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Star City Classic

Maiah devises a plan to get rid of Abe and probably make him puke.

Run Abe Run!

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Maiah's Munchies

Maiah here. As Lincoln's foremost foodie, I get asked all the time for the best places to eat around town. Obviously I can't have people hitting me up for suggestions every time they go out to eat, so I put together this little tool that'll make the decision for you.

Try El Cielito Lindo

Tacos so authentically Mexican, you'll wonder how tex-mex ever got started.

1601 Q St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Amanda C.

Try Tia Lety's

The pupusa pilgrimage has brought many to Tia Lety's, and it will do the same for you.

2701 N 27th St, Lincoln, NE 68521

Photo Credit: Amanda C.

Try Bánhwich Café

Bánh mi so good it should be banned.

940 N 26th St #201, Lincoln, NE 68503

Photo Credit: Bryan Y.

Try Neveria Arcoiris

Just a short jaunt over the bridge for ice cream like none other. Honorable mentions: Ivanna Cone and the UNL Dairy Store.

1317 N 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit

Try Pan Dulce

They have smiley face cookies. Enough said.

801 S 11th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Caitlin L.

Try Vung Tau Pho Grill

An unassuming place with the best Vietnamese food around.

2708 Y St, Lincoln, NE 68503

Photo Credit: Amanda C.

Try Mr. Hui's

Come for the Crab Rangoon, stay for... well, the Crab Rangoon.

Suite B6, 3255 Cornhusker Hwy, Lincoln, NE 68504

Photo Credit: Michael R.

Try Blue Sushi Sake Grill

They're not what you think. Just trust me, they're amazing.

808 R St #200, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Savanna H.

Try The Oven

The Oven, as in, The Oven in the Haymarket. Don't check your actual oven for Lamb Vindaloo.

201 N 8th St #201, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Amanda C.

Try Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant

Blue Orchid has great vegetarian options too.

129 N 10th St #111, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Mike S.

Try Yia Yia's

If anyone asks if you want to go to Yia Yia's, just say "yah yah."

1423 E O St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Erin W.

Try The Sultan's Kite

It's a big kite. With falafel. And Taziki.

1311 O St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Andrew S.

Try Ali Baba Gyros

No matter how you pronounce it, the best gyros are at Ali Baba's.

112 N 14th St, Lincoln, NE 68508

Photo Credit: Shang G.

Try Grateful Bread

The best mac n cheese you'll ever have. And I know that's saying a lot.

1625 S 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68502

Photo Credit: Emily G.

Star City Classic

Rules & Disclaimer

Official Rules

Challenge

Complete four food challenges in 2.5 hours, running from location to location (approximately 10 miles).

Challengers

Participants of any age or physical ability are allowed to compete. However, we recommend no one actually attempt the Star City Classic. It's insane.

Prize

Bragging rights and a distended belly.

Stops & Consumption requirements

  1. Watering Hole* — Ten (10) of their hottest wings
  2. The Pho Factory — One (1) regular bowl of steak or chicken pho
  3. Honest Abe's Burgers & Freedom (east) — One (1) single patty burger
  4. Ivanna Cone — One (1) waffle cone with three (3) scoops of ice cream

The Food

All food challenges must be completed within the 2.5-hour limit and in order.

All food served to the participant must be consumed by the participant. NO EATING HELP is allowed.

The participant can eat or drink anything to help them finish the challenge (e.g. water, milk, french fries, etc.) but any additional food ordered MUST be consumed in full.

Participants must mention the SCC BEFORE they start consuming food.

Participants must pay for the food at each stop. The prize is bragging rights, not free ice cream.

Once a challenge is underway, the participants must remain at the table until they've finished. No bathroom breaks.

Vomiting will result in immediate disqualification. Participants are responsible for any necessary cleanup.

Participants must receive a stamp from each establishment confirming the challenge's completion.

The Run

All runs must be completed within the 2.5-hour limit and in order.

Participants may determine the best running route from stop to stop.

Participants must use a Fitbit or similar to record their run progress.

Participants must get from stop to stop under their own power and without the help of wheels, animals, or other humans. No bicycles, cars, cows, pedicabs, rollerblades, piggy back rides, etc.

Vomiting will result in immediate disqualification.

Disclaimer

Participation in the Star City Classic is strictly voluntary and of your own free will and is honestly not a very good idea.

By participating, you agree to hold harmless the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, The Watering Hole, The Pho Factory, Honest Abe's, Ivanna Cone and their representatives for any and all damages to you and/or your property while participating in this challenge.

*Editor's Note: Dempsey's closed in November 2016; a unanimous vote of Star City Classic Foundation members selected The Watering Hole as a suitable replacement because of its proximity and reputation for delicious wings.

How likely are you to finish?

How good are you with spicy food?
How many additional helpings do you get on Thanksgiving?
If you lived in a burger fiefdom, what rank would you hold?
Have you ever eaten ice cream alone?
How much do you run?
Do you like stars?

