HAMPTON — The Loading Chute in Hampton was voted the 2025 “Chompion” in the second annual Tournament of Taste, hosted by Central Nebraska Today.com
The Tournament of Taste featured 64 different central Nebraska restaurants and eateries that had been nominated by residents through a vote.
A bracket was set up and those businesses with the higher number of votes moved ahead. In the end, it came down to The Loading Chute of Hampton against Ol’ Ironsides Barbeque and Banquet Hall of Cario, with the Loading Chute taking the top spot.
Hampton is a village in east central Hamilton County with a population of over 400.
A trophy and full bracket were presented to the Loading Chute’s owners Ryan and Tammie Bamesberger and Grant and Lisabeth Dose on Thursday, April 17.
The Loading Chute is located on main street in Hampton at 114 N. 3rd St. Their hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Loading Chute specializes in Nebraska beef and serves burgers, sandwiches and steaks. The meat is harvested from a farm that is close to Hampton, according to Grant Dose.
The menus appetizers, salads, eight-ounce burgers, “Chute Signature Beef,” including New York Strip, Ribeye. The “Barnyard” section includes chicken sandwiches, chicken strips and other dishes.
Grant plays a part in operating Dose Land and Cattle, the family’s fourth-generation farm that is outside of town.
Tammie said The Loading Chute is a true “farm-to-table” location.
When asked about the history of the location, Ryan said that the building had sat empty for several years and both couples felt something needed to be done with the site.
Grant Dose held multiple conversations with the prior owner, and they eventually purchased the building in August 2023.
Both couples felt that this was something the community needed, as other restaurants in the community had closed and residents had noted the lack of activity on main street.
The Doses and the Bamesbergers then worked to renovate the building with help from Ryan’s construction business. Walls were knocked down to create a wide-open space that greets visitors to the site and a patio was installed on the south side of the building.
One distinctive feature is a loading chute gate that leads down to the offices and storage space in the basement.
On July 5, 2024, The Loading Chute officially opened their doors to the public. Tammie Bamesberger said that people told her it was good to see the downtown area busy again, with cars parked out in front of the location.
“The Loading Chute was established in 2024 as an elevated neighborhood bar and grill that serves the Hampton Community and is a regular stop for surrounding friends and neighbors,” according to the restaurant’s website.
During the Tournament of Taste, The Loading Chute went up against Bullseye’s Sports Bar, Fyre Modern Grill, Coney Island and the 2024 “Chompion” of the inaugural Tournament of Taste, the Skyline Café of St. Paul and in the final, Ol’ Ironsides Barbeque and Banquet Hall.
When asked about their thoughts as the tournament progressed, Lisabeth said they were “shocked and excited,” to see how far they were progressing but noted that their customers were almost more excited.
Lisabeth said people were coming in asking when voting for The Loading Chute was coming up, several came in with their phones asking for help with how to vote for their location.
In conclusion, the Doses and the Bamesbergers thanked everyone for their support and votes throughout the Tournament of Taste and that it was truly, “overwhelming.”
