Cheesecakes are a chef speciality.

By Loren Shaum
Guest Columnist

LEESBURG — Platted in 1835 by Levi Lee, Leesburg has been known to some as the gateway to the lakes. Downtown Leesburg is nestled just off SR 15 between Milford and Warsaw and is known for its brick streets. With an estimated population of just over 500, the town and local community supports a number of businesses like Maple Leaf Duck Farm’s headquarters and the increasingly popular HopLore microbrewery in the Old Leesburg Mill Mercantile. However, standing alone over the ages is Stacy’s Restaurant and Family Dining

A Retro Gem

Small serving of the signature country salad served at Stacy’s Restaurant.

Located on SR 15, south of downtown, Stacy’s calls itself a fine dining and cocktail restaurant with family access. Named after patriarch, Stacy Haines, who with wife Colleen, purchased the restaurant in 1972, they created a loyal following that generated sufficient income to put sons Tyler (IU) and Todd (Notre Dame) through law school. Now in its 50th year, Tyler owns and operates the restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner every day except Sunday and Monday.

Walking into Stacy’s quickly takes you back to the ’70s. There is retro signage nicely spaced on the wood-paneled walls and an antique bar. Tables are spaced to allow waiters easy access to customers, and there is ample space for families. Then a devastating fire struck!

Devastating Fire

For Tyler and his staff, Aug. 10, 2018, was a day to forget. Eighteen-year veteran, at the time, Wendy McClone, opened at 11 a.m. and all hell broke-loose. High winds the night before damaged a section of the neon lights that border the building. When she flipped a switch, the dangling lights ignited some cardboard boxes and the place was in flames! Quick action by local fire departments kept the fire contained, but there was extensive water and smoke damage.

Although the restaurant needed updating, this was not a good way to get started. Undaunted, Tyler immediately started renovations. Fortunately, the historic rustic bar survived intact, but several of the classic retro wall posters were destroyed. Some are irreplaceable!

Wendy’s pictures of the fire’s aftermath showed the place truly trashed, but after eight months of extensive repairs, the historic restaurant is now getting back to normal with the kitchen pumping-out many of Stacy’s popular dishes.

Reopening Brings Back Regulars

Desserts are one of the specialties.

Stacy’s has always been a popular lunch spot and regulars happily renewed their loyalty when the restaurant reopened. Since then, we’ve visited on occasion and the parking lot has been packed. We always settle at the bar to catch-up with whoever’s serving.

Food Reflects Old and New

Stacy’s menu has something for everyone and everything is homemade. Specialties include soups, steaks, lobster, other seafood specials and desserts.

Appetizers are not particularly an emphasis, but the shrimp cocktail is a colossal offering of U-10 to 15 shrimp. Order as many as you want but beware of the house-made horseradish infused cocktail sauce. It will take your breath away!

The most popular salad is the signature country salad. Incorporating a hot bacon dressing dating back to the Haines’ great-grandmother with Boston bibb lettuce. The slightly wilted lettuce blends nicely with bacon bits, onion and boiled egg. At last visit, they offered the dressing for sale by the bottle.

The Mediterranean shrimp salad has become a favorite. Based on a Greek salad base, the house-made vinaigrettes is classic for that region. If you don’t want shrimp, just order the Greek salad.

Soups Are Superb

Chili is the signature soup. It’s an upscale version that includes cheese, and if you want chopped onion and/or sour cream as toppings. Just ask for them. On this day, beef barley and creamy broccoli were the specials. The latter was perfect! It included bits of carrot and onion and nice chunks of broccoli in a delightful cream base. Served at the right temperature and in a large coffee mug, it was easy to slurp-down.

A Sandwich For Everyone

Twelve sandwiches are on the menu, but usually a lunch special is offered. On this day, the special was a hot beef and Swiss sandwich.

One of my favorites is the classic Rueben. Stuffed between two slabs of rye bread is their house-made corned beef, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and their thousand island dressing. It’s grilled to perfection and is a runny deal. Words can’t do justice to this beast!

Pork tenderloin variations are also favorites. Besides the “classic Hoosier tenderloin.” There is also the fabulous “porkinator.” It’s pounded to a delicate thinness, and covered with pepper jack cheese and bacon. It is a delightful sandwich.

Fried perch entree is always a popular dish.

Moreover, how many places do you find a cube steak sandwich? Being a tradition at Stacy’s, I had to try it and once selected the supreme version, which comes with caramelized onion and Swiss cheese. What a delight! The pounded steak (usually top sirloin) was so tender with absolutely no gristle — pure meat! Served between two toasted hoagie bun slices. I savored every bite.

Dinner Emphasis Is On Steak

Besides the filet mignon and the fabulous ribeye, the house-prepared from scratch prime rib (offered only on weekends) is one of the best in Lake Country. Stacy’s slow-roasts their prime rib every week then finishes each cut to customer liking.

Steaks are now offered at market price.

Fresh Water Lake Perch is another favorite. These lightly breaded fillets are flash-fried and melt in your mouth. There are also Alaskan pollock and baked haddock available as entrees. Sadly, I didn’t see the frog legs on the latest menu.

Specials are also crowd favorites. Last month they offered complete carry-out meals. This month, there are specials like 10-ounce sirloin and beer-battered cod. Recently, they offered the rare hanger steak, and special desserts like German chocolate cake and a toffee-crusted, banana cram pie. Yum!

All dinners are served with choice of salad and a side.

The Desserts Are Worth The Drive

People come from afar just for cheesecake. I’ve seen Turtle Cheesecake, Carmel Apple Cheesecake and others. Come frequently as there is always something new rolling-out.

Stacy’s has developed a strong legacy in Lake Country. Tyler says, his dad always told him: “Offer good food and they will come.” With seating for 140, a full bar with bartenders serving-up any number of craft beers (local Man Cave Sandbar Blonde is a must have) and specialty cocktails (the Bloody Mary mix is house-made and one of the best), Stacy’s can handle special events and provides catering on request. Christmas parties are being scheduled, as we speak.

Stacy’s is worth the drive to rural Leesburg. Besides the local crowd, the focus on fresh, homemade dishes draws folks from Nappanee, Goshen and other areas where the uniqueness that is Stacy’s cannot be found. Reservations for dinner are always recommended.

If You Go

Stacy’s: 309 S. Main St., Leesburg. Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p. m. everyday except Sunday and Monday. Phone: (574) 453-3071.