No. Just no. Dead cockroach in bathroom and about an inch of grease on the floor getting there.
(2)
Molly S.
The fantasy island deserves five stars. Roxy deserves (at least) six for her consistently wonderful service.
(5)
Annie C.
Old fashion dive diner with tasty food! Friendly service that makes you feel like family. WARNING: if you are on a diet go somewhere else. This place is for the All American breakfast purist who want real eggs, whole milk and butter. That said, they will try to accommodate when they can. :) I recommend the blueberry pancake combo. Plate size, light fluffy pancakes with fresh blueberry with a side of two large texas style pieces of toast, hash and eggs your way. This combo also comes with sausage, bacon or ham. You can sub steak or chicken if you want to go all out. Most of the food is made from scratch. I shall return
Been there SEVERAL times and try to make it there every other weekend. It's more of a hole in the wall mom and pop place, and for us that's perfect. We see the same waitress every time and love talking to her. All the gals there know our daughter and we've been welcomed there since out first visit over two years ago. A lot of food for little money. Awesome breakfast and lunch diner!! We order the chicken fried steak combo and the Benson sandwich every time.
(5)
Jared H.
Very affordable, the food is cooked with love and not fast and poopy for quick money. Would highly recommend the breakfast sandwich. 4 stars
(4)
James M.
Definitely a fan of this diner. Fantasy Island was very tasty. A half order is just about perfect for one. Corned beef hash and eggs were fine, though I think the corned beef hash was straight out of a can. But the hot sauce choices included Trappeys Red Devil, which can literally make lint taste good. That plus the awesome atmosphere, pushes this joint to a 4.
(4)
Mr Monkey M.
This place operates like a family run insider's club for local union workers. Not terribly clean. Food not awesome. Okay but not great.
(4)
Colin G.
Leo's is one of several places in Benson that I fear may one day change. This is a true neighborhood joint, almost like a time capsule. The staff seems to know everyone who walks through the door but, if they don't know you, they're still very, very friendly. I got great service while I was here. Always on top of the coffee and water refills, and she even brought me a box of tissues after I sneezed. Coffee was terrible but hot and free flowing. They had four brands of hot sauce. There was a television on, but via antenna, so the channel kept cutting out. The layout and interior is just like what you probably think of when you hear "diner." I don't know that I could explain it any better than that. The "Island" dishes seem to be their specialty, and they're certainly interesting. I wouldn't have come up with something like that. Pretty cheap too. I was full and paid $7 for everything. I can see why they know everyone who walks in: because people come back here. I would come back.
(4)
Melanie D.
While the atmosphere may be a little bit less than wonderful, don't let it fool you. The service/servers are absolutely amazing here! It feels like a small town diner where if you go enough, they will even learn your names. All of the food items are huge and extremely flavorful! My two favorite menu items are the cornbeef hash and the breakfast burrito. They have a daily food board that offers new things each day so you could never get bored with eating there. If you haven't given Leo's a chance, trust me you are missing out!
(4)
Erica S.
This was a good hangover breakfast. I had a Sicilian Island. Islands are their specialties (eggs on potatoes with a pool of gravy), but this was one of their rotating specials. According to our waitress, they make biscuits from scratch as well as their sausage. I love the old timey feel of the place as well.
(5)
Ramon B.
I could live off a breakfest, lunch,brunch,tea time,supper,dinner,light night munchies,midnight snack of this places Fantasy Island. A harty, heaping mass of pure un-adulterated mouth lust! Take their awesome biscuits put them on hashbrowns and smothering the living hell out of them with gravy and everything they can get their hands on that edible. This is not diet food. This is get your day started and probably not eat till dinner food. Throw in huge pancakes and nice plump cinnamon rolls to go plus a plethora of other large burritos and lunch food and you got the makings of a great day. Now some people will say the coffee is a bit weak. But I don't think it is and I'm not basing my whole review on a cup versus a plate of what this place has to offer. The only issue is battling the crowd as this place is usually packed if you try to hit it up on a weekend morning (specifically Sunday). Plus its cheap...cheap is good...right? Right? Tell me I'm wrong!!! Do it!! C'mon! Right...so eat here...good times. Eat up Minions!
(5)
Bella L.
Overall, it was a decent meal. Inexpensive, considering the portion sizes. I really wish the place was cleaner though. Definitely a dive place, but it seems like the owners/management have stopped caring about the cleanliness and overall appeal of the diner. The floor was filthy, and there was dust everywhere. There was dirt built up around the footrails at the counter top area. Ceiling tiles are damaged and not placed properly in the ceiling, and the wall is bowing in and looks incredibly unsafe. Vents looked like they were caked with dirt and dust. The booths could definitely use a good cleaning, and a fresh coat of paint would make them look much more welcoming. We both ordered orange juice(which were a bit small for the price) to drink. For our meals, I got the cinnamon roll & coffee, and 2 eggs (scrambled with cheddar cheese) and hash browns. The eggs/hashbrowns came with either toast or a "small pancake". I opted for the pancake. My boyfriend ordered the Original Island (biscuits & gravy), and a side of bacon. The cinnamon roll was huge, but it was extremely hot on the inside, and the outside was a bit tough, like it had been microwaved. There was lots of gooey cinnamon filling and a decent amount of icing. Quite yummy after I cut it in half and let it cool down, yet not overly sweet. The coffee wasn't amazing, but it was good enough to drink black, and definitely complemented the cinnamon roll. My "scrambled" eggs were definitely not scrambled. It seemed like they had thrown the beaten eggs onto the grill very thinly and then allowed them to cook almost completely before tossing them together while still a little wet and gooey, then melted some cheese on top. The hash browns were good and crispy on the outside, but they were nothing special. The "small pancake" was huge. Sadly, it was barely warm when our food came out. It was cooked so there was a slight, crisp, golden brown edge and it was soft and fluffy. My boyfriend said he enjoyed the biscuits and gravy. The biscuit was flaky. The gravy was very flavorful and the sausage patties were delicious. He also thought his "scrambled" eggs were a bit weird but he ate them regardless. The side of bacon (4 strips) was $2.75. A bit pricey, but it was thick cut and delicious. He asked for it "crispy" and it was done perfectly.
(3)
Gayla B.
We tried this place out on a whim after searching for a breakfast spot. When we walked in, we could already tell it was a local favorite and we hoped that we got lucky and stumbled upon a local gem. We were seated quickly and everyone was really friendly. Our orders were taken quickly and the food came out just as fast. The food was delicious. I would recommend this place to anyway visiting the Omaha area. Try the cinnamon bun French toast.
(4)
Kendra L.
The staff was very helpful and kept our coffee full. I got corned beef hash and it was delicious. The prices were perfect. It only gets 4 stars because the building seemed very rundown, beyond just being quaint. I would return though.
(4)
Josh H.
I'm born and raised in Omaha and I had never been here before. My wife and I are in town for a couple of days and stopped in on Monday (which I guess being open on Monday is new for them). The food was excellent! The menu seemed to have some good stuff on it. I had the spicy skillet (see picture), amazing. Service was good/ok nothing to complain about. The decor was what it was suppose to be...old school diner. Would go back.
(4)
Lauren R.
I love the casual atmosphere of this joint, their comfy booths, and long sit-n-eat bar. Definitely has that old school diner feel-- where you know you are about to embark on a sweet good eats adventure. Sitting at the bar is a treat as you get to watch the cooks work that huge flat grill while they flip hashbrowns and do 100 million things at once(or so it seems)- quite entertaining to watch if you don't feel like conversation. I recommend any of the Islands, they are delicious- and full of lots of food piled high with gravy. I'm not saying it's healthy even if you do get the one with veggies in it, but my goodness if your wanting to cure a grumbly tummy from lack of food or fill it up from a drinking night- THIS IS YOUR DISH! I wish they were open late at night, because with all the Benson bars, I'm pretty sure people would love to stop here instead of T-bell on the way home. Sad panda. They do take credit cards, which is a plus, most places like this you would assume cash only.
(4)
R K.
Came here for breakfast on our last day in Omaha. It's located in what looks like a promising part of town. The diner itself is pretty old and worn down. It could use a remodel. But you don't come for the decor. You come to Leo's for the abundant home cooked food and dirt cheap prices. Service was good. Food was good. Prices were very cheap.
(4)
Ron H.
I had to leave. The place was filthy. I stood in line 10 minutes behind 3 other people. No one greeted anyone a couple walked in and sat down at a dirty table. The people in front of me just shrugged.
(1)
Lyndell L.
Divey diner, but quality food. The waitress recommended an island (biscuits gravy and hash browns) or burger. I tried the original island. It was good, but not mind-blowing. I would go back, but wouldn't make a special trip for this place. Other people at my table were very impressed with the gravy... It just tasted like traditional white gravy to me.
(4)
E J.
I just love this place. Anytime we go it is a fun experience. It is a small old style neighborhood diner that is straightforward and to the point. We usually go here for breakfast and the food is good and the prices reasonable. The wait staff is hard working and pleasant. What else could you ask for when you just want a reasonably priced good quick meal!?!
(4)
Jennifer P.
Awesome old school diner with a fabulous breakfast. Definitely old school....don't expect fancy...solid Americana food!
(5)
Scott N.
Thank you yelp for bringing us to Leo's Diner and for the Fantasy Island recommendation! We arrived Saturday morning around 9:00. I was afraid it was going to be 'out the door' packed, but we got a booth immediately. This was a pleasant surprise. The old jukebox in the booth was amazing. It didn't work, but it appears to not have been touched since 1958. I double checked and the songs are from 1958. It was COOL! The staff was courteous and friendly. The Fantasy Island was simply delicious! A biscuit that can't be seen covered with perfect homemade sausage gravy, bits of bacon, diced veggies and two eggs. We left full and completely satisfied. I wouldn't eat here all the time, it's simply too much, but when one is in the mood for the best comfort breakfast meal - head to Leo's Diner! YUM!!!!
(4)
Rachel S.
Perfect diner after a late night out! They offer a variety of classic breakfast items and a few with a fun twist. The Pelini Island is spicy and delicious and the food comes out pretty quickly!
(3)
Ginger M.
In my house, I have quite the pancake connoisseur. My ten year old loves pancakes. He would prefer to eat them for the 3 meals everyday. So on Saturday mornings we usually dine for breakfast and his Omaha favorite for pancakes is Leo's. We enjoy this greasy spoon to the fullest. My favorite is black coffee and a big healthy serving of the breakfast burrito. And his of course is the over flowing plate of pancakes. We are always welcomed by a warm smile by the servers and leave with full belly's. It's a very small town diner feel that my family continues to be fans of. If you are looking for a good old American diner experience be sure to try this establishment.
(4)
Phil V.
Whenever I spoke of the quality restaurants in Omaha, the one item I could not seem to find was a really great breakfast burrito. The closest thing I found was at Lisa's Radial Cafe. The issue was that it was only offered on certain days as a special and it never seemed to be available when I was there. Well I finally found what I had been looking for. The burrito at Leo's with green chili is the best I have had in a long time...and the best in Omaha without a doubt. (Sorry Lisa.) I could tell you about the cool throwback digs but who has time to care about that when the best breakfast in Omaha is on your plate.
(5)
Todd E.
A simple greasy spoon diner! It has to be good there is not a matching coffee mug in the place. Would totally come back here if in town again.
(4)
William P.
This place really reminds me of John's Ocean Beach Cafe by the zoo in San Francisco. Neat old diners with a local flair really make my day! We came in here mid-morning on a Sunday, while visiting our cousin in Omaha. Man was it packed. We only had to wait about 15 minutes to get a booth though. There was little in the way of organization for the seating process. The servers would just yell out, "Iv'e got room for two!" I had the biscuits and gravy with some hash browns. She had chicken fried steak. The gravy was meaty and had nice onion bits in it. The biscuits were soft, a touch doughy, and had a robust flavor. The chicken fried steak was crisp and the breading was spiced right. It was slathered in the same gravy as mine, which complimented it nicely. What really blew me away was the price. I know things are a touch cheaper here in Omaha than back home, however, this place was a steal. The three of us ate for less than what it would cost for just the wife and I at the Waffle House in Denver. If this is what Omaha is all about, I may have to re-evaluate my take on the whole town.
(5)
Julian S.
