in Redkey, Indiana, was a legendary dining destination that defied every convention of the restaurant industry from the 1960s through the early 1980s. Led by the eccentric John Shambarger , it transformed a humble, rundown building beside a railroad track into a "fun house" of gourmet food and vaudeville-style performance that attracted celebrities and dignitaries from across the globe. A Legacy of Eccentricity
: From the outside, the building looked abandoned or like a "junk shop". Inside, it was packed with antiques, mirrors, and lamps—all of which were for sale, including the dishes diners ate from. John Shambarger Restaurant Redkey Indiana
When John took over in 1963, he elevated this eccentricity into a national phenomenon: in Redkey, Indiana, was a legendary dining destination
: Due to its massive popularity, reservations often had to be booked one to two years in advance . The Dining Experience Inside, it was packed with antiques, mirrors, and
: John didn't just cook; he performed. He was known for making up to ten costume changes a night—appearing as a pirate, a Hawaiian dancer, or Tiny Tim—while singing along to records like Spike Jones or tunes from Fiddler on the Roof .
The restaurant’s roots date back to 1929, when John’s father, , a butcher from Muncie, bought an old saloon in downtown Redkey during the Great Depression. Tom’s approach was simple: he served what he thought guests wanted and charged them what he thought they could afford.