Omaha Exploration

At the time that Trini’s opened in the Old Market, there were few Mexican options outside of South Omaha. Opening such a restaurant in the up-and-coming district was the idea of a former Omaha Public Schools teacher, Bob Sitzman. 

When it opened its doors at 1020 Howard Street in 1977, it was among the first tenants of the Old Market Passageway, an alley that sat in between two buildings owned by the Mercer family. Bob started the restaurant with friends Jerry Soukup, who taught French at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and driver’s education teacher Steve Beliveau. 

The men gathered recipes from restaurants that they had traveled to in Mexico and Colorado. More Tex-Mex than authentic Mexican, its first menu featured tacos, chile relleno, burritos, tostadas and guacamole in addition to tropical drinks at moderate prices. 

Located on the ground floor of the passageway, it is among the more unique locations for a restaurant in the entire city. The former basement space had likely been used to store produce when the area was a hub for farmers and wholesalers. The interior features brick walls and floors, beams that I suspect are original to the space, stamped tin ceiling and dim lighting. Walls are adorned with bright colors and rugs. 

Sitting just outside the front entrance is a small patio that allows you to take in the atmosphere of the passageway that the restaurant has called its home for all of its nearly 50 years of existence. Its located next door to the more upscale V. Metz, another passageway original. 

While I don’t have firsthand experience of Paltani’s, I have read that Trini’s puffy shell tacos are as close as you’ll find to the beloved restaurant once located at 45th and Center Streets. Among its most popular variety is the fish tacos which are served with blackened tilapia, chipotle sauce, cheese, tomato, avocado and spring mix. 

While its founder, Bob Sitzman, passed away in 2010 at the age of 65, Trini’s continues to operate under the guidance of Rich Anderson. Rich started as a waiter at Trini’s in the mid-1980s and became general manager of the Cajun and Creole restaurant located next door called Butsy Le Doux’s that was opened by the same trio (it closed in 2008). Rich opened Market House restaurant among other Old Market businesses before taking over Trini’s which was mentioned among the best Tex-Mex and taco shops in the city by The Reader as recently as 2023.

Content written by Omaha Exploration. Feel free to leave a comment or a suggestion. Until then, keep exploring!

Omaha Exploration is sponsored by @Rockbrook Mortgage Inc.

Click here to learn about opportunities to sponsor Omaha Exploration!

More pictures

Contact me to learn more about M4K!