I think I've died and gone to breakfast heaven. I didn't bother touching any of the lunch items because the breakfast tasted so damn good - from the "Fantasy Island" (biscuits and gravy + eggs + more breakfast meats) to the humongo pancakes the size of your face, everything tasted amazing. The pancakes were particularly good - tender, light, and fluffy with a nice buttery taste. The food was good and greasy - just how diner food is supposed to be. I also really enjoyed the general character of the place. Being a diner of over 75 years of age definitely gave the place that nice, old "Main St' neighborhood vibe. The wait staff was attentive and friendly too, which was great as well. I'm gonna sorely miss this place. Having come with my intern mass buddies for four weeks, I'm going to miss the eats at Leo's when I go back to Texas.
(5)
Dan R.
Oh how much do I love Leo's?? I love it THIIIIIISSSSSS much. it's really the best place for breakfast I've ever experienced in my entire life. Here's the deal if you're like me and enjoy a few adult beverages on a Saturday night, then you need something to put in your stomach Sunday morning. NOTHING is better than Leo's in the hangover cure department, NOTHING. Let's talk about the food, oh my I love the food. It's not fancy, it's not pretentious, it's just delicious fill you up with goodness kinda fare. I almost always get one their "Islands" - which rotate week to week with different varieties. However I can attest the that Roxy Burrito is wonderful as well! I believe last time I was there it was the South Padre Island. All islands start with Hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, and eggs in a beautiful pile on a plate. The South Padre goes on to add cheese, homemade chorizo, and jalapeno peppers. That makes me happy in the morning! We usually go in the morning for breakfast, but they make fantastic burgers and patty melts, and sandwiches as well. Staff is super friendly, if not slightly overwhelmed from time to time! Of course the building itself is old, it's really not much to look at. Overall it's cute... and shall we say... "funky". But my god, if you find yourself waking up with a hangover Sunday morning do yourself a favor and get to Leo's. DO IT!
(4)
Nicole L.
Delicious! We asked about the Islands and the friendly waitress told us about the ones not on the menu. I shared a Amsterdam Island which included corned beef hash and we ordered a stack of pancakes (2 regular, 1 chocolate chip). Portions are enormous, super friendly service, and food came out quickly. Great comfort food, I will definitely return!
(5)
Sarah G.
Leo's has been around for quite a while apparently (and definitely looks the part), operates in the 'seat yourself' style, feeds a great variety of people, and had a classic diner feel (steak and eggs). But where Leos sets itself apart from any other dirty breakfast establishment are their specialties. Note that this isn't a gourmet breakfast, but it's a step above regular diner fare. I couldn't decide between the pumpkin pancakes and caramel apple waffle (what is what I ultimatley went for). The giant breakfast burrito, on a bed of shredded cheese and potato strings, is what I'll be getting next time though... and their homemade cinnamon rolls made my orange juice taste tart by comparison. Ironically enough the TV was playing an infomercial about some kind of weight loss program, but that didn't deter us from enjoying a 'no need to eat lunch today' kind of breakfast.
(3)
Bob M.
For me, blueberry pancakes are the measure of a great breakfast, and Leo's were as good as any I've enjoyed in Maine or Massachusetts. Usually, two pancakes is considered a "short stack", but not when they're bigger than the plate. My wife's order of the Original Island (biscuits, gravy and eggs) was similarly delicious. The food was fast and tasty and every time I even thought about wanting more coffee, our waitress was there with a refill. There was no hint of pretentiousness or trendiness. In fact, it was a bit of Norman Rockwell's America...a very diverse group of people being well taken care of by people who were working their butts off to please.
(5)
Pepper P.
Excellent greasy spoon. Blue-collar counter and booths. The food comes in gigantor proportions and the locals know everyone's name. Uncrowded and polite. They could use some help in the bathrooms... They're scary. I was thinking maybe three stars for that, because I just decided to go find a McD's to pee at. Really, they were that bad.
(3)
Jaysee K.
This place was absolutely wonderful!!! When we first walked in we were instantly greeted by an older man who you could tell absolutely LOVED being there... maybe he was the owner? Anyways.. we were seated right away at about 10am on a Sunday. We couldn't stop commenting on how cute this place was. Definately looks like an old diner. The coffee cups are all different as well! Very Cool. I ordered the bacon egg and cheese sandwich with hashbrowns on the side and my boyfriend got the spicy skillet and a blueberry pancake. We were pleasently surprised how fast it came out and how DELICIOUS everything was. We usually go to Lisas Radial Cafe but I think this has definately changed our minds on where we will be going from now on. :) Way to go Leo's!
(5)
Priscilla T.
During our first visit to Omaha, we had tried Leo's on the reco of fellow Yelpers. There is nothing better than a yummy breakfast and Leo's provided that. I splurged (calorie-wise) and had the chicken fried steak scrambled eggs which was served with a fresh blueberry pancake (8" in diameter)!! My husband had a french toast combo which also came with a side of honey grain toast. The honey grain bread was delicious, as was everything else. It isn't a large restaurant, but ever spot is efficiently used. The owner was out there cooking and the servers were constantly busy. Sorry to hear that Sarah S. did not have a pleasant experience as a tourist, but we didn't have that experience at all. It was busy (not long line waiting busy, but all the seats were taken and they had continuous turnaround), yet Roxi took time to talk with us, answer our questions and even provide us with a recommendation for a good steak dinner later that night. If you are visiting Omaha, bypass the Village Inn chain and head straight for Leo's. I would recommend it to the locals, but I am sure they all know about it already!!
(5)
Sara S.
As much as I love dives, diners and dingy eateries, I'm not quite sold on big american greasy breakfasts yet. Just like Lisa's radial cafe, this place offers warm hospitality, literally no decor whatsoever and "down home cooking", whatever that means. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind grease, as long as it's tasty grease, but this really just wasn't doing it for me. The pancakes were literally the size of my head. I'm not one for wasting food, but if anyone has ever finished these pancakes, I'd like to shake their hand. I left almost 3/4 of my plate behind. The hashbrowns were too salty, the coffee was watery, the orange juice...well, it came out of a soda fountain, so.... I doubt that warrants any further explanation. And just like with Lisa's, I wanted to like Leo's. So bad. I tried. I must commend them on the excellent service, especially considering how busy it was and the fact that there was only one waitress on hand (you go, girl!). Otherwise, I think I'll pass up on a next try.
(3)
Johnny C.
Me and my older brother were traveling from Boston to LA and had Leo's for breakfast on our way. It was the absolute best place we could have stopped, the food was amazing (the best we had on the trip) and the people were the nicest we've met. We talked for about an hour with the employees about Boston, Omaha, and the Grand Canyon. They were so incredibly warm and friendly. Not to mention the food was incredible, we got the special biscuits and gravy and they were fantastic. This place is a must go to for anyone in the area, you will not be disappointed! Hi Roxy! Hi Josh! Johnny and Billy say hi and thanks for the great meal!
(5)
Kate G.
A classic diner with good eats, super cheap prices and they treat you like you're a friend of the family. Pancakes are huge, the cinnamon roll is pure sugary, buttery sweetness, and the eggs are overflowing. They're always attentive with the coffee (which is on the weak side, but whatevs) and they make sure you have whatever you need. Other people have complained about the atmosphere being a bit, um, dingy, but its an old-school diner, that's how they do, and probably how they've been doing it for ages. I don't mind mismatched mugs and beat up silverware when I always get a pleasant and tasty meal on the cheap.
(5)
Becky K.
This is our favorite place to take our 2 young kids every Sunday. They treat you like family and are very fast and friendly. The prices are very reasonable, and food is almost more than we can eat.
(4)
Jenn B.
Agree with the other reviewers about great ambience, friendly staff, good coffee, etc. There is a large church crowd on Sundays, so you might have a bit of a wait if you get there later than 9:30 a.m. or so. No one else has mentioned the AMAZING Eggs Benedict! It's not on the regular menu but is always written on the Specials board. Perfect hollandaise.
(5)
Jesse L.
This is my main Sunday eatery in Omaha. Much more laid back than the heralded Lisa's, which although good can be quite overwhelming. The steak and eggs are top-notch for the price and the salsa (even if you have nothing to put it on) is worth ordering on the side. Service is always top notch but not intrusive. Make this your next diner stop and you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Kenyon D.
Breakfast food like my Gran used to make - high in flavor, high in fat and high in cholesterol. YUM!!!!
(5)
Sarah S.
We headed here for breakfast with high hopes for a final bust-your-gut-unhealthy vacation meal before heading home to Minneapolis. The servers seemed to know everyone by name and enthusiastically greeted their regulars and chatted away. As tourists, the staff were friendly enough to us, but when we needed something we couldn't get our server's attention because she was chatting with a customer. I'm sure this is a fun place to come if you're a regular, but as out-of-towners the service was a little absent for us. Not the end of the world, we still got fed. I don't think this place has been updated much since it originally opened - it's got a sort of diner-ish, no-frills feel. Charming in its own way. The food. The size of the portions is a bit shocking. I'm from the Midwest originally, so I'm familiar with places that do large portions... but this was pretty much a new level of large. We were seated near the window where the food came up, so we witnessed the Islands going by - the plates must have weighed 3 pounds. I opted to go with a french toast combo and the hubs ordered a banana nut pancake combo but somehow ended up with blueberry pancakes. My french toast was disappointing. I'd ordered it because there were some cute notes on the wall written by kids about their love of the french toast. I guess it might please a kid? I got two slices of bread, over-soaked in egg, lightly fried and covered in powered sugar and butter. I'd hoped for something a little more... remarkable? It was so boring I didn't bother with more than one bite. The combo portion of my meal included two eggs (perfectly cooked- yum), four slices of delicious whole-wheat toast (pre-buttered, which I always forget is a thing), hashbrowns and loads of bacon. The bacon was deliciously crispy. The hashbrowns, however, were translucent from the amount of grease they had soaked up. Maybe this was because the bacon was on the same plate? When I finished the combo, I realized how much grease was visibly left glistening on my plate and felt a little ill... The hub's pancakes were probably 12-inches in diameter. HUGE. They tasted ok, although I think they had that sort of after taste that suggested maybe they needed aluminum-free baking powder? Hubs seemed happy enough with them. I guess this was a unique, authentic taste of Omaha? It was beyond unhealthy.
(3)
Tom D.
Since our flight to Napa got cancelled by an untimely snowstorm we decided we needed a "comfort food" breakfast to sooth our sorrow. Leo's Diner in Benson was just the ticket. We came in feeling kind of blue. We left with the sun shining! We were greeted with a bright, cheery, and genuine "Good Morning". The place feels like family, with the staff teasing the locals with good natured ribbing. They make you feel right at home. And the food doesn't disappoint. We enjoyed fresh blueberry pancakes, eggs, link sausage, bacon, crispy hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and one of us tried the signature breakfast dish "The Island". It was all very good. We thoroughly enjoyed a breakfast experience in a true old fashioned Main Street diner. We will remember this experience and certainly hope to return again.
(5)
Vinny V.
Good old fashioned diner I visited during one random February Sunday. Why give it five stars? Because for what it is: a good-priced, old-fashioned, limited-seating, free-refills diner. It's great. Or as Yelp would say: "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" I had trouble deciding what to eat, so I asked for a sandwich with a bunch of stuff in it (chicken, bacon, eggs, etc) and then some monster pancakes for dessert. They made things that weren't even on the menu. I left stuffed and eager to get on Yelp to say how good this place was. Prepare to spend single digits dollars...if you, unlike me, eat like a normal person. The place is relatively old. Not dirty, not squeaky-clean. But the important thing is it delivers. The goods...to your stomach, I mean.
(5)
Jeffrey M.
Amazing diner with amazing food and amazing prices. Roxy is the very definition of mid-west kindness. I tried to order the biscuits and gravy, but they were out of gravy. Roxy was super apologetic (not that she needed to be!) and had some great suggestions to fill the void in my heart. I got the eggs benny instead, and a coffee. Still one of the best starts to my day I've had on this trip.
(5)
Josh C.
I enjoyed the breakfast fare, and the prices were pretty good. It's open later than most Omaha brunch places that I've seen as well, which is another plus. My rating isn't higher for two reasons: First -- and not to sound like a complaining grandma here -- but the place was absolutely freezing. I'm not temperature sensitive either; I noticed none of the customers ever took their coats, hats or scarves off in this diner which, on the interior, was colder than the late November day outside. It had to be in the 50s if not lower. And secondly, while our waitress was friendly, none of our drinks ever got refilled even once, though the place clearly was not at all busy (the employees were reading the paper it was so slow). Those two caveats aside, however, I would still recommend it for solid breakfast eats at relatively low price, and would go back.
