FOOD AND DRINK

Al Koch
May 2026

Whiting, Indiana, “The Little City by The Lake,” “Capital City of the Calumet Region,” America’s favorite “Industrial Mayberry” and, my hometown, has more interesting history per square foot than cities many times its size.  And coupled with neighboring Robertsdale, Hammond, Indiana’s luckiest section of Geographical Real Estate; these two communities are a treasure trove of past, present, and future potential for all who reside, play, shop and visit.  It was wonderful to grow up in Whiting-Robertsdale during the 40’s 50’s and 60’s.  Residents thrived in these family-centered, neighborhood-friendly, full-service communities.  Essential industries, businesses, churches, schools, municipal and civic organizations were supported by a populace and public that numbered in the thousands. Employment was bountiful due to the large, varied industrial base of refineries, mills, companies, and factories.

In 2017, a directory of Past and Present Businesses of Whiting-Robertsdale was compiled by John M. Carroll, Carole Brozovich, John Koch, and a host of Contributors, (see Appendix A for the list of those individuals), The wonderfully written introduction to the directory describes the purpose and focus of what follows:

 “If you’ve been a resident of Whiting for any length of time, and have talked to another resident, you have probably been asked, or asked yourself, “Where did that store used to be…” or, …I remember when that business was…”

 The authors of this directory heard of so many businesses that no longer exist in Whiting that they decided they wanted to know, and share with others, all the former and present businesses that occupied those buildings and locations throughout Whiting and Robertsdale. 

Two Hallmarks of Whiting-Robertsdale were the number of neighborhood grocery stores and taverns that flourished, prospered and served the needs of residents and patrons. The names herein serve as a municipal directory of family, neighbors, and historical legacy.

Most of these local proprietors, in addition to providing groceries, also served their neighbors economically, socially, and personally.  Owners of Whiting’s neighborhood food shops “kept a book” whereby patrons could procure needed groceries and delay payment until Standard Oil’s payday, as many Whiting-Robertsdale residents worked at the Standard Oil refinery.  In addition, these food stores were one of the first places in the neighborhood to have a telephone.   Patrons could use the telephone for emergencies, or important personal business.  The generosity and kindness of these store owners is still revered years after they ceased operation.  Individually and collectively their trust, integrity, kindness, and blue-collar empathy embodied the “Spirit of Whiting-Robertsdale.”

At random—an Honor Roll of Food Stores:

