About the Whistle Stop

On April 30, 1975, Idell Sego made her dream a reality when she opened a sandwich shop seating 20 people in her husband's hardware store. With little experience, but a great love for homemade food and entertaining, the country restaurant grew. By 1979, they sold the hardware inventory to expand the restaurant which now seats 85 and 85 more in the upstairs dining room used for private parties. Over the years, Idell continued to serve Southern foods made from scratch using recipes handed down from family and friends. Many dishes served today are the original recipes she started with. The Segos also worked hard at establishing a unique atmosphere while dining. The log cabin gift shop is an original log cabin that was moved and re-built, and most of the booths and lights are hand done.

On March 1, 2005, James and Idell retired from the restaurant, entrusting Mike and Lynn Cummins to continue the traditions of The Whistle Stop Cafe. Since 2005, The Whistle Stop has been in Southern Living Magazine several times, won Best Desserts in Kentucky, and been voted Best Non Franchise Restaurant in Kentucky since 2010.

In April of 2021, Mike Frantz purchased The Whistle Stop from Lynn and Mike Cummins and re-opened in May of 2021, after a short closure due to Covid. Mike's priorities for The Whistle Stop are to continue the traditions and use the original recipes that were handed down from the Segos so many years ago, as well as keeping ownership local and preserving the history of the restaurant.

We truly hope your dining experience at this historic restaurant is one of your best. Try some of our homemade food and home cooking like Fried Green Tomatoes or a slice of our famous meringue pie, relax and enjoy the rumble of the trains in Glendale, Kentucky.