Lakeview Drive Inn, Winona’s oldest restaurant, will open for its 2023 season on Thursday, March 9, marking its 85th year serving burgers, fries, homemade root beer and more to eager guests. The classic and historic joint has been a favorite of locals and visitors for decades. In addition to car-hop service, Lakeview has dining options at outdoor picnic tables as well as indoor counter service.
A recent Winona Daily News article features Lakeview Drive Inn’s ownership history, including an interview with its most recent owner Haley Bergaus who took over her father Tim’s share in the business in 2020, now working alongside her uncle John Glowczewski.
“There’s a lot of comfort in tradition,” Bergaus said. “I would say we’re a big family — and a lot of the kids that work there, they usually come back years later and they’re comforted knowing that they’re coming back to something that feels like home.”
Lakeview Drive Inn will host three cruise nights at the restaurant in 2023, and staff members are eager to welcome hungry guests on opening day—a tradition for many families, according to the article.