All week, we’re putting a spotlight on the community of Galena.
Tonight, we head to the oldest restaurant in town to see what keeps people coming back.
“You get people come in who are older say, I used to eat ice cream here as a kid.”
The Log Cabin Steakhouse has called Galena home since 1937. Back then, it was the only restaurant on Main Street.
Before that, it was a bank – the name still etched in stone on top of the building.
Frank Rigopoulous was 17 when he came to Illinois, from Greece.
He worked at restaurants all his life, and wanted a place of his own.
When the Log Cabin went up for sale, he bought it. And in the summer of 1974, the Rigopoulous family packed up and moved to Galena.
It was the start of a family business. It’s one his sons, Frank and Dino, are continuing.
And business is good at the steakhouse – it’s busy.
Sam Rigopoulous wouldn’t have it any other way.
“It’s hard dealing with family sometimes, because your dad’s there,” says Sam. “You know your dad’s proud because his boys are there, we grew up together, started out bussing tables and bartending, and things like that, it’s like a family hangout really.”
Looking around the dining room, you can’t help but notice the walls lined with pictures of famous people – movie and TV stars and personalities.
“It feels great because of so many other places in town, they decided to come here and spend the night with us, especially when you see someone you know on TV and you’re like wow I know this person.”
But after 80 years in this spot, what makes Log Cabin unique is the feeling of family.
“It’s that touch we give them. We give a feeling like they’re home.”
To learn more about the Log Cabin Steakhouse, click here.
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