Strongbow Inn, Valparaiso, IN

Mrs. JiLS and I trekked down to Strongbow Inn for a family get-together today (lots of October and November birthdays that call for consolidation). My dad graduated from Valpo law school in the late '50s and has always been a strong proponent of Stongbow Inn -- and with good reason. As Vital Information has indicated on a couple of posts, Strongbow is all about the turkey -- you can get a fantastic Thanksgiving meal all year round. Great bakery, too (I believe they do all their own baking). The place is huge, spread through multiple rooms and always packed to the rafters. Today was not an exception.

No early Thanksgiving today, however. We actually signed on for brunch (I've always ordered off the menu in the past). I'm not typically a brunch fan, but this one was very good, not the least of all because it was still the Strongbow, and their strengths were on display. Not off the deep end like some of those you see in downtown Chicago hotels (and I'll guess not nearly as expensive, although my dad picked up the bill on this one so I'm unsure). Most of the usual suspects, and the "rotation" was fast, so even the french toast (served with raspberry sauce) held up well. Made-to-order omelettes looked good, but I was in the mood for turkey, which was carved to order and deliciously moist (to my knowledge, Strongbow has never served a dry turkey in 60 years).

They also had biscuits and gravy, which this Hoosier can't resist -- and they even had a choice of biscuits -- big buttermilks (which looked pretty good for their type) or the tiny powder biscuits my Kentucky-bred ancestors (and I) favor. I loaded up on the latter. Gravy was turkey gravy (big surprise), almost like a "turkey ala king," and it was scrumptious on those little lard bomb biscuits.

I also couldn't keep my hands off the huge, whole salmon they had by the salads -- my dad and I picked off the last edible pieces from the carcass of one and just as we turned away, they came out with another one -- which we also proceeded to attack. I felt like I was at a banquet in Tsarist St. Petersburg. Damn, that was good salmon.

Strongbow has its own bakery, and it showed its stuff in the pastries (as well as the afore-mentioned biscuits). A half-dozen varieties of fruit and creme tarts, oozy gooey brownies, Halloween-themed cookies (decorated expertly; they'd sell for $2.00 a piece at Swedish Bakery; we had all we could eat); enormous cinnamon rolls (looked like VI's "food porn" from his Iowa Tool Shed post); even a delicious looking, classic iced white layer cake (which my brother confirmed was top notch). I was a little surprised not to see seasonal pies on the table; I have to imagine Strongbow does an amazing pumpkin or mince, but none were on show today.

A very good experience I highly recommend. Strongbow is on the north side of U.S. 30 toward the east end of Valparaiso (about 15 miles east of the U.S. 30/I-65 interchange), which puts it about an hour from downtown Chicago. Go there soon, you'll be glad you did.

HI,

Is Strongbow Inn the Indiana restaurant that goes hog wild with Christmas decorations?

Regards,

Teibels has the decorations. They were mentioned in the book http://www.christmashouses.com
Teibel’s Family Restaurant
1775 U.S. Highway 41
Schererville, IN 46375
(219) 865-2000
http://www.teibels.com

Artie,

Thanks!

While Teibels' has decorations, there is a place (I am pretty sure it is Strongbow) people come from miles to dine and admire the decorations. It is at least an hour from Chicago in NWI, while Teibel's is closer.

The other piece of this equation, I believe it is also along a river. I found it once some months ago, but can't find anything to confirm it today.

Regards,

Sounds lovely -- but do they serve Strongbow cider?

Strongbow's is definitely not on a river.

Cynthia wrote:Sounds lovely -- but do they serve Strongbow cider?

They serve turkey. And lots of it.

On the other hand, if you have a thing for WW II planes and related tchotckes, Strongbow has a bar for you.

About the only riverside place
I can think of in the general area
is Marti's Place on the Kankakee:
http://www.martisplace.com/

Approximately how far to Strongbow from the north side of Chicago?

jilter wrote:Approximately how far to Strongbow from the north side of Chicago?

Approximately 65, using the Skyway.

jilter wrote:Approximately how far to Strongbow from the north side of Chicago?

