ST. PAUL — The Skyline Café in St. Paul was voted the 2024 “Chompion” in the inaugural Central Nebraska TODAY.com’s Tournament of Taste.
The Tournament of Taste featured 64 different central Nebraska restaurants and eateries that had been nominated by residents through a vote.
A bracket was set up and those businesses with the higher number of votes moved ahead. In the end, it came down to Skyline Café of St. Paul and Prairie Creek Vineyard and Winery of Central City, with Skyline taking home the top spot.
A trophy and full bracket were presented to Virgina Schenck and Steve Schenck on Wednesday, April 10 at the Skyline Café.
Skyline Café is connected to Jim’s Truck Stop on the northeast side of St. Paul, 1417 US-281. The location is open 6 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Mondays and Tuesdays, 6 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Wednesdays through Saturdays and 6 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sundays.
There menu consists of classic Americana with their breakfast, homemade pies, ice cream and daily specials receiving praise from visitors.
Virgina said the restaurant itself was build in the 1960s and her parents took over operations in 1971 when they moved to St. Paul.
The Schenk family has run the café for 53 years, with Virginia managing it since 1990. She said she took over when her sister needed help and she was ready for a change from the career she had held prior.
“Thirty-four years, it doesn’t seem like that long,” Virginia said with a grin.
Steve said he has been involved with the café for two years,
He noted he had worked previously in Grand Island and didn’t ever plan to join the family business but his grandmother, 83 at the time, was still working seven days a week, “the hardest working lady in the world,” Steve said.
Steve said some new, young blood was needed and that’s when he took the leap, “It’s been the best decision for me.”
Steve said the Skyline Café has always had great food and their regulars, but he brought the social media exposure to the location and helped get word out about the location.
He said they still have their regulars, but they are seeing more and more people looking to try out the café.
During the Tournament of Taste, Skyline went up against, Nebraska Ale Works, Branding Iron Café, The Danish Bakery, Jo Jo’s Gelato & Grill and Plainsmen Steakhouse.
When asked about their thoughts as the tournament started and progressed, Steve said it started out and with anything new, there was some skepticism and curiosity as to what it was but by the end, “people were into it.”
Steve quipped that the regulars and the locals of St. Paul were following the Tournament of Taste harder than they were. Virgina added that their fans would tell them about the next match up.
By the time the “Final Fork,” was announced, Steve said he was receiving 25 to 50 messages talking about it.
“People really enjoyed it here…they were proud to be a part of it,” Steve said, “I think one of the things that sets us apart is that our customers are like family. This is a family-owned business but our customers who come in daily, weekly, every Sunday, they are invested in us.”
Steve said he has to give the community of St. Paul credit, saying that it is a tight-knit group.
“I think that is important to win something like this, everyone knows this is the place to be for great food and service,” Steve said.
