Elkhart restaurant featured on television series


A national media and marketing company spent time in Elkhart on Wednesday, highlighting a staple In the restaurant community: Heinnies on west Lusher Avenue.

America’s Best Restaurants highlights local, independently owned restaurants across the country.

From the moment the crew stepped inside the restaurant, they knew this place was perfect.

Since Troy DeShone was little, Heinnies has been a part of his life.

The Elkhart restaurant was built in 1951 by his grandfather Henry “Heinnie” DeShone, and is known for its dishes, including burgers and steaks.

“My favorite is always a filet or a ribeye. We have a sirloin for two on special tonight that goes over very well,” said DeShone.

Troy DeShone spent several years working back in the kitchen.

Now as the owner, he enjoys the day-to-day hustle that comes with operating a restaurant.

“We get here about 9 or 9:30. We open up at 3 in the front bar and 5 back here in the main dining room, and we get a lot of good people, and we got a real good crew,” said DeShone.

A different type of crew visited Wednesday: the production crew for America’s Best Restaurants.

They visit restaurants around the country, producing episodes highlighting what each place offers.

“We’re getting back in the kitchen. We’re seeing her dishes are made. We’re talking about the dishes, what make them you need. We’re getting to meet the staff members, those front of house people you see right when you walk in the door,” said Danyel Detomo, Show Host, America’s Best Restaurants.

Danyel Detomo is the show’s host and loves learning the stories behind each restaurant.

She can easily see why Heinnies was nominated because of the family and what they offer to Elkhart diners.

“They were telling me a little bit about the history, how their grandpa was the one that opened up the spot originally, and they still have it now in 2023,” said Detomo.

Heinnies is not the only Michiana restaurant the crew visited today. They also stopped at Bululu Tropical in Mishawaka this morning.

Both episodes were filmed on Wednesday and they will be released in about 6 weeks.


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