Old Main is such an incredible addition to Crete and truly feels like a hidden gem. We came here…read moreafter a football game, and it was the perfect place to celebrate a win, grab some food and drinks, watch more football, and just hang out together.
We headed upstairs and were pleasantly surprised by how much seating there was. Even with a decent crowd, we were able to find plenty of room for our group without feeling cramped. The upstairs has such a fun, relaxed atmosphere and is an awesome place to spend an afternoon or evening. There are TVs everywhere with seemingly every game imaginable playing, which makes it especially perfect during football season or after any Doane sporting event.
The building itself is absolutely beautiful and honestly worth taking the time to look around. There are so many thoughtful details throughout the space, including beautiful woodwork and floors, exposed brick, historic touches, and tons of old photographs and pieces highlighting Crete and Nebraska history. You can tell a lot of thought went into preserving the character of the building while turning it into something that feels fresh and welcoming. It has so much more personality than your typical restaurant or sports bar.
The upstairs and downstairs also have completely different vibes, which I love. Downstairs feels more elevated and is somewhere I would absolutely come for a nicer dinner, while upstairs is more casual and perfect for drinks, appetizers, watching sports, or hanging out with a group. Upstairs also has a really cool self-serve beer wall, a golf simulator, pool table, and plenty of TVs. There really seems to be something for everyone.
And of course, the food was great! Our group had a couple appetizers along with meals, and everything we tried was delicious. The portions were generous, the food came out looking great, and there were plenty of options for sharing with a group. We had the nachos, cheese curds, Brussels sprouts, burgers and more, and everything was a hit. They also have a great selection of drinks.
The restaurant was busy while we were there, especially with a good-sized crowd coming in after the game, but the staff did a fantastic job. Everyone was clearly hustling, and despite how busy they were, they continued checking on us and made sure we had everything we needed. We really appreciated how hard everyone was working and still providing such a great experience.
Crete is incredibly lucky to have a place like Old Main. It feels like the kind of restaurant and gathering place the community has needed--somewhere you can have a nice dinner, meet friends for drinks, bring a group, watch a game, or stop in after a Doane event. It also feels very connected to Crete itself rather than being another generic restaurant, which makes it even more special.
If you're coming into town for a Doane football game or another sporting event, Old Main should absolutely be on your list for before or after the game. We had such a great time celebrating there and will definitely be back. I can't wait to try more of the menu and spend more time exploring everything they have to offer. Such a wonderful addition to Crete!
