Alcohol
The Depot
The City, Man & Restaurant with Energy
Shenandoah, the “City with Energy,” is best known as the home of The Depot Restaurant since 1983. Bill Hillman, owner of The Depot, has plenty of spirit when it comes to managing his restaurant as well as being an active community member, among other things.
You won’t have a quiet and tiresome visit at The Depot as there is memorabilia from floor to ceiling that will keep you fascinated for hours. There are hundreds of photos, many autographed, that hang with years of history behind them. Many include the renowned Everly Brothers; the duo was rock and roll chart toppers in the ‘50s and ‘60s who grew up in Shenandoah. Numerous artifacts hang from the ceiling and walls, several coming from Hillman’s childhood, and others collected throughout the years.
Before you know it, your food will be served from the extensive menu consisting primarily of homestyle favorites. The Depot is inspired by family cooking that makes you feel at home while eating a dish from their breakfast, lunch, or dinner menus. Seasonal microbrews are also available, which Hillman brews at the restaurant, including wheat, India pale ale, stout and red ale. Hillman completely scratched the original recipe for his microbrews after becoming involved in the Iowa Brewers Guild to better perfect them and stay in competition with other members.
The Depot hasn’t always been so lucky; the first day they served breakfast in 1995, the building burnt down due to a kitchen fire. Unfortunately, the $20,000 worth of insurance was barely enough to haul away the wreckage. The next day, 100 good Samaritans showed up with shovels and wheelbarrows to help Hillman rebuild his business from the ground up. Thanks primarily to the unpaid volunteers, the roof was up in a single day and The Depot was partially open for business within a month.
It was only right that people from the community came together to help Hillman after all he volunteers for. He helped developed the Wabash Trace Nature Trail, a converted railroad from Council Bluffs to Blanchard which runs 63 miles with 74 bridges. He is a founding member of the Southwest Iowa Habitat fr Humanity, the Everly Brothers Scholarship fund and The Dome Restoration Board. Hillman has received a KETV Putting People First Award, Wabash Trace Volunteer of the Year and Shenandoah Cornerstone Award.
Hillman is sure to keep The Depot a popular hangout among the Shenandoah community as well as a frequent stop for celebrities and politicians such as President Obama and Governor Branstad. Live music from regional bands and karaoke nights keep locals and tourists coming back. With homestyle food, quality microbrews, local history and entertainment, The Depot is definitely a Shenandoah landmark with energy.
