted to dine at Billy’s for a while now, so when I saw a Groupon for it I quickly signed up. But, life got busy, and like most Groupon’s go, it expired. But I was able to use the paid valueso after a couple of years (yes, we were THAT slow about it) I convinced my husband to finally have dinner here for our third anniversary.
We headed there very early on a Tuesday afternoon, arrived about 5:15 p.m. so we’d have plenty of time to catch a movie and get home at a respectable time. I love the history of the place, the exterior is well kept, the interior is a bit rundown (i.e. update those chairs and replace the stained table clothes!) but it was also beautiful, old architecture, small intimate rooms. I was extremely excited!
We were seated quickly, as I expected since it was pretty much empty. After some excessive coercing from whom I assume to be the owner, we forked over $ 7 for a glass of wine for each of us. I know he was trying to just be welcoming but my husband rarely drinks and I knew I’d end up being the one to finish it off (oh the torture, I know I know!) so that annoyed me. I was fine with just ordering one glass for myself. Note to the owner, don’t be pushy! We eyed the menu and my husband picked the thai chicken skewers for an appetizer. Our wine came quickly but it took FOREVER to get our food. I would have liked to have enjoyed my wine with food, even bread, but no, nothing. I’m not sure how long it took exactly, probably 25 or 30 minutes, before we got the chicken and eventually our side salads. It was past 41 minutes before our entrees finally arrived. Big disappointment! Especially since we arrived early, there was no crowd, it just didn’t make sense. In fact, a couple that showed up after us received there meals before we did. It just didn’t add up!
I was hoping that the food would make up for these blunders but it didn’t. The food was tasty enough, no complaints, but not so outstanding that it’s worth a long wait and spendy prices (more on that in a minute). The Thai Satay Chicken Skewers were delicious. I am NOT a fan of peanut sauce but this sauce was delicious. There are four small skewers (about 3 to 4 chunks of chicken per stick) per order for $ 9.50. As far as the side salads, the house dressing my husband nor I liked. The bread, when we did finally receive it, was good. Hard, but not too hard, on the outside and soft and delicious in the middle. For the entrée, we both ordered Steak Diane at $ 30 an entrée. This is a hand-​cut tenderloin medallion, sautéed with mushrooms, garlic, shallots, Worcestershire sauce and Dijon mustard flamed in brandy and finished with a dash of cream and parsley. Served with garlic mashed potatoes. First things first, it was delicious. However, that description does not describe what I saw in my mind and what came out on the plate. Two thick beautiful steaks completely smothered in this red, almost like an indian marsala sauce. Way too much sauce! I scraped a lot of it off so I could enjoy that expensive steak. The potatoes were good, they had a very creamy, sour creamy flavor. Loved them! The plate also included some broccoli, which was good. I wish I would have known it was included and I would have likely gotten soup versus the salad.
By meals end, we were very full and a little happier (we had at one point considered just walking out because of the wait) but all these things just added up to a bad experience. We didn’t even get an apology for the slow service. In fact, after our waiter brought our water and the chicken, I don’t remember if we ever saw him again. I’m not that picky about it, but come on, that was a little extreme and some acknowledgement would have gone a long way!
Then we got the check. I knew it would be pricey, but I didn’t figure it out in my head. We had a $ 10 off coupon and I used the $ 20 I already paid on the Groupon. And since I used the Groupon (even though it was not used for the deal, it was simply money I already spent) they charged me $ 17 in gratuity. I thought that was not appropriate since I wasn’t using the pay $ 20, receive $ 20 deal. Just keep that in mind if you’re in the same boat. And with our two glasses of wine and the $ 30 entrees, we ended up spending $ 80. All-​in-​all I doubt we will return. I only gave it the extra star because the food was tasty and the flavors unique for the setting. It was a foodie bucket list item, if you will, but it wasn’t the experience I had hoped it would be.

