Kristy brings out the burgers and tenderloins.

Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist

Column Note: At this dinner, some Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club members explore Akron.

AKRON — Remember the days when the world felt smaller, safer, and full of endless adventure? For those who grew up in Akron,the nostalgia of childhood summers riding bikes all day long is a cherished memory. In a time before smartphones and constant supervision, Akron was the kind of town where kids could pedal freely. From the local park to the corner mini market, the days of laughter, scraped knees, and games of tag are etched in the hearts of Akron.

Erin Serafino and Carli Kaiser, sisters who grew up in Akron, joined us at Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill, located at 108 E Rochester St., to reminisce. “I think my graduating class had around 140 seniors,” Erin recalled. Akron, along with Mentone, Burkett, and Talma, sends its kids to Tippecanoe Valley High School, home of the Vikings and the Valley Family. Erin and Carli fondly remembered walking to elementary school and riding their bikes everywhere.

“Did you have limits on where you could ride your bikes?” Realtor Jeff Owens asked.

“Nope,” Carli shook her head. “We had friends around town. In a small town, lots of people keep an eye on you. Back then, you just needed to be home by dark.” The sisters laughed as they reminisced about riding to their grandparents’ house and raiding the good snacks.

Erin and Carli with their lunches and menu.

“Kids back then were given more opportunities to make good decisions on their own,” HeadStart Teaching Assistant Vicky Owens chimed in, glancing at the menu. She spotted the hand-breaded tenderloin. “It’s different now.”

Erin chuckled. “Well, us kids did make some bad choices. I may have been on the roof once. But in a small town, the neighbors call, you know?” The conversation paused as we turned our attention to the menu, and Kristy’s began to fill up with the lunch crowd.

The Heart of Downtown Akron

At the heart of Akron’s social scene is Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill, a beloved establishment that serves as a gathering place for the community. Known for its welcoming atmosphere and hearty Midwestern fare, Kristy’s is the go-to spot for comfort food, Coke drinks, and good company.

The menu features classic bar and grill favorites such as burgers, ribs, prime rib, sandwiches and sides, all with hometown flair. You can even find Frog Legs and Smelt listed under the Seafood heading — alongside shrimp, blue gill, and walleye. (For the curious, all-you-can-eat smelt with French fries and homemade coleslaw is available every Monday from 4-8 p.m., March 3 through May 12.)

At Kristy’s, you can enjoy a casual lunch, a lively evening with friends, or catch a game on the big-screen TV.

“We’ve been around forever. This place used to be called Sloane’s,” Kristy herself explained as she stopped by our table. “I worked as a waitress for Sloane’s too. We bought the restaurant in the fall of 2017 and put our twist on the food. My husband and son are the chefs back in the kitchen.” Kristy uses Cheesecake Factory bases but adds her own creative touch to the toppings.

The Role of Kristy’s in Akron

The Akron watertower looms over town.

Kristy’s plays a vital role in the community: bringing people together. It’s more than just a restaurant; it’s a cornerstone of Akron’s identity, reflecting the town’s values. “Kristy even knows what my grandma orders,” Erin winked. Indeed, Kristy greeted regulars by name, patting their arms and making sure they were comfortable.

Carli and Erin’s grandmother, Marilyn Miller, still calls Akron home, a testament to the town’s enduring charm.

Carli, a nurse at Lutheran Hospital in Warsaw, spends her days caring for others, but on her day off, she took care of herself by opting for a taco salad, generously loaded with cheese and jalapeños. It’s moments like these that highlight the simple, grounded lifestyle Akron offers, a place where roots run deep and connections matter.

So, where exactly is Akron? You’ll find it just over the Kosciusko County border in Fulton County, Akron sits west of Silver Lake and south of Beaver Dam. With a population of around 1,000, this quintessential small town radiates warmth and community spirit. It’s the kind of place where neighbors know each other by name, and the sense of belonging is as comforting as a plate of Kristy’s hot waffle fries.

Akron remains a place where the past and present intertwine, creating a tapestry of stories that define its heart even as some of those who grew up there have moved away.

Boundless Stories

Erin Serafino may have moved away from Akron physically, but she has found her calling at Boundless Studio in Warsaw, where she’s not just a yoga instructor but an expert in hypnotherapy, helping clients heal from trauma and transform habits. “I used to offer Broga classes for guys too,” Erin highlighted her innovative approaches to wellness.

The conversation turned to yoga, sparking a lively debate. Consultant Kris Williams chimed in, “I like yoga. I’ll do yoga even without Broga.”

Kristy’s bar and prim rib special.

Realtor Jeff Owens agreed, waving his juicy hometown burger to emphasize. “Yoga is good for you.”

But Carli, still working on her taco salad, wasn’t convinced. “Yoga is too slow for me!” she admitted. I found myself siding with Carli, which led to the group enlightening us about the benefits of stretching, meditation and detoxing.

By the end of the conversation, Vicky was so inspired that she decided to join Erin’s Wednesday evening yoga classes. If you’re curious, you can find Beginner Yoga from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and Yoga Flow from 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Boundless Studio.

As the yoga discussion wrapped up, I kept attempting to balance my giant grilled chicken sandwich (seriously, how big was that chicken?) while jotting down notes. I couldn’t help but wonder if yoga might help me improve my coordination — or at least my ability to eat oversized sandwiches without making a mess.

A Balancing Act

Speaking of balance, let’s shift gears and return to talking about Akron: a small-town gem that’s worth a visit. If you’re passing through, make a delicious stop at Kristy’s Hometown Bar & Grill and experience the genuine warmth and spirit of this charming Indiana town.

As Jeff Owens raved after enjoying his Kristy’s Hometown favorite —a  burger featuring half a pound of chuck with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, and mushrooms on Texas toast, served with au jus —  “I’d definitely come back here!” So would all of us.

TIP – Kristy’s closes for the month of January for their annual reset and updates. It’s also closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Do you know of an interesting place, restaurant, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured in Diners and Dives? Send Shari Benyousky an email at [email protected].