Welcome To The J. Huston Tavern

The J. Huston Tavern was established in 1834 as a place where Westward travelers and rowdy river adventurers could find a good meal and a refreshing drink. Although you won't encounter many rowdy river adventurers among your Tavern dining companions these days, you will still find the good food and refreshing drinks that have drawn visitors to this historic building for 175 years. The J. Huston Tavern is proud of its distinction as the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi.

You can sense the rich history of the building as soon as you step through the door, but you'll also find something new at the Tavern. Chef Liz Huff, the J. Huston Tavern's new proprietor, has created an exciting new menu and brought a lively new energy to the Tavern. You'll be attended by servers clad in 1800s attire, dine on expertly prepared fare, and surrounded by artwork and artifacts from another era. It all adds up to a dining experience of historic significance!

I want to create memories for people, and I can create memories for people through food.”

-- Chef Liz Huff, Proprietor of the J. Huston Tavern

A warm welcome from Chef Liz Huff


I'm excited to invite you to the J. Huston Tavern. As a long-time Saline County resident, I've spent a lot of time here and now my dream of managing and preparing food for visitors to this amazing, historic tavern has come true.

As a professional chef, I am committed to bringing you food that is freshly prepared using the finest ingredients. In fact, I use locally grown produce and meats whenever possible. I'm also a firm believer that great food isn't enough; great service is equally important and that's what you can expect every time you dine at the J. Huston Tavern. My staff and I want you to have a wonderful, memorable dining experience from the moment you step through the door.

I call it 'eat-ertainment,' that combination of delicious food, unparalleled service and the kind of lively, interesting, (dare I say educational?) atmosphere that can only be found at the J. Huston Tavern. Come, and let us 'eat-ertain' you!