These 8 Amazing Indiana Restaurants Are Loaded With Local History
We all know (and love!) St. Elmo’s, The Rathskeller, and Shapiro’s Delicatessen in Indianapolis, Little Sheba’s in Richmond, and Nick’s Kitchen in Huntington… but we went looking for some other amazing restaurants that offer the unique experience of grabbing a bite to eat in a spot that has survived a century (or more!) of Indiana life. These 8 restaurants certainly have some of the best grub you’ve ever tasted, but they’re also some of the most historic restaurants to visit in Indiana.
The Story Inn is (literally) the entire town of Story. Constructed in 1851 by Dr. George Story as a logging community, the area was dealt a near-fatal blow during the Great Depression, but was revived in the 1980’s to preserve the history of the 19th century midwestern village. Today, the buildings that once housed various businesses in Story have been transformed into bed & breakfast style cottages. Despite its age, the restaurant at Story Inn shows off impressive culinary skill in their modern preparation of traditional Hoosier favorites, using locally grown produce and regionally sourced meats. The Story Inn, as a whole, makes for a perfect relaxing getaway that combines respect for the area’s "story" and the comforts of modern life. Our previous article has all the details.
This excellent Nordic pub takes its name from literary legend Beowulf, but their nod to classic style doesn’t stop at the décor. Their home was once Bliss & Fudge Outfitters, built in the 1890’s, but also served as a candy shop, produce seller, and shoe shop, before returning to clothing sales and closing entirely in 1975. The vacant space was sold for only $3,470 in 1984 to an English professor from Ball State University (hence the nod to the epic hero!) who saw the opportunity to build the perfect place for students and locals alike to grab a pint. In 1988, it was listed in the National Register. Heorot serves up nearly 400 different brews, including 67 on tap.
This building is so old that it has a pre-1900s renovation! Originally built in 1860 as—you guessed it—the Richmond Fire Department, this Historic Depot District building had the beautiful stone faces added in 1889. It served as the city’s fire station until the 1930s, but was revived in 2009 by local firefighters who wanted to honor its history. It took Tom Broyles and Rick Bolen two years to restore the then-vacant firehouse, and they made a point of remaining true to its roots... right down to the fireman’s pole! And what better type of restaurant to fill a firehouse than a smoky BBQ!? You will find some of the best ribs around, as well as all of your favorite comfort foods, alongside Blues-y live tunes from their excellent stage venue. Check out our previous article for more information.
The Log Inn is an obvious choice for this list…it is officially recognized as the oldest restaurant in Indiana. Built in 1825 by Henry Haub, this family-style restaurant has seen plenty of action over the last 191 years. As one of the original stagecoach stops and trading posts, it’s biggest claim to fame is that Abraham Lincoln visited in 1844 while campaigning in support of Henry Clay. It also served as a stop on the Underground Railroad! The historic Inn was converted into a restaurant in 1947 and has been passed down through three generations to the current owners, Rita and Gene Elphers. Aside its historical significance, The Log Inn is also famous for their fried chicken, which has won many awards over the years and was featured on the Food Network’s "Best of Viewer’s Choice" Special. If you are looking for comfort food in Southern Indiana, The Log Inn is a must-see (and taste)! Check out our previous article for more information.
Damiano Perillo brought some excellent family recipes with him from his native Italy and packs some BIG flavors into this tiny town Pizzeria! Perillo’s lives in a building that dates back to the 1890s, when Dr. Oscar H. Wiseheart opened up private practice in North Salem. The doctor stayed in this space for 60 years, then passed the business along to his son. In 2011, the Perillo brothers bought the brick building and transformed the space into a pie shop that draws hungry visitors from across the state… which is good news, because North Salem is home to only 530 people! Their stuffed pizza is enough of a reason to drive over there right now.
The menu may be elegant and modern, but The Vine offers more than just an excellent wine list—this Elkhart restaurant lives inside one of the oldest buildings in town! The beautiful red sandstone and copper-topped tower (now bright green from oxidation) was erected in 1892 for the McDonald & Co. Securities financial institution. In 1997, the US Department of the Interior added Elkhart’s Downtown Commercial District to the National Register of Historic Places. With the approval of the Indiana Landmarks group, owner Dan Boecher restored the Securities Building to its former grandeur and opened up The Vine. They serve up some excellent appetizer dips to kick off your meal and—don’t let the name fool you—the "Garbage Salad" is a real treat. With a wide range of entrees and a beautiful patio space, The Vine makes for a great place to celebrate both a delicious dinner AND more than a century of local history.
