Discovering Omaha’s Hidden Gem: The Surfside Club

My culinary journey with corn fritters began years ago at a quintessential Omaha establishment known as the Surfside Club. Perched gracefully on the banks of the mighty Missouri River, this beloved spot feels like a timeless landmark. Since its opening in 1952, the Surfside Club has been serving up a select yet incredibly satisfying menu, specializing in classic American comfort food. While their fried chicken and succulent catfish are legendary, it was their irresistible corn fritters that truly captured my heart.

This charming eatery is more than just a restaurant; it’s a piece of local history, offering a relaxed atmosphere with breathtaking river views. Whether you choose to dine indoors or out on the spacious patio, the experience is uniquely Omaha. Beyond the delicious food, the Surfside Club is also renowned for its vibrant support of the local live music scene, adding to its dynamic character. And for those seeking something truly unique, you might even spot the occasional “full moon” from passing boaters or be surprised by the sight of palm trees – a rare botanical treat in Omaha.

A Glimpse into Surfside Club’s Legacy

The Surfside Club faced a significant challenge after the devastating river flood of 2011, which forced its temporary closure. However, with new management, it triumphantly reopened in 2013, continuing its legacy as a cherished family-friendly destination. If you’re ever in Omaha looking for a memorable meal and a fun atmosphere, I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing the Surfside Club. Their delicious menu offers something for everyone, but trust me, those corn fritters are an absolute must-try.

The Inspiration: Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha

You might be wondering why I’m dedicating so much discussion to the Surfside Club, beyond my desire to share this fantastic corn fritter recipe. The reason stems from a wonderful new book I recently had the pleasure of exploring: Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha, penned by the talented local travel bloggers, Tim and Lisa Trudell, known for their adventures at The Walking Tourists.

Having met Tim and Lisa in person, I was thrilled to support their latest endeavor. This book is an absolute treasure trove, brimming with insights into Omaha’s surprisingly vibrant and diverse culinary landscape. Many outsiders might only associate Omaha with its world-class steakhouses, which are indeed phenomenal. However, Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha beautifully illustrates that our hometown food scene is far more eclectic and mind-blowing than most realize.

Tim and Lisa masterfully highlight the incredible dining diversity available here. Whether your palate craves a classic steak and potatoes, innovative vegetarian or vegan creations, juicy burgers, authentic Mexican, aromatic Indian, delightful Asian cuisine, delectable desserts, or fresh, locally sourced farm-to-table fare, Omaha truly has it all. Their book is a fantastic guide, featuring many places I’ve personally enjoyed and countless others I’m now eager to explore. It’s a testament to Omaha’s burgeoning reputation as a food lover’s paradise.

As I flipped through the pages of Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha, seeking inspiration for a “copycat” recipe to complement my review, countless ideas sprang to mind. But ultimately, my thoughts kept returning to corn fritters. This choice felt particularly fitting given Nebraska’s proud association with corn – it was a natural culinary homage. The idea of recreating those perfectly sweet, crispy bites I’d cherished at the Surfside Club was simply too enticing to resist.

Mastering the Art of Corn Fritters: A Classic Recipe

While I don’t possess the Surfside Club’s exact secret recipe, extensive research revealed that most corn fritter recipes share common foundational elements. After much deliberation, I settled on a highly recommended recipe from the legendary Paula Deen. After all, if anyone knows how to transform simple dough into a fried masterpiece, it’s her!

Essential Ingredients for Delicious Corn Fritters

One of the most appealing aspects of this recipe is its simplicity and the likelihood that you already have most, if not all, the ingredients in your pantry. You’ll need:

• Cornmeal
• All-purpose flour
• Granulated sugar
• Salt
• Fresh or canned sweet corn (drained)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Butter
• Vegetable oil for frying

The preparation process is remarkably straightforward, requiring only minutes to combine these basic components into a perfect batter.

Begin by thoroughly mixing your dry ingredients: cornmeal, flour, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and eggs, and melt your butter. Once those are ready, combine the wet mixture, melted butter, and drained corn with the dry ingredients, stirring just until everything is well incorporated. The batter will be thick, studded with those delightful kernels of sweet corn. Then, it’s time to get your frying oil ready!

