Ernie's

History

Ernie Lewis founded Ernie’s Cafe and Steakhouse in 1934, when it was a date-night spot known for a “date steak.” The restaurant moved to East Walnut Street in 1946 and kept a diner menu that regulars say has barely changed since the 1950s. Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy, drew original art for the wall after eating there while visiting a daughter at Stephens College. Tom Spurling bought Ernie’s in 1996. It is still a breakfast-and-lunch room and calls itself Columbia’s oldest full-service restaurant.