Indiana's Oldest Restaurant Once Served Abraham Lincoln

In Haubstadt, Indiana, there's an unassuming restaurant with a fascinating history. The Log Inn dates back to 1825 when it was a rest stop on the stagecoach line connecting the nearby towns of Evansville and Vincennes. In the days before the railroad became the major conduit for long-distance travel in the United States, covered wagons called stagecoaches made regular trips transporting passengers in "stages." Tired passengers and drivers would stop at inns for food and overnight lodging, of which the establishment now called The Log Inn was one.

A very notable passenger who dined at The Log Inn was none other than Abraham Lincoln, the 16th American president. In November of 1844, on the campaign trail for fellow Whig party member and close friend Henry Clay, Lincoln took a break from stumping and had dinner in a room that is still in use today. Nowadays, The Log Inn has been officially declared to be Indiana's oldest surviving restaurant still in use, and is a popular stop not just for its history, but for its generous and delicious family-style dinners. The Log Inn perhaps isn't the type of restaurant to get a Michelin star, but its humble, unfussy fare has customers coming back regularly for more.

Compared to the oldest restaurant in the world, an Austrian monastery that dates back to 803 A.D. The Log Inn is a spring chicken among eateries. In American terms, however, 200 years is practically ancient. History imbues the vibes at The Log Inn, with its weathered ceiling beams and wall paneling, black-and-white photos adorning the walls, and warm, lantern-style lighting. The menu, similarly, is without frills and focuses on substance, not flash.

A standout offering is a family-style dinner offered for parties of at least three, in which every guest gets to pick from ham, chicken, or roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, slaw, veggies, and hot rolls served on platters. Obviously, when ordering family-style, restaurant etiquette says that it's bad manners to split the check. You can also order a la carte, with such down-home favorites as catfish filets, gizzards or liver, roast beef, and hot ham and cheese sandwiches. There are also tributes to Indiana's significant German settlement history, like milk gravy, German potato salad, and German chocolate cake. Speaking of desserts, you can pick from favorites like carrot cake, cheesecake, and ice cream in a dish.

On reviews, The Log Inn earns high marks for its large portions and excellent service. Many reviews specifically call out the fried chicken, with several praising the restaurant for its down-home offerings. If you're in the area, be sure to enjoy a slice of pie at this slice of history.