1,200-1,500LBS OF BOLOGNA A WEEK!
If you’ve ever driven the stretch of U.S. 23 between Marion and Delaware, you’ve finally answered the question, “Where’s Waldo?” What you maybe didn’t know, is that some of the best food you can find is located here.
The G&R Tavern, named after founders George Yake and Roy Klingel and famous for its fried bologna sandwich, has been a staple in the area since its start in 1962. However, the tavern attracts more than locals. According to one owner, Bernie Lewis, the G&R has thousands of visitors from all over the state and county. Some of the staff even mentioned getting international visitors coming to Waldo just to visit the G&R. Since taking over the business in 1985, the current owners have taken the business from around $4,000 in annual revenue to over a million dollars a year. That means a lot of food, between 1,200 –1,500 pounds of bologna go through the G&R each week!
In many ways, the G&R has put Waldo and Marion County on the map. The tavern has been featured in the Chicago Tribune twice, as well as on Good Morning America, The Travel Channel, and The Food Network. This massive exposure helps to attract more and more people to visit the area every year.
As one of the featured stops on the Marion Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Eaterarian Trail, the G&R is proud of the positive publicity it brings to the Marion Community. In fact, the owners of the G&R love to promote articles they are featured in that highlight the Marion area. The flood of people that visit the G&R also spills over into other local businesses in Waldo. Establishments such as the Tin Star Saloon, located right across the street, provide a place for guests to relax and grab a beverage while they wait for their seat to open.
The G&R Tavern serves as more than a destination for visitors, and a hangout for locals. It is a point of pride for the community, and a destination to remember!