Atmosphere: Ate there at 8pm on Saturday evening. Older, conservative crowd. Decorated with antiques and historic memorabilia.
Service: very professional, tenured servers. Slow to greet us initially. Food took 30 minutes to get to table.
Food: ordered a $ 28 Filet Mignon prepared Medium Rare. Steak came out close to well done. Underseasoned. Chicken Oscar dish was good. Appetizer was heavy and filling: fried Portobello Mushrooms with Havarti Cheese sauce.
Service: didn’t see server for 10 minutes after food was dropped off. Too late to have them fix the $ 31 steak. This wasnt our servers first rodeo. Offered desert in the house immediately.
Didn’t want dessert. Wanted a $ 28 filet grilled medium rare.
I’m convinced the server knew the steak was overdone before she brought it to the table. Our complimentary Lemon cheesecake was probably going to be outdated the next day so that was their solution to scrapping an overcooked filet.
Total time in restaurant was 1.5 hours. We we not in a hurry but the crappy steak situation had me antsy. I might try thier $ 5 burger special during lunch hour. Nah.

The food was worse than I could cook myself — my litmus. Frozen veg & brought in rolls — my 4year old could cook that. Plus a menu that the 1980s buried with big hair and stirrup leggings (orange chicken and steak Diane) left me wanting my money back.
Go to jtk, venue or dish if you want something special, not here.

So came here the first time with a groupon. Found out that it was an obscure holiday and the groupon wouldn’t work. That’s ok, food was good, not great, but good. Service was nice. Ambiance was very cozy and romantic. Came the second time, I had the mahi mahi. Way overpriced and under seasoned. Everything else was very good, but not worth the price. Service this time was marginal. Seemed like once they found out I had a coupon the price went up and service went down. Never mind that we could afford to eat there. The groupon did what it was supposed to do, get us in the door. (Different server from the first time). But I am not sure I will go back again. If I am going to spend $ 75 for dinner for two, it will be elsewhere.

Wait staff was pretty good. Food was good, but not as good as I expected from how pricey it was. Got my order just a tad off (gave me regular mashed potatoes instead of garlic). We were in and out quickly.
It sounded as if they highly prefer reservations. If you were going out on a date there, it would be a nice, cozy little romantic place to go.
As we walked up, it was a unique building and we were a little unsure where to enter. After we got in, it was a nice, historic house of some sort (but they never told us what it was historic for).

The place is in a time warp. Orange Duck and Steak Diane, is this 1980? I’ve literally not seen this on a menu in 20 years. I visited this restaurant over 10 years ago and it was the exact same menu then still in cheap plastic holders. There’s not even a rotating menu, there’s a lazy chef in the house!
The bread rolls were white and obviously not made in house and they didn’t or even take time to warm them. The mixed vegetables served with the meal were out of a bag and full of cheap celery. For the price I was stunned. It was a step back in time and not a good one! Fortunately the proteins were well cooked and portions hearty to say the least. We could not eat the mash potatoes as someone had got way too excited with the garlic, it burned the mouth and lips.
The greeter did not even have a nice outfit or a proper uniform. Additionally she had to cover as a server which is another indicator of a cheaply run establishment cutting corners in the wrong areas. We landed up waiting for 5 solid minutes (there was no one waiting and the place was half empty) before getting a server from the dining room to give us our coats back and this was on a Saturday night.
The décor is tired with 1980’s pictures in pink and blue on the way to the bathroom. The bathrooms need remodeling, they were tired and dirty. The carpet in the property is a tragedy in itself, old and far too busy with flowery designs clashing with the already over busy flowery walls. It was like my grandmothers place. I do understand it’s going for an older warmer look that a large old stately home gives. I should know coming from England but this was a step too far.
The establishment is living off it’s old reputation and you could tell this by the guests eating, this restaurant is treading water and just felt lazy, old and out of touch.
With all of the new restaurants going into Lincoln they better be careful or start making a concerted effort. I won’t be back. I hope they take heed and make some changes. It’s one of those establishments that deserves fresh life and it would not take a huge amount of effort to put it back on the local culinary map. Right now it’s snoring in the corner like old grandfather!

Super expensive, but very (albeit small portion sizes) good food. It’s a cozy atmosphere with a good wait staff.

Two of us had dinner here tonite. Probly best I have ever had here. We both had the swordfish. Was just wonderful, and nice portions. Great service too.