(3)
Rowan J.
Driven past this place on Maple for the past 3 months without ever taking a second look. That however changed this morning. Thanks to the reviews on Yelp we decided head here for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised. The place has a very appropriate Diner ambiance. So, if you consider yourself to be hoity toity, I would skip this place. You would however be missing out on a wonderful establishment. The service was prompt & our waitress patiently answered our questions. The kitchen extremely quick in putting out our orders, especially for a Saturday morning! The Fantasy Island and Sombrero Eggs both lived up to expectations. Finally, about that missing star, the coffee...that's where the star came off.
(4)
Ambri W.
Everything you want in a hip old school diner. Lots of nostalgia, laid back service, coffee, and fast cheap food. The dollar pancakes are huge! The chili is also awesome. Yum!
(5)
Kevin F.
Solid meal for the money. Last night the wife and I grabbed dinner at Leo's before hitting a show in beautiful downtown Benson. I was shocked to see we were nearly the only people in the diner. At first, I thought there may be something wrong, maybe everyone knew something we didn't . . . not the case. I got the cup of chili with a cinnamon roll that was on special. The waitress said it was her favorite dinner of all time. I don't know that I would agree, but the cinnamon roll was hot and fresh (though maybe too hot, I ended up burning the roof of my mouth). My wife got a cheeseburger with onion rings that ended up being far more than she was able to finish. The burger was perfectly cooked with a nice char on the outside and some pink left in the middle. The onion rings had a light batter and were well seasoned. All totaled up, two people ate all they wanted for less than $20, including tip. The service was friendly and prompt. The only thing that withholds that final fifth star is the atmosphere. It seemed they'd rolled up restaurant by the time we arrived a little after seven. Literally, the floor mats were rolled up and laying in a booth. there was no music or ambient noise, so every word of the few conversations between the staff or the other few patrons was clear. The room was a little brighter than I like, but it's a diner -- whatcha gonna do? This was my first evening experience at Leo's and I will definitely be back. Also, they deliver to the bars in the Benson, so keep that in mind the next time you're having a night out in this classic main street.
(4)
Dan C.
Welllllll, I love me some breakfast. Today was off the freakin' chart!!! I had a Blueberry Pancake Combo at Leos and if I've had a better breakfast I couldn't tell ya when it was (may have been at the Grubsteak Saloon in Cripple Creek, CO before it burned down) the service was polite, quick, non-intrusive and the food simply could not have been better!!! Over easy eggs-perfect, link sausage-the best I've ever had, blueberry pancakes-simply wonderful. don't care what Diners, Drive ins & Dives said about breakfast spots in Okieha, this place is the BOMB! Prices are no more than you'd pay at one of the breakfast chains (VI, IHOP) and you you get twice the food & 100 times the quality. This is the real deal friends!
(5)
Jeff D.
Great food and the staff is friendly. Try it...you'll love it.
(5)
Nancy H.
Would never have stopped here without reading yelp but so glad we did. Incredible eggs benedict(daily special) and cinnamon raisin French toast was out of this world. Atmosphere is not much to loom at but help was very friendly and efficient. Great meal!
(5)
Doug S.
We had a fantastic breakfast at Leo's, delicious home-made salsa that had a distinct chili flavoring. Definitely great foot at a great price with really friendly service in a traditional city diner atmosphere.
(4)
Lauren K.
We ate here TWICE during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders weekend. Both times we had the Fantasy Island. SO GOOD. I wish that I could transport this place to Chicago so I could eat there more often. They greet you like you are family and then give you a delicious homemade gravy-ful meal - absolute heaven.
(5)
Steve K.
Excellent. After two visits, everyone there remembers you. Lot of food for the money. If you are not sure what to order, just ask. The waitresses are fantastic and will tell you what is good.
(5)
Cory B.
Very much a diner from the 70s that hasn't been touched. Classic greasy spoon with old world charm.
(4)
Lori R.
LOVE this place. The Island is to DIE for. Fast, friendly service, reasonable prices...just wish the little jukeboxes in the booths worked! Atmosphere of an old-timey 1950s diner...almost always see friends there. If my work schedule allowed it, I;d eat breakfast there every day.
(5)
Rick F.
Went this morning for the first time. People were Very friendly. Food was excellent and service was fast. Solid choice for breakfast.
(4)
Mark V.
We recently moved from Southern California and have been looking for a down-home, mom & pop type diner to be our "breakfast place", and I think we've found it! This place is great! The prices are very reasonable, and the food is really good...only "complaint" is I needed to loosen my belt on the way out. Oh my gosh that's a lot of food. The pancakes are literally bigger than the plate, the serving of sausage was very generous and the eggs were cooked to perfection. We've tried several other places (most noteably the one off North 40th and Cumings...yea, you know the one - YUCK!) Leo's has it hands down over those other places. If you're looking for anything remotely resembling fancy, stick to Old Town. If you're looking for friendly folks, good food, great prices, and an old time diner atmosphere - give LEO'S DINER a try!
(5)
Angel C.
YUM. Been coming to Leo's for years and love it. The experience is a blast. Fun staff, awesome diner good. Cinnamon rolls are to die for and the eggs benni rules. An absolute must, particularly if you we're over served the night before.
(5)
Heather C.
Went for breakfast and it was definitely delicious. They love butter though, so make sure to take a walk after! The best part about Leo's is their service--sweet, honest people work here!
(4)
Simone L.
Our server Roxy is one of the friendliest people we've met on our travels, and the food is good, old-fashioned, stick-to-your-ribs classic American diner fare. Had the BEST cinnamon roll ever that was made from scratch from organic ingredients.
(5)
Scott P.
Great breakfast food. Staff was polite and friendly. People seemed to like their jobs at this diner. Portions were quite generous and the food tasted great. I have had a couple of breakfast meals there and I love the islands. (you'll see) Highly recommend a visit.
(5)
Bryan M.
So good, so good. 'Fantasy Island' for breakfast, sounded like a big mess but totally hit the spot. Complete with biscuits n gravy. Had to take a cinnamon roll to go too. A really neat little diner that gave us a nice feel for this town. We were just passing through and lucked out finding Leo's Diner. If we had this place back home, we'd be here all the time for breakfast. And you'd have to roll us home.
(5)
Andrea H.
Cinnamon roll was so good. Sausage patty was as big as a hamburger. Not the cleanest place though
(3)
Ryan t.
Have you ever had one of those nights? You know, a night of unbelievable spontaneity where you had so much fun that you experienced time travel (blacking out) and are surprised that you didn't wake up riding a Greyhound Bus around Wisconsin? After a night like that (or the Benson Bar Crawl), you should treat your body right and have breakfast at Leo's. I would recommend the Fantasy Island, which is essentially a combination of all your favorite breakfast foods in one tasty pile. And the coffee is so good that it actually washes sin away.
(5)
Kim J.
Great place for breakfast. Very family friendly. We have always liked them since they have been non-smoking for many years.
(5)
J C.
really friendly staff and great diner food. Had the pelini island and it was delicious. everyone completely cleaned their plates which is a bit unusual for my kids to do. reasonably priced. I will visit again
(4)
Kevin B.
Big plus for me is it's walking distance from home. Beyond that the prices are good. They are all really friendly. Food comes out quick and tastes good. If you like reuben sandwiches give their breakfast reuben a shot. So good!
(4)
Michael H.
At breakfast there once. Food was okay nothing to brag about but place seemed very dirty and not well kept up.
(1)
Sara R.
Great. My family goes there once a week. The waitresses call my whole family by name and bring milk to the kids in sippy cups. My children run up and down the length of the restaurant, and everyone smiles at them. A little dirty, yes. But aren't diners supposed to be? Burgers are great. Pancakes are great. A fun place. Don't go there expecting a silver platter, go there expecing to have a great, greasy meal. No more, no less.
(5)
Rob M.
Great diner food. Hearty, stick to your ribs stuff. The Island, The Fantasy Island...awesome yummy! Great friendly family owned cafe in downtown Benson. The prices are low for the amount of food you get.
(5)
Mike J.
This place may not look like much but then again it is an old well established diner. We have only eaten weekend breakfast there (many many times) and I have to say it is the best place to get your fix of a home cooked start to a weekend in Omaha. It is small and old but if you want good food do it. You won't be disappointed.
(4)
Jeri W.
Amazing little find. 1940s diner with great down home cookin'. This CaliTexan very much enjoyed her Southern Eggs Benedict. Gravy was AWESOMESAUCE!!! Hash browns perfect. Service....super friendly. We walked through the back entrance, through the service kitchen, and felt like we were family being greeted. One kid ordered the grilled ham and cheese with a side of onion rings. And I can say with all honesty they were probably the best I've ever had. Other kid had Steak Benedict. Think he licked the plate clean. Cheeseburger was good too. Hand made patty was juicy and well flavored. Nuttin' but love for this quaint spot. But be prepared to wait. It's a popular spot.
(5)
Lianna N.
Those taco bell commercials keep making me want to be a "breakfast defector" whatever that means. If it means skipping taco bell and heading to Leo's then I am totally game. Leo's is the epitome of a classic diner. It's right there with 11-worth cafe and Lisa's Radial Cafe in town as divey, homey, old school, simple, greasy, good food. The regular menu will boost all the egg/bacon/hash/pancake/waffle/omlette combos your heart desires. What I really like here is that there is always a board of specials, and some can be a bit fancier than your average breakfast. I do enjoy having options. My standard order here is the corned beef hash with 2 eggs sunny side up and sub toast for a pancake. The best! You cannot go wrong with this plate of food!!! Street parking or municipal lot a few blocks down. As a side note, It's funny since Benson has become a lot more popular in the night scene with local "hipsters" and 20-40's ppl who are looking for drinks and a whole lot of fun. However, in the morning, Benson is just another sleepy street of businesses that open their doors later in the day. Leo's shines here as a breakfast place and this is where you will see the real residents of Benson- sipping their morning coffee and chatting with the staff on the daily. Come down here for breakfast and then come back at night for more fun in Benson!!!!!!!!
(4)
Greg J.
Leo's Diner is a greasy spoon with a bangin' tight traditional diner menu. The tenderloin, the hash, the burgers are all made by hand. There are homemade pickles up in here! This isn't an operation run out of a Cisco truck. It's the kind of place my father and I could have both appreciated if I hadn't killed him with disappointment first. Only downside: Hipster douchebags. Try it before the inevitable scourge of gentrification pushes them out of the neighborhood.
(4)
Alan B.
Leo's is only open for breakfast and lunch. The dining room is smallish and if you don't arrive early all the booths will be full and you'll have to sit at the bar, or wait in line. Their specialty is "the Island" - hash browns covered in biscuits and gravy, covered with eggs, and they make several variations of this menu item. One of these variations is the "Padre Island" which also has chorizo and jalapenos on top. Mmmmmmm... Another variation is the "Candida Island" which is half green chili/half red chili, cheese, choice of sausage / ham / bacon (I picked sausage) and jalapenos. Yowza! All the variations I've had are awesome. The kitchen is tiny and it's right up front as you walk in, surrounded by glass, and frequently they have 4 cooks squeezed into this small space cranking out food. In addition to the "Islands", I also love their bacon cheeseburger (8 oz), likely the best burger in Omaha in my opinion. My only disappointment has been with the fries - coated curley cue fries, similar to what you would get at Arby's. I expected something homemade from this place. They still tasted fine, just not up to par with the rest of the food. As far as I can tell, most of the servers are probably related to each other which creates a great family friendly atmosphere. This place is a true gem of Omaha, yet I have discovered many natives who aren't aware of its existence. (People need to get out more.) But then, if they don't know about it, that's just more food for me.
(5)
Reed N.
I have been on a biscuits a gravy quest lately. Here they had an "island" special. They added eggs and corned beef hash and green chilis to the B&G! Oh hell yes (but keep the Tums handy)! Everything was absolutely lightning fast and delicious. The biscuits here had that tender and fluffy quality I am finding at most places. The gravy was well seasoned, with little tiny bits of sausage throughout. Not a bad effort at all. Service was puuuuuuurrrrfect.
(4)
Snow M.
