Hellriegel’s Inn at 1840 Mentor Ave. has been serving generations of patrons since 1928. This year marks 90 consecutive years that the Painesville Township restaurant has been in business.
While Hellriegel’s has not had the same owner over the years, it has never closed and kept many of the same traditions .
Silvio Trifiletti and his longtime friend Albert DiIorio purchased this beloved community staple in 1999.
“We were just at the right place at the right time when we purchased it,” Trifiletti said. “They had a great customer base and it was a great opportunity.”
Trifiletti’s daughter, Kristina Baxter, said over the years, people have had their engagement parties, weddings, baby showers, wedding anniversaries and memorials all at Hellriegel’s.
“I sat a couple who were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary at the same table they sat at on their first date,” said Dawn Weninger, a server. “There are not many places that have been opened long enough for you can do that.”
The original structure was built in 1841 and has a long history. When Joseph H. Hellriegel, an entrepreneur from Madison, and his wife acquired Cherry Farms Estate, they converted the old residence into a restaurant and nightclub and it has remained a restaurant since, Trifiletti said.
Hellriegel’s features a main dining room with seating for up to 100 guests and a banquet room that seats about 275 people.
The building was enlarged and the banquet room was added in 1954.
“In the ’50s and ’60s, Hellriegel’s was the only fine dining restaurant between Erie and Cleveland,” he said. “It was very formal. You had to dress up when you came here.”
Trifiletti, who is a Harvey High School graduate, reminisced about going to Hellriegel’s as a teenager for football banquets.
It was important to Trifiletti and his business partner that the history and traditions of Hellriegel’s were preserved, despite the updates that were made.
“We only changed the menu about 20 percent,” he said. “Since we are Italian, we added a few dishes like chicken Parmesan and veal. Hellriegel’s has always been known for the prime rib. We even have unique items such as frog legs.”
The facility is ADA accessible and boasts an outdoor patio.
Trifiletti and DiIorio are both longtime Painesville residents and veterans.
One of the former owners, Bill Kochever, also was a veteran. He served on the aircraft carrier Enterprise during the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Trifiletti said.
In 1960, Kochever put together a reunion for his shipmates. In 1964, he opened the reunion to all veterans. Trifiletti and DiIorio have continued the event every Dec. 7 at Hellriegel’s in honor of Pearl Harbor Day. They have featured many distinguished speakers over the years, included Ted Williams, Woody Hayes, Bob Feller, Otto Graham, Sam Rutigliano, Bill Stanton and other high ranking generals and admirals.
“It is good to be able to get together with others who have served,” Trifiletti said.
Hellriegel’s continues to be a family-friendly restaurant and premier event venue.
“We have a lot of weddings, First Communions and class reunions here,” he said. “A lot of people remember having their high school graduation and prom here.”
Meanwhile, Hellriegel’s is gearing up for St. Patrick’s Day on March 17. An annual parade begins at 3 p.m. at Harry Buffalo and will end at Hellriegel’s. Following the short parade, there will be corned beef and cabbage and live music at Hellriegel’s.
“I like coming here,” John Knollmaier of Concord Township said. “When it’s warm, I enjoy sitting on the patio. All of my friends hang out here. ”
The 71-year-old noted, “It is age-appropriate”.
Hellriegel’s is also the meeting place for many local clubs, including the Harvey Alumni Association, Painesville Exchange Club, Painesville Rotary Club, the Lions Club, Kiwanis, Kent Alumni Association, Harvey Boosters, Riverside High School Alumni and many Lake Erie College meetings.
The walls are full of pictures of celebrities, athletes and politicians, including John F. Kennedy, who have visited this longtime restaurant.
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