You won't clear The Watering Hole.

The wings will take you down before you're able to make it past the first stage. Whether it's the spiciness, the amount, the dread of the next stops, or your aversion to stars, you will be overcome.

You'll be hung up at The Pho Factory.

You'll power through the first stage at The Watering Hole, but by the time you start eating your pho, it'll catch up to you and you'll falter. It was a valiant effort though, and you're sure you'll do better next time.

You'll drop out at Honest Abe's Burgers and Freedom.

You did well to make it this far, few who attempt the Star City Classic do. You've trained and were prepared, but you're having an off day. Once you start your juicy delicious burger, you'll realize you can't go on. Better luck next time.

You'll fail at Ivanna Cone.

You'll make it within sight of the finish line, but as you start to finish your last scoop of delicious homemade ice cream, it'll all catch up to you. You're not sure what happened. You were doing so well, but in the end the Star City Classic snuck up and took you down. You rise determined and you know your next attempt will succeed.

You will complete the Star City Classic!

You've trained all your life for this one beautiful moment! A single tear falls down your sticky ice cream covered face as Abe Lincoln himself bestows upon you the key to the City of Lincoln. When you're old and death draws near, you will look back on a long successful life and this day will stand out as the brightest of them all.

Check out the Locations in this Episode

  • Hub Cafe

    Overlooking Antelope Valley Trail, Hub Cafe offers more than a scenic view and freshly brewed coffee. The fresh ingredients in their food won't go unnoticed. The ingredients are really fresh. Like, the owners use their own homemade dairy products—including milk and cheese—and support other locally grown food operations in the area by inviting them to sell their products at the café. Fresh.
    Website

  • Dempsey's

    Dempsey's is an old Lincoln favorite featuring delicious burgers and fiery wings that'll leave you blowing flames. Sadly, Dempsey's recently closed their doors. But, no fear, they're not the only downtown establishment serving eye-watering wings. The Watering Hole will have you sweating through your shirt 10/10.
    Website

  • Pho Factory

    Close to campus, delicious, healthy, and affordable food. You can ditch those sodium "noodle" death packets and never look back. PHO real. Pho Factory is a full-service authentic Vietnamese restaurant with both dine-in and takeout options. So date-shmate. Pho so good you'll forget you're eating it alone in your dorm room.
    Website

  • Honest Abe's

    Abe's makes honest burgers for honest people. And with a menu that revolves like a pistol, you'll always have an excuse to keep coming back. Now get off the internet and go order some Parmesan Truffle Fries.
    Website

  • Ivanna Cone

    Located in the Haymarket's historic creamery building, this one-of-a-kind, family-owned ice cream shop carries that classic old-time-soda-shop look. If the sweet smells of their premium handmade ice cream somehow aren't enough to lure you in through the front door, visit the drive-thru.
    Website

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a world-class institution right in the heart of this amazing city. Literally—campus is right in the middle of downtown. We invite you, yes you, to be a part of this vibrant, ever-changing community of learners, thinkers, tinkerers, artists, and entrepreneurs.

Learn More
Day in the LifeEpisode 1
Star City ClassicEpisode 2
Puke and RallyEpisode 3
Lincoln is WeirdEpisode 4

FAQ

1. Wait, President Lincoln is still alive? How did that happen?

His heart is still beating. That’s how that works, right?

2. Wasn’t he assassinated though? And it’s like 150 years later?

If he’s in the videos, that would be impossible! Next question.

3. Why does Abe live in Lincoln? Isn't he from Illinois?

What, you've never heard of a moving truck? Lincoln is pretty cool, tbh.

4. Is the Star City Classic real?

If you believe it in your heart.

5. Is Bulu Box real? What do they do?

Bulu Box is a Lincoln-based technology startup that offers customers a monthly subscription sample box containing 4 to 5 premium vitamin and supplement nutrition samples. Their goal is to introduce people to the benefits of vitamins and supplements by giving them the opportunity to discover and try new products before buying them in full size.

6. Maiah seems like kind of a jerk. Why is she so mean to Abe?

Maiah isn’t a jerk, she’s a Slytherin! She’s clever, resourceful, and determined—with a certain disregard for the rules.

7. How come Abe doesn’t wear his stovetop hat all the time? It’s iconic!

It’s 2017. He may be a bit weird, but he’s not THAT weird.

8. Did Maiah really keep Pharrell in her bag while she was running?

Running with a hamster in your bag is a bad idea. Don't do it.

9. What does any of this have to do with Nebraska?

Abe and Maiah are proud to call Lincoln home, and we are too. Nebraska wants you to see what our thriving economy, young entrepreneurial class, and buzzing arts, music, and technology scenes are all about. If you're interested in learning more about what school is like here, we invite you to head over to admissions.unl.edu.