Fischer's Restaurant

A Growing Family Tradition

Every community has a restaurant it grew up with- a restaurant with so much history and containing so many special memories that it becomes more than a restaurant; it becomes a way of life.  In Belleville, that restaurant is Fischer's...but it always wasn't known as Fischer's Restaurant.

In 1935, A.C. Fischer opened the Okaw Dairy Shop at 322 West Main.  Ice cream was all he sold in those days.  Later, he added a counter, booths, tables and a kitchen.

Then in 1937, the Okaw Dairy Shop moved down the block to 326 West Main and was completely remodeled.  With this move came the serving of plate lunches and a large selection of sandwiches.  A wholesale ice cream route was also started and had about 18 customers.

The present location at 2100 West Main was purchased in 1941 and the two-story building standing there was turned into a drive-in.  The Dutch Girl, as it was called, did great business serving sandwiches and all types of ice cream and soda.  Following World War II, and more growth, a restaurant was added onto the drive-in and there was enough room left over to lease a portion to WIBV radio.

In 1949 and the following years, more additions were built to accommodate private parties and banquets, to add more space for WIBV and to build a miniature golf course. 

In 1956 the restaurant was extensively remodeled again with the installation of all new booths, tables, chairs, a bar, counter and kitchen equipment.  Two years later, part of the building was torn down to make room for a modern A&W Root Beer stand. 

To accommodate more weddings, parties and meetings, in 1993 the family opened Albert's Catering and Banquet Center on Centerville Avenue.  Both establishments offer the fine cuisine that Fischer's has been known for throughout the years.

The plans for the facilities you now enjoy began in 1959 and still today are in a constant flux of updating and remodeling.  Today, Fischer's reflects over 60 years of family dining at it's best, with banquet and party rooms for all occasions and a cocktail lounge.

As in many family businesses, Ken Fischer has handed over day to day management of both places to his daughters, Annette Fischer and Kathy Bingham along with longtime employee and friend Corea Buck.  Ken is still a large presence in the restaurant on a daily basis, greeting longtime customers by name and treating everyone who comes in with a warm welcome.

"We are a family restaurant and offer a variety of dishes for everyone's palate including the kids." says Ken.

Fischer's has been a lot of things to a lot of people in the last half century and we like to think we've been friends to everyone who's lived in Belleville...and we still serve ice cream...

May we take this opportunity to welcome you, your family and friends to Fischer's, where a treat in dining awaits you.  We are ready to mix your favorite cocktail and prepare your dinner, fit for a King, especially for you.  If there is anything we can do to help make your evening more enjoyable, please let us know.

Ken Fischer

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