Leidheiser's Restaurant – Then & Now

Here's yet another stop on our restaurant tour following the trail of Routes 6 & 2 on that vintage map I posted back here.

Today's stop: Leidheiser's Restaurant in Vermilion.

Unfortunately, since it was located on Liberty Avenue in Downtown Vermilion, it's almost impossible to research it using the resources of the Lorain Public Library. I don't have much information about the history of the place other than what I gleaned from a few vintage postcards.

One postcard stated that the restaurant was established in 1932. It offered cocktails and fine foods, was air-condtioned and was "recommended by Duncan Hines.

Another undated postcard described some of its culinary specialties. The postcard stated, "Prime Ribs of Beef, No. 1 Pickerel, Roast Turkey and Chicken with Dressing served to the most discriminating." (None of that crummy No. 2 pickerel!)

It added that it was "A good place to bring the family."

Here's some more information about the menu, from an ad that ran in the Chronicle-Telegram on Sept. 18, 1959 (below). Ach du Lieber – it sounds pretty good.

Here's a vintage postcard view with a nighttime view of the place (below).

And here's a daytime view from another vintage postcard (below).

And of course, here is the obligatory shot of how the place looks in 2013 (below). It really hasn't been changed that much. Driving past it in recent years and unaware of its history, I've often wondered why the building looked so quaint compared to its neighbors.

Anyway, today the building is home to the Lake Erie Taphouse. Here's a link to its website.