As usual, Roger Welsch summed it up best: “I’m not sure there can be a Dannebrog without Harriett. It seems like she’s been there forever. She’s become an institution.” Welsch is the famous Dannebrog writer and folklorist, and the Harriett he’s referring to is Harriett Nielsen, longtime owner of Harriett’s Danish.

Harriett retired on Halloween, and this week, she was The Independent’s Extraordinary Person. For 23 years, her restaurant — in a converted house and telephone switchboard office, with no phone, no reservations and no menu — helped define Dannebrog as Nebraska’s Danish capital and one of its most homey and charming small towns.

Most small towns in Central Nebraska have a place like Harriett’s (well, maybe not quite like Harriett’s) — a place that, more than anything else, is what outsiders think of when they think of that town. It’s usually been around for quite a while and attracts a mixture of local regulars and out-of-towners coming on a friend’s recommendation. I thought I’d start off with a partial list of places like that in the area, and if I’ve missed your favorite place (since I probably have), please add it in the comments.

Dannebrog
The Danish Baker — Fortunately for Dannebrog, the cupboard isn’t empty without Harriett. Tom Schroeder’s Danish Baker, just a block away, has become even more widely known in recent years for his Thursday night pizza, a tradition he started in 1992. Tom pops out of the kitchen occasionally to sing and play guitar, serenading you while you enjoy his deep-dish creations.

Boelus
The Gold Nugget — This restaurant, opened in 1961, endured two shootings, a closing and a fire during the 1990s and early 2000s, but it’s going strong once again with a reputation as one of the best steakhouses in the area. I haven’t been there yet, but its reputation is, well, solid gold. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)

Broken Bow
The Tumbleweed Cafe — I haven’t been there for a while, but when I’ve been on assignments in Broken Bow, our photographers and I have often made sure to stop in, even if it wasn’t at a traditional mealtime. It’s your classic fatty but delicious kind of restaurant where everything tastes like home cooking.

Chapman
Prime Time Steakhouse — The place looks like a hole in the wall along Highway 30, but once you start eating — whoa. Just imagining their steak filled with mushrooms, cheese and all sorts of goodies is making me hungry right now. That, and it’s almost lunchtime anyway.

Ord
Calamity Jane’s — I ate lunch at Jane’s for an interview earlier this year, and the vibe — even before noon, just after opening — was classic small-town steakhouse all the way. The owner, Jane John, is a pleasure to talk to, too — she keeps it lively but friendly.

I could go on, but I want to give you a shot to show off what your town has, too. Where should I stop for a meal sometime? Where do you love to get some good cookin’? Let me know.