Omaha, Nebraska: Dine While Raccoons Scavenge

The Alpine Inn is a strange, but oddly fun restaurant/bar even for the locals. This dimly-lit establishment has two or three giant picture windows along the north wall. They sell fabulously greasy fried chicken and large wedge fries. The chicken only comes in large portions (one half chicken per person) guaranteeing the local wildlife population has plenty to eat.

Every 20 to 30 minutes, they dump a huge bucket of leftovers onto the tree platforms and big fat racoons eat their meal right next to you. They have little fear of the humans around, and I've even seen mama racoons bring their babies out here to eat. The atmosphere is that of a local neigborhood bar, but many people bring their children, so customers are a very mixed group.

A restaurant in Nebraska feeds your table scraps to some 50 wild raccoons living in the surrounding trees.

The story is true and the restaurant's practice apparently continues. Appearing in this week's Sunday Omaha World-Herald newspaper is a pullout entitled "Metro Guide 2000". Basically a reference guide for locals and newcomers, it contains a section called "Quirky Delights".

"BANDITS. Window seats fill quickly at the Alpine Inn, as diners spy on dozens of raccoons scavenging outside. Nestled in the Ponca Hills at 10405 Calhoun Road, the casual Alpine Inn is known for its chicken dinners."