Billy's Restaurant

Take Your Time and Enjoy Your Meal

By Kit Boesch

Many of us from the Lincoln area remember the restaurant TheLincoln Exchange. The Chautauqua Bar inside was a conversationpiece in its own right, and the wait staff was phenomenal. It was where“everyone who was anyone” went on a Friday after work, until theunthinkable happened—it closed! At the time, one of those excellent staff members was a young man by the name of Nader Farahbod. Born in Iran, Nader had come to the United States just out of high school, and his first job was as a kitchen employee at The Lincoln Exchange. When he was promoted to kitchen manager, he never imagined that, one day, he would own and operate one of the top-rated restaurants in the city of Lincoln.

Built in 1887, Billy’s Restaurant appears to be a small house at 1301 H Street. Surrounded by a small iron-rod fence, with flags draped in the front, the house blends right in with the neighborhood. If you didn’t know what you were looking for, you might end up walking right past it. However, your first step inside tells you a much different story. Words like beautiful, elegant, intimate, and classic come to mind.

You see, Billy’s isn’t just any house. It was, at one time, the home of Charles Dawes, who went on to serve as vice president under Calvin Coolidge. Mr. Dawes and his friend and neighbor, William Jennings Bryan, often stayed long hours at the house, discussing politics and the state of the country in the 1890s. The Chautauqua Bar in the house was named for the adult education movement, popular in the 1920s, that was designed to bring culture to communities with speakers, teachers, preachers, and lawmen of the day. Today, Nebraska state senators and lobbyists still mingle at the Chautauqua Bar to discuss the challenges of the day when the Nebraska Legislature is in session. Information about the history of the home can be found throughout the restaurant.

Nader walks among his patrons, welcoming them to Billy’s, telling jokes while they wait for their food, and checking at the end of the meal to be certain they were satisfied with their lunch or dinner. Now the owner and executive chef, Nader takes great pride in the quality and presentation of his cuisine.

This year, Trip Advisor rated Billy’s in the top 10 (out of 691) restaurants in Lincoln. There are several reasons for this outstanding rating, and the first reason is cost. All lunches are under $10, and that includes cuisine options like sandwiches, pastas, and salads. For dinners, diners have the options of lamb, stead, duck, chicken, veal, and fresh seafood. When asked how he can keep his costs down at a time when most eateries are increasing prices, Nader credits his small, dedicated staff of only 4 to 5 people, including himself. When you treat employees with respect, they will be dedicated to their work, he says, so you won’t have to waste money on replacing and retraining staff on a regular basis.

The second reason for the great rating is the cuisine. Most of the delicious options served for lunch can be expanded to a full dinner. Billy’s is also different from places with a “hurry-up mentality,” Nader points out, because Billy’s encourages a relaxed atmosphere. In fact, Nader hopes that diners take at least two hours to soak in the outstanding food and intimate atmosphere. This atmosphere includes a full-service bar as well as dining in one of three private dining rooms, with enough seating overall for 80 patrons.

If you come for lunch, the parking lot may be full, but street parking surrounds the restaurant. A handicapped-accessible ramp is located at the rear of the building, just off the parking lot.

The last thing that makes Billy’s so special is the feeling of community. Chef Nader believes in giving back. Billy’s is well known for its incredible catering at events for local charities like The Food Bank, Child Advocacy Center, Child Guidance Center, and March of Dimes. Nader recently finished presentations for pork producers and dairy producers at the Nebraska State Fair.

Anyone who has had the privilege of talking with Nader Farahbod will tell you of the many funny stories he tells that paved the way to the Billy’s of today. However, when asked how he would like to be remembered, he grows serious. “Every day, I know I am living someone else’s dream life,” he says. “I am very grateful for everything God has given to me.”

It’s best to make reservations at Billy’s, especially on a Friday evening. Billy’s is also known for hosting special events like wedding receptions, birthday parties, and graduation celebrations. Billy’s is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and for dinner on Saturdays. For more information, please call 402-474-0084 or visit billysrestaurant.com.