Catering
Ulysses S. Grant came to Galena to help his father with a leather business, a business once located at 213 North Main Street. Over a century later, the same building is home to Fried Green Tomatoes. Charm, intrigue and history make guests wonder what stories they might hear “if walls could talk.”
In 1838, at 213 North Main Street, the Dowling Building was built to house an ornamental iron works and has hosted 15 different businesses in its 166-year history.
A well-known touring actor/producer, Joseph Jefferson, used the building as a theater venue. The fancy wall stencil designs that Jefferson applied more than a century and a half ago are part of this restaurant’s décor today.
The building served as a grocery store that received its goods mostly by boats from New Orleans or St. Louis and sold goods by the barrel, chest or keg. In the early 19th century, Galena was a major port of call accessed by the bustling Galena River, an easily navigable Mississippi River tributary.
In 1854, Jesse R. Grant owned the Leather and Finding Store at 213 N. Main. Grant dealt in all kinds of leather, coach trimmings, saddlery hardware, shoemaker's kits, and findings. Ulysses S. Grant, a West Point graduate and experienced military officer, moved to Galena in 1860 to help his father and brothers with the leather business.
In 1900, Frank Owen, who was a mayor of Galena, ran a saloon in the upper part of the building. For nearly three-quarters of the 20th century, the Dowling Building was a monument shop. Most recently, the building housed a drug store, a sports outfitter, and an antique store.
Restaurant owners, Fred and Mari-Kristin Bonnet, wanted a building with history and vintage character to support the distinctive dining. As quoted in the Galena Gazette, Bonnet shares his enthusiasm for the ambitious project. “I left the brickwork exposed. I left the patterns on the wall and reproduced them elsewhere in the restaurant. The history of the building Mr. Dowling built is part of the experience for our guests,” explains Bonnet. “This is not just going out to dinner; this is a real dining-historic treat.”
Fried Green Tomatoes Galena Restaurant
213 N. Main St. ~ Galena, IL 61036
Ph: 815.777.3938
www.FriedGreen.com ~ dinner@friedgreen.com
Make reservations online!
