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OUR STORY

Fried Green Outdoor008

Fried Green Outdoor008

Irish Hollow Location

Irish Hollow Location

Circa 1838

Circa 1838

Circa 2000

Circa 2000

Fried Green Tomatoes Main Street Location Today

Historic Dining

Historic Dining

Main Street Galena

Opentable Diners Choice

Opentable Diners Choice

Award 2010-Present

Wine Spectator

Wine Spectator

Award Winning Wine List for 13 consecutive years

In 1854, Jesse R. Grant (General Grant’s Father) owned the Leather and Finding Store located in this building, Grant dealt in all kinds of leather, coach trimmings, saddlery hardware, shoemaker's kits, and findings. Ulysses S. Grant, a West Point graduate and experienced military officer, moved to Galena in 1860 to help his father and brothers with the leather business.

In 1900, Frank Owen, who was a mayor of Galena, ran a saloon in the upper part of the building. For nearly three-quarters of the 20th century, the Dowling Building was a monument shop. Most recently, the building housed a drug store, a sports outfitter, and an antique store.

Restaurant owner, Fred Bonnet, wanted a building with history and vintage character to support the distinctive dining. “I left the brickwork exposed. I left the patterns on the wall and reproduced them elsewhere in the restaurant. The history of the building Mr. Dowling built is part of the experience for our guests,” explains Bonnet.

 

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