The Merry Go Round Restaurant, A Time Honored Evansville Tradition.

When the Merry Go Round restaurant opened its doors in June of 1948 it did so, in true 50’s fashion, complete with neon lights, curb girls, and drive-in service. Located on Old Hwy 41, the Merry Go Round became an instant hit for locals and travelers alike and was known for its famous Dilly Burger. It was not until early 1966 that additions were added on to the restaurant bringing along with them a new menu aimed at providing a complete family dining experience. Excellent plate lunches and great sandwiches along with full sit down service were the “order” of the day.

The Merry Go Round was purchased in 1982 by Eric Raeber. Eric, an employee of the Merry Go Round since 1970, worked under the original owner, Virgil Syerup, until purchasing the establishment himself in 1982. Eric’s extensive history at the Merry Go Round has allowed him to build personal relationships with many of his customers throughout the years. It is also interesting to note that the Merry Go Round was the first family restaurant in Evansville to convert to completely non-smoking, doing so in 1999!

Eric’s entire family works with him at the Merry Go Round and he loves the opportunity to spend the extra time with his family. “The Merry Go Round is the best parental tool I could ever imagine” he said, “This truly is a dream come true to have both a family that is not only close and works together, but also has so much fun while doing so.” Eric also mentioned that the Merry Go Round is the only restaurant in Evansville that closes for a full week during the summer for family vacations and also closes for a period of time between Christmas and New Years!

Eric’s oldest son, Cam , works full time as the head chef and frequently works the 12-hour days the position demands. His next son, Chevy, works the same long hours starting his day after breakfast and working until closing at 9pm . His daughter Erica, a full time student at Indiana University , started at an early age also and now works the floor during summer breaks and special events. Erica is studying hospitality and event management. His youngest son, Axil, is just getting started in this demanding business working the fountain area during the evenings. Eric’s wife, Natalie, also works in the restaurant doing much behind the scenes and is known for her delicious home made pies and popular salads!

The Merry Go Round’s recent 65th anniversary has brought a lot of nostalgia along with it. Generations of customers have revisited the restaurant to relive happy memories from their past. There aren’t many spots in Evansville that have the power and history to invoke emotion out of their patrons and the Merry Go Round does just that. The record crowds that visited the Merry Go Round during it’s 65th anniversary customer appreciation week are a testament to the restaurants long standing reputation for great food, fair prices, and the impact the Merry Go Round has had, for decades, on generations of families in the Evansville area.