Around The Bend: SchoolHouse Diner
Class is back in session at SchoolHouse Diner!
The former Lakeville High School cafeteria is now serving up comfort food with a twist. From over-the-top "freakshakes" to insta-worthy pancakes, this spot turns old school memories into bold new flavors you’ll crave again and again.
Around The Bend takes a deeper look into the stories of beloved favorites and hidden gems throughout St Joseph County that make this place unforgettable. These places we cherish didn’t just appear—they were built with passion, purpose, and stories worth telling.
SchoolHouse Diner: Where Nostalgia Meets Diner Favorites
Once the Lakeville High School cafeteria, the SchoolHouse Diner serves classic breakfast favorites and bold new flavors to Lakeville locals.
The former school was built in 1931 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was purchased in 2016 by Kerry and K.R. Palmer, co-owners of Palmer Funeral Homes, and converted into the Palmer Community Complex.
While the former cafeteria has housed a few different tenants, the hallways have stayed the same. Cases of memorabilia, old lockers and photographs of former students ... echoes of the past still present in every direction.
Originally a high school, several senior classes are displayed along the wall up to 1965. They then converted it to a grade school for several years.
Now, the auditorium is used for funerals and church services on Sundays. And the cafeteria? Converted to the quaint, nostalgic SchoolHouse Diner.
“Where the diner is located in the building used to be the cafeteria … coming into the diner there was a hole in the wall where (the students) would grab their trays (from the kitchen) and some people said that they would go in the auditorium and eat,” shared owner, Crystal Bragg.
“From what people have said (the cafeteria) is basically the same, there was just a hole in the wall.”
From a hole in the wall to a hidden gem, this diner serves regular visitors that don’t miss out on their $6 breakfast meal specials every morning.
Beyond the regular breakfast favorites, Bragg enjoys fun, unique creations. Her love of baking sweets has transformed into new-age diner faves.
“I like the fun things like the chunky monkey pancakes, strawberries and cream, and the Oreo cookies and cream pancakes and French toast…and our milkshakes. We have freakshakes that are over the top fun.”
Picture your favorite dessert on top of a milkshake, and you’ve got the freakshake. Donuts, Oreos, dirt cups … there is even a “unicorn shake.” That will certainly wake you up in the morning!
You will have to come back frequently, as there are flavors of the month.
Speaking of flavors, the list of pancake options is unreal. They also offer gluten-free pancakes.
“Everybody loves our pancakes.”
The favorite Chunky Monkey includes chocolate chips topped with bananas, melted peanut butter and whipped cream, which can also be ordered as French toast.
Are you hungry yet?
The diner also serves a mean burger, falling in line with classic diner favorites. While the diner is open 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, it is also open for dinner on Fridays from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Come for the delicious eats and stay for the nostalgia. You might just spark some old school memories of your own.
Visit SchoolHouse Diner: 601 N Michigan St., Lakeville, IN 46536
SchoolHouse Diner Menu
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