Meet You at Arni’s

Arni’s in Lebanon Holds Special Place in Owners’ Hearts

Writer / Julie Yates                                   

Photographer / Jon Ellegood

Arni’s restaurants have been a Hoosier favorite for more than 50 years. Arni Cohen opened the first location in 1965 at Market Square Shopping Center in Lafayette. Today, his sons Brad and Kurt Cohen are co-owners of the 19 Arni’s locations throughout central and southern Indiana. Three of the restaurants are franchises, while the Cohens own the other 16. The family also owns Linarco Distributing, a facility that produces and distributes Arni’s products. However, the Arni’s in Lebanon holds a special place in the family’s heart.

“Lebanon is a great city and location,” Brad Cohen says. “The Arni’s here started out as a franchise. When that franchisee wanted out, we bought it back in 2007. It was important to us that we could continue to maintain and offer our restaurant to the community in such an excellent town. Being in Lebanon is just great in itself, but the restaurant here is in a fun, old building. We really appreciate the customers. We have a solid business that works – good store, good food and good service.”

Cohen calls Arni’s an “enhanced pizza place,” but it actually offers customers much more. Besides pizza, the menu includes appetizers, salads, burgers, subs, strombolis, soups, pastas and sides. Also available are bottomless soft drinks and indulgent desserts.

“Our most popular pizza ordered is pepperoni and sausage,” Cohen says. “Nationally, pepperoni is actually the number-one topping choice for any brand, but I feel like our pepperoni is amazing. It’s one of a kind. If you’ve never had one of our pizzas, start there.”

“Although we are most noted for our pizza, a second thing we are famous for is our Arni’s Junior salad,” he continues. “It’s like a chef salad but with chopped ham, turkey and lettuce. We use our own cheese blend, and we offer a variety of dressing but five are still homemade dressings. There’s a lot of folklore about why the Arni’s Junior salad is so awesome. Some might claim it’s the cheese or the dressing or the size of the chop, or all of those combined. Even kids who never eat salads love it.”

Arni’s legendary pizza starts with 100% real Wisconsin cheese, with the addition of as many toppings as desired. Patrons can get specialties such as the Hawaiian-inspired Maui Zowie, with pineapple, ham, pepperoni and barbecue sauce, or the White Wedding, which features Alfredo sauce, Italian cheeses, bacon and tomato. Sizes available are 7”, 10” and 14”.

For people who want a bigger size than the Arni’s Junior salad, there is also an Arni’s Senior salad with the same great ingredients only larger. Among the seven other salads included on the menu are the Rio Grande BBQ Chicken Salad and the Southern Fried Chicken Salad.

The rest of the menu truly has something for everyone. More than a dozen appetizers, such as the Garlic Bread with Cheese and the Mac & Cheese Bites, are perfect for sharing. More than two dozen handheld choices of different hamburgers, subs, strombolis and sandwiches ensure there is something even the pickiest of eaters can enjoy. Kids love the family-sized Cookie Monster dessert, constructed of chocolate chip cookies, chocolate syrup and whipped cream.

This location offers takeout, as well as dine-in with seating for nearly 200 people. A separate area is also available for more private gatherings. A full menu is accessible on the official website.

Arni’s devotees who have moved away from Indiana can take advantage of the restaurant’s willingness to ship nationwide. To satisfy cravings for Arni’s unique pizza and sandwiches, interested customers can call 765-447-1108 to get the process started. Orders are shipped via UPS, and the cost includes a packing and shipping fee.

“During the 20-plus years of being in Lebanon, we have been active in the community that has been so good to us,” Cohen says. “We do Dine to Donate nights, sponsorships, and have supported a lot of nonprofit organizations and philanthropies. We employ a lot of local kids. Lebanon has been awesome and we are grateful for their support.”

Arni’s is located at 202 West Washington Street in Lebanon. For more info, call 765-485-2764 or visit meetyouatarnis.com.