Now here’s one business that has been around as long its building has; Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor has been scooping up homemade ice cream since 1908! Zaharakos is a can't-miss stop if you are in the Columbus area. Get the full scoop in our previous article.
New Orleans has a rich history, but Louisiana natives Carter and Deb Hutchinson found an Indiana-original hideaway when they set up shop in a former dentist’s office that dates back to 1879. (Our mouths prefer the Cajun cuisine over the dentist tools!) This beautiful Mooresville building became a pharmacy-- Brown’s Rexall Drug—which occupied the space until the 1960’s. Today, Zydeco’s serves up tasty New Orleans classics alongside great live music, and the restaurant has become so successful that the owners even bought the building next door so that hungry guests can enjoy a delicious drink while waiting for a table! Learn more in our previous article.
The Hoosier State is full of wonderful hidden gems like these–far too many to fit in a single list! Do you have a favorite spot that serves up food with a side dish of history? Tell us about it in the comments section below!
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Address: Story Inn, 6404 IN-135, Nashville, IN 47448, USA
Address: 219 S Walnut St, Muncie, IN 47305, USA
Address: 400 N 8th St, Richmond, IN 47374, USA
Address: The Log Inn, 12491 County Rd 200 E, Haubstadt, IN 47639, USA
Address: 5 S Broadway St, North Salem, IN 46165, USA
Address: 214 S Main St, Elkhart, IN 46516, USA
Address: Zaharakos, 329 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201, USA
Address: Zydeco's, 11 E Main St, Mooresville, IN 46158, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
historic restaurants to visit in Indiana
February 27, 2021
Jackie Ann
What are the oldest restaurants in Indiana?
Indiana boasts an impressive number of historic sights and restaurants are many among them. Perhaps the most famous restaurant in Indiana s the Noon Day Inn, which had been operating for 20 years before Abraham Lincoln’s visit in 1844. At the heart of German culture in the Midwest, the town of Oldenburg is home to one of the oldest restaurants in the state, the Pearl Street Pub which has been serving traditional Bavarian and American dishes since the 1850s. Our oldest bar The Slippery Noodle Inn is located in Indianapolis and has historical ties to the Underground Railroad. Originally known as the Tremont House, this spot served as a railroad hotel until 1963.
What are the most popular foods in Indiana?
Hoosiers have a deep love for comfort food. In homes and restaurant kitchens all across Indiana, you’ll find nostalgic, belly-filling classic recipes served with a smile. Indiana is home to over 3,000 pig farmers making pork an extremely popular favorite on the menu. A heaping portion of breaded pork tenderloin will make you feel right at home. Having the 5th highest-ranking corn production in the U.S., you’ll find butter-dripping sweet corn offered with nearly every dish. No meal is complete without a sugary treat and Indiana natives adore helping themselves to a delicious slice of sugar cream pie for dessert.
What is Indiana known for?
Indiana is rich in cultural and natural history with many notable credits to claim. For example, Hoosiers are passionate about basketball and are proud to live in a state famous for producing the most players for the NBA across the nation. Additionally, the city of Muncie produces more NBA players than any other U.S. city. You don’t have to be a history buff to know that Abraham Lincoln and his family have roots in Indiana. The family moved to the Little Pigeon Creek Community, now Lincoln City in 1816 where the president spent his formative years. One of the most well-known natural wonders in our state is the fascinating Marengo Cave, one of only four show caves in Indiana.
Meg Archer is a Portland, Oregon-based Editor & Social Media Manager with degrees in English/Creative Writing from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo and Social Psychology from Portland State University. She has held positions in writing, editing, and media-related fields for over 10 years, including serving as the Editor-in-Chief for Cal Poly’s literary journal Byzantium and copywriting for advertising/marketing agencies before joining Only In You State team in 2015. When she’s not writing or out exploring the West Coast, Meg enjoys working on visual media projects, speaking as a mental health advocate, and can always be found in the front row at Portland Timbers matches.
