The little village of Lewellen in Garden County is probably best known for the nearby Ash Hollow and Lake McConaughy, but don't make the mistake of rolling right through without stopping. There's someplace entirely unexpected and completely delightful in this town, and you'll never forget your time there.
The Most Unlikely Place is located at 205 Main St, Lewellen, NE 69147.
It started out life all the way back in 1908 as a playhouse and silent movie theater.
The name alludes to every facet of this whimsical establishment's existence.
You wouldn't expect to find an art gallery in a town of fewer than 300 people. You also wouldn't expect to find a restaurant inside that art gallery, and you would least of all expect that restaurant to serve local food from an organic family farm.
And to add to the surprises, this place serves as an active music venue, pulling in local and regional acts who come here to play for an enthusiastic and welcoming audience.
The building can get quite packed at times, bringing out music and art enthusiasts not only from Lewellen, but from surrounding cities and even neighboring states as well.
A monthly open mic poetry night brings out poetry lovers to share their craft and listen to others read.
Speakers regularly make appearances as well, giving talks on Nebraska's unique history or discussing various other subjects.
Art is absolutely everywhere you look - it covers the walls and hangs from the ceilings.
Even the furnishings and fixtures are works of art: the tables and chairs are family heirlooms, and the gallery lighting is made of irrigation pipe.
But this place is more than the sum of its parts. There's a real sense of community while you're there - even if you're a stranger you'll be treated like family.
You can expect your order to be taken by a rollerskating waitress (who also happens to be the manager/co-owner) who will sit and chat with you when there's time.
And the food isn't what you might expect from a small-town eatery, either. Everything is homemade with fresh, local, natural ingredients whenever possible.
The food gets consistently fantastic reviews from visitors.
Breakfast and lunch are served daily from Wednesday to Saturday, and you can expect to find treats that run the range from traditional Nebraska BBQ beef sandwiches to healthy vegan stir fries.
The egg sandwiches (made from eggs from free-roaming chickens) and hash browns (presumably made from free-roaming potatoes) are the stars of the breakfast menu.
Fresh-baked breads are the perfect complement to every meal.
Seasonal dishes like beer cheese soup and little shepherd's pies rotate through the menu, keeping it interesting in every season.
The coffee and tea drinks are perfect for after your meal or when you're looking to relax without sitting down for a whole meal.
Just sit back, sip, and take in the delightful surroundings. Browse for a new favorite art piece while you're here - most of the pieces on the walls are for sale!
From the sunny little patio outside to the warm, welcoming atmosphere inside, there's no bad seat in this house.
The Most Unlikely Place closes for the winter; it's open from May through November. Check out its website for further information including the menu and calendar of events.
While you're in the area, don't forget to visit Lake McConaughy!
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