Sisters Sally Kawa and Kari Kawa Harding on the responsibility of running a beloved 104-year-old restaurant and winning a James Beard award
About this episode
Sisters Sally Kawa and Kari Kawa Harding discuss their family's legacy in running Johnny’s Cafe and their recent James Beard award win.
Sisters Sally Kawa and Kari Kawa Harding are keeping a glorious past alive as the third generation in their family to own an Omaha, Nebraska legend, Johnny’s Cafe. The beloved local landmark, now 104 years old and famous for steak and prime rib, recently won a 2026 James Beard America’s Classics award. And no, their grandfather’s name wasn’t Johnny, but when he first bought what was then a bar, he didn’t have the money to paint over the name on the building. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Guests: Sally Kawa, Kari Kawa Harding
Topics covered
- restaurant management
- family business
- James Beard award
- Omaha dining
- culinary history
Keywords
- Johnny’s Cafe
- James Beard award
- Omaha
- family restaurant
- steak
- prime rib
- culinary legacy
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Johnny’s Cafe
Places: Omaha, Nebraska
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