Order up! It’s been 65 years since Carlson’s Drive-In, one of the few remaining of its kind, opened its fryers in Michigan City, Indiana.
Still holding time-honored traditions like all-beef, bun-length Eckrich hotdogs, on-site homemade root beer and freshly peeled produce, Carlson’s is known for interlacing nostalgia with an excellent menu and top-notch customer experience. Just ask Marty, Carlson’s mainstay meat butcher, who still hand-crushes 35 pounds of onions every day after 65 years of service.
Owner John Hermann says it’s no secret that his eatery is known as one of the more enjoyable places to work in Michigan City. It remains a secret, however, exactly how his team crafts their trademark homemade chili and BBQ pork. Serving since 1947, the business began as a tented roller rink. After a series of expansions, Hermann bought Carlson’s in 2001.
Tell us why you bought Carlson’s Drive-In.
John Hermann: I’ve been in several other businesses before – banking and insurance – and there have been three (Carlson’s) owners in 65 years. I bought it to keep it up for Michigan City. It’s an icon. I put a lot of money in it to revamp it and revise it. Support has been unbelievable for us. The loyalty of customers is hard to believe.
What were your biggest concerns about purchasing this business?
I bought it 11 years ago – it needed a lot of work. It looks old from the outside but the inside is all state-of-the art equipment. The cost of equipment is unbelievable and these businesses are very rare.
Describe Carlson’s Drive-In to us – what makes it special?
All of our food is cooked to order. We drop the fries when you come in. Our produce is fresh. We make our own sauce, our own root beer. All of our products we serve are the best quality we can find and buy, period. It’s all car hop service and we are impeccably clean.
How has your relationship with Horizon Bank helped your business?
They’re there for you all the time. They’ve been very good to me. If I’ve ever needed anything, they’ve been there for us. The local managers (Charlie Roberts & William Gertner) are just outstanding for our local Horizon branch. Just two wonderful young men.
Read more about Carlson’s Drive-In online at http://www.carlsonsdrive-in.com/