Former McCook resident open Gridiron Grille

Thursday, February 6, 2003
Bob's Gridiron Grille

LINCOLN -- Nebraska's premiere collector of Husker memorabilia, Bob Ihrig, has realized a long-held dream with the opening of a grille and pub filled with 12,000 selections from his sports collection.

Called Bob's Gridiron Grille and the Pigskin Pub, the 8,000 square- foot eating and drinking establishment is located near the corner of 27th Street and Highway 2 in Lincoln.

"I've been collecting Husker memorabilia since I was in the seventh grade in McCook," Bob said. He moved back to McCook with his mother following his father's death in Wisconsin.

The grille and pub is filled with 12,000 selections from Ihrig's collection.

The Ihrigs' return to McCook coincided with the arrival of Bob Devaney as coach of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. In Wisconsin, Ihrig had been a Green Bay Packer and Vince Lombardi fan, but his main allegiance soon shifted to the Huskers. And, several years later, his Husker fanaticism grew to a fever pitch because of his and his sister, Pam's, acquaintance with Jeff and Robin Kinney.

Jeff Kinney, who started his career on the McCook High School gridiron, went on to Nebraska, where he gained All-American status as a running back for the national champion Huskers.

From the start in McCook, Ihrig's collection has now grown to 20,000 items.

In the new restaurant -- which opened Saturday -- Bob and his wife, Susan, have four different rooms devoted to Husker memorabilia. They start with the Early Era, sporting items from 1890 through 1941. "There are a lot of items from the Rose Bowl and well as early programs from Nebraska-Notre Dame games," Bob said.

Next comes the '40s and '50s Room, featuring memorabilia from 1942 to 1961. Bobby Reynolds and Tom Novak are prominently featured in this collection.

The other two displays are known as the Devaney Room and the Osborne Room in honor of Nebraska's coaches of national championship teams. Jerseys from Frank Solich, Bob Brown and Jeff Kinney are in the Devaney Room, while extensive national championship memories are featured in the Osborne Room.

The Pigskin Pub is also packed with football memorabilia. "The principal focus in the pub is on Heisman Trophy winners and legendary coaches," Ihrig said.

"The next time you're in Lincoln, come see us," said Bob in invitation to his McCook area acquaintances. Bob's Gridiron Grille and Pigskin Pub is open seven days a week. The grille and pub open at 11 a.m. daily. The grille closes at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and is open until midnight on Friday and Saturday. The pub remains open until 1 a.m. every night.

"We have a traditional decor and serve Nebraska favorites," Bob said. The menu includes prime rib nightly, as well as corn-fed Nebraska choice Angus beef. Other featured items are meat loaf, shepherd's pie and lasagna.

Bob graduated from McCook High School in 1969, and has pursued a career in restaurant management. His wife, Susan, is the daughter of George and Irva Butherus of Culbertson. Bob's mother, Dora Mae, now lives in Lincoln.

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