He was just 30 years old when Loren Koch realized his dream by opening a restaurant of his own. While studying journalism at UNL, he worked at Shakey’s which launched his career in the service industry. Afterwards, he went on to manage the Johnny Carson-themed restaurant Here’s Johnny’s. All the while he was drawing on napkins and creating the blueprint for Brother Sebastian’s.
Located on 119th and Pacific, his restaurant was inspired by Spanish monasteries he visited while in California. Designed with wood, stucco, stone, the space had five unique dining rooms with seating for 145. He poured his heart and soul into creating a unique and memorable dining experience that provided a getaway where customers could enjoy great food in an intimate setting that was dimly lit. The monks at the monasteries were renowned for their hospitality and kindness to visitors. He sought to duplicate that in his restaurant.
The first thing you noticed was sound of Gregorian chants as you approached the entrance. From there you were seated in one of the dining rooms, each of which had a unique theme including library, cask and wine cellar. The lounge, meanwhile, had exposed wood ceiling beams in addition to a fireplace and a variety of seating options including cocktail tables, sofas and chairs. After being seated, the wait staff dressed in traditional monk attire handed you a 22-page bound menu. While most pages were dedicated to an impressive selection of wines, the food options included six steaks, crab legs, lobster tail, baked sole, shrimp, frog legs and rock cornish hen along with salad bar.
The restaurant proved so popular when it opened in 1977 that Loren expanded it two years later by adding party rooms as well as additional dining rooms. Tragedy struck in 1996 when the restaurant burned to the ground. Loren was said to be devastated but vowed to rebuild despite being underinsured. At the time, he said that the “business was my life and I had a great staff. I felt a lot of responsibility to them because they all made a living there, too.” While rebuilding, he took out a $250k loan and helped his displaced employees find new jobs. Brother Sebastian’s reopened just eight months later with a larger kitchen, separate room for the salad bar, seating for 200 and a bell tower above the entrance.
In an industry where restaurants reinvent themselves often and rarely last more than a few years, Brother Sebastian’s is nearly identical to the restaurant that first opened its doors nearly 50 years ago. It continues to serve the finest cuts of beef seared over an open flame. Its prime rib is consistently counted as one of the best in town. The interior that Loren had given so much care and attention still makes it among the most romantic restaurants around. And despite the passing of its founder in December 2023, it remains an institution in a city that has seen many of its beloved restaurants close in recent years.
Today Brother Sebastian’s is Omaha’s fifth oldest steakhouse still in operation. The top four are Johnny’s Cafe (1922), Gorat’s (1944), Cascio’s (1946) and The Drover (1968). If you missed the history of the other four steakhouses or Here’s Johnny’s, you can find them on my page. We’ll explore the sixth oldest steakhouse, Jerico’s in the future.
Please feel free to comment and share your memories. Thank you following along. Let’s keep exploring!
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