Lenawee County’s restaurant and diner scene has changed dramatically over the years, as local eateries open and close, chain restaurants expand, and ownership changes hands.
This month, we decided to take a look back, asking Lenawee County residents what old-school restaurants they miss most. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular entries, along with a little history:
The Brass Lantern in Adrian
Adrian’s Brass Lantern — 1853 W. Maumee St. — was best known for a fresh salad bar, crab salad and comfort food. The business closed for good in the early 2000s, according to prior reporting from The Telegram, and was listed as a tax-foreclosed property for auction in 2009.
The building sat vacant for over a decade before it was demolished in 2021 to make room for a Lightning Quick Gas-N-Go.
The Rock Inn in Adrian
The Rock Inn once stood at the corner of US-223 and M-52, with a rich history dating back to 1948. The Inn stood at the city’s borders as a beacon to weary travelers, featuring “the finest foods” from char-broiled steak to fried chicken to homemade cinnamon rolls.
The business rebranded to Salvatore’s in 1967, but the concept failed — The Rock Inn returned in 1968. The diner changed hands several times before closing in the 1980s.
The property was sold at auction and the building demolished in 1990 to make room for commercial redevelopment, according to the Lenawee County Historical Society.
Bummies in Adrian
Longtime residents carry fond memories of dinner at Bummies, which stood in the heart of Adrian’s commercial district near the once-thriving mall at South Main Street and US-223.
The building was demolished in the late 2000s to make way for a new McDonald’s.
Boomer’s in Tecumseh
Boomer’s Burgers, once located in Tecumseh’s thriving commercial zone along West Chicago Boulevard, was known for being a family-focused restaurant with a unique take on all things burgers.
The family-owned business fell victim to development, and was eventually demolished to make way for a commercial drug store, according to prior reporting from The Telegram.
Don’s Beef Buffet in Tecumseh
Fresh owners are breathing new life into the old Don’s Beef Buffet at 111 W. Chicago Boulevard in downtown Tecumseh. Rosie’s Tecumseh Café opened in 2025.
Still, residents remember the glory days, when Don’s Beef Buffet served up Saturday dinner specials of roast beef, potatoes, a side salad and a roll for $2.59 in the late 1970s.
Don’s Beef Buffet later became Doby’s Smokehouse, which morphed into JR’s, which closed all locations in January 2024.
The Chilean House in Tecumseh
The Chilean House was an original south-of-the-border diner on East Chicago Street in Tecumseh. The business opened in the late 1970s and served authentic Mexican, Spanish and Chilean dishes with a specialty in empanadas.
Locals believe the business closed around 2000.
Main Street Stable and Tavern in Blissfield
Blissfield’s Main Street Stable and Tavern shuttered during the onset of COVID-19 at 116 N. Main St. The business was known for a made-from-scratch menu, including prime rib, peach crumble and chicken caprese pasta.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@lenconnect.com or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: List: Seven restaurants we desperately miss in Lenawee County
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, The Daily Telegram / The Daily Telegram
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