Jason G completely plagiarized my review but I'll let that slide since he has become my meal buddy. We have explored many different locations and sometimes it's a race to see who can get the review posted first. He won this round. We arrived around 1030am and it was snowing. Parking can be difficult so have patience. We walked less than a block until we got to the front door. The sidewalks are narrow and hard to walk two abreast. We open the front door to the diner and lucky for us, there is no wait. We get seated in the back at a chair/bench seating combo. That works really well for me, I like having a chair for my butt as I am a fat chick and booths are hard for me... but I digress. This appears to be a family run joint and the ladies are hopping! All sorts of fantastic specials handwritten on the white board. I have come here to try the Fantasy Island because of fellow Yelpers. Wait, there is something missing, there is no CFS (chicken fried steak for all you none breakfast aficionados). I ask the waitress if we could add it in there somewhere in all the layers of ham and sausage and eggs and biscuits. Without missing a beat, she says yes and off she goes to the kitchen. Hmmm,. adding CFS to the Fantasy Island seems to be a common ask. Maybe it's one of those secret off the menu items? Jason orders the same thing. The orders arrive to the gasp of a nearby table who are very curious as to what we ordered. I, of course, will talk to anyone and turned to share the knowledge that is my breakfast. The whole plate was tender enough to eat without a fork. It was all terrific and induced the food coma. There was plenty of food and I'm glad I didn't get the blueberry pancake. Breakfast was not cheap due to the addition of the CFS. Two Fantasy Islands Two CFS add on Two coffees. Tip $43.00 I think the order has to be 11-Worth Cafe, Lisa's Radial Cafe then Leo's. Don't get me wrong, I would suggest this place if asked, this is not a "fine, I'll go there because other people want to." They stand up well on their own. Take the trip, brave the crowds. Try this place.
(5)
Luke I.
The hash browns were cooked well and tasted good. The service was awesome. I cannot endorse a breakfast establishment that does not poach an egg. I have been poaching eggs since I was 12; it is not a difficult task. C'mon Leo's! Fill a pan with some water!
(2)
Jason G.
Finally made it here...having heard many good things about it, I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about...Now, to me there's a tri-fecta of awesome breakfast joints: 11-Worth Cafe,Lisa's Radial Cafe and Leo's Diner, in that order...I got eggs, hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy, with a chicken fried steak thrown on top...yes, once again, that's how I roll...the eggs were made as I wanted, the chicken fried steak was good, and the biscuits were also quite tasty...everything was just about as good as I'd have wanted...the service was friendly and the cost was fair...I still think 11-Worth is the best, but Leo's is certainly a solid joint that I'd go to again...
(4)
Chris L.
Oh Leo's - why do I feel so guilty about writing this? It could be the wad of money spent on average diner food. Perhaps it's the clot blocking the blood from pumping through my heart. It might be the funk that surrounds me from sitting too close to the grill. I admit though, coffee is hot, portions are on the glacial scale and no one cares if you wear slippers. You are a hang over cure but I wish the above listed items were easier to shake than the memory of a good time had. So - A-OK by me but let's just keep it at the friend level.
(3)
Dave C.
Came here for breakfast while in town on business. This is just a great little classic diner. When we pulled up, I wasn't quite sure because it doesn't look like much and I'm not sure about the area of town its in. Walking in, the decor was just old school diner. It does look like a run down throw back place which might turn off a lot of people. The food was pretty good. Mine was a bit overcooked but it felt more like home cooking not manufactured restaurant food. I can see why there are negative reviews but this diner reminded me a lot of the types of places I would eat at growing up. If you're looking for a high end diner, then this is not the place. As one of my co-workers said, its to much to look at but the food was good.
(4)
Terri H.
We went to Leo's because of the Yelp ratings. I should have read more than the first couple. Why I didn't walk out because of the appearance alone is beyond me. The place was very dirty. Maybe I'm picky, but I do not like my cup handed to me by the rim. The same with the utensils. Forks and spoons should given to a customer by the handle, not the part you eat from. We ordered donut holes to start with. Some were warm and some were cold, all were grease saturated. The rest of breakfast foods we ordered were okay, not worth eating in the filth. Classic diner eating can be vintage in appearance but doesn't have to be unclean.
(2)
Will S.
Leo's is an Omaha classic. I was there just after 7 a.m. on a weekday and the place was buzzing with regulars eating their bacon and eggs and biscuits and gravy and sipping their coffee with cream and sugar. The waitress pretty much knew everyone's name who came in the door and greeted them accordingly. You don't get that many other places. I ordered the half Fantasy Island and a coffee for a total of just under $8. Trust me, the half order is more than enough to feed a hungry man. My food arrived promptly and was hot and delicious. For those who don't know, the "Island" dishes are heaps of breakfast fare. The half Fantasy had an egg, bacon, ham, biscuits and gravy, all piled together. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce and you're ready to start clogging them arteries. Definitely my favorite spot in town to order a mountain of breakfast goodness.
(4)
Scott R.
We stopped into Leo's diner after our 3-hour drive from Lawrence, and based had a pretty good idea of what to expect based on previous reviews. Leo's is a diner in the classical sense -- open view into the kitchen and cook area, counter seats with spinning stools, several small booths for four, and a couple of tables in the back that can be shoved together for slightly larger groups. We were waved in and told to pick a place to sit and chose a booth near the back. In addition to the warm greasy air (classic diner ambiance), our table had a shiny lacquered surface that featured small advertisements for local businesses. If I were looking for a handyman in Omaha or Benson, I would need to look no further than the table in front of me. Additionally, the booth had a classic at-the-table jukebox, but it was unclear if it still worked, and we didn't endeavor to use it in any case. We started with a couple of waters and house coffee. Though the coffee was some sort of large-scale industrial coffee, it was hot, quick, and serviceable for the morning pick-me-up. In addition to our table menus, a large whiteboard with the daily specials was brought over to our table and leaned against a post across the aisle, giving a few variants and flairs on some of the traditional menu items. I ultimately chose the Josh's Island, which was a sort-of breakfast garbage plate, featuring hash browns, topped with biscuits and gravy, with turkey, ham, and bacon overlaying that, and crowning the entire dish was a pair of eggs, I chose sunny-side-up. Mrs. R went with the waffle sandwich, which consisted of a thick Belgian-style waffle with ham, and a side of super-crispy hashbrowns. Both items were delicious and well-priced, ca. $7-8 for each, and with coffee and tax our entire bill was $20. We were also a little crunched for time, and the timely service let us get in and out in about 35 minutes. The only downside that I pulled from the experience was an architechtural flaw -- the restrooms were located in the far-back of the building, and the layout requires patrons to go through part of the kitchen and past the dishwashing station. I think my main issue sprung from the notion of passing through employee and service areas on the way to the restroom -- something like piercing the veil of the front of the house and the back of the house. All in all, a good solid breakfast, and a foundation upon which to build a days worth of carousing. This is the first of a series of ~13 reviews about a weekend getaway in Omaha.
(4)
Bobby A.
Great place. No frills. Just go there for breakfast. You won't be sorry. Their fantasy island is amazing. I substitute the biscuits for pancakes. Don't knock it until you try it. I wonder if they will make a Johnny cake for me..... Hmmm. There is often a line but it is worth the wait. Servers are friendly but often busy.
(4)
Steven G.
Exceptional locals spot with outstanding staff and incredible value. The 4 of us sat at the counter of this bustling establishment! Old school with amazing sausage gravy, eggs, and French toast dishes...Thanks for everything.
(5)
Bryan H.
In town for the college world series and found this place on here. We were not disappointed. Had the fantasy island and was excellent. Excellent diner atmosphere with great, friendly staff. Go Hogs!!!
(5)
Thad F.
Met some friends for breakfast over the weekend. Food was great and a lot of it!!! Biscuits and gravy with hash browns and 2 eggs to order! Good service and the food was spot on!
(4)
Josh B.
Leo's Diner in Benson is a great place to go and relax and enjoy a meal whether you are by yourself or with friends and family. The staff is very friendly and will answer any question about the food. Also, just try and empty your coffee cup. The staff comes around so much to check on you and refill that I never got below half way. When it comes to the food I have zero complaints. The servings are large, the variety of what can be ordered is huge and the food itself is greasy and delicious. I don't think I have ever had the same thing twice in my attempt to try everything on their specials menu and I have never left hungry or unsatisfied. If you want a friendly, cosy place to enjoy breakfast or lunch, make sure to check out Leo's Diner. (In case you didn't know, there is parking behind the restaurant). Enjoy
(5)
Sandeep P.
The definition of a greasy spoon. So perfect. Chicken friend steak smothered in glossy gravy, check. Corn beef hash crispified to perfection, check. Sassy/friendly waitstaff, check. Endless coffee, check. Toast pre-slathered with butter, check. Your money's worth, check
(5)
Bob A.
Big fan! First time here so didn't know what to expect. Had the Fantasy Island (mixture of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, onions, peppers). Very tasty. If you are one of those people that can't stand your food touching each other.... avoid this dish! lol Service was extremely friendly and folksy. They will sit and talk with you if you want. Place is a bit run down, in the classic diner sense, but I love that ambiance. If I wanted ferns, wood paneling and servers wearing flair.... I would go out west. Parking is tricky but park in the public lot just to the southwest and enter their back door in the alley. You have to walk through their storage and prep area but that is part of the ambiance!
(5)
John H.
Haven't been back since my last review, but I have read the other reviews that have been posted since (I'm not local to Omaha....yet). I'm a business owner, and I understand that things sometimes go haywire. They have righted the ship, it seems. Much respect for doing so! Keep up the good work, guys. :-)
(4)
Will O.
Good breakfast with a great variety of menu options with lots of flavors. Sort of a hidden gem that has been around for years but I never know about it until several years ago.
(4)
Dr Frank F.
I go to Leo's on a semi-regular basis - as in, maybe every couple months. If you want breakfast that'll stick to your ribs, this is a great place to go. I was also dumbfounded by how good my burger was, one time when I ate lunch there. Don't expect flashy, trendy, hipster or suburban anything here. It's an old-school greasy spoon diner. And a good one at that.
(4)
Marq M.
This is hands down the best breakfast in Omaha (and their lunches are good also). Leo's is where the Benson locals eat on weekdays and people from all over town travel to on the weekends. They easily have the best biscuits and gravy that I have eaten anywhere. Some people might think the "decor" could use upgrading-but I would disagree and probably have a heart attack if they did. This is not Le Peep or Jimmy's Egg. The service here is top notch and many of the staff have worked here for years- you have a good chance at them learning your name if you become somewhat of a regular. Recommended items are of course The Island (look at the special board as they always have a new spin on some of their classic items up there), biscuits and gravy, The Benson egg sandwich and the really huge hot dogs on toasted buns. Leo's serves up a fine burger and fries also. If you live in Omaha then visiting Leo's is a must-if you are travelling through town this and Lisa's Radial and maybe the Leavenworth Cafe are your best authentic Omaha breakfast spots.
(5)
Robert N.
Every neighborhood deserves at least one good diner. Benson has got theirs with Leo's. All the standards are represented, here. It's good.
(4)
David S.
Flew into Omaha on an early flight and was looking for a local place to get my breakfast on. I have to say, parked in front and had second thoughts about stepping in. Been a while since the place has seen a paint job...hunger got the best of me. Walked in and the place was packed. Leo's doesn't pretend to be anything that it isn't, and I mean that as a compliment. If one thing, it's genuine and the food does all the talking. Just a 'real' place where you can pack in a great meal for a great price. Nothing fancy, in fact no 2 coffee cups were the same but the collection was made up of the bad slogan cups you get as gifts or promotional handouts..actually cool. I had the 1/2 serving of Fantasy Island. Hash Browns covered in biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, peppers and topped off with an egg. Don't know that I'll be back in Omaha anytime soon, but I'd definitely recommend Leo's.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Breakfast Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
S F.
No. Just no. Dead cockroach in bathroom and about an inch of grease on the floor getting there.
(2)Molly S.
The fantasy island deserves five stars. Roxy deserves (at least) six for her consistently wonderful service.
(5)Annie C.
Old fashion dive diner with tasty food! Friendly service that makes you feel like family. WARNING: if you are on a diet go somewhere else. This place is for the All American breakfast purist who want real eggs, whole milk and butter. That said, they will try to accommodate when they can. :) I recommend the blueberry pancake combo. Plate size, light fluffy pancakes with fresh blueberry with a side of two large texas style pieces of toast, hash and eggs your way. This combo also comes with sausage, bacon or ham. You can sub steak or chicken if you want to go all out. Most of the food is made from scratch. I shall return
(4)Ed W.
