End of an Era: Hobart's Deep River Grille Hangs Up Its Apron After 28 Years of Heartfelt Service

It’s a tale as old as time, really: a beloved local spot, a family’s dream, and then… a bittersweet goodbye. Hobart, Indiana, is preparing to bid a fond farewell to the Deep River Grille, a true community fixture that, for nearly three decades, has served up not just meals, but memories, comfort, and, let’s be honest, an absolutely legendary burger.

Back in ’96, Bob and Linda Clark, bless their hearts, decided to pour their passion into a little place that would become so much more than just a restaurant. And thus, the Deep River Grille opened its doors. For years, they built a reputation, a clientele, and a legacy. Then, in 2008, their daughter, Heather, stepped up to the plate, taking the reins and continuing the family tradition, evolving the Grille while keeping its warm, familiar spirit very much intact.

Oh, the breakfast rush! And lunch, of course. But honestly, if you mention Deep River Grille to anyone in Hobart, chances are you’ll hear about the “Bob Burger”—a hefty, half-pound marvel that became, for many, the very taste of home. It wasn’t just about the food, though, was it? No, not at all. This place, you could say, became a sort of town square, a daily ritual for so many. A spot where you’d catch up with neighbors, share a laugh over coffee, or simply enjoy a moment of quiet familiarity in an ever-changing world.

But even the most resilient places face headwinds, and the past few years, well, they’ve been particularly cruel to small businesses. The pandemic, rising food costs that just seem to climb and climb, and the constant struggle to find enough good help — these aren't just headlines; they’re real, tangible pressures on the folks who run our favorite local establishments. And so, with heavy hearts, the decision was made.

The building, incidentally, has found a new purpose, sold to the Hobart Assembly of God. A new chapter begins for that corner, even as an old one closes.

Heather, who took the reins from her parents in ’08, finds herself grappling with a cocktail of emotions. It's pride, certainly, for all that the Grille accomplished and represented. And immense gratitude, too, for the loyal customers who became, in many ways, an extension of the family. But there’s also the wistful ache of saying goodbye to something so deeply ingrained in her life. A lifetime, almost, poured into those walls. Imagine.

And the customers? Oh, they’re feeling it too, naturally. You hear the stories, the “I remember whens,” the wistful sighs from folks who’ve made the Grille part of their personal history. It’s a collective mourning, in a way, for a place that was more than just bricks and mortar and a menu; it was a cornerstone of community life.

The final curtain falls, as it must, on October 27th. So, if you’re in Hobart, perhaps consider one last visit to the Deep River Grille. Order that “Bob Burger,” savor a final breakfast, and take a moment to appreciate a place that gave so much to its town for so long. It’s the end of an era, to be sure, but the memories, well, they’ll surely linger, like the aroma of a freshly cooked meal, long after the doors are closed.