Our History
1928| START WITH A SMALL SERVICE
V.D. Vincent and his wife began serving special dinners at their then “country cottage” in Northern Marion County. The beautiful hollyhocks that grew on the grounds gave way to the restaurant’s name, which this oldest restaurant has retained ever since. The restaurants original dining area was both small and intimate, seating up to 30 guests. Aside from a few intermittent periods during World War II, the Vincent’s operated Hollyhock Hill for nearly 20 years.
1947| FIRST EMPLOYEES
Hubert “Hugh” Kelso purchased the restaurant that had grown to accommodate up to 70 guests with the cost for a complete dinner being nearly $3.00. Mr. Kelso’s forty year ownership of the private dining restaurant in Indianapolis led to numerous structural enhancements, fueling continued growth. He was active in the Indiana Restaurant Association (IRA), serving as Chairperson and inducted into the IRA Hall of Fame.
1992| FIRST RECOGNITION
Ownership of the now 150 seat Indianapolis landmark was turned over to longtime employees, Jay & Barbara Snyder. For over fifty years, The Snyder’s worked side-by-side to maintain and grow this dining institution – ushering in innovation, balanced with tradition – constantly focused on customer satisfaction. They were proud and deserving custodians of the Hollyhock Hill tradition, and remained active in the day-to-day management of the family style restaurant and enjoying their seven grandchildren. In 2016, Jay and Barbara decided it was time to retire and turned the restaurant selling best fried chicken in Indianapolis over to the hands of Kelly Haney.
Present Day
For generations, Hollyhock Hill has thoughtfully evolved while preserving the original recipes, time-honored cooking techniques, and gracious hospitality that made it an Indianapolis tradition. Today, it remains one of America’s few authentic family-style restaurants, welcoming guests from all 50 states and around the world to gather, share a meal, and experience a treasured piece of dining history.