Visiting Herm’s Inn, Logan

Awhile ago, I had lunch at Herm’s Inn in Logan, with my friend Carol. I always enjoy catching up with her and reminiscing about our college days at Utah State University. Carol always knows the coolest places to eat, and we usually finish the afternoon with a stop at Gossner’s for cheese and Aggie ice cream.

This time we went to Herm’s, located at 1435 E. Canyon Road, down the hill from Utah State University. It’s got an interesting menu and an even more interesting history.

According to its website, Herman “Herm” and his wife, Elizabeth “Lizzy,” Johnson built Herm’s Inn in the early 1900s. They lived upstairs as the inn transitioned to a gas station and general store/diner.

Back then, Herm’s Inn was

surrounded by empty fields and farmland, so the building had signs alerting drivers that it was their “Last Chance,”  to gas up before going through Logan Canyon; or their “First Chance” to fill up their tank after coming down from the canyon.

According to the story from the restaurant’s website, Herm had a side business selling bootlegged whiskey during the Prohibition years. His brother in the police department alerted him when a raid was going to take place.  Herm’s staff would take the whiskey over to the river bank and throw a tarp over it. During the restaurant renovation, old whiskey bottles were found in the basement, so there may be truth to the legend.

The original Herm’s Inn closed around 1948, but’s been reincarnated by Jim Laub. You can see the original “First Chance” and “Last Chance” signs. And there’s an old gas pump for old-time ambiance.

I ordered an Inside Out Grilled Cheese sandwich $7). The cheddar was on the OUTSIDE of the bread, so it was crunchy and crispy.  The filling was house-made guacamole and black beans, and the result was delicious. It’s a creative vegetarian option; but you can add chicken or steak for $2. I chose it because it was a signature sandwich, and it sounded different from the usual sandwiches such as Cuban, club, avocado/turkey, and pulled pork. There’s also a Garden of Eden sandwich that would make a good vegetarian option.

The burgers start with a whopping half-pound of ground beef, and run from $8 and up, depending on the toppings chosen. They all come with fresh-cut french fries, chips or skillet potatoes. The salads are $8.25-$10, more if you choose to top them with chicken or steak.

The Herm’s Inn website shows a substantial breakfast menu, but no dinner menu; so I’m assuming it’s closed in the evenings.

I’m looking forward to coming back to Herm’s Inn soon.