Nellie's pays homage to Laura Ingalls Wilder series
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 10/06/2011 10:00 AM
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WALNUT GROVE, Minn. — Joey and Carol Johnson get calls from all over the world asking about their restaurant in Walnut Grove.
The town is famous for being the childhood home of pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder, whose books inspired the popular television series, Little House on the Prairie. People come from far and wide to visit.
When the Johnsons bought the restaurant nearly 15 years ago, they named it after Nellie Oleson, a character from Wilder's books who has a restaurant and hotel in the TV show.
Carol thinks the Nellie Burger and Laura's Chicken Fillet are their most popular menu items simply because their names go with the Little House theme.
The actress who played Nellie, Alison Arngrim, visited the cafe in 2010 and left autographed pictures that hang by the door.
"That really brought the people to town," said Joey.
Other cast members who have visited and contributed signed portraits to the Johnsons' collection include Dean Butler, who played Almanzo Wilder, Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush, who played Carrie Ingalls and Kevin Hagen, who played Dr. Hiram Baker. Melissa Gilbert, who portrayed Laura, stopped by once but didn't have a picture that she could leave behind.
The restaurant's busiest time of the year is during the Wilder Pageant that takes place in town over three weekends during summer. They call on family and friends to help handle the crowds.
Joey admits that he never got into the series. When customers ask questions about the show, he points them to Carol, who is more of a fan.
Joey is the cook. He previously worked as a kitchen manager for a nightclub, but he and Carol decided they wanted a more family-friendly atmosphere when they bought their own business.
The menu emphasizes homestyle cooking. They have hand-pattied hamburgers, homemade cinnamon rolls, fresh cut fries and real mashed potatoes.
"Our soups, our meat loaf, our lasagna— everything is homemade," said Carol.
She runs the front of the restaurant and makes the salads, cakes, pies and cookies from scratch.
The Johnsons work seven days a week and typically only close their restaurant to observe four holidays each year.Still, they feel their homestyle philosophy is important in the age of fast food. Travelers from as far away as Texas say the restaurant provided the best meal they've had since they left home, said Carol.
The menu has traditional American breakfasts, broasted chicken, sandwiches, burgers, salads and plate specials. Specialty favorites include a chicken wrap for $5.25, chicken and biscuits for $6.95 and shrimp and toast for $5.75. Desserts include pie, cookies and ice cream.
While they get many travelers, they also have loyal local customers. A group of ladies regularly meet in the morning for coffee and sit at a table while guys sip their cups of joe at the counter by the till.
"I want you to feel like you're at home when you come here," said Carol.
She likes to decorate to provide the right atmosphere.The wood paneled-seating area, with its mix of tables and booths with orange-colored seat backs, recently was adorned with her kitchen-themed collectibles. Shelves displayed a working toaster and miniature stove, Red Wing pottery and a Cracker Jack tin. These will be replaced soon by fall decorations, then she'll have a Christmas theme followed by a winter theme before the collectibles return.
Joey enjoys the control they have by running their own business and Carol enjoys working with people.
"Every day is different. It doesn't get monotonous," she said.