A La Crosse Tradition Since 1955
The Schmidty’s story dates back to 1955 when two young farmers from the nearby community of St. Joseph’s Ridge bought an unassuming little tavern, located at the foot of La Crosse’s scenic Hedgehog Bluff, from the Clements family. Arlene and Norbert Schmidt, along with their three children, took residence in the second floor of their new tavern, making Schmidty’s truly a family endeavor from the start.
The Schmidt family made a number of improvements through the years. In 1958 they built on and opened a new dining room. The famous Schmidty’s oval bar was built in 1962, along with a genuine, fully-operational fireplace.
Arlene and Norbert’s son, Bob, took over the operation in 1994. Bob’s daughter, Amy, joined him soon after her graduation from UW-Stout. Bob and Amy set about making even more improvements to Schmidty’s. By 2000, they had expanded both the bar and the dining room, had the ceilings raised, refurbished the interior and exterior, and added accessible restrooms. Shortly thereafter, the party room was moved to the main level, a new gas fireplace was built, and a new oval bar was constructed.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2024, Schmidty’s proudly entered its next chapter when Tim Hesse, a local to the La Crosse area, acquired the brand. A longtime admirer of Schmidty’s and what it has meant to the community, Tim and his family bring fresh energy and a deep respect for the traditions that have made Schmidty’s what it is today.
While honoring the Schmidt family’s incredible contributions and the community that has supported Schmidty’s for generations, Tim is committed to keeping the spirit of Schmidty’s alive and thriving—preserving the warm, welcoming atmosphere while continuing to innovate and serve great food with excellent service.
A Place for Family and Friends
To this day, Schmidty’s is many things to many people: a supper club, a bar and grill, a local landmark where countless family memories have been made. Whether you’re grabbing a quick lunch, enjoying a quiet dinner for two, or gathering for our buffet brunch, Schmidty’s always feels like home.
We invite you to stop in and experience what has made Schmidty’s special since 1955. Great food, reasonable prices, excellent service, and a warm atmosphere where everyone feels like family.
Welcome to Schmidty’s.
A place for family and friends—yesterday, today, and for years to come.