Charlie Wolf’s – 121st & Atchison; Johnnie’s Market – Indpls. Blvd. & Fred St.; White Star – 121st & Indpls.; Poracky’s -120th & Blvd, next to Post 80; Lukacsek’s – 121st  & Superior; Paunica’s - 121st & Superior; Bubala’s -121st & White Oak; Murzyn’s – 121st & Kelly Place; Hadjuch’s, 119th near Center Street; Jancosek’s – Indpls. Blvd. & 120th; Marek’s/Hyduk’s 2612 Schrage;Dominick’s (Reverend Father Stan Dominick’s parents) – 2400 block of White Oak Avenue; Murzyn’s -White Oak Ave.; Brozovich’s – 1600 block Central Avenue; Kosco’s – 114th & Myrtle; John Mostil’s – between Myrtle & Roberts at 116th Street; Condes’- 119th  west of Atchison; Cech’s Store - Fred Street & Davidson Place; Kolada’s Grocery – Fred and New York; Surdy’s – White Oak Avenue; McCleland’s – 2635 Schrage; Mary Petro – New York & Steiber; Weiner’s – 1959 New York & John Street; Turner’s – 121st & Schrage; McGowen’s/Mrs. Kalis’/Johnnie’s - next to Kinnane’s Cleaners between Atchison and Cleveland Avenues; Fedorka’s Candy Store – Fred Street & New York Ave.;  Jansen’s Fruit Market – 117th & Indpls. Blvd. ;  Grenchik’s – 119th near Center Street.; Ollo’s Grocery – Indpls. Blvd. & Birch Avenue; Studer’s Meat Packing – Roberts & 115th  Street; Boulevard Bakery – Indpls. Blvd. & Steiber; Kusbel/Smolens Dairy – Steiber Street; Senchak’s Dairy – John Street; Shimala’s – 119th & Stanton; Frenchiks – 119th by Lincoln Avenue;  Grenchik’s – 131st in Stieglitz Park; Kubacki’s - Stieglitz Park; Ingie’s Drug Store/Lelland’s - Indpls. Blvd. & Schrage Avenue; Vasilko’s Market – Indpls. Blvd.; Kroger’s – 119th ; National Food Store - 119th & Central;  A&P Supermarket -119th next to Baran’s, west of Central Ave.; Dick Lynn’s IGA Store – Indpls. Blvd. & 119th;  Jewel Food Store – Indpls. Blvd. north of Myrtle Ave.; Park View Foods - Calumet  Ave. & 117th;  White Star Grocery - Calumet Avenue; Favorite of Community Center  pin boys: “Cheap Joe’s”/Joe’s “Gyp Joint” – Clark Street across from Community Center; Dudzik’s- Indpls. Blvd.;  McNamara’s Grocery  - 119th Street next door (east) of Whiting News Company; Zabrecky’s Food Mart - 121st and Stanton Avenue; Kubacki Grocery/Czech’s – 121st between Lake and Stanton, Grover’s Food Store -  119th and Superior Ave; Mary Price’s – 2500 block White Oak; Dybel’s Grocery – 2500 block of White Oak Avenue; Cudek’s – Indpls. Blvd.; Royal Blue – 117th & Indpls. Blvd. (next to Sandricks);  Golub’s -  Indpls. Blvd. and 121st;  Palko’s Meat Market, 1916 Calumet Avenue, Quality Groceries & Meat, 1517 – 121st Street, Mrs. Hackel’s Grocery/Tom Haluska, Ideal Food Shop/Benak Grocery, 1700-1/2 Cleveland Avenue, Golub Market, 2110 Schrage Avenue, Smith Food Shop. 1715 Indianapolis Blvd., Oscar Galles Grocery & Meat, 1716 Indpls. Blvd., Jansen Fruit Market, 1715 Indpls. Blvd., Bodie Food Shop, 1549 John Street, Mazanek’s Grocery, 1922 New York Avenue, Bill’s Fruit Market, corner of Atchesion Avenue and 119th Street., and…

In concert with Hometown USA’s plethora of food acquisition places, Whiting also featured numerous city rest stops where one could “wet their whistle,” chug a beer, savor a glass of wine, or enjoy a libation of choice.  These tension reducing parlors were often partnered with a favorite restaurant, games of chance, fraternal organizations, or private clubs for members only

Whiting-Robertsdale’s parlors for vittles and libation welcomed all residents: hourly, salaried, blue collar, white collar, or no collar at all.  These places of drink offered respite and relaxation from the day’s toil and employment duties.  These were neighborhood territorial oasis’s where “everyone, including the bartender, knew your name.” Regulars occupied a favorite table, booth, or stool at the bar.  Patrons shared an unwritten bond of friendship. Several times a week, steelworkers, oilmen, factory workers, office employees, and local businesspeople, met and celebrated neighborhood, culture, ethnicity, religion, and topics of common interest.  Some stayed open until the wee hours of the morning.

Each individual libation parlor had a distinctive atmosphere: and attraction: cigar and cigarette smoke, neon signage, jukebox, television, pinball machine, billiards, pool tables, slot machine, card games, or conversation.  Without question, the dominant factor, in every local bar or tavern, was the clientele. 

What follows is an at random list, an Honor Roll of taverns, bars, restaurants, businesses, and Fraternal Organizations of Whiting-Robertsdale that served residents, neighborhoods, patrons, and visitors. Raise your glass on high—This one’s for you!