I went here with my dad and boyfriend and it was superb! The waitress recommended a delicious Shiraz and our steaks were all cooked perfectly. Definitely will be going back here again!

I have been to Billy’s a couple of times and had great experiences during both of them.
There is nothing vegetarian on the menu, but when we told them that I was, the chef came out, sat at our table with us, and created an amazing pasta dish for me that is probably one of the best I have had. It was a buttermilk/​wine sauce with cumin and he threw in all the veggies that he had found at the local market that morning. You get really good portion sizes and both times I have brought enough food home for another meal (which is nice when you are paying a higher price.)
Billy is very friendly, although his sense of humor can be a little crude. Don’t take your grandma there if she isn’t comfortable with some off color jokes, but if you don’t take offense, he can be pretty funny.
The atmosphere is a little odd because you are in an old house essentially and all the tables are in different rooms. The first time my husband and I went we dressed up because we went to celebrate our engagement, but we felt out of place with nice clothes on.
Overall a great experience and if you are in Lincoln looking for some decent food, this is the place to go!

Heard some good things about this place from a coresident who took his wife there for their anniversary and loved it. It’s in a great location right near the capital and we were able to go on a nice walk after dinner and look at all the lights on the capital building. The restaurant is in an old Victorian style house that has been redone. Billy, owner of Billy’s, was there and seated us while wearing what looked like chile pj pants. Pretty legit. My coresident said he actually sat down with him and his wife during dinner and chatted. We were seated quickly despite our reservation was for 7:30 and we were 30 mins late. The atmosphere is very intimate and romantic. Low lit, dark colors, styled with antiques and old pictures and collectibles. Calming 30s– 40s instrumental style music completed the mood.
The menu was really exciting and apparently has some variability to it. For people who are gluten free, vegan, or vegetarian this place is a dream come true. It says right on the menu they will accommodate anything.
Our order was taken promptly and no issues were made to turn a scallop dish gluten free for me. Food came out in a timely manner as well.
We decided to split a glass of wine cause I didn’t want a whole one. The server brought out the wine divided into two glasses with generous portions. My boyfriend had a cup of tomato Tuscan soup which he said was very good, full and flavorful with a hearty broth. I had a salad with oil and vinegar and fresh greens.
My peppered scallops were substituted with risotto for penne. The risotto was creamy and flavorful and perfectly cooked. Scallops were also executed ideally. The dish was very good and more than filling, I took half of it home.
He devoured a New York steak seasoned with rosemary and a side of mashed potatoes. The temperature of the meat was right on. The steak had three jumbo prawns on top. The steak was great and mash wasnt bad. Plating was a bit to be desired, I can see some comments from other Unilocalers, but really it’s a minor detail. I wish I could comment on dessert but there weren’t any gf desserts that night. Prob better for my waistline. Price was affordable for the quality and portion size. About 60 for 2 people. They also participate in
Well def be going back, I have the feeling this may become one of my regular local haunts!

Loved it, super cool historic location (1800s Victorian house previously owned by William Jennings Bryan!!), delicuous food (we split the filet mignon, Pittsburgh rare), and had a cup of an awesome ham and cheese soup (du jour). Great service and atmosphere!

It has been awhile since I’ve been to Billy’s. we had dinner reservations but some how even with reservations there wasn’t any seating in the dining room. So we had to sit in the bar for dinner. Strike one
Service was TERRIBLE! As soon as we sat down our waitress wanted to know what we wanted to drink. Since we hadn’t seen the wine list yet we asked if we could have a minute. 10 minutes later she came back to check on us. Strike two
When our food arrived, mine looked like everything on the plate had slid to one side and was kind of mashed together.
I had the pan seared ahi, it was unrecognizable because it was hidden under a huge lump of big hunks of onion & drowning in balsamic reduction sauce. The fish was so overcooked that it was tough and dry, the squash was undercooked and tough (like eating a piece of raw sweet potato). I didn’t bother to say anything because I overheard the chef demanding to know what the next table didn’t like about their order. Strike three
I was very disappointed in my dining experience and will probably never go back