A husband and wife turned their fruit market into a pizza joint with three dozen pans and a family recipe.
Their first July day brought in sixty dollars, which today barely covers a large pie and an order of breadsticks.
That small start eventually grew into one of the best-known pizza names across Nebraska.
This is the kind of detail I’d text my best friend about at midnight.
Today the original location runs a buffet with eight separate spreads and more than 75 different selections.
Pizza, pasta, salad, and bakery treats share the room with a dessert bar that quietly steals the show.
From fruit crates to a buffet this size, now that’s a flex. Somewhere, a retired crate of peaches is feeling very proud of itself.
A Fruit Market Became A Pizza Legend Overnight
Back in 1957, Val and Zena Weiler ran the Campus Fruit Market in Lincoln. Then they made a bold switch from apples and oranges to pizza.
That move gave birth to Valentino’s, and the original location still serves hungry crowds today. You can find this historic spot at 35th and Holdrege, a corner many longtime fans simply call home base.
The Weilers didn’t start with fancy equipment or a giant kitchen. They had a family recipe and three dozen pizza pans. That’s it.
No marketing team, no app, just dough and determination.
Their first day of business came in July 1957. They took in sixty dollars, which sounds tiny now but meant real hope back then. Every pizza empire needs an origin story, and this one feels refreshingly humble.
Fast forward a bit, and the Messineo and Alesio families took over the business in 1971. They carried the name forward and helped it grow across Nebraska.
So the next time you grab a slice here, remember the fruit stand roots. It’s a sweet reminder that big dreams sometimes start with produce.
Eight Buffet Spreads Means Your Plate Needs A Game Plan
More than 75 selections spread across eight separate stations. That’s the Grand Italian Buffet, and it’s the star attraction at this location.
Here’s how the lineup breaks down. You’ll find a fresh salad bar, pasta salads, fresh fruits, and an Italian bakery. Then come the pizza bar, the pasta bar, Italian favorites, American favorites, and a dessert bar to finish strong.
Honestly, the biggest challenge is pacing yourself. Load up on pizza first, and the pasta bar might feel left out. Start with salad, and you’ll feel virtuous for about four minutes.
A smart move is taking a quick lap before grabbing a plate. Scout the stations, spot what calls your name, and then build your strategy. Think of it as a delicious treasure map.
Small plates help too. Trying a little of everything beats piling one mountain of lasagna and tapping out early.
The variety makes it easy for picky eaters and adventurous eaters to sit at the same table. Everyone wins, and nobody argues over toppings. That alone might be worth the trip across Lincoln.
Nebraska Has Its Own Pizza Style And It Lives Here
Chicago has deep dish. New York has its foldable slices. Nebraska?
It has a style all its own, and Valentino’s proudly claims it.
Nebraska-style pizza features a soft crust that isn’t too thick. Next comes a flavorful, thick pizza sauce, followed by fresh toppings. Whole-milk mozzarella cheese ties everything together in a melty finish.
That combination lands right in the comfortable middle. It’s not cracker thin, and it won’t need a knife and fork. It’s simply easy, satisfying pizza that kids and grandparents both understand.
The menu includes specialty pies with fun personalities. Val’s Special honors the founder, while the All Meat Special speaks for itself. There’s also a Bacon Cheeseburger pizza and a BBQ Chicken pizza for anyone craving something different.
Want total control? Build-your-own pizza lets you pick every topping. Go wild or keep it classic, no judgment here.
Trying the style at its birthplace feels a bit like a pizza pilgrimage. You’re tasting a recipe tradition that started with a fruit market and three dozen pans. Pretty cool for a Tuesday dinner.
Sunday Brunch Brings Waffles And Breakfast Pizza To The Party
Breakfast pizza. Two words that make Sunday mornings a lot more exciting.
The Sunday Brunch Buffet runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and it blends morning classics with Italian comfort. You’ll see scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, and sausage links lined up and ready.
Belgian waffles make an appearance, along with biscuits and gravy. Crispy fried chicken and a cheesy potato casserole join the lineup too. It’s the kind of spread that settles every family debate about where to eat after church or sports practice.
