Brown House Celebrates 75 Years of Hot Dogs and Treats

AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) — For 75 years, The Brown House in Auburn has been cooking hot dogs and serving smiles for generations. The Klein family took over in 2019 with a promise to continue the quality service that the Cole family started so many years ago.

Watch WANE 15’s interview with Klein in the video player above.

“Small in size but big on value, the little Brown House is a mecca for good food,” says a 1963 Drive-In management magazine. Decades later, the Brown House continues to be an Auburn staple, while still serving up those fresh coney dogs.

In 1949, Doris Cole and her husband created the Brown House. The Brown House lived up to its name, a small brown building with two service windows and a limited menu. The 1963 magazine noted that the chicken dinner, which included 1/2 chicken, fries, coleslaw, salad, and a biscuit, cost only $1.25.

Tom and Marsha Armstrong became the owners of The Brown House in 1975. Five years ago, Erica and Parker Klein purchased The Brown House, repairing and renovating the beloved place.[We are] continuing the traditions that the Brown House has had for years,” said Parker Klein.

The once simple menu has now expanded to include a variety of foods and treats… but one menu item stands out above all others. The coney dog ​​is their most popular item, especially on Wednesdays when they have their own coney dog ​​special.

Over the course of five years, the Kleins have spent countless hours updating the building, the exterior, and the menu. They’ve added air conditioning inside the building, added a fence to the patio, and updated the menu boards. One of the biggest changes came when they first took over, bought a new ice cream maker, and started making custard instead of regular soft serve ice cream.

In addition to their variety of shakes, sundaes, and floats, they have created an Auburn Handcrafted Custard, with flavors made in-house. They recently launched a Happy Hour, along with their daily specials.

A hand-breaded filet is a classic at Hoosier & Brown House. They source all their filets from Albright’s One Stop in Corunna, sharing the importance of shopping and supporting local businesses.

The Kleins have emphasized the idea of ​​community togetherness, which can be seen at numerous community events. They purchased a food truck to take The Brown House to events like the DeKalb Free Fall Fair and the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Festival. They participate in fundraisers and community events like “Strawberries Around the Fountain,” where they made 45 gallons of custard for the event.

While The Brown House prides itself on its service and food, the Kleins also pride themselves on the importance of family. The store is closed on Sundays to give all employees a dedicated day to spend with their families, having young children of their own, Erica shares the joy it has been to raise them in Auburn.

“We love having our kids here and serving the community,” Erica Klein said. “It’