This place was simply awesome. I am for the first time in a long time happy that Delta has such awful flight schedules from Omaha to Memphis, because I had time to get up and leave my hotel for a delicious (and VERY unhealthy) breakfast. Leo's Diner is in the Benton area of Omaha, and caters to a local crowd. I walked in and was amazed at the age of the place. This place is so old, you walk behind the counter and into the back kitchen to go to the bathroom. How cool is that. I got to walk past the stove and see a pot of chili cooking, and even stop to say good morning to two of the employees. Sitting at the counter, I studied the menu. "The Island" caught my eye. "What is this?" I asked the guy taking my order. "Oh, that's what we are known for," he replied. "It's hash browns topped with biscuits and the best homemade sausage gravy in Omaha. Top it with two eggs cooked your way." I was stunned. "What is the Fantasy Island then?" I asked. "Oh, for that one, we top the Island with a freshly sautéed batch of ham, bacon, sausage, onion and green pepper, then top it off with fresh tomato." I was drooling. "But we have some special Islands today, you can see those up on the board. Right now we have an Italian Island." Still drooling. What a fantastic idea. Take everything I love about breakfast, and throw it together on one plate! And call it a Fantasy Island! PLEASE SOMEONE IN MEMPHIS COOK THIS MEAL! So the Fantasy Island came out, and was placed in front of me, and I knew immediately there was a zero percent chance I would finish it. But I did as best as I could, and knocked out half of it (although I ate both eggs), and washed it down with coffee and water. I spent the entire meal talking with the nicest man who told me the history of the community and restaurant, and really made me feel right at home. At the end of the meal, we shook hands, and I thanked him for waking up at 4AM to come and cook some of the best sausage gravy I have eaten. The only reason I cannot give this place five stars is because I can feel my arteries clogging as I type this review. Highly recommended.
(4)Kaitlyn J.
Been there SEVERAL times and try to make it there every other weekend. It's more of a hole in the wall mom and pop place, and for us that's perfect. We see the same waitress every time and love talking to her. All the gals there know our daughter and we've been welcomed there since out first visit over two years ago. A lot of food for little money. Awesome breakfast and lunch diner!! We order the chicken fried steak combo and the Benson sandwich every time.
(5)Jared H.
Very affordable, the food is cooked with love and not fast and poopy for quick money. Would highly recommend the breakfast sandwich. 4 stars
(4)James M.
Definitely a fan of this diner. Fantasy Island was very tasty. A half order is just about perfect for one. Corned beef hash and eggs were fine, though I think the corned beef hash was straight out of a can. But the hot sauce choices included Trappeys Red Devil, which can literally make lint taste good. That plus the awesome atmosphere, pushes this joint to a 4.
(4)Mr Monkey M.
This place operates like a family run insider's club for local union workers. Not terribly clean. Food not awesome. Okay but not great.
(4)Colin G.
Leo's is one of several places in Benson that I fear may one day change. This is a true neighborhood joint, almost like a time capsule. The staff seems to know everyone who walks through the door but, if they don't know you, they're still very, very friendly. I got great service while I was here. Always on top of the coffee and water refills, and she even brought me a box of tissues after I sneezed. Coffee was terrible but hot and free flowing. They had four brands of hot sauce. There was a television on, but via antenna, so the channel kept cutting out. The layout and interior is just like what you probably think of when you hear "diner." I don't know that I could explain it any better than that. The "Island" dishes seem to be their specialty, and they're certainly interesting. I wouldn't have come up with something like that. Pretty cheap too. I was full and paid $7 for everything. I can see why they know everyone who walks in: because people come back here. I would come back.
(4)Melanie D.
While the atmosphere may be a little bit less than wonderful, don't let it fool you. The service/servers are absolutely amazing here! It feels like a small town diner where if you go enough, they will even learn your names. All of the food items are huge and extremely flavorful! My two favorite menu items are the cornbeef hash and the breakfast burrito. They have a daily food board that offers new things each day so you could never get bored with eating there. If you haven't given Leo's a chance, trust me you are missing out!
(4)Erica S.
This was a good hangover breakfast. I had a Sicilian Island. Islands are their specialties (eggs on potatoes with a pool of gravy), but this was one of their rotating specials. According to our waitress, they make biscuits from scratch as well as their sausage. I love the old timey feel of the place as well.
(5)Ramon B.
I could live off a breakfest, lunch,brunch,tea time,supper,dinner,light night munchies,midnight snack of this places Fantasy Island. A harty, heaping mass of pure un-adulterated mouth lust! Take their awesome biscuits put them on hashbrowns and smothering the living hell out of them with gravy and everything they can get their hands on that edible. This is not diet food. This is get your day started and probably not eat till dinner food. Throw in huge pancakes and nice plump cinnamon rolls to go plus a plethora of other large burritos and lunch food and you got the makings of a great day. Now some people will say the coffee is a bit weak. But I don't think it is and I'm not basing my whole review on a cup versus a plate of what this place has to offer. The only issue is battling the crowd as this place is usually packed if you try to hit it up on a weekend morning (specifically Sunday). Plus its cheap...cheap is good...right? Right? Tell me I'm wrong!!! Do it!! C'mon! Right...so eat here...good times. Eat up Minions!
(5)Bella L.
Overall, it was a decent meal. Inexpensive, considering the portion sizes. I really wish the place was cleaner though. Definitely a dive place, but it seems like the owners/management have stopped caring about the cleanliness and overall appeal of the diner. The floor was filthy, and there was dust everywhere. There was dirt built up around the footrails at the counter top area. Ceiling tiles are damaged and not placed properly in the ceiling, and the wall is bowing in and looks incredibly unsafe. Vents looked like they were caked with dirt and dust. The booths could definitely use a good cleaning, and a fresh coat of paint would make them look much more welcoming. We both ordered orange juice(which were a bit small for the price) to drink. For our meals, I got the cinnamon roll & coffee, and 2 eggs (scrambled with cheddar cheese) and hash browns. The eggs/hashbrowns came with either toast or a "small pancake". I opted for the pancake. My boyfriend ordered the Original Island (biscuits & gravy), and a side of bacon. The cinnamon roll was huge, but it was extremely hot on the inside, and the outside was a bit tough, like it had been microwaved. There was lots of gooey cinnamon filling and a decent amount of icing. Quite yummy after I cut it in half and let it cool down, yet not overly sweet. The coffee wasn't amazing, but it was good enough to drink black, and definitely complemented the cinnamon roll. My "scrambled" eggs were definitely not scrambled. It seemed like they had thrown the beaten eggs onto the grill very thinly and then allowed them to cook almost completely before tossing them together while still a little wet and gooey, then melted some cheese on top. The hash browns were good and crispy on the outside, but they were nothing special. The "small pancake" was huge. Sadly, it was barely warm when our food came out. It was cooked so there was a slight, crisp, golden brown edge and it was soft and fluffy. My boyfriend said he enjoyed the biscuits and gravy. The biscuit was flaky. The gravy was very flavorful and the sausage patties were delicious. He also thought his "scrambled" eggs were a bit weird but he ate them regardless. The side of bacon (4 strips) was $2.75. A bit pricey, but it was thick cut and delicious. He asked for it "crispy" and it was done perfectly.
(3)Gayla B.
We tried this place out on a whim after searching for a breakfast spot. When we walked in, we could already tell it was a local favorite and we hoped that we got lucky and stumbled upon a local gem. We were seated quickly and everyone was really friendly. Our orders were taken quickly and the food came out just as fast. The food was delicious. I would recommend this place to anyway visiting the Omaha area. Try the cinnamon bun French toast.
(4)Kendra L.
The staff was very helpful and kept our coffee full. I got corned beef hash and it was delicious. The prices were perfect. It only gets 4 stars because the building seemed very rundown, beyond just being quaint. I would return though.
(4)Josh H.
I'm born and raised in Omaha and I had never been here before. My wife and I are in town for a couple of days and stopped in on Monday (which I guess being open on Monday is new for them). The food was excellent! The menu seemed to have some good stuff on it. I had the spicy skillet (see picture), amazing. Service was good/ok nothing to complain about. The decor was what it was suppose to be...old school diner. Would go back.
(4)Lauren R.
I love the casual atmosphere of this joint, their comfy booths, and long sit-n-eat bar. Definitely has that old school diner feel-- where you know you are about to embark on a sweet good eats adventure. Sitting at the bar is a treat as you get to watch the cooks work that huge flat grill while they flip hashbrowns and do 100 million things at once(or so it seems)- quite entertaining to watch if you don't feel like conversation. I recommend any of the Islands, they are delicious- and full of lots of food piled high with gravy. I'm not saying it's healthy even if you do get the one with veggies in it, but my goodness if your wanting to cure a grumbly tummy from lack of food or fill it up from a drinking night- THIS IS YOUR DISH! I wish they were open late at night, because with all the Benson bars, I'm pretty sure people would love to stop here instead of T-bell on the way home. Sad panda. They do take credit cards, which is a plus, most places like this you would assume cash only.
(4)R K.
Came here for breakfast on our last day in Omaha. It's located in what looks like a promising part of town. The diner itself is pretty old and worn down. It could use a remodel. But you don't come for the decor. You come to Leo's for the abundant home cooked food and dirt cheap prices. Service was good. Food was good. Prices were very cheap.
(4)Ron H.
I had to leave. The place was filthy. I stood in line 10 minutes behind 3 other people. No one greeted anyone a couple walked in and sat down at a dirty table. The people in front of me just shrugged.
(1)Lyndell L.
Divey diner, but quality food. The waitress recommended an island (biscuits gravy and hash browns) or burger. I tried the original island. It was good, but not mind-blowing. I would go back, but wouldn't make a special trip for this place. Other people at my table were very impressed with the gravy... It just tasted like traditional white gravy to me.
(4)E J.
I just love this place. Anytime we go it is a fun experience. It is a small old style neighborhood diner that is straightforward and to the point. We usually go here for breakfast and the food is good and the prices reasonable. The wait staff is hard working and pleasant. What else could you ask for when you just want a reasonably priced good quick meal!?!
(4)Jennifer P.
Awesome old school diner with a fabulous breakfast. Definitely old school....don't expect fancy...solid Americana food!
(5)Scott N.
Thank you yelp for bringing us to Leo's Diner and for the Fantasy Island recommendation! We arrived Saturday morning around 9:00. I was afraid it was going to be 'out the door' packed, but we got a booth immediately. This was a pleasant surprise. The old jukebox in the booth was amazing. It didn't work, but it appears to not have been touched since 1958. I double checked and the songs are from 1958. It was COOL! The staff was courteous and friendly. The Fantasy Island was simply delicious! A biscuit that can't be seen covered with perfect homemade sausage gravy, bits of bacon, diced veggies and two eggs. We left full and completely satisfied. I wouldn't eat here all the time, it's simply too much, but when one is in the mood for the best comfort breakfast meal - head to Leo's Diner! YUM!!!!
(4)Rachel S.
Perfect diner after a late night out! They offer a variety of classic breakfast items and a few with a fun twist. The Pelini Island is spicy and delicious and the food comes out pretty quickly!
(3)Ginger M.
In my house, I have quite the pancake connoisseur. My ten year old loves pancakes. He would prefer to eat them for the 3 meals everyday. So on Saturday mornings we usually dine for breakfast and his Omaha favorite for pancakes is Leo's. We enjoy this greasy spoon to the fullest. My favorite is black coffee and a big healthy serving of the breakfast burrito. And his of course is the over flowing plate of pancakes. We are always welcomed by a warm smile by the servers and leave with full belly's. It's a very small town diner feel that my family continues to be fans of. If you are looking for a good old American diner experience be sure to try this establishment.
(4)Phil V.
Whenever I spoke of the quality restaurants in Omaha, the one item I could not seem to find was a really great breakfast burrito. The closest thing I found was at Lisa's Radial Cafe. The issue was that it was only offered on certain days as a special and it never seemed to be available when I was there. Well I finally found what I had been looking for. The burrito at Leo's with green chili is the best I have had in a long time...and the best in Omaha without a doubt. (Sorry Lisa.) I could tell you about the cool throwback digs but who has time to care about that when the best breakfast in Omaha is on your plate.
(5)Todd E.
A simple greasy spoon diner! It has to be good there is not a matching coffee mug in the place. Would totally come back here if in town again.
(4)William P.
