Dick Clark’s Restaurant In Princeton, Indiana Has New Owner After 77 Years

If you are of a certain age, you probably remember hamburger stands, malt shops, and car hops. Back in the day, the diners were hoppin', and eating in your car was just the coolest. There is a family-owned restaurant in Princeton, Indiana that has the name of a famous man, but the real celebrity is the menu.

Dick Clark's Family Restaurant

Dick Clark, not the American Bandstand host, but a native Hoosier that opened a little burger shop along with his wife Edna Mae Clark back in 1977. You could order at the walk-up window, there was no drive-thru. Or a car hop would take your order in the parking lot. And then bring your food out on a tray so you could have family dinner right there in your car.

Dick Clark's Family Restaurant has gone through some changes over the years, including an addition for meetings and parties, but the menu and salad bar have stayed pretty much the same. The variety that you can get in one spot still amazes me. I'm talking about fried chicken, the DC burger, spaghetti, ice cream, and custom pizzas like the famous Bob Key. I love their mashed potatoes and gravy.

My friend and TecumsehTennis Coach Matt Moade shared some of his all-time favorites, 'Famous double bacon cheeseburger… But the bacon is deep-fried… Nobody does that… And the world-famous nacho nuggets! And the old fashion style root beer floats with the old-school root beer syrup, added to soda water to make root beer.'

All in the Family

Jeff Clark and his wife took over the family business in 1987. Over the past 37 years, Jeff has supported the community and helped us create great memories in his family's restaurant. Now, it is time for the Clarks to retire, and they are passing the spatula to another local family.

Asa and Megan Deffendall are the new owners of Dick Clark's Family Restaurant, but we can expect the name to stay the same. I'm certain that Asa is excited about this new adventure. He worked there in high school and college.

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