Ponderosa Bar

Our favorite taco Tuesday destination recently closed and we were in search of a new location to get our "taco fix" without resorting to the neighborhood chain locations. A few months back our oldest son, a middle school teacher, suggested we try the Ponderosa Bar and Grill in Elk City. Knowing that he was basing his recommendation on tips from his students (they are known to offer positive reviews if they get a stuffed animal in the claw machine) we put the Ponderosa on the back burner. Well, Tuesday night we heated up the back burner and headed to Elk City. Yes, Elk City! The address has the Ponderosa located in Valley, Nebraska but trust me--it is in Elk City.On this rainy Tuesday night the parking lot was muddy and full of vehicles--a number of pickup trucks parked next to luxury SUVs and then there was us in our middle of the road Chevrolet. I have come to know I am at a good "dive bar" based on the cross section of vehicles in the parking lot! A large puddle greeted me when I stepped out of the vehicle but that was the only negative I can share from this visit. Tables were scarce and each table was a seating for six so we felt bad taking one of the remaining tables for a twosome. We were quickly welcomed by our server who took our drink orders and greeted the regulars on her way to and from the bar area. Drinks were served in a can with a large glass of ice and buckets of beers were the center table decoration at many of the surrounding tables. We both ordered two beef tacos with salsa and diet cokes. We did not order off the menu--the waitress knew we were there for tacos and just needed to know how many. Our tacos arrived within 5 minutes and they were stuffed full with meat and just the right amount of cheese, tomato and lettuce. Ours also had minced onion which I loved but was a bit unusual from our regular topped tacos. We could have gotten by with one taco, as they were huge portions. We were both impressed with our tacos served in paper lined red baskets. As we ate, the place filled and we welcomed a couple of locals to join us at our over sized table for two that seated six!The burgers looked amazing and we learned that prime rib night is held on Saturday and a breakfast buffet is available on Sundays. When we asked our server for our ticket she informed us that our meal had been paid for by our table mates. We left a healthy tip and we will be back to pay it forward.We had a great first experience at the "Pondie" --yes we now are locals and can use the nickname of our new favorite taco Tuesday haunt. We need to start listening to the middleschoolers. Not a claw machine in sight!

Great Prime Rib on Saturday nights! Good beer as well. Pleasant atmosphere! And that's all I have to say!

The best old town neighborhood bar I can think of! 1 beer on tap and nothing fancy... just how I love it

Hadn't been here in almost a year. Burgers are amazing! Only bartender working and boy did she work. It's a real "DIVE" bar. If you're going for fine dining this is not your place but if you want a cold beer, fries and a great cheese burger you won't be disappointed. Why did it take so long to go back?

What a fun "small town" bar and restaurant! It is actually in Elk City (I would think) but not far off the West Omaha/Maple beaten path.Last night (Saturday) was prime rib night and I had been craving some so we ventured out and braved the "snow". I was warned that this would probably be the standard small town "prime rib, baked potato, salad and dinner roll" bar This was correct but there is NOTHING wrong with that when the salad is cold and fresh, the potato gets the butter and sour cream and, MOST IMPORTANTLY, the prime rib is cooked to perfection.I have been to "5-star" local steak restaurants that didn't do prime rib this well. PERFECTLY cooked to my "rare" liking and an au jous that was plentiful and well flavored. Definitely a hit and a fun time. Fun observations - everyone seemed to know everyone (always fun) the waitresses were awesome despite being packed and running everywhere, the juke box had a nice mix going on and the Golden Tee game was the center of attention. I am looking forward to the next visit and for my Yelp friends (especially those of you out west with me), I hope you throw them some business. As an aside - Tuesday night is taco night and they have the standard fried bar food (including gizzards) all week.

Best of both worlds. Small town bar just minutes from the city. Great escape from the cookie cutter sports bars all over Omaha/Elkhorn. It's a throw back to a place that serves cold beer with friendly service without a bunch of BS. Hear good things about Prime Rib Night and Taco Tuesday-we will be back

If you've ne Ed had prime rib from the pondo, you are missing out. Great small town dive bar with friendly staff.

Only been once, for lunch on a weekday. Food was very meh. People say taco Tuesday is the best but it's also the only thing that people raved about. I give two stars for friendliness.

Great Saturday noon hamburger and fries. Juicy and well prepared. Simple. Just a burger and bun, delivered with crisp fries in a paper lined plastic basket. Nothing fancy. Moderately full today but not noisy at noon. Very casual. Lots of fried items on the menu---cheese, cauliflower, jalapeños, string beans, the list goes on. Taco Tuesday and Prime rib Saturday. Good plain American bar food. You get five stars for being what you say you want to be. This one matches.

Simple and quaint place and the waitress was really friendly. Food was very good - ordered the fish sandwich.