Column note: In the column in the Diners and Dives series, a small organization of members of the Warsaw Optimistic Breakfast Club explores restaurants in and around Kosciusko.
If you’ve been a local for a minute, don’t forget about the giant steel bird in the most sensible place in the place to eat. That’s why the locals still call it El Pollo, as in: “Let’s stop by the Chicken for lunch. “The Lakes Grill restaurant is located in the south of Warsaw, at 9665 S. SR 15, just north of Silver Lake.
Adam Heckaman’s grandfather built the original restaurant on the site in the late ’50s. At the time, it was called “The Igloo. ” And yes, today’s glacier, the Igloo in the center of Silver Lake, is a nod to the past. Adam sent me a picture of the original menu with 60-cent burgers and 25-35 cent cones.
‘Are you doing business as usual?'” waitress Nikki asked Rick Kerlin, president and co-owner of Kerlin Motor, his notebook and pen in hand.
He nodded.
Interestingly, guest Adam Heckaman, president of nearby Splendor Boats, also had his own “habit. “Here’s the thing: the same two old dishes turned out to be the same: grilled poultry breast with spectacular fruit.
Adam, as an educational runner for the Indy Mini Half Marathon, focused on getting lean protein. Rick said he liked the dish because it was delicious and low in calories.
The 4 of us have other concepts about our habits. Consultant Kris Williams chose the biscuits and gravy omelet, which turned out to be a tortilla folded over biscuits topped with gravy and accompanied by triangles of toast.
“What kind of jelly do you want?” Nikki asked Kris.
“I mean, are those little packets just other colors to give your toast a layer of sugar?”Kris shrugged and used the grapes.
Realtor Jeff Owens opted for prepared food: the bacon-and-gravy special with a touch of homemade gravy. I put caution aside with a huge filet mignon and a bunch of breaded fries. And the third wild card, Brad Johnson, director of technical controls at Dilling Group, opted for the melt-in-your-mouth burger and fries. We have the complicit gaze of true potato chip aficionados.
Brad said wryly, “If they made potato chips illegal, I’d lose 30 pounds. “
All three wild visitors have deep roots in the domain and all three are members of the Warsaw Optimistic Breakfast Club along with Jeff, Kris and myself.
Adam pointed to the nearby W CR 950 S. ” I was born 1 mile and a half down that road. “Adam served on the Tippecanoe Valley School Board for many years.
Rick is a third-generation local resident. Kerlin Motors was founded by his grandfather Russ Kerlin with the iconic black Ford Model-T in 1927. Kerlin now also has dealers for trailers, tractors and buses. The company is now 97 years old and proud of itself. in offering the right service to visitors. Rick said his business neighbor, Adam’s Splendor boat, also has a reputation.
“If I’m going to buy a boat, it’s going to be the one Adam sells because of his wonderful visitor service,” Rick gestured with a square of watermelon on his fork.
Brad Johnson is a Warsaw School Board member for District 7. His circle of relatives first moved to Warsaw in 1975 and he graduated from the “new” Warsaw High School in 1990. After completing his service in the U. S. Navy, he became a member of the U. S. Navy. In the U. S. , he and his family returned to the Claypool domain in 1998.
As I wrestled with my huge filet mignon, pen, and notebook, the verbal exchange turned to the Optimist Triathlon in June, where we all volunteer to raise local kids. Heckaman has been one of the presidents of the race for several years. “But can I do it this year, too?” he asked Jeff Owens, his eyes full of hope.
“If we reach 300 entries, we’ll be able to run. ” Owens searched for triathlon data on his phone. “No, we don’t have many yet. “
Need to help recruit three hundred registered triathlon runners for Heckaman to run?Register here as soon as possible for the June 22 event. And don’t forget that the event is well-known among participants beyond providing the most productive post-race meal ever.
“Running can be addictive. ” Heckaman pineapple segments.
“How’s it going? Luckily I had 3 more fries. “I mean, how do you plan to work out for a mini marathon?
Adam pursed his lips. In fact, education can be absolutely miserable. ” He ate his cottage cheese look. “More protein. “
I’ll leave it up to you, triathlon runners, swimmers, and motorcyclists, whether running is a torrent of heartbreak or a wave of happiness. Either way, some of us will be there on June 22nd at Winona Lake to help them run, swim, ride motorcycles, and EAT out.
One incident occurred while we were having lunch in a place in the middle of the cornfields. Half of the table, or 3 out of six, discovered that they had all made several trips abroad, adding China. Despite our roots in a small city here in Kosciusko, we have global success even when we struggle with food from all over the world.
As we enjoyed our specials and giant plates of food, Heckaman described his visits to China to examine fiberglass for his boat business. But I’m just a steak and potatoes guy. “He talked about navigating the culinary waters of the world. ” Basically, I ended up eating mostly white and Tang rice. “
Consultant Kris Williams described his own visits to China with a colleague who “brought back like two suitcases full of things to eat from little Debbie. “He laughs. ” I’m going to check anything. “
Brad Johnson also made several trips to China and described how he discovered that bird’s feet are a delicacy. Brad works in procedural control, so he sees how food is prepared in scenes.
“You know what’s in sausages, don’t you?” joked real estate agent Jeff Owens as he sipped his homemade sweet tea.
Curious, I asked Heckaman about the strangest thing he had ever eaten in his life. “Oysters?” He grimaced. ” The fried ones are fine. “
He sighed. Basically, THIS guy on the boat doesn’t catch shellfish. “The table laughed.
Once we paid (credit cards accepted), we promised to come back for cakes and desserts, but that day we were too full to check it out. After enjoying the company and finding out how our members make the network more powerful and better, he returned to Warsaw. If you’re up for a 20-minute drive to a place to eat with a storied past, visit Lake Grill Restaurant and say hello to Nikki.
Diners and Dives T-shirts are available for a limited time through the Document Office at 114 W. Market St. , Warsaw. They charge only $10 and the proceeds will be donated to the scholarship fund of the Warsaw Optimist Breakfast Club. You can upload photos of yourself wearing the t-shirts to the new InkFreeNews Diners and Dives Facebook tab to post them.
Do you know of any venues, restaurants, nonprofits, or users you’d like to be featured on Diners and Dives, Whirlwind Wanderlust Travels, or Profiles Behind the Scenes?Email SB Communications LLC Shari Benyousky at [email protected].
Deb Patterson has worked at The Papers Inc. full-time since 1978. Starting out by rewriting general press releases, Patterson has expanded into all spaces of journalism and won awards through HSPA. She is also the former editor-in-chief of 4 publications for Northern Indiana Senior Life. She was named editor-in-chief of The Papers Inc. in January 2020.