Brownies Bar/Game Time – Indpls. Blvd. between 121st and W. Fred St.; Kalina’s –W. Fred & Indpls. Blvd.; Brozovich’s – 121st & New York; Mary Price – New York & Indpls. Blvd.; Gasanica’s – Atchison and 115th; New Yorker –New York & Fischrupp.; Peters Tap – New York & Fischrupp; Nardie’s Lounge – 119th between White Oak & Schrage Ave.; Rose & Onnie’s 4 Deuces- 2222 Schrage Ave.; Runick’s –Schrage & 121st.; Klen’s- Schrage; Novotony’s -corner of 121st & Schrage; Guyre’s Tap- 121st & White Oak (Bowling Alley next door); Dusty’s Tap - Indpls. Blvd. & White Oak; Clipper Bar – (formerly Stieglitz Park) currently at corner of Cleveland Ave. and 119th Street; Keith’s Bar and Grill - 119th & Indpls. Blvd.; Dottie’s- Schrage & Indpls. Blvd.; Diamond Tap- Indpls. Blvd. & Roberts Ave.; Tumble Inn- Myrtle Avenue;  Margaret’s Geneva House – Indpls.  Blvd. & Five Points; Ed & Paul’s – 1830 Calumet Ave. & 119th Street; Towne House Bowling Alley & Lounge – Calumet Avenue; Volder’s Tap – Indpls. Blvd. between Myrtle & Roberts Avenues; Bucanyi’s – White Oak & 125th Street (former owner, Warziniak’s); Carl Milarch Roosevelt Café – 119th & Standard Avenue; Schramics/Spebar’s – 119th & Standard Avenue; McHale’s Tap/Center Lounge -119th & Temple Court; Margaret Johnson’s Tavern and Boardinghouse - Front Street; Kay Ann’s Tap- Lakeview & Atchison Avenue;  Kozy Tap-Atchison & 116th; Zencka’s Cellar Tap -  121st & Kelly Place; Sportsmen’s Corner, 1200-120th & Atchison Avenue; Hoosier Lounge - Indpls. Blvd. & Pearl Street; Konya’s Main Cigar Store-119th & Clark Street; Chadnik’s - White Oak & John Street; Victoria Kubacki Tavern – (Keith’s), Indpls. Blvd., north of 119th Street; Kowal’s Tap – 2400 block of White Oak; Murphy’s Tap – 2500 bock of White Oak Avenue;  Peggy’s – Schrage & 125th; The Industrial Room, adjacent to the Illiana Hotel 119th and Atchesion Avenue, Jake’s Bar/Mid-Town Station, corner of New York and Fischrupp Avenues,Mr. Robert’s Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge,1850 Calumet Avenue, Tomay’s Bar & Grill, 2235 New York Avenue, Selo Lounge, 2047 Schrage Avenue, and…

A closing note: Hopefully some of these names and locations engendered fond memories of today, yesterday, and once-upon-a-time.  Living and growing up in Whiting, Indiana, capital city of the Calumet Region, was a gift that became a treasure. So many ordinary minutes transitioned to extraordinary moments of remembrance.   The people, places, and events that left an indelible mark on this writer is appreciated beyond words.  You are invited to visit The Little City by The Lake and enjoy the food, drink, and friendliness of Hometown USA.

Appendix

List of Contributors to the Past and Present Businesses of Whiting, Indiana  -- 2017

Debbie Stack-Bachman                      Alice McHale Boyle                        Rick Cantania

Joyce Clouse                                         Lauren Fruth                                  Thomas Hashu

Thomas Gajweski                                Carol Mikula Jacobson                  Kathy Tkach Jorkon

Diane Kaminsky                                   Laine Nelson Kaminsky                Jama Kay

Ann Kiraly                                             John Koch                                     Frances Mario

MaryBeth Kucka Markovich              Cynthis Bettner Miller                  Allen Ogrizovich

Amy Jo Gazda-Renda                          Beth Russo                                     Rick Sandrick

Eve Scher                                   MaryKay Hruskocy Scott             Jason Vargo

Diane Timko Vetroczky            Lori Smith Vetroczky                   Lori Smith Winandy

Jim Yedinak                                 Patricia Manich                            Karen Ostrowski Halik

Deborah Harris                           George Krieger                             Carol Nastav Spitzer

Jane Jankauskas Smith               Nancy Drewniak Pappas

Special thanks to Steve Krajnik, Marge Repay and Carol Vargo for their research in preparing this article:  FOOD and DRINK