308 Steakhouse & Grill

Burwell offers many alternatives for food and fun.  All venues are locally owned, and each has its own unique approach and atmosphere. 

Food and Beverage

• 308 Steak House and Grill – Burwell’s newest restaurant opened its doors on June 24, 2021, with a menu featuring steaks and burgers with a few pasta, chicken, and seafood items, as well.  Locals are excited to have a new full-service restaurant in the space formerly occupied by the highly-regarded Sandstone Grill.  308 Steak House is off to a strong start with weekend specials.  Reservations are probably a good idea for most summertime weekend dining.  Address:   416 Grand Ave, Burwell, NE 68823.  Phone: (308) 346-4582.  
• Northside Bar – A storied bar under new ownership with great daily luncheon specials located on the north side of the city square.  The bar features rodeo memorabilia dating back to 1921.  An authentic place that is building a great following. Address:  223 Grand Ave, Burwell, NE 68823;  Phone: (308) 346-5474
• Lowe’ded Bar and Grill – Another great option for hamburgers and similar fare.  Popular with lake visitors and a lively scene on weekend evenings.  Enjoy weekly karaoke nights.  Address: 459 Grand Ave, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: (308) 346-4201
• Pizza Palace – Great pizza.  A super place to take the family after a day on the lake.  Plan ahead – it can be a very busy place on summer weekend nights.  Menu has gluten-free options.  Store motto:  Life is too short, enjoy the pizza!  Address: 204 Grand Ave, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: (308) 346-5200
• The Spot – Classic 50's style diner with great home cooked meals and desserts. Open for breakfast (at 6:00 a.m.) and lunch.  Daily lunch specials.  Address: 717 G Street, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: 308-346-5020
• Verda’s – Great home cooking and very reasonable prices.  Remember to bring cash, no credit cards taken here.  Open every day (except for Tuesdays) for breakfast and lunch with daily specials.  Address: 179 S 8th Ave, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: (308) 346-4214
• The Hub – This is a soda fountain, coffee shop, cafe and antique store all in one. The three-story building has been a fixture in Burwell since H.J. Coffin built it as the business hub of the community in 1906.  Current owners, John and Melissa Schere, have worked hard at restoring this grand old building.  John is the great grandson of the original owner, H.J. Coffin.  An ice cream cone from the Hub is a great mid-afternoon snack.  Address: 180 Grand Avenue; Phone:  (308) 346-4674
• Normal Roasting – One of the town’s newest businesses, this specialty coffee shop says the only thing “normal” about it is its name. While Josh and Sara have been roasting coffee since 2011, their classy storefront on the north side of the square only opened the summer of 2020.  Expect a small batch artisan coffee roaster passionately dedicated to providing its customers with a delightfully unique coffee experience. Roast. Brew. Gather.  https://normalroastingcompany.com/  Address: 219 Grand Ave; Phone: (308) 214-1512
• Creekside at Calamus West – It is about a 20-minute drive from Burwell to Creekside on the west side of Calamus Lake, but it is worth it.  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.   Featuring a fresh menu and fun atmosphere. Menu includes great hamburgers, meatball subs, chicken fried steak, and salads, plus a full bar.  Address:  45538 Hwy 96, Taylor, Nebraska 68879; Phone: (308) 346-4644

Dining in the Neighboring Communities

• Taylor – Lazy D’s Restaurant is a good spot for a cold refreshment and a nice meal.  This is one of the few area restaurants that is open Sunday evenings.  https://visitnebraska.com/taylor.  Address: 308 3rd Street; Phone:  (308) 942-3400.
• Ord – Blanquita’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant serves generous portions at reasonable prices.  It is a small place with a cozy atmosphere.  Soft drinks only – no bar.  Address:  1619 M Street, Ord; Phone:  (308) 728-5566. 
• Ericson – has two highly-regarded restaurants.  The Hungry Horse Saloon is an old-time favorite in downtown Ericson.  The Wagon Wheel Restaurant is on the highway.  Both get good reviews, especially for their prime rib.  They are good options for Sunday night dining.

