Chadron is a college town, and it became evident by the wall and shelf decorations as we entered the little diner that the folks at Donald’s are boosters for their Chadron State College (CSC) Eagles. Just under 3,000 students attend this small but highly acclaimed college, which was founded in 1911. It’s the only institution of higher learning in western Nebraska that grants both baccalaureate and graduate degrees. The college also houses the Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center featuring rotating and permanent exhibits, with free admission.

The two young women who were working were trying to stay busy during the afternoon lull, but it didn’t look like there was a lot left to do, as everything inside was clean and sparkling. Our order of two hamburgers and a couple of soft drinks wasn’t all that challenging either. While the burgers were being grilled, we learned that the girls were CSC students working during the summer. In no time at all, the burgers were ready and we retired to a table in the indoor dining area. A covered patio was available for outside dining as well.

The burgers were respectable and tasty pre-super-sized-era burgers made of superior Nebraska ground beef and served with the appropriate additions of lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickle. One was a tease, two could be sufficient, but it would take three of them to really put you into burger-bliss satiety. What did we do? Though tempted to order more (it was midway between lunch and dinner after all), we settled for just one apiece to whet our appetites for the pork chops Bob was planning to grill that evening at the Red Cloud Campground. And you know what? I think those pork chops actually tasted even better with that Donald’s-burger appetizer. Besides, it was fun to sample the local flavor at a Mc-less Donald’s, of which (as far as I know) there’s only one in the world.