The Reservation Restaurant adding coffee shop, celebrating 40th anniversary

Voted Southeast Indiana's favorite restaurant in 2022

(MILAN, Ind.) – A beloved Milan restaurant will be celebrating a milestone anniversary this year while adding a unique new feature to the business.

Jeff and Greg Holt purchased The Reservation in 1985 and longtime customers may recall their mother, Rose, who made daily specials, homemade sauces and dressings for 25 years. 

It remains a family-run business with many loyal customers who visit daily for breakfast, lunch or dinner. 

The Reservation has such a good reputation that it was voted as ‘Southeast Indiana’s Favorite Diner’ during a contest on The 812 in 2022. Watch here:

One secret to their success is not making changes to the things they thrive at. However, there is a major change coming as they turn 40.

Jeff and Greg approached Jeff's new daughter-in-law who owns a successful coffee shop in Brownstown. 

They asked if she would want to open a second location within the restaurant. It was a no-brainer for Kaylee Holt who married Milan native, Daniel Holt. 

“I opened Kay's Kafe as a way to pour love into the community I grew up in and love dearly. I am now excited to be able to share the love of Christ one cup at a time in the community Daniel grew up in and loves as well,” she said. 

She owns Kay’s Kafe Brownstown and they recently celebrated their third anniversary.

The coffee shop will be located near the entrance of the restaurant and remodeling efforts are underway.

The opening of Kay's Kafe has not been determined yet but will be part of the highlights coming during the 40th anniversary. The restaurant is also planning a celebration in April.

Jeff and Greg said, "We know that some of you have been with us since the beginning. Some of you have grown up with us and some of you are new to us. All of you feel like family and we hope that our hospitality has always been what you felt at The Reservation."

Here is a logo the restaurant is sharing ahead of the 40th anniversary: