Photo By Graham Lienhart

Ron Larkin

Ron Larkin's parents, Ron and Olga, bought the Hitching Post in 1960. His dad changed the name to Ron's Roost in 1970, about the same time he bought a 14-foot fiberglass rooster for the roof. Today Ron, his mother and his brother Mark run the restaurant, each pitching in to provide enough for a five-page menu. Ron says, "You name it, we've got it. You'll find something on our menu you like!" He says their biggest seller is the fried chicken, putting out a little over 10,000 pieces a week. Olga's homemade German Sauerbraten, hot slaw and cole slaw are close runners up.

CityBeat: Where did you eat your last great meal and what was it?

Ron Larkin: My mom's a great cook. She makes pork schnitzel and spatzle or goulash or pot roast all from recipes she has in her head.

CB: Has anyone every tried to steal the giant rooster?

RL: In the late '70s it was stolen one time. They only got as far as the parking lot. Where you going to go with something that big and that heavy? It's funny, it's just been stolen that once and I swear 100 people say they're the ones who stole it!