Welcome to our Log Cabin Inn. Come relax into our Northwoods themed restaurant while enjoying a USDA Choice beef steak from one of our local meat markets, a locally raised bison burger or elk steak sandwich, or one of our many homemade soups or chili to start you off or fill you up if you are just passing through.
Welcome to comfort food. From hand breaded and flash fried chicken fried steak with country gravy to classics like meatloaf and pot roast, we strive to take you back to your childhood memories of mom's home cooked dinners served promptly at 5:00pm.
Welcome to a new day. Wake up to fresh brewed Torke coffee from Sheboygan, pan style omelets, strawberry or blueberry stuffed French toast, huge pancakes, breakfast burritos or one of our many breakfast classics being served Friday through Sunday.
Welcome to fresh. From our hand-cut lettuce salads with garden fresh vegetables to our wraps you're sure to find something for the lighter appetite.
Our Traditions
The Log Cabin Inn has been welcoming guests through its doors for decades. What started in 1947 as a hamburger place with milk shakes and malts has changed hands only a few times and has become what you see today. While the interior décor may have changed, as well as the staff after over five decades, the tradition of great food and friendly service at a price that doesn't hit you over the head, remains.
Welcome to Howards Grove and welcome to our Log Cabin Inn.
The Cabin’s History
On June 10, 1947 Edna and Edwin Bender decided to build a restaurant with several vacation cabins on a lot they owned on Madison Avenue in Howards Grove. The restaurant and vacation cabins were built for Mission House College (today's Lakeland College) students. It would be a safe and friendly place to gather.
On October 17, 1947 a charcoal grill fashioned out of brick was built and the electrical work was complete. Shortly thereafter, the Bender's were serving sandwiches — Hamburgers and Brats for 15 cents, Steaks for 25 cents, Milkshakes for 20 cents, Malts and Banana Splits for 25 cents, Coffee and Milk for 5 cents, and pie for 20 cents. If you wanted a scoop of ice cream it would be an extra 25 cents. Plate specials came shortly after ranging in price from 75 cents to 1.00.
Business was good and on Labor Day 1947, the cabins were opened. The restaurant was open 24 hours a day and people were always coming and going. After nine years the business was sold to the DeBralls who owned it for six months and then sold to Mary Hemsing and her son, Bobby. George Schoneman Sr. and Eleanor Schoneman purchased the restaurant from the DeBralls in 1957, when George Sr. was 59 and Eleanor was 47. Upon nearing the age of retirement, the Schoneman's sold the restaurant to their son, George Jr. and his wife Ruth. George and Ruth met at Log Cabin when she started serving as a high school senior and George was working for this parents. They purchased the restaurant in 1967 and owned it until March of 2014.
The Schonemans were responsible for removing the cabins in 1969 because they were becoming outdated. The restaurant was remodeled in 1974 to increase the seating to fifty people. In 1985, the current Log Cabin was built.
While many changes took place over the years, the same mission that was given to George and Ruth from the elder Schonemans remains. Give them a clean place, nice portions, and a price that doesn't hit them over the head.