Grapevine in Tarrant County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Willhoite's Restaurant

Photographed By Thomas Smith, March 6, 2022

1. Willhoite's Restaurant Marker

Inscription.

Willhoite's Restaurant. . , Eat, drink and step back in time at Main Street's oldest restaurant., Welcome to Grapevine and its historic Main Street! You are standing in front of one of the oldest buildings in the city and most unique restaurant in Texas. Where else will you find a 1927 Model T Ford on an antique hydraulic lift atop the buffet station?, Built in 1913, this building first served as a department store and was used for a time as a silent movie theater. In 1919, it was transformed into Willhoite Garage, the first full-service automotive station in Grapevine. It was named for Andrew Willey Willhoite, who along with his business partner, Bart H. Starr, opened the garage. In 1936, Willhoite's son, Ted, joined the business and operated it until 1975 when he retired. It was then used as a furniture warehouse until 1980., Grapevine native Phil Parker purchased the building in 1980 and renovated it into Willhoite's Restaurant and Galleria, with retail shops occupying a portion of the lower and upper levels. The restaurant became successful and eventually encompassed the entire building, adding a private dining room and pool tables to the upper level. In 2017, the building's front was restored to its original appearance., From the beginning, Phil Parker and his son, Eric, have been committed to restoring the building authentically as possible and keeping many aspects of the automotive shop. Willhoite's pays tribute to its long-standing roots in the city with original brick walls and ceiling; a gas pump outside the front entrance; historical photos, signs and memorabilia; and a buffet station that is mounted with a 1927 Model T Ford on an original hydraulic lift that was used in the garage! Where diners eat now are the former wash rack, oil storage area, and next to the indoor kerosene pump., There is not a business on Main Street that has had more people come through its doors than Willhoite's Restaurant, which opened January 17, 1981, and is one of the oldest restaurants still operating in the city. Known for its all-you-can-eat buffet, great menu, Sunday brunch, happy hour, live entertainment, and Texas hospitality, Willhoite's is a popular destination for locals and visitors. We are proud to be one of the oldest businesses on Main Street and offer a glimpse into Grapevine's history. Come on in and see for yourself., For more information visit www.willhoites.com

Eat, drink and step back in time at Main Street's oldest restaurant.

Welcome to Grapevine and its historic Main Street! You are standing in front of one of the oldest buildings in the city and most unique restaurant in Texas. Where else will you find a 1927 Model T Ford on an antique hydraulic lift atop the buffet station?

Built in 1913, this building first served as a department store and was used for a time as a silent movie theater. In 1919, it was transformed into Willhoite Garage, the first full-service automotive station in Grapevine. It was named for Andrew Willey Willhoite, who along with his business partner, Bart H. Starr, opened the garage. In 1936, Willhoite's son, Ted, joined the business and operated it until 1975 when he retired. It was then used as a furniture warehouse until 1980.

Grapevine native Phil Parker purchased the building in 1980 and renovated it into Willhoite's Restaurant & Galleria, with retail shops occupying a portion of the lower and upper levels. The restaurant became successful and eventually encompassed the entire building, adding a private dining room and pool tables to the upper level. In 2017, the building's front was restored to its original appearance.

From the beginning, Phil Parker and his son, Eric, have been committed to restoring the building

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authentically as possible and keeping many aspects of the automotive shop. Willhoite's pays tribute to its long-standing roots in the city with original brick walls and ceiling; a gas pump outside the front entrance; historical photos, signs and memorabilia; and a buffet station that is mounted with a 1927 Model T Ford on an original hydraulic lift that was used in the garage! Where diners eat now are the former wash rack, oil storage area, and next to the indoor kerosene pump.

There is not a business on Main Street that has had more people come through its doors than Willhoite's Restaurant, which opened January 17, 1981, and is one of the oldest restaurants still operating in the city. Known for its all-you-can-eat buffet, great menu, Sunday brunch, happy hour, live entertainment, and Texas hospitality, Willhoite's is a popular destination for locals and visitors. We are proud to be one of the oldest businesses on Main Street and offer a glimpse into Grapevine's history. Come on in and see for yourself.

For more information visit www.willhoites.com

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1919.

Location. 32° 56.189′ N, 97° 4.712′ W. Marker is in Grapevine, Texas, in Tarrant County. Marker is at the

Willhoite's Restaurant and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, April 5, 2024

2. Willhoite's Restaurant and Marker

The marker is at far right.

intersection of Main Street and Franklin Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 432 S Main St, Grapevine TX 76051, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Grape Vine Prairie (a few steps from this marker); Grapevine Calaboose (a few steps from this marker); Willhoite Tire and Home Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Austin Drugs / Grapevine Post Office (within shouting distance of this marker); J.E. Foust & Son (within shouting distance of this marker); Koonce Bros. / Buckner's Grocery (within shouting distance of this marker); Farmers Cooperative Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Tate Hardware Company Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grapevine.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 15, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 158 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 15, 2022, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. 2. submitted on April 15, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.