🥊Restaurant History
Kenny "The Hammer" Larson
It all started back in 1947 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, when a young sailor by the name of Roger Larson started a chain of chow-main stores called “Roger’s Chow-Mein.” During the next 15 years, Roger had great success with his chain of stores. It was during this time that the youngest Larson, Kenny, got his taste of the restaurant business. He was two years old at this time and, for the next 19 years, would see everything that was involved in the life of a restaurateur.
In 1971, the family moved from Minnesota to Beverly Shores, Indiana to take over the famous Red Lantern Inn. It would be here as a teenager that Kenny would find his calling. He worked at all the job positions, so he knew what it took to do each job.
After high school, he attended Purdue University. It was during those Purdue days that Kenny acquired his nickname, when a sports writer from the Lafayette Journal and Courier labeled him the “Lafayette Hammer” after seeing Kenny win the 1981 Golden Gloves Tournament in Indianapolis. Later in his professional boxing career, Kenny dropped the “Lafayette” and became known as the “Hammer.”
Following Purdue, Kenny and his brother, Danny, operated The Red Lantern Inn until they closed in 1986. Danny Larson went on to open Pumps on 12, located on Highway 12, outside of Michigan City. Kenny eventually opened a carryout extension of his brother’s restaurant entitled Pumps Pasta and Pizza which later became known as Hammer’s Pasta and Pizza. Kenny’s passion was to return to a full-service restaurant and he purchased a building on Route 20 in Michigan City which is now the home of Hammer’s.
So, my friends, I hope you will stop by and enjoy a visit with us soon.
If there is anything my family or I can do for you, please let us know.
Thank You,
Kenny “The Hammer” Larson