Shopping

• Mariposa’s – A nifty little shop in the lobby of an old hotel and next door to Sandstone Grill featuring trendy ladies wear, home décor, crafts, and locally produced items.  www.mariposa-design-events.com/  Address: 412 Grand Avenue; Phone: (308) 346-4964.
• Dry Creek Western Wear -- Offers a full line of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing as well as a full line of tack and supplies. Boots and hats line the walls. Jewelry cases are filled with Montana Silversmith and the front of the store is packed with unique western gift ideas.  www.drycreekwesternwear.com/  Address: 827 G St; Phone: (308) 346-4810
• Route 83 Boutique – A women’s clothing store on the Square in the Hub Building.  Address:  180 Grand Avenue; Phone:  (308) 214-1014.  
• Burwell Pharmacy – Locally-owned, full-service pharmacy with 24-hour emergency service.  A long-time pillar of the business community that features a nice gift shop. www.burwellpharmacy.com/  Address:  137 Grand Avenue; Phone: (308) 346-4747

The Basics

• Burwell Shurfine Food Center – This family-owned store offers a convenient one-stop shop where you can find everything you need from the everyday essentials to specialty items from around the world, including a decent assortment of wines, beer and liquor.  https://shurfinefoodcenter.com/  Address: 805 G Street; Phone: (308) 346-4705
• Dollar General – Located on the east edge of town, this modern day take on an old variety store is packed with items, groceries and all types of household goods.  Address: 82433 Jeffres Ln, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: (402) 509-9620

Convenience Stores

• Trotters’ Whoa & Go convenience store and fuel stop – Offering a good selection of snacks and treats, including a popular malt machine.  Their pizza is pretty good, too.  Address:   270 S Hwy 11; Phone:  (308) 346-5699
• Pump & Pantry – A handy convenience store and fuel stop located near the rodeo grounds.  Snacks, ice, beer, and so forth.  Address:  517 So. First Avenue; Phone: (308) 346-5556.
• Dad’s Calamus East – Located at the west edge of town as you leave on Hwy 96 toward Calamus Lake.  Fuel stop, snacks, ice, beer, plus a good assortment of fishing gear and supplies.  Address: 220 No. 13th Avenue; Phone: (308) 346-5567.

Recreation

• City Park -- The Burwell City Park on North Eighth Avenue has a small pond and is bordered by the North Loup River. The park is becoming a quick but mandatory stop for birdwatchers. Whooping cranes have been spotted upstream of the dam. Below the dam is a good place to hook channel catfish.  The park features a number of enjoyable attractions including 2 tennis courts, a Frisbee Disc Golf Course, a new playground, and a baseball field.  Burwell’s City Park also includes picnic facilities and camping facilities.  Address:  North 8th Ave., Burwell, NE 68823
• Swimming Pool -- Located in the Burwell City Park area the Swimming Pool facilities include 2 diving boards, a baby pool and locker room facility. Community members and visitors can participate in Red Cross swimming lessons and adult aerobics. The Burwell Swimming Pool is open daily Memorial Day weekend through mid-August. For additional information contact the Burwell City Hall at (308) 346-4509.
• Calamus Golf is Located 5 miles northwest of Burwell and directly east of the Calamus Reservoir. The course is open April 1st – November 1st each year. The Calamus Golf Course features a 2,845 yard course with fully watered bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens along with water hazards and grass bunkers. The newly completed clubhouse offers refreshments and food and is open weekday afternoons and all day on weekends. The clubhouse is available to rent for business meetings, receptions and other events.  Address:  82796 Whitetail Ln, Burwell, NE 68823; Phone: (308) 346-5559 or (308) 346-4705.

But, Wait There’s More

• Rodeo Theatre offers family friendly movies at reasonable prices:  Address:  171 So. 8th Avenue; Phone:  (308) 346-4556.  https://www.rodeotheatre.com/
• Bowling alley – Longhorn Lanes is open on the east edge of town.  Address: 310 N State Hwy 11; Phone:(308) 346-4483.  Be sure to call ahead for the current hours.
• Public Library – The Garfield County Public Library offers best sellers, public access computers and wi-fi.  Address:  217 G Street; Phone:  (308) 346-4711.  Do not mistake it for the historic Carnegie Public Library building situated a block over from the square.  Be aware the Carnegie Library building is now a private residence and no longer a venue open to the public.  Even though the owners are friendly people, they are a little taken aback by those who walk in unannounced looking for a book.  😊 As a nod to its history, you will find a “Little Library” in front of the old library building.  Feel free to borrow high quality book selection you will find available in the stand.
• Garfield County Historical Museum – Built in 1905, the building was originally a private residence and later became a church, then a hospital and now showcases the area's pioneer heritage. The rooms include a historical library, surgery suite, sod house kitchen, country school classroom, butter factory display and much more. A general store and log cabin are also located on the museum grounds. Open Sun, 2-5pm; or by appointment.  Address:  737 H Street; Phone:  (308) 346-4786.

For further information, visit:  https://visitburwell.com/