L.A. Cafe, a Whitestown eatery serving traditional American cuisine, opened in 2002. Founded by Larry Averitt and Dan Cornelius, it was created to be an eclectic place to eat. Over 20 years later, this local spot is still a must-visit in Boone County.
Averitt’s daughter, Jessica Averitt, took over the business in 2011. Averitt graduated from Purdue with a tourism and hospitality degree. When the opportunity to own the former family business was presented to her, she couldn’t say no.
“When I graduated college, I spent a year as the restaurant manager with someone else as the owner,” explained Averitt. “Things changed up a bit and the restaurant was going to close again, so I stepped in.”
Since its inception, L.A. Cafe has always provided a wide variety of menu items at various prices. The family-friendly restaurant continues to hold true to this concept, by providing quality meals at the right price for everyone to enjoy.
The lunch menu includes sandwiches, salads, soups and wraps. The dinner menu provides a totally different experience of delicious starters, soups, salads, steaks, sandwiches and pasta.
You might be thinking about what the crowd favorites are – customers love the prime rib served on Friday and Saturdays. The shrimp cocktail is also a beloved appetizer, and patrons can buy one and get one free on Tuesdays. The restaurant has also just released their summer drink menu, which contains some delicious cocktails.
Besides the incredible lunch and dinner options, L.A. Cafe is also stocked with a full-service bar and delectable desserts, ranging from their famous Peanut Butter Pie to the Seven-Layer Carrot Cake.
The food isn’t the only thing that brings customers to L.A. Cafe. The 22-year-old Whitestown staple provides a nice hometown feel that adds charm and leaves customers wanting to return.
“I love my customers,” said Averitt. “We’re in a small, local town, so you really get to know a lot of customers that come and dine in with us.”
As the small town continues to grow, LA Cafe is continuously making improvements to meet the needs of the growing community. The restaurant recently completed their patio renovation that allows an extra 100 people to be in the space and enjoy a delicious meal.
“We’ve made the patio usable year-round,” explained Averitt. “We’ve installed a permanent canopy and electric vinyl screens. It’s able to roll up in the summer and contain the heat in the winter.”
This new renovation provides the perfect area to enjoy a night out with friends, host a party or have dinner with the family.
L.A. Cafe is located on 4 South Main Street in Whitestown. For more info and to reserve a table, visit lacafeindy.com.