This place really reminds me of John's Ocean Beach Cafe by the zoo in San Francisco. Neat old diners with a local flair really make my day! We came in here mid-morning on a Sunday, while visiting our cousin in Omaha. Man was it packed. We only had to wait about 15 minutes to get a booth though. There was little in the way of organization for the seating process. The servers would just yell out, "Iv'e got room for two!" I had the biscuits and gravy with some hash browns. She had chicken fried steak. The gravy was meaty and had nice onion bits in it. The biscuits were soft, a touch doughy, and had a robust flavor. The chicken fried steak was crisp and the breading was spiced right. It was slathered in the same gravy as mine, which complimented it nicely. What really blew me away was the price. I know things are a touch cheaper here in Omaha than back home, however, this place was a steal. The three of us ate for less than what it would cost for just the wife and I at the Waffle House in Denver. If this is what Omaha is all about, I may have to re-evaluate my take on the whole town.
(5)Julian S.
I think I've died and gone to breakfast heaven. I didn't bother touching any of the lunch items because the breakfast tasted so damn good - from the "Fantasy Island" (biscuits and gravy + eggs + more breakfast meats) to the humongo pancakes the size of your face, everything tasted amazing. The pancakes were particularly good - tender, light, and fluffy with a nice buttery taste. The food was good and greasy - just how diner food is supposed to be. I also really enjoyed the general character of the place. Being a diner of over 75 years of age definitely gave the place that nice, old "Main St' neighborhood vibe. The wait staff was attentive and friendly too, which was great as well. I'm gonna sorely miss this place. Having come with my intern mass buddies for four weeks, I'm going to miss the eats at Leo's when I go back to Texas.
(5)Dan R.
Oh how much do I love Leo's?? I love it THIIIIIISSSSSS much. it's really the best place for breakfast I've ever experienced in my entire life. Here's the deal if you're like me and enjoy a few adult beverages on a Saturday night, then you need something to put in your stomach Sunday morning. NOTHING is better than Leo's in the hangover cure department, NOTHING. Let's talk about the food, oh my I love the food. It's not fancy, it's not pretentious, it's just delicious fill you up with goodness kinda fare. I almost always get one their "Islands" - which rotate week to week with different varieties. However I can attest the that Roxy Burrito is wonderful as well! I believe last time I was there it was the South Padre Island. All islands start with Hashbrowns, biscuits and gravy, and eggs in a beautiful pile on a plate. The South Padre goes on to add cheese, homemade chorizo, and jalapeno peppers. That makes me happy in the morning! We usually go in the morning for breakfast, but they make fantastic burgers and patty melts, and sandwiches as well. Staff is super friendly, if not slightly overwhelmed from time to time! Of course the building itself is old, it's really not much to look at. Overall it's cute... and shall we say... "funky". But my god, if you find yourself waking up with a hangover Sunday morning do yourself a favor and get to Leo's. DO IT!
(4)Nicole L.
Delicious! We asked about the Islands and the friendly waitress told us about the ones not on the menu. I shared a Amsterdam Island which included corned beef hash and we ordered a stack of pancakes (2 regular, 1 chocolate chip). Portions are enormous, super friendly service, and food came out quickly. Great comfort food, I will definitely return!
(5)Sarah G.
Leo's has been around for quite a while apparently (and definitely looks the part), operates in the 'seat yourself' style, feeds a great variety of people, and had a classic diner feel (steak and eggs). But where Leos sets itself apart from any other dirty breakfast establishment are their specialties. Note that this isn't a gourmet breakfast, but it's a step above regular diner fare. I couldn't decide between the pumpkin pancakes and caramel apple waffle (what is what I ultimatley went for). The giant breakfast burrito, on a bed of shredded cheese and potato strings, is what I'll be getting next time though... and their homemade cinnamon rolls made my orange juice taste tart by comparison. Ironically enough the TV was playing an infomercial about some kind of weight loss program, but that didn't deter us from enjoying a 'no need to eat lunch today' kind of breakfast.
(3)Bob M.
For me, blueberry pancakes are the measure of a great breakfast, and Leo's were as good as any I've enjoyed in Maine or Massachusetts. Usually, two pancakes is considered a "short stack", but not when they're bigger than the plate. My wife's order of the Original Island (biscuits, gravy and eggs) was similarly delicious. The food was fast and tasty and every time I even thought about wanting more coffee, our waitress was there with a refill. There was no hint of pretentiousness or trendiness. In fact, it was a bit of Norman Rockwell's America...a very diverse group of people being well taken care of by people who were working their butts off to please.
(5)Pepper P.
Excellent greasy spoon. Blue-collar counter and booths. The food comes in gigantor proportions and the locals know everyone's name. Uncrowded and polite. They could use some help in the bathrooms... They're scary. I was thinking maybe three stars for that, because I just decided to go find a McD's to pee at. Really, they were that bad.
(3)Jaysee K.
This place was absolutely wonderful!!! When we first walked in we were instantly greeted by an older man who you could tell absolutely LOVED being there... maybe he was the owner? Anyways.. we were seated right away at about 10am on a Sunday. We couldn't stop commenting on how cute this place was. Definately looks like an old diner. The coffee cups are all different as well! Very Cool. I ordered the bacon egg and cheese sandwich with hashbrowns on the side and my boyfriend got the spicy skillet and a blueberry pancake. We were pleasently surprised how fast it came out and how DELICIOUS everything was. We usually go to Lisas Radial Cafe but I think this has definately changed our minds on where we will be going from now on. :) Way to go Leo's!
(5)Priscilla T.
During our first visit to Omaha, we had tried Leo's on the reco of fellow Yelpers. There is nothing better than a yummy breakfast and Leo's provided that. I splurged (calorie-wise) and had the chicken fried steak scrambled eggs which was served with a fresh blueberry pancake (8" in diameter)!! My husband had a french toast combo which also came with a side of honey grain toast. The honey grain bread was delicious, as was everything else. It isn't a large restaurant, but ever spot is efficiently used. The owner was out there cooking and the servers were constantly busy. Sorry to hear that Sarah S. did not have a pleasant experience as a tourist, but we didn't have that experience at all. It was busy (not long line waiting busy, but all the seats were taken and they had continuous turnaround), yet Roxi took time to talk with us, answer our questions and even provide us with a recommendation for a good steak dinner later that night. If you are visiting Omaha, bypass the Village Inn chain and head straight for Leo's. I would recommend it to the locals, but I am sure they all know about it already!!
(5)Sara S.
As much as I love dives, diners and dingy eateries, I'm not quite sold on big american greasy breakfasts yet. Just like Lisa's radial cafe, this place offers warm hospitality, literally no decor whatsoever and "down home cooking", whatever that means. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't mind grease, as long as it's tasty grease, but this really just wasn't doing it for me. The pancakes were literally the size of my head. I'm not one for wasting food, but if anyone has ever finished these pancakes, I'd like to shake their hand. I left almost 3/4 of my plate behind. The hashbrowns were too salty, the coffee was watery, the orange juice...well, it came out of a soda fountain, so.... I doubt that warrants any further explanation. And just like with Lisa's, I wanted to like Leo's. So bad. I tried. I must commend them on the excellent service, especially considering how busy it was and the fact that there was only one waitress on hand (you go, girl!). Otherwise, I think I'll pass up on a next try.
(3)Johnny C.
Me and my older brother were traveling from Boston to LA and had Leo's for breakfast on our way. It was the absolute best place we could have stopped, the food was amazing (the best we had on the trip) and the people were the nicest we've met. We talked for about an hour with the employees about Boston, Omaha, and the Grand Canyon. They were so incredibly warm and friendly. Not to mention the food was incredible, we got the special biscuits and gravy and they were fantastic. This place is a must go to for anyone in the area, you will not be disappointed! Hi Roxy! Hi Josh! Johnny and Billy say hi and thanks for the great meal!
(5)Kate G.
A classic diner with good eats, super cheap prices and they treat you like you're a friend of the family. Pancakes are huge, the cinnamon roll is pure sugary, buttery sweetness, and the eggs are overflowing. They're always attentive with the coffee (which is on the weak side, but whatevs) and they make sure you have whatever you need. Other people have complained about the atmosphere being a bit, um, dingy, but its an old-school diner, that's how they do, and probably how they've been doing it for ages. I don't mind mismatched mugs and beat up silverware when I always get a pleasant and tasty meal on the cheap.
(5)Becky K.
This is our favorite place to take our 2 young kids every Sunday. They treat you like family and are very fast and friendly. The prices are very reasonable, and food is almost more than we can eat.
(4)Jenn B.
Agree with the other reviewers about great ambience, friendly staff, good coffee, etc. There is a large church crowd on Sundays, so you might have a bit of a wait if you get there later than 9:30 a.m. or so. No one else has mentioned the AMAZING Eggs Benedict! It's not on the regular menu but is always written on the Specials board. Perfect hollandaise.
(5)Jesse L.
This is my main Sunday eatery in Omaha. Much more laid back than the heralded Lisa's, which although good can be quite overwhelming. The steak and eggs are top-notch for the price and the salsa (even if you have nothing to put it on) is worth ordering on the side. Service is always top notch but not intrusive. Make this your next diner stop and you won't be disappointed.
(4)Kenyon D.
Breakfast food like my Gran used to make - high in flavor, high in fat and high in cholesterol. YUM!!!!
(5)Sarah S.
We headed here for breakfast with high hopes for a final bust-your-gut-unhealthy vacation meal before heading home to Minneapolis. The servers seemed to know everyone by name and enthusiastically greeted their regulars and chatted away. As tourists, the staff were friendly enough to us, but when we needed something we couldn't get our server's attention because she was chatting with a customer. I'm sure this is a fun place to come if you're a regular, but as out-of-towners the service was a little absent for us. Not the end of the world, we still got fed. I don't think this place has been updated much since it originally opened - it's got a sort of diner-ish, no-frills feel. Charming in its own way. The food. The size of the portions is a bit shocking. I'm from the Midwest originally, so I'm familiar with places that do large portions... but this was pretty much a new level of large. We were seated near the window where the food came up, so we witnessed the Islands going by - the plates must have weighed 3 pounds. I opted to go with a french toast combo and the hubs ordered a banana nut pancake combo but somehow ended up with blueberry pancakes. My french toast was disappointing. I'd ordered it because there were some cute notes on the wall written by kids about their love of the french toast. I guess it might please a kid? I got two slices of bread, over-soaked in egg, lightly fried and covered in powered sugar and butter. I'd hoped for something a little more... remarkable? It was so boring I didn't bother with more than one bite. The combo portion of my meal included two eggs (perfectly cooked- yum), four slices of delicious whole-wheat toast (pre-buttered, which I always forget is a thing), hashbrowns and loads of bacon. The bacon was deliciously crispy. The hashbrowns, however, were translucent from the amount of grease they had soaked up. Maybe this was because the bacon was on the same plate? When I finished the combo, I realized how much grease was visibly left glistening on my plate and felt a little ill... The hub's pancakes were probably 12-inches in diameter. HUGE. They tasted ok, although I think they had that sort of after taste that suggested maybe they needed aluminum-free baking powder? Hubs seemed happy enough with them. I guess this was a unique, authentic taste of Omaha? It was beyond unhealthy.
(3)Tom D.
Since our flight to Napa got cancelled by an untimely snowstorm we decided we needed a "comfort food" breakfast to sooth our sorrow. Leo's Diner in Benson was just the ticket. We came in feeling kind of blue. We left with the sun shining! We were greeted with a bright, cheery, and genuine "Good Morning". The place feels like family, with the staff teasing the locals with good natured ribbing. They make you feel right at home. And the food doesn't disappoint. We enjoyed fresh blueberry pancakes, eggs, link sausage, bacon, crispy hash browns, biscuits and gravy, and one of us tried the signature breakfast dish "The Island". It was all very good. We thoroughly enjoyed a breakfast experience in a true old fashioned Main Street diner. We will remember this experience and certainly hope to return again.
(5)Vinny V.
Good old fashioned diner I visited during one random February Sunday. Why give it five stars? Because for what it is: a good-priced, old-fashioned, limited-seating, free-refills diner. It's great. Or as Yelp would say: "Woohoo! As good as it gets!" I had trouble deciding what to eat, so I asked for a sandwich with a bunch of stuff in it (chicken, bacon, eggs, etc) and then some monster pancakes for dessert. They made things that weren't even on the menu. I left stuffed and eager to get on Yelp to say how good this place was. Prepare to spend single digits dollars...if you, unlike me, eat like a normal person. The place is relatively old. Not dirty, not squeaky-clean. But the important thing is it delivers. The goods...to your stomach, I mean.
(5)Jeffrey M.
Amazing diner with amazing food and amazing prices. Roxy is the very definition of mid-west kindness. I tried to order the biscuits and gravy, but they were out of gravy. Roxy was super apologetic (not that she needed to be!) and had some great suggestions to fill the void in my heart. I got the eggs benny instead, and a coffee. Still one of the best starts to my day I've had on this trip.
(5)Josh C.
I enjoyed the breakfast fare, and the prices were pretty good. It's open later than most Omaha brunch places that I've seen as well, which is another plus. My rating isn't higher for two reasons: First -- and not to sound like a complaining grandma here -- but the place was absolutely freezing. I'm not temperature sensitive either; I noticed none of the customers ever took their coats, hats or scarves off in this diner which, on the interior, was colder than the late November day outside. It had to be in the 50s if not lower. And secondly, while our waitress was friendly, none of our drinks ever got refilled even once, though the place clearly was not at all busy (the employees were reading the paper it was so slow). Those two caveats aside, however, I would still recommend it for solid breakfast eats at relatively low price, and would go back.
(3)Rowan J.
Driven past this place on Maple for the past 3 months without ever taking a second look. That however changed this morning. Thanks to the reviews on Yelp we decided head here for breakfast and were pleasantly surprised. The place has a very appropriate Diner ambiance. So, if you consider yourself to be hoity toity, I would skip this place. You would however be missing out on a wonderful establishment. The service was prompt & our waitress patiently answered our questions. The kitchen extremely quick in putting out our orders, especially for a Saturday morning! The Fantasy Island and Sombrero Eggs both lived up to expectations. Finally, about that missing star, the coffee...that's where the star came off.
(4)Ambri W.
Everything you want in a hip old school diner. Lots of nostalgia, laid back service, coffee, and fast cheap food. The dollar pancakes are huge! The chili is also awesome. Yum!
(5)Kevin F.
Solid meal for the money. Last night the wife and I grabbed dinner at Leo's before hitting a show in beautiful downtown Benson. I was shocked to see we were nearly the only people in the diner. At first, I thought there may be something wrong, maybe everyone knew something we didn't . . . not the case. I got the cup of chili with a cinnamon roll that was on special. The waitress said it was her favorite dinner of all time. I don't know that I would agree, but the cinnamon roll was hot and fresh (though maybe too hot, I ended up burning the roof of my mouth). My wife got a cheeseburger with onion rings that ended up being far more than she was able to finish. The burger was perfectly cooked with a nice char on the outside and some pink left in the middle. The onion rings had a light batter and were well seasoned. All totaled up, two people ate all they wanted for less than $20, including tip. The service was friendly and prompt. The only thing that withholds that final fifth star is the atmosphere. It seemed they'd rolled up restaurant by the time we arrived a little after seven. Literally, the floor mats were rolled up and laying in a booth. there was no music or ambient noise, so every word of the few conversations between the staff or the other few patrons was clear. The room was a little brighter than I like, but it's a diner -- whatcha gonna do? This was my first evening experience at Leo's and I will definitely be back. Also, they deliver to the bars in the Benson, so keep that in mind the next time you're having a night out in this classic main street.
(4)Dan C.
Welllllll, I love me some breakfast. Today was off the freakin' chart!!! I had a Blueberry Pancake Combo at Leos and if I've had a better breakfast I couldn't tell ya when it was (may have been at the Grubsteak Saloon in Cripple Creek, CO before it burned down) the service was polite, quick, non-intrusive and the food simply could not have been better!!! Over easy eggs-perfect, link sausage-the best I've ever had, blueberry pancakes-simply wonderful. don't care what Diners, Drive ins & Dives said about breakfast spots in Okieha, this place is the BOMB! Prices are no more than you'd pay at one of the breakfast chains (VI, IHOP) and you you get twice the food & 100 times the quality. This is the real deal friends!
(5)Jeff D.
Great food and the staff is friendly. Try it...you'll love it.
(5)Nancy H.
Would never have stopped here without reading yelp but so glad we did. Incredible eggs benedict(daily special) and cinnamon raisin French toast was out of this world. Atmosphere is not much to loom at but help was very friendly and efficient. Great meal!
(5)Doug S.
We had a fantastic breakfast at Leo's, delicious home-made salsa that had a distinct chili flavoring. Definitely great foot at a great price with really friendly service in a traditional city diner atmosphere.
(4)Lauren K.
We ate here TWICE during the Berkshire Hathaway shareholders weekend. Both times we had the Fantasy Island. SO GOOD. I wish that I could transport this place to Chicago so I could eat there more often. They greet you like you are family and then give you a delicious homemade gravy-ful meal - absolute heaven.
(5)Steve K.
Excellent. After two visits, everyone there remembers you. Lot of food for the money. If you are not sure what to order, just ask. The waitresses are fantastic and will tell you what is good.
(5)Cory B.
Very much a diner from the 70s that hasn't been touched. Classic greasy spoon with old world charm.
(4)Lori R.
LOVE this place. The Island is to DIE for. Fast, friendly service, reasonable prices...just wish the little jukeboxes in the booths worked! Atmosphere of an old-timey 1950s diner...almost always see friends there. If my work schedule allowed it, I;d eat breakfast there every day.
(5)Rick F.
Went this morning for the first time. People were Very friendly. Food was excellent and service was fast. Solid choice for breakfast.
(4)Mark V.
We recently moved from Southern California and have been looking for a down-home, mom & pop type diner to be our "breakfast place", and I think we've found it! This place is great! The prices are very reasonable, and the food is really good...only "complaint" is I needed to loosen my belt on the way out. Oh my gosh that's a lot of food. The pancakes are literally bigger than the plate, the serving of sausage was very generous and the eggs were cooked to perfection. We've tried several other places (most noteably the one off North 40th and Cumings...yea, you know the one - YUCK!) Leo's has it hands down over those other places. If you're looking for anything remotely resembling fancy, stick to Old Town. If you're looking for friendly folks, good food, great prices, and an old time diner atmosphere - give LEO'S DINER a try!
(5)Angel C.
YUM. Been coming to Leo's for years and love it. The experience is a blast. Fun staff, awesome diner good. Cinnamon rolls are to die for and the eggs benni rules. An absolute must, particularly if you we're over served the night before.
(5)Heather C.
Went for breakfast and it was definitely delicious. They love butter though, so make sure to take a walk after! The best part about Leo's is their service--sweet, honest people work here!
(4)Simone L.
Our server Roxy is one of the friendliest people we've met on our travels, and the food is good, old-fashioned, stick-to-your-ribs classic American diner fare. Had the BEST cinnamon roll ever that was made from scratch from organic ingredients.
(5)Scott P.
Great breakfast food. Staff was polite and friendly. People seemed to like their jobs at this diner. Portions were quite generous and the food tasted great. I have had a couple of breakfast meals there and I love the islands. (you'll see) Highly recommend a visit.
(5)Bryan M.
So good, so good. 'Fantasy Island' for breakfast, sounded like a big mess but totally hit the spot. Complete with biscuits n gravy. Had to take a cinnamon roll to go too. A really neat little diner that gave us a nice feel for this town. We were just passing through and lucked out finding Leo's Diner. If we had this place back home, we'd be here all the time for breakfast. And you'd have to roll us home.
(5)Andrea H.
Cinnamon roll was so good. Sausage patty was as big as a hamburger. Not the cleanest place though
(3)Ryan t.
Have you ever had one of those nights? You know, a night of unbelievable spontaneity where you had so much fun that you experienced time travel (blacking out) and are surprised that you didn't wake up riding a Greyhound Bus around Wisconsin? After a night like that (or the Benson Bar Crawl), you should treat your body right and have breakfast at Leo's. I would recommend the Fantasy Island, which is essentially a combination of all your favorite breakfast foods in one tasty pile. And the coffee is so good that it actually washes sin away.
(5)Kim J.
Great place for breakfast. Very family friendly. We have always liked them since they have been non-smoking for many years.
(5)J C.
really friendly staff and great diner food. Had the pelini island and it was delicious. everyone completely cleaned their plates which is a bit unusual for my kids to do. reasonably priced. I will visit again
(4)Kevin B.
Big plus for me is it's walking distance from home. Beyond that the prices are good. They are all really friendly. Food comes out quick and tastes good. If you like reuben sandwiches give their breakfast reuben a shot. So good!
(4)Michael H.
At breakfast there once. Food was okay nothing to brag about but place seemed very dirty and not well kept up.
(1)Sara R.
Great. My family goes there once a week. The waitresses call my whole family by name and bring milk to the kids in sippy cups. My children run up and down the length of the restaurant, and everyone smiles at them. A little dirty, yes. But aren't diners supposed to be? Burgers are great. Pancakes are great. A fun place. Don't go there expecting a silver platter, go there expecing to have a great, greasy meal. No more, no less.
(5)Rob M.
Great diner food. Hearty, stick to your ribs stuff. The Island, The Fantasy Island...awesome yummy! Great friendly family owned cafe in downtown Benson. The prices are low for the amount of food you get.
(5)Mike J.
This place may not look like much but then again it is an old well established diner. We have only eaten weekend breakfast there (many many times) and I have to say it is the best place to get your fix of a home cooked start to a weekend in Omaha. It is small and old but if you want good food do it. You won't be disappointed.
(4)Jeri W.
Amazing little find. 1940s diner with great down home cookin'. This CaliTexan very much enjoyed her Southern Eggs Benedict. Gravy was AWESOMESAUCE!!! Hash browns perfect. Service....super friendly. We walked through the back entrance, through the service kitchen, and felt like we were family being greeted. One kid ordered the grilled ham and cheese with a side of onion rings. And I can say with all honesty they were probably the best I've ever had. Other kid had Steak Benedict. Think he licked the plate clean. Cheeseburger was good too. Hand made patty was juicy and well flavored. Nuttin' but love for this quaint spot. But be prepared to wait. It's a popular spot.
(5)Lianna N.
Those taco bell commercials keep making me want to be a "breakfast defector" whatever that means. If it means skipping taco bell and heading to Leo's then I am totally game. Leo's is the epitome of a classic diner. It's right there with 11-worth cafe and Lisa's Radial Cafe in town as divey, homey, old school, simple, greasy, good food. The regular menu will boost all the egg/bacon/hash/pancake/waffle/omlette combos your heart desires. What I really like here is that there is always a board of specials, and some can be a bit fancier than your average breakfast. I do enjoy having options. My standard order here is the corned beef hash with 2 eggs sunny side up and sub toast for a pancake. The best! You cannot go wrong with this plate of food!!! Street parking or municipal lot a few blocks down. As a side note, It's funny since Benson has become a lot more popular in the night scene with local "hipsters" and 20-40's ppl who are looking for drinks and a whole lot of fun. However, in the morning, Benson is just another sleepy street of businesses that open their doors later in the day. Leo's shines here as a breakfast place and this is where you will see the real residents of Benson- sipping their morning coffee and chatting with the staff on the daily. Come down here for breakfast and then come back at night for more fun in Benson!!!!!!!!
(4)Greg J.
Leo's Diner is a greasy spoon with a bangin' tight traditional diner menu. The tenderloin, the hash, the burgers are all made by hand. There are homemade pickles up in here! This isn't an operation run out of a Cisco truck. It's the kind of place my father and I could have both appreciated if I hadn't killed him with disappointment first. Only downside: Hipster douchebags. Try it before the inevitable scourge of gentrification pushes them out of the neighborhood.
(4)Alan B.
Leo's is only open for breakfast and lunch. The dining room is smallish and if you don't arrive early all the booths will be full and you'll have to sit at the bar, or wait in line. Their specialty is "the Island" - hash browns covered in biscuits and gravy, covered with eggs, and they make several variations of this menu item. One of these variations is the "Padre Island" which also has chorizo and jalapenos on top. Mmmmmmm... Another variation is the "Candida Island" which is half green chili/half red chili, cheese, choice of sausage / ham / bacon (I picked sausage) and jalapenos. Yowza! All the variations I've had are awesome. The kitchen is tiny and it's right up front as you walk in, surrounded by glass, and frequently they have 4 cooks squeezed into this small space cranking out food. In addition to the "Islands", I also love their bacon cheeseburger (8 oz), likely the best burger in Omaha in my opinion. My only disappointment has been with the fries - coated curley cue fries, similar to what you would get at Arby's. I expected something homemade from this place. They still tasted fine, just not up to par with the rest of the food. As far as I can tell, most of the servers are probably related to each other which creates a great family friendly atmosphere. This place is a true gem of Omaha, yet I have discovered many natives who aren't aware of its existence. (People need to get out more.) But then, if they don't know about it, that's just more food for me.
