From Washington Inn to Alpine Inn

November 11, 2023

Located in a remote area north of town is Alpine Inn, a restaurant that has become known as “The Home of the Wildlife”. The story of the building starts in 1930 when the road that led to Fort Calhoun was known as Washington Highway.

Prohibition was the law of the land when it opened, and rumors suggest that Gerald (Jack) Wesner) operated a speakeasy out of the building. Sitting at the very edge of the city limits and surrounded by trees, it may have been the perfect spot for those wishing to partake. By 1933, Jack would move his business downtown and open the Sensation Inn at 412 S 10th St. The Washington Inn continued to operate under the same name when James Barron took it over until 1961.

1973 photo of the Alpine Inn courtesy of its Facebook page.

Carl and Viola Roberts owned the Sweetwood Bar 2576 Harney St when they bought the Washington Inn in 1961. They renovated, expanded and renamed the remote bar and grill at 10405 Calhoun Road as the Alpine Inn. Their new venture earned a reputation for its fried chicken and potato wedges. Carl sold the business to their friends and customers who occasionally helped out in the restaurant after his wife passed away in 1972.

The entrance to Alpine Inn. Photo courtesy of Nikki Gilkerson.

The new owners were Glenn and Flav Robey who had no experience running a restaurant. When they bought the restaurant, Glenn raced stock cards while operating an auto repair business. Already famous for its fried chicken, it garnered even more attention once customers began opening the windows to toss out the chicken bones for the wildlife to feed on. This practice continued and eventually the restaurant began placing the leftovers in feeders out back. Large windows were installed allowing customers to watch the feasting wildlife which include not only raccoons but stray cats, an occasional fox and an opossum among others. The raccoons would get close to the windows and were definitely the star of the show. The tables nearest the windows were the choice spot to watch the wildlife.

The large picture window allow visitors to view the wildlife at Alpine Inn. Photo courtesy of Alice T on Yelp.

The restaurant is rustic with its dark wood interior, wagon wheel lights and fireplace. On the mantel above the fireplace are the owners racing trophies from his years as a driver. On the walls there are antiques, paintings, and other items on display. If watching raccoons feast isn’t your thing, you can partake in a game of pool even though it’s missing one ball. Or you can listen to some tunes on the jukebox.

An interior shot of the Alpine Inn with its wagon wheel lights on display. Photo courtesy of Andy W on Yelp.

The chicken is still made using a family recipe in the original fryers. Freshly fried, it is served piping hot in a plastic basket. Named among the best places to eat in Nebraska in addition to having its chicken ranked among the best in the country, the restaurant remains just as popular as ever and is currently run by a third generation of the family. It continues to draw people from all walks of life including celebrities like John Denver and Keith Black to Hell’s Angels, lawyers, accountants and even nuns.

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