Approximately 60 miles from Lincoln Park.If that isn't exactly where you meant by "the north side of Chicago" go to this link and change the starting point. http://goo.gl/maps/8VSp
Oh,and they do have a website: http://www.strongbowinn.com/

SCUBAchef wrote:About the only riverside place
I can think of in the general area
is Marti's Place on the Kankakee:
http://www.martisplace.com/

The Mill Race Inn, a favorite of blue hairs and women's showers for years, is on the Fox River in Geneva.

http://www.themillraceinn.com/np/welcome.htm

Has anyone eaten at the Strongbow recently? I had heard that they were closed, but do not know for sure.

I ate there a month ago. So generally "recently".

Their facebook page seems fully active with Turkey Day related activities. It would probably say something if they were closed.

Luke Co. purchases Valpo's Strongbow Inn

VALPARAISO | Strongbow Inn, famous for its turkey dinners and turkey pies, will be sold to Hobart-based Luke Co.

The sale was announced Monday afternoon by owners Russ and Nancy Adams. The sale is expected to close on Sept. 1, but transition to the new owners will take place on July 8.

Strongbow Turkey Farm was established in the 1930s by Dr. Walter and Bess Thrun, Russ Adams’ grandparents. According to Adams, it was named for the Pottawattamie Indian chief who lived on the land with his tribe in the 1800s.

In 1940, Bess Thrun opened the Strongbow Turkey Inn on U.S. 30 in Valparaiso with 28 seats. It became famous for serving the turkeys raised on the farm just across the highway.

Adams said they bought the business at 2405 U.S. 30 from his parents in 1993 when he finished culinary school.

Today, the restaurant and banquet facility can serve up to 500 people. It employs 130 people.

Adams said those employees took the news of the sale well.

"It was very hard on me, but they enjoyed the presentation (about the sale)," Adams said. "We've always taken care of the staff here. There were some tears, but they were happy tears."

Adams said all employees would be keeping their jobs.

Strongbow Inn to close restaurant; banquets and brunches to continue

VALPARAISO | The owners of iconic region restaurant Strongbow Inn will close the dining room and bakery portion of the business on March 29.

Luke Oil Co., which purchased Strongbow in 2013, announced Tuesday that the banquet and events center — along with the Sunday and holiday brunch — will continue.

"Unfortunately we have gained little to no traction on sales and operations in the dining room or retail bakery," said Luke President Tom Collins Sr.

Collins said the company has invested more than $700,000 remodeling the four banquet rooms and new Bow Bar.

"That part's doing really well," said Ryan Richardson, Strongbow manager and co-owner.

Starting Tuesday, Strongbow will offer a limited menu for diners who would like to make a last visit to the dining room.

And, the Sunday, Easter, Mother's and Father's Day and Thanksgiving brunches will continue.

"The events department will continue to serve the community on those important holidays with the classic Strongbow brunch offerings," Collins said.

Meanwhile, Luke is negotiating with a restaurant management group interested in opening a new restaurant and bar in November, Collins said.

He said the group would not reveal its plan.

Well this just sucks. Can't say I've been there in ages, but it's the kinda place you always want to be there when you do have the yen. Most favorite dishes: the rolls and the bleu-cheese vinaigrette dressing!

Acclaimed farm-to-fork restaurant buying Strongbow Inn

VALPARAISO | The iconic region restaurant Strongbow Inn served up its signature turkey dinners for 75 years.

But times change, and so do tastes.

Strongbow closed the dining room in March, and now the property has been purchased by an acclaimed farm-to-fork restaurant that has won accolades from celebrity chef G. Gavin.

Valley Kitchen & Bar, which has served gourmet food with fresh, local ingredients in downtown Valparaiso since 2011, is buying the former Strongbow property at 2405 U.S. 30 for an undisclosed sum. Owners Cory and Blair Muro, who also own the popular Tomato Bar pizzerias in Schererville and Valparaiso, plan to move Valley Kitchen & Bar into the vacated restaurant space this fall.

The restaurant, which features menu items like truffle fries, pork belly lettuce wraps and Amish chicken breasts, has outgrown its current space and was in the market for a larger building. Valley had to stop serving lunch since it no longer had enough kitchen space to store ingredients for both lunch and dinner. The Strongbow property will double its seating capacity to about 150 from 74.