 Jerry's Restaurant (Demolished)
Jeffersonville, IN
Photos and info courtesy Rosalind Causey
Back when Jerry's Restaurants were scattered across Kentucky and southern Indiana, Jerry's Restaurant in Jeffersonville was one of the best-known locations. The classic neon sign made it hard to miss, especially after dark, and the restaurant was well known for its J-Boy hamburgers. If you've ever been to a Big Boy or Denny's, you'll have a pretty good idea of the kind of place this was. 04-08
This location had been serving Jeffersonville for decades and became a favorite stop for families looking for a good burger or a slice of the restaurant's homemade strawberry pie. The neon sign out front was every bit as memorable as the food and was one of the reasons I stopped to photograph it.
 Unfortunately, a kitchen fire in 2013 forced Jerry's to close for good. The building was demolished later that year, ending a run of about 50 years under the same family ownership. Today, only photos remain of one of southern Indiana's classic roadside restaurants.
UPDATE: Jerry's Restaurant permanently closed after a 2013 fire and was demolished later that year. The restaurant and its classic neon sign are both gone and Jerry's is now just a memory. 06-26
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 Seven Dwarfs Restaurant
Wheaton, IL
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Driving down Roosevelt Road, it's hard not to notice the Seven Dwarfs Restaurant. The classic neon sign, complete with its Disney-inspired characters and glowing soda fountain lettering, has been catching the attention of passing motorists for decades and has become one of Wheaton's best-known landmarks. 10-08
The restaurant has been serving the area since the 1950s and still has the feel of a neighborhood diner where just about everyone is welcome. Breakfast is especially popular, but you'll also find burgers, sandwiches, Greek favorites, and plenty of comfort food throughout the day.
Step inside and the Disney theme continues with colorful Seven Dwarfs murals that have become part of the restaurant's identity. Local lore even says that a young John Belushi worked here before finding fame on television and in the movies.
UPDATE: Seven Dwarfs Restaurant remains open in Wheaton. The restaurant, its classic neon sign, and the Disney-inspired theme all continue to welcome customers. 06-26
 Johnny's Tap
Munster
, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
If you're driving through Munster after dark, the first thing you'll probably notice about Johnny's Tap is its great neon sign. The glowing lettering and flashing arrow have been drawing people in since the 1950s, making it one of the area's most recognizable neighborhood taverns. 10-08
Johnny's opened in 1956 and has been a local gathering place ever since. While the menu has grown over the years from simple bar food to burgers, sandwiches, wings, and tacos, it still feels like the kind of neighborhood place where regulars know each other and newcomers are always welcome.
The neon doesn't stop outside, either. Inside you'll find another favorite—a vintage window sign that proudly proclaims, "Mr. Fun is Here." It's details like that which give Johnny's the kind of personality that's becoming harder to find.
Over the years the tavern has seen a few ownership changes, but each has taken care to preserve what makes Johnny's special. The classic neon remains, the atmosphere is still relaxed, and it's easy to see why this corner bar has become a local landmark.
UPDATE: Johnny's Tap remains open in Munster. The iconic roadside neon sign and the vintage "Mr. Fun is Here" neon inside both continue to welcome customers. 06-26
 Romano's Pizza (Gone)
Griffith, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
Here's a Romano's Pizza in Griffith, IN. This Romano's doesn't quite have the neon display as the one in Highland, but the lettering catches the eye of those looking to fill their bellies on this evening nonetheless. 10-08
Check out Romano's Pizza that has been serving northwest Indiana since 1953 and is recognized as the Region's first pizzeria. Along the way, the restaurant has operated from several different locations, but it has built a loyal following that's stayed with it through the years.
While pizza is what most people expect, Romano's is just as famous for its Original Ham Hoagie, a sandwich the restaurant proudly claims to have invented. Add in a Roman Burger or an order of fried cheese cubes, and it's easy to see why generations of customers have kept coming back.
The old Griffith location is gone today, along with the sign shown here, but Romano's is still very much in business. The restaurant has found a new home in Griffith, continuing a tradition that's been part of northwest Indiana for more than 70 years.
UPDATE: The Romano's location shown here has closed, and its original sign has been replaced. Romano's Pizza remains open at a newer Griffith location, continuing its long tradition of serving northwest Indiana. 06-26
 Romano's Pizza (Gone)
Highland, IN
Photo courtesy Kevin Heggi
The neon at Romano's Pizza in Highland, IN was impossible to miss. Between the colorful marquee, glowing pizza slice, and matching neon outlining the building, this was one of the more eye-catching pizza places in northwest Indiana. 10-08
One thing that makes one smile was the "Drive-In Pizza" wording on the sign. It's because the restaurant offers carhop service. Customers could pull into a parking space, order from their car, and have pizzas delivered on window trays—something you don't usually associate with a pizza restaurant.
Romano's opened in 1953 and became the first pizzeria in northwest Indiana. Along with its thin-crust pizzas, it built a loyal following for its Original Ham Hoagie, Roman Burger, and fried cheese cubes. It was one of those places that locals seemed to grow up with.
 Unfortunately, this Highland location is gone today, and so is the neon sign that made it such a great roadside stop. The good news is that Romano's is still in business at its newer Griffith location, keeping the recipes and tradition alive.
UPDATE: The Highland Romano's has closed, and the building no longer operates as a restaurant. The Griffith location is gone as well. 06-26
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 Coney Island Wiener Stand
Fort Wayne, IN
Photo and info courtesy Alan Culley
If you find yourself in downtown Fort Wayne, make time for a stop at Coney Island Wiener Stand. The glowing neon sign has been inviting hungry customers inside for more than a century, and according to the sign out front, they've been serving up Coney dogs here since 1914. 12-08
Step inside and you'll find a place that has changed very little over the years. The pressed-tin ceiling, long lunch counter, spinning stools, and vintage décor all help make it feel like you've stepped back in time. It's the kind of place where generations of families have been eating side by side for decades.
The menu is refreshingly simple. The famous Coney dogs are served on soft steamed buns and topped with the restaurant's secret chili sauce, mustard, and plenty of chopped onions. Pair a couple of them with an ice-cold bottle of Coke, and you've got the meal that keeps locals coming back.
When I first posted this, Fort Wayne was getting ready to open its new downtown ballpark. As expected, Parkview Field brought a lot more evening foot traffic to the area, and Coney Island remains one of the most popular places to grab a bite before or after a TinCaps game.
UPDATE: Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island remains open and is still serving customers from its original Main Street location. The historic interior and classic neon sign both survive. 06-26
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