The Overlook Restaurant offers a tranquil setting for a relaxing meal
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f you’re looking for a pretty drive to take in Southern Indiana, wander along State Road 62 in the Leavenworth area. At one point you’ll be up on a high ridge, overlooking the majestic Ohio River, and you’ll come up on The Overlook Restaurant and Walter’s Pub. Food — and an incredible view like this — you’ve just gotta stop for it.
A long-time staple in the community since 1948, and also considered an Indiana tradition, the original structure was a chicken hatchery, built in the late 1920s. Then a small café and grocery store opened at this location. Then it became a Greyhound bus stop. It’s come a long way since those early years, to its current cozy, country décor.
Once you walk in the front door, you may be greeted by Cathy Mills or Brandon Howell, co-owners of the Howell & Linton Hospitality Group, which operates the restaurant now. They recently celebrated their first anniversary, having purchased the restaurant on July 1, 2022. As it is with owning any business, there have been a few minor challenges, but the rewards of doing something you love make it all well worth it. Mills has been in food service for over 30 years, so this isn’t her first rodeo. And as you talk with her, it becomes apparent how much she loves this place. She enjoys putting her own spin on some of the menu items, such as slightly tweaking their original meatloaf recipe and hearing all the positive reactions from customers.
If you can make it past the pastry counter in the entryway without stopping to snag a tempting sweet treat, you’re in for a down-home dining experience you won’t forget. A couple other things The Overlook is well known for are their fried chicken and their coconut cream pie. But there are lots of other comfort foods here, too, that will remind you of long-ago Sunday dinners at your Mom’s, so you may as well plan on coming back here from time to time to try more of them. Daily specials are available Monday through Thursday for only $10.99. And they honor military men and women by offering them a discount.
The Overlook has gotten so popular these days that on peak dining times there is often a wait time of an hour and a half to two hours to get a table. That speaks volumes right there of the level of quality you can expect to receive here. Make the most of that time though by getting yourself a nice, cold drink and enjoying it while you wait. Walter’s Pub is conveniently located on the lower level of the building and can be accessed either from inside the main restaurant or from the outside entrance in back. It seats around 20 or so comfortably inside, plus there are several tables out on the deck, overlooking the river. The pub even has its own kitchen and its own menu, serving some fantastic pizza and subs. The pub also occasionally has live music either inside, or outside on the deck, and Howell offers karaoke a couple times a month.
“The three main reasons people come here are the service, the food and the view,” Howell said. The 20-mile view of the Ohio River below is absolutely incredible from The Overlook. “Every seat in the house has a view of the river,” Mills said. And there are three large dining rooms to choose from. This gives the restaurant the capability to accommodate large groups. Reservations are strongly recommended for any group of 13 or more. Just give them a call in advance and they’ll be happy to take care of you.
With State Road 62 being fairly curvy in spots, it’s a favorite route for motorcycle enthusiasts. Many of them make a stop at The Overlook and Walter’s Pub. When the weather is nice, you’ll find several of the customers relaxing at one of the picnic tables scattered around the lawn, taking in the gorgeous view of the Ohio River. There are tons of photos taken from here, as barges and other boats make their way up and down the river, along with a variety of birds and wildlife. It’s such a tranquil setting, the perfect place for a relaxing meal with friends and family, holiday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners and receptions, ladies groups and more. It’s a true destination place. And as Howell says, it’s a “tourist attraction that serves food.”
Howell and Mills have some future projects in mind for the place, including some expansion and adding more items to the gift shop, so stay tuned. The Overlook is open seven days a week, is on Eastern Time, and you can find their monthly entertainment schedule on their website at theoverlook.com. Stop by sometime — and be sure to take some photos of that amazing view. •
To keep up with The Overlook, check out www.theoverlook.com.
Story and Photos by Michele Hardman
silivingmag.com 