Community Favorite
In 1987, on the birthday of his daughter Tiffany, Fritz Helmuth decided to open the doors to a place he felt would foster community in his small slice of the world. Given that his daughter was turning 1 on the very day he opened for business, Helmuth felt the namesake was a perfect fit. Now, almost 40 years later, Tiffany’s Restaurant continues to serve crowd-pleasing favorites and remains a community favorite.
When Helmuth was first considering opening Tiffany’s Restaurant, he was already a successful businessman. Fifteen years earlier, he had started S&H Metals, a nearby custom sheet fabricator. The revenue from that business would later help Helmuth keep the doors open at Tiffany’s Restaurant when the COVID-19 pandemic caused others to close up shop.
“COVID was definitely a tough time, but I always try to stick with things that I start. I have always believed that a big dream and a positive attitude make the right formula for success. I had a vision of people coming in, grabbing a salad or some ice cream on a beautiful day and sitting outside. I made it happen with Tiffany’s Restaurant,” Helmuth says.
Tiffany’s Restaurant is a local eatery, specifically known for its chicken buffet and salad bar. There’s also fish available most nights, with prime rib featured on Friday nights. Homemade chili, clam chowder and chicken noodle soup are also available with the salad bar.
On Saturday mornings, the breakfast bar is stocked with plenty of crowd-pleasing favorites such as bacon, fried mush, biscuits and gravy, and scrambled eggs. For those with a sweet tooth, there are cinnamon rolls and whoopie pies. Tiffany’s Restaurant also recently added a bakery, making fresh-baked pies a new option for purchase. There are also daily rotating specials.
Plenty of parking is available at the restaurant or across the street at Topeka East Park. Currently, there is an outdoor space with volleyball that patrons can use, and Helmuth has plans to add other recreational options, such as shuffleboard. Manager Dave Fry hopes people will come for the welcoming environment and friendly staff.
“We welcome everyone who comes through the door. We focus on excellent service and great food. It’s just a really great place to work,” Fry says.
Helmuth has always viewed Tiffany’s Restaurant as a neighborhood hub of sorts, and over the years, he has used the revenue it brings in to support community youth sports.
“My favorite part of owning Tiffany’s is that I can still help the community with sponsorships. I’ve been sponsoring basketball teams for years, and I love to share that experience with other people. I have been blessed to sponsor so many young people through sports. Tiffany’s gave me the ability to do that. I wouldn’t have had that experience without it,” Helmuth says.
Tiffany’s Restaurant is looking ahead to more upgrades in the coming months, with plans to expand options for customers and provide an even more welcoming space.
“Since COVID, we’ve been making a strong comeback, and I’m proud that we’ve been able to keep the restaurant open with the same ownership all these years,” Helmuth says.
Fry encourages everyone to stop in and personally experience the menu.
“Everyone always raves about our chicken and oooohs and ahhhs about the bacon. Tiffany’s Restaurant really does have some of the best food in our area,” Fry says.
Tiffany’s Restaurant is located at 414 Easy Lake St. in Topeka and can be reached at 260-593-2988 for takeout orders.