(5)Reed N.
I have been on a biscuits a gravy quest lately. Here they had an "island" special. They added eggs and corned beef hash and green chilis to the B&G! Oh hell yes (but keep the Tums handy)! Everything was absolutely lightning fast and delicious. The biscuits here had that tender and fluffy quality I am finding at most places. The gravy was well seasoned, with little tiny bits of sausage throughout. Not a bad effort at all. Service was puuuuuuurrrrfect.
(4)Snow M.
Jason G completely plagiarized my review but I'll let that slide since he has become my meal buddy. We have explored many different locations and sometimes it's a race to see who can get the review posted first. He won this round. We arrived around 1030am and it was snowing. Parking can be difficult so have patience. We walked less than a block until we got to the front door. The sidewalks are narrow and hard to walk two abreast. We open the front door to the diner and lucky for us, there is no wait. We get seated in the back at a chair/bench seating combo. That works really well for me, I like having a chair for my butt as I am a fat chick and booths are hard for me... but I digress. This appears to be a family run joint and the ladies are hopping! All sorts of fantastic specials handwritten on the white board. I have come here to try the Fantasy Island because of fellow Yelpers. Wait, there is something missing, there is no CFS (chicken fried steak for all you none breakfast aficionados). I ask the waitress if we could add it in there somewhere in all the layers of ham and sausage and eggs and biscuits. Without missing a beat, she says yes and off she goes to the kitchen. Hmmm,. adding CFS to the Fantasy Island seems to be a common ask. Maybe it's one of those secret off the menu items? Jason orders the same thing. The orders arrive to the gasp of a nearby table who are very curious as to what we ordered. I, of course, will talk to anyone and turned to share the knowledge that is my breakfast. The whole plate was tender enough to eat without a fork. It was all terrific and induced the food coma. There was plenty of food and I'm glad I didn't get the blueberry pancake. Breakfast was not cheap due to the addition of the CFS. Two Fantasy Islands Two CFS add on Two coffees. Tip $43.00 I think the order has to be 11-Worth Cafe, Lisa's Radial Cafe then Leo's. Don't get me wrong, I would suggest this place if asked, this is not a "fine, I'll go there because other people want to." They stand up well on their own. Take the trip, brave the crowds. Try this place.
(5)Luke I.
The hash browns were cooked well and tasted good. The service was awesome. I cannot endorse a breakfast establishment that does not poach an egg. I have been poaching eggs since I was 12; it is not a difficult task. C'mon Leo's! Fill a pan with some water!
(2)Jason G.
Finally made it here...having heard many good things about it, I was anxious to see what all the fuss was about...Now, to me there's a tri-fecta of awesome breakfast joints: 11-Worth Cafe,Lisa's Radial Cafe and Leo's Diner, in that order...I got eggs, hashbrowns and biscuits and gravy, with a chicken fried steak thrown on top...yes, once again, that's how I roll...the eggs were made as I wanted, the chicken fried steak was good, and the biscuits were also quite tasty...everything was just about as good as I'd have wanted...the service was friendly and the cost was fair...I still think 11-Worth is the best, but Leo's is certainly a solid joint that I'd go to again...
(4)Chris L.
Oh Leo's - why do I feel so guilty about writing this? It could be the wad of money spent on average diner food. Perhaps it's the clot blocking the blood from pumping through my heart. It might be the funk that surrounds me from sitting too close to the grill. I admit though, coffee is hot, portions are on the glacial scale and no one cares if you wear slippers. You are a hang over cure but I wish the above listed items were easier to shake than the memory of a good time had. So - A-OK by me but let's just keep it at the friend level.
(3)Dave C.
Came here for breakfast while in town on business. This is just a great little classic diner. When we pulled up, I wasn't quite sure because it doesn't look like much and I'm not sure about the area of town its in. Walking in, the decor was just old school diner. It does look like a run down throw back place which might turn off a lot of people. The food was pretty good. Mine was a bit overcooked but it felt more like home cooking not manufactured restaurant food. I can see why there are negative reviews but this diner reminded me a lot of the types of places I would eat at growing up. If you're looking for a high end diner, then this is not the place. As one of my co-workers said, its to much to look at but the food was good.
(4)Terri H.
We went to Leo's because of the Yelp ratings. I should have read more than the first couple. Why I didn't walk out because of the appearance alone is beyond me. The place was very dirty. Maybe I'm picky, but I do not like my cup handed to me by the rim. The same with the utensils. Forks and spoons should given to a customer by the handle, not the part you eat from. We ordered donut holes to start with. Some were warm and some were cold, all were grease saturated. The rest of breakfast foods we ordered were okay, not worth eating in the filth. Classic diner eating can be vintage in appearance but doesn't have to be unclean.
(2)Will S.
Leo's is an Omaha classic. I was there just after 7 a.m. on a weekday and the place was buzzing with regulars eating their bacon and eggs and biscuits and gravy and sipping their coffee with cream and sugar. The waitress pretty much knew everyone's name who came in the door and greeted them accordingly. You don't get that many other places. I ordered the half Fantasy Island and a coffee for a total of just under $8. Trust me, the half order is more than enough to feed a hungry man. My food arrived promptly and was hot and delicious. For those who don't know, the "Island" dishes are heaps of breakfast fare. The half Fantasy had an egg, bacon, ham, biscuits and gravy, all piled together. Add salt, pepper and hot sauce and you're ready to start clogging them arteries. Definitely my favorite spot in town to order a mountain of breakfast goodness.
(4)Scott R.
We stopped into Leo's diner after our 3-hour drive from Lawrence, and based had a pretty good idea of what to expect based on previous reviews. Leo's is a diner in the classical sense -- open view into the kitchen and cook area, counter seats with spinning stools, several small booths for four, and a couple of tables in the back that can be shoved together for slightly larger groups. We were waved in and told to pick a place to sit and chose a booth near the back. In addition to the warm greasy air (classic diner ambiance), our table had a shiny lacquered surface that featured small advertisements for local businesses. If I were looking for a handyman in Omaha or Benson, I would need to look no further than the table in front of me. Additionally, the booth had a classic at-the-table jukebox, but it was unclear if it still worked, and we didn't endeavor to use it in any case. We started with a couple of waters and house coffee. Though the coffee was some sort of large-scale industrial coffee, it was hot, quick, and serviceable for the morning pick-me-up. In addition to our table menus, a large whiteboard with the daily specials was brought over to our table and leaned against a post across the aisle, giving a few variants and flairs on some of the traditional menu items. I ultimately chose the Josh's Island, which was a sort-of breakfast garbage plate, featuring hash browns, topped with biscuits and gravy, with turkey, ham, and bacon overlaying that, and crowning the entire dish was a pair of eggs, I chose sunny-side-up. Mrs. R went with the waffle sandwich, which consisted of a thick Belgian-style waffle with ham, and a side of super-crispy hashbrowns. Both items were delicious and well-priced, ca. $7-8 for each, and with coffee and tax our entire bill was $20. We were also a little crunched for time, and the timely service let us get in and out in about 35 minutes. The only downside that I pulled from the experience was an architechtural flaw -- the restrooms were located in the far-back of the building, and the layout requires patrons to go through part of the kitchen and past the dishwashing station. I think my main issue sprung from the notion of passing through employee and service areas on the way to the restroom -- something like piercing the veil of the front of the house and the back of the house. All in all, a good solid breakfast, and a foundation upon which to build a days worth of carousing. This is the first of a series of ~13 reviews about a weekend getaway in Omaha.
(4)Bobby A.
Great place. No frills. Just go there for breakfast. You won't be sorry. Their fantasy island is amazing. I substitute the biscuits for pancakes. Don't knock it until you try it. I wonder if they will make a Johnny cake for me..... Hmmm. There is often a line but it is worth the wait. Servers are friendly but often busy.
(4)Steven G.
Exceptional locals spot with outstanding staff and incredible value. The 4 of us sat at the counter of this bustling establishment! Old school with amazing sausage gravy, eggs, and French toast dishes...Thanks for everything.
(5)Bryan H.
In town for the college world series and found this place on here. We were not disappointed. Had the fantasy island and was excellent. Excellent diner atmosphere with great, friendly staff. Go Hogs!!!
(5)Thad F.
Met some friends for breakfast over the weekend. Food was great and a lot of it!!! Biscuits and gravy with hash browns and 2 eggs to order! Good service and the food was spot on!
(4)Josh B.
Leo's Diner in Benson is a great place to go and relax and enjoy a meal whether you are by yourself or with friends and family. The staff is very friendly and will answer any question about the food. Also, just try and empty your coffee cup. The staff comes around so much to check on you and refill that I never got below half way. When it comes to the food I have zero complaints. The servings are large, the variety of what can be ordered is huge and the food itself is greasy and delicious. I don't think I have ever had the same thing twice in my attempt to try everything on their specials menu and I have never left hungry or unsatisfied. If you want a friendly, cosy place to enjoy breakfast or lunch, make sure to check out Leo's Diner. (In case you didn't know, there is parking behind the restaurant). Enjoy
(5)Sandeep P.
The definition of a greasy spoon. So perfect. Chicken friend steak smothered in glossy gravy, check. Corn beef hash crispified to perfection, check. Sassy/friendly waitstaff, check. Endless coffee, check. Toast pre-slathered with butter, check. Your money's worth, check
(5)Bob A.
Big fan! First time here so didn't know what to expect. Had the Fantasy Island (mixture of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, onions, peppers). Very tasty. If you are one of those people that can't stand your food touching each other.... avoid this dish! lol Service was extremely friendly and folksy. They will sit and talk with you if you want. Place is a bit run down, in the classic diner sense, but I love that ambiance. If I wanted ferns, wood paneling and servers wearing flair.... I would go out west. Parking is tricky but park in the public lot just to the southwest and enter their back door in the alley. You have to walk through their storage and prep area but that is part of the ambiance!
(5)John H.
Haven't been back since my last review, but I have read the other reviews that have been posted since (I'm not local to Omaha....yet). I'm a business owner, and I understand that things sometimes go haywire. They have righted the ship, it seems. Much respect for doing so! Keep up the good work, guys. :-)
(4)Will O.
Good breakfast with a great variety of menu options with lots of flavors. Sort of a hidden gem that has been around for years but I never know about it until several years ago.
(4)Dr Frank F.
I go to Leo's on a semi-regular basis - as in, maybe every couple months. If you want breakfast that'll stick to your ribs, this is a great place to go. I was also dumbfounded by how good my burger was, one time when I ate lunch there. Don't expect flashy, trendy, hipster or suburban anything here. It's an old-school greasy spoon diner. And a good one at that.
(4)Marq M.
This is hands down the best breakfast in Omaha (and their lunches are good also). Leo's is where the Benson locals eat on weekdays and people from all over town travel to on the weekends. They easily have the best biscuits and gravy that I have eaten anywhere. Some people might think the "decor" could use upgrading-but I would disagree and probably have a heart attack if they did. This is not Le Peep or Jimmy's Egg. The service here is top notch and many of the staff have worked here for years- you have a good chance at them learning your name if you become somewhat of a regular. Recommended items are of course The Island (look at the special board as they always have a new spin on some of their classic items up there), biscuits and gravy, The Benson egg sandwich and the really huge hot dogs on toasted buns. Leo's serves up a fine burger and fries also. If you live in Omaha then visiting Leo's is a must-if you are travelling through town this and Lisa's Radial and maybe the Leavenworth Cafe are your best authentic Omaha breakfast spots.
(5)Robert N.
Every neighborhood deserves at least one good diner. Benson has got theirs with Leo's. All the standards are represented, here. It's good.
(4)David S.
Flew into Omaha on an early flight and was looking for a local place to get my breakfast on. I have to say, parked in front and had second thoughts about stepping in. Been a while since the place has seen a paint job...hunger got the best of me. Walked in and the place was packed. Leo's doesn't pretend to be anything that it isn't, and I mean that as a compliment. If one thing, it's genuine and the food does all the talking. Just a 'real' place where you can pack in a great meal for a great price. Nothing fancy, in fact no 2 coffee cups were the same but the collection was made up of the bad slogan cups you get as gifts or promotional handouts..actually cool. I had the 1/2 serving of Fantasy Island. Hash Browns covered in biscuits and gravy, bacon, sausage, peppers and topped off with an egg. Don't know that I'll be back in Omaha anytime soon, but I'd definitely recommend Leo's.
(4)