For more than seven decades, Whitey’s Restaurant has been much more than a place to enjoy a great meal. Since opening in 1955, the Davison landmark has become a gathering place where generations of families have celebrated milestones, shared Friday night dinners and created the everyday memories that often become the most cherished.
For the Hilgendorf family, the secret to Whitey’s longevity comes down to one word: loyalty.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have generations of loyal customers who support us and loyal longstanding employees who are an integral part of our Whitey’s family,” Dana Hilgendorf says.
That loyalty begins at home. For generations, the Hilgendorfs have invested their blood, sweat and tears into preserving the family business and the values that have made Whitey’s feel like home to so many customers. They understand what it means to serve their community and never take that responsibility for granted.
Third-generation owner Scott Hilgendorf has been involved with the restaurant for 47 years. His earliest memories date to age 5, making pies with the head chef in the prep room. As a teenager, he would walk to Whitey’s with friends after school for a quick meal. Today, his grandchildren look forward to continuing that same tradition.
For Scott’s wife, Dana, Whitey’s holds an equally personal place in her heart. It was where she met Scott while working to put herself through college. Over the years, she has contributed her financial, organizational and operational expertise to the restaurant, helping guide its continued success from the early 2000s through today.
Their children also grew up learning valuable lessons through their experiences at Whitey’s: commitment, dependability, accountability and the importance of taking pride in your work. Those lessons have followed them into their own careers and successes.
While the restaurant has evolved, the family has worked carefully to preserve what makes it special. An addition in 1985 increased seating by 100, followed by remodels in 2008 and 2012. Interior updates are underway today, along with ongoing investments in equipment and technology.
“Staying true to our roots doesn’t mean refusing to change,” Scott said. “It means embracing progress while never losing sight of where we started.”
We don’t want our guests
to only remember what they ate; we also want them to remember how they felt while they were here.
That philosophy extends to the thousands of families who have made Whitey’s part of their traditions. Birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations and ordinary dinners have all unfolded around its tables. The family says it is both humbling and inspiring to know Whitey’s has been part of so many people’s lives.
The restaurant’s famous Fish and Chips may be its signature dish, but the Hilgendorfs encourage diners to try the Great Lakes Catch, featuring bluegill, walleye and perch. It’s a true taste of Michigan and a reflection of the restaurant’s connection to its home state.
Ultimately, the family hopes guests remember more than their meal.
“We don’t want our guests to only remember what they ate; we also want them to remember how they felt while they were here.”
For Whitey’s, that feeling is built on good food, genuine hospitality and seven decades of loyalty—one generation, one family and one meal at a time.
Whitey’s is at 109 N. State St., Davison. For more information, visit whiteysrestaurant.com.
