From Hard Work to Harder Work and Success at the Luana Tavern

Todd Olson, owner of the Luana Tavern in Luana, IA is no stranger to a hard work. His admirable work ethic has paved the way to ownership of a successful, delicious family eating establishment and a popular pub.

Todd is the son of Leland and Norma Olson who farm near St. Olaf. He graduated from Central High School in 1989. For fourteen years, Todd worked for Design Homes in Prairie Du Chien also during some of that time he cooked at local restaurants like the St. Olaf Tap and the former, Denler’s Steak and Stein, in Elkader.

For the first 10 years of his time with Design Home he worked in the factory but eventually began traveling with the company. He drove a semi and built on-site garages. It didn’t take very long for him to grow weary of the time spent on the road and the constant ingestion of fast food.

A few years prior to buying the Luana Tavern and before retiring from Design Homes, Olson moved to Luana. In the back of his mind he had the idea; if opportunity ever presented he would consider buying the town’s only bar and eating establishment. That chance came two years later in 2006. He says at first he tried to continue his job with Design Homes and own this restaurant but eventually he made the commitment to his investment and began spending his time, (all of his time,) at the restaurant.

“I didn’t think it was possible to work more hours than I already was on the road,” he cheerfully explains. As owner of this busy bar and eatery, he rarely has time off. The tavern is open seven days a week and opens at 8 am every day, when the local coffee club, a,k.a The Old Geezers, faithfully meets.

Olson appears to be perfectly suited for the schedule of a restaurateur as he appears to love his work. “This has been fun, I have always loved to cook and I really enjoy visiting customers and seeing the smiles on their faces after a good meal.”

During the past two years Todd has given his strong work ethic a real work out. At first he invested in the physical structure and appearance of the historic, century old establishment. Many visitors remember when the building served as the town’s opera house and are probably more familiar with its dance hall days.

In addition to lots of fresh paint, Todd installed a beautiful wood laminate floor in both the bar and dining room portion of the operation. He also improved the exterior by adding a new roof, sidewalks and fixing up the facade.

Next, much of his time has been spend revamping the business concept for his Luana Tavern mainly by presenting a consistent food service schedule that has people arriving from all over the tri-state area to enjoy.

While he will credit his dependably delicious Friday and Saturday evening menu, for the far reaching crowds, Olson has also balanced the operation with an excellent daily lunch special menu, a fun happy hour concept and regular weekend entertainment.

Probably what has most recently surprised and thrilled him is the growing crowd for the Wednesday night, Broasted Chicken Wing Platter. Todd explains, this time last year the local golfers were asking him to come up with something for them after golf. He was lucky to find a chicken wing that he is proud to serve. He marinates the wings and then serves the broasted chicken with a tangy sauce he describes as, “Barbeque sauce with a kick.”

The Luana Tavern’s Wednesday wing reputation has spread largely by word of mouth and to the point where this operation is serving 90 to 110 lbs of chicken wings a week! Now, he even has people calling in from field work ordering platters. According to Olson people are so pleased by the large size of the wings and how many are on a platter.

In his two year stint as the new owner of the Luana Tavern, Olson has developed a standing room only crowd most Friday and Saturday Nights with the following
Friday and Saturday Night Special:

Friday Night: Hand Battered Cod or Jumbo Breaded or Broiled Shrimp

Saturday Night: Broasted Chicken, Ribeye Steak and Todd’s Hand Breaded Catfish.

All specials include salad bar, homemade soup, Texas Toast and wide choice of potato.

Todd’s Tenderloins are always on the menu and are served grilled on Texas Toast and come either BBQ Mesquite Style or for something really different Apple Cinnamon.

For those who have never been this is what you can expect. An impressive tall structure, in the heart of this little community, will greet you upon arrival. The establishment is clearly divided with a dining room on one side and long bar room on the other. Expect a comfortable, clean atmosphere.

Diner’s will find this a great place for the nothing fancy meat and potato lover, the menu is very affordable and every item is prepared carefully and deliciously by owner, Todd Olson. The service found here is friendly. Todd’s support staff is led the daily help of local, Valeria Howe, while his girlfriend, Kim Hostert, and the congenial Harold Landt help out on the busy nights.

Almost every other Saturday Night the Luana Tavern provides high caliber entertainment. Keep an eye on their dishntunes.com listing for up an up- to- date schedule.

As for what is to come readers can look forward to the second annual Luana Tavern Street dance to be held at the end of August. In addition, Todd is still rolling around the idea of reopening the dance hall found in the second level of the building.