Tips for Perfectly Crispy Corn Fritters

Achieving that ideal golden-brown crispness is key to outstanding corn fritters. While a dedicated deep fryer can certainly be used, I often find excellent results frying mine in a sturdy cast iron Dutch oven right on my stovetop. The key is to heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil to the correct temperature. Once the oil is hot and shimmering, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil. I find a cookie scoop works perfectly for uniform sizing. These little beauties cook incredibly fast, turning perfectly golden brown in just about 4 minutes.

Remember not to overcrowd your pan, as this can lower the oil temperature and lead to greasy fritters. Cook them in batches if necessary. As each batch reaches its golden perfection, transfer them to a bowl generously lined with paper towels. This crucial step allows any excess oil to drain away, ensuring your fritters remain wonderfully crispy and not oily.

^Love them? Pin Them!^

Serving Suggestions for Your Homemade Fritters: The Honey Perfection

While corn fritters are delicious on their own, the Surfside Club introduced me to a serving method that elevates them to an entirely new level: filling them with honey. When you order corn fritters at the Surfside, they’re often served with a squeeze bottle of honey. The trick is to take a warm fritter, gently poke the nozzle of the honey bottle into its soft center, and inject it with a burst of sweet, golden goodness before taking that first blissful bite. It’s an experience you simply must try!

My youngest daughter, a true connoisseur of sweet treats, was kind enough to demonstrate this delightful technique for us. Trust me, while simply dipping the fritters in honey is certainly enjoyable, filling that warm, fluffy center with honey creates an explosion of flavor and texture that is truly unparalleled.

For those who enjoy recreating beloved restaurant dishes at home, I’m a big fan of copycat recipes. Besides these delightful corn fritters, I’ve successfully tackled other local Omaha favorites, including the legendary El Bee’s Margaritas and the unique Cabbage and Bleu Cheese Soup from Taxi’s. Each recipe brings a little piece of Omaha’s distinctive culinary scene right into your kitchen.

Feeling hungry yet? I know I am! Let’s dive into the full recipe so you can experience these incredible corn fritters for yourself. You won’t regret it!

The Best Homemade Corn Fritters Recipe

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Print Recipe

Corn Fritters

Simply made with cornmeal, flour, canned or fresh sweet corn, a little sugar and salt, some milk and eggs, these corn fritters fry up quickly, and taste amazing with honey.

Prep Time
5 mins

Cook Time
15 mins

Total Time
20 mins

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Corn Fritters, Surfside Club Omaha, Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha

Servings: 24 fritters

Calories: 280 kcal per serving (3 fritters)

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
• Presto 05420 FryDaddy Electric Deep Fryer (optional, if preferred)
• Bekith 12 pack 8 Oz Plastic Squeeze Squirt Condiment Bottles (for honey, highly recommended)
• Unique Eats and Eateries of Omaha (for inspiration!)

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cups self-rising cornmeal
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 cup butter, melted (1/2 stick)
• 1 (15.25 ounce) can sweet corn, thoroughly drained (or equivalent fresh corn)
• Vegetable oil, for frying

Instructions

1. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients: self-rising cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar, and salt. Whisk them together until well blended.
2. In a separate small bowl, whisk together the milk and large eggs until smooth.
3. Pour the egg-milk mixture, melted butter, and well-drained sweet corn into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until all ingredients are just incorporated and a thick batter forms. Be careful not to overmix.
4. In a heavy Dutch oven or deep fryer, heat about 2-3 inches of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 350-375°F (175-190°C). A small piece of batter should sizzle immediately upon contact.
5. Using a cookie scoop or a tablespoon, drop scoopfuls of the corn fritter dough into the hot oil. Fry for about 4 minutes, turning occasionally, until the fritters are beautifully golden brown on all sides.
6. Carefully remove the fried fritters with a slotted spoon and transfer them to a bowl or plate lined with paper towels to drain any excess oil. You will need to cook the fritters in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in greasy fritters.
7. Serve the corn fritters warm. For an authentic Surfside Club experience, fill the warm centers with honey using a squeeze bottle before enjoying.

Notes

This fantastic recipe is adapted from Paula Deen / The Food Network.

Nutrition Information (per serving, 3 fritters)

Serving: 3 fritters |
Calories: 280 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 41g |
Protein: 7g |
Fat: 10g |
Saturated Fat: 5g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g |
Cholesterol: 64mg |
Sodium: 649mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 8g