Then there are the homemade cinnamon bread twists. Those alone could justify setting an alarm on a weekend.
The brunch still includes the fresh salad bar with fresh-cut fruit. Baked pasta rounds things out for anyone who skips breakfast food entirely.
Brunch works great for celebrations that don’t fit a dinner schedule. Think post-graduation gatherings, birthday mornings, or visiting relatives who need feeding before the drive home.
Pro tip: plan your arrival so you have time to enjoy it. Two hours goes fast when cinnamon twists are involved.
Lincoln Keeps Voting This Pizza Its Favorite
Winning once is nice. Winning year after year takes something special.
Valentino’s has been recognized as one of Lincoln’s favorite pizza restaurants, with reports of a 26-year streak of best-pizza recognition.
That’s a long streak in a college town full of pizza options.
Staying on top that long isn’t luck. It points to a recipe and a buffet format that keep people coming back across generations. Parents who ate here as teens now bring their own kids.
The company also gives back with its High-Five program. It recognizes students, which fits nicely with a business that grew up beside a university crowd.
Speaking of campus, the original fruit market carried the name Campus Fruit Market. That connection to student life runs deep in the brand’s history.
Plenty of restaurants come and go in a few years. Few manage to stay part of a city’s identity for decades.
That kind of loyalty says a lot about a place. When a whole community keeps choosing the same pizza, it’s worth paying attention. Maybe even worth a road trip.
Little Ones Under Two Eat Free, And Parents Cheer Quietly
Kids under two years old eat free at the buffet. Parents with toddlers know exactly how sweet that deal sounds.
Valentino’s leans hard into being a gathering place for families and friends. The restaurant is described as kid-friendly, and it backs that up with high chairs and a kids’ menu.
Buffets are naturally great for young diners. Nobody waits forty minutes for food while little patience meters run out. Kids can try a bite of pasta, reject it dramatically, and switch to pizza without drama.
That flexibility helps grown-ups relax too. You can grab a salad while your child picks plain cheese slices. Everyone eats what they like, and the table stays happy.
The location also offers accessibility and parking. That makes life easier for strollers, grandparents, and anyone wrangling a car full of kids.
Big family outings often fall apart over logistics. Here, the setup handles a lot of that for you.
So if you’re planning a birthday for a little one, this spot deserves a look. Free food for the tiniest guest is a pretty great party favor.
Celebration Plans Get Easier When The Dessert Bar Joins In
Cake is great, but have you considered dessert pizza? At Valentino’s, the dessert bar gives celebrations a sweet finish without extra planning.
Families in Nebraska have leaned on this place for milestones for decades. Birthdays, graduations, team dinners, and reunions all fit naturally around a buffet table.
The appeal makes sense. A buffet removes the stress of ordering for a big group. Aunt Linda gets her salad, Grandpa gets his lasagna, and the kids head straight for pizza.
The Italian bakery and dessert bar sit right there as part of the deal. That means no last-minute bakery run before the party.
Groups of all sizes can find something to enjoy. Picky eaters, healthy eaters, and serious carb lovers all come out satisfied.
Want to take the party home instead? Carryout and delivery offer pizza, pasta, salads, breads, and desserts. That works for backyard birthdays or living room movie nights.
Celebrations don’t need to be fancy to feel special. Sometimes the best memories come from a crowded table, full plates, and someone sneaking a third dessert.
Pick The Right Hour And The Buffet Is All Yours
Timing matters with any buffet, and this one runs on a clear schedule. Knowing it saves you from a hungry, disappointing drive.
Head to 3535 Holdrege St #100, Lincoln, NE 68503. The lunch buffet runs Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The dinner buffet runs daily from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday brunch fills the 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. slot on Sundays.
Carryout and delivery keep longer hours. Sunday through Thursday, you can order from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday stretch until 10 p.m.
Notice the gap between lunch and dinner buffets. Plan around it, because arriving at 3 p.m. for a buffet won’t go your way.
Hours can shift with seasons, so a quick check before heading out is smart. That’s especially true for summer visits or holiday weekends.
Showing up early in a buffet window also gives you more time to enjoy all eight spreads. Rushing through pasta is nobody’s idea of fun.