Mary Ellen's - Yankee Hill

Regarding the side dishes, I’d say it's a mixed bag. Their sides change daily, so you never know what's available until you arrive. What’s listed online often differs from what you can order in person. The fries and mac and cheese are solid choices—they're hard to get wrong. Unfortunately, the Brussels sprouts were a letdown; they’re tough and chewy, and they should definitely indicate that they contain pecans. As someone allergic to pecans, that was an unwelcome surprise. I’ll reserve judgment on the baked beans—which I think are overly complex in flavor and ingredients—but I can appreciate why others enjoy them. On a positive note, the collard greens are a standout. I’ve never liked collard greens before, but I could enjoy Mary Ellen’s version daily; they are fantastic. The staff is exceptionally friendly and accommodating, and while the meats are great, I think they should focus on perfecting a more consistent lineup for their side dishes instead of constantly rotating them.

The service was slow, as it took about 25 minutes for the food to arrive. The mac and cheese was mostly just noodles, and I was really hoping for a creamy, cheesy dish, so I was quite disappointed. The smothered potatoes were okay, but a bit on the greasy side. The fried chicken was decent, though the breading was nothing special. In my opinion, it might be better to head across the street to Famous Dave's for a better meal.

We ordered the Cajun Honey Wings, Hot Buttered Wings, Brussels Sprouts, and Mac N Cheese. The Cajun Honey Wings were fantastic! The Brussels Sprouts had a wonderfully roasted sweetness, and the Hot Buttered Wings offered just the right amount of heat. We will definitely return for more!

A picture is worth a thousand words, and Lincoln has no idea what it’s missing with Mary Ellen’s! The food here is absolutely amazing—full of flavor and personality. We tried it for the first time tonight, and wow! The catfish is unlike anything else you'll find in Lincoln. The ribs were excellent, the hot link had just the right level of heat, and the collard greens were so delicious that I wanted more by the gallon. Spread the word, tell your friends and family, and support these wonderful folks!

Everything was delicious, but I often evaluate restaurants based on their coleslaw, as many places struggle to get it right. Without a doubt, the best coleslaw I've ever had was at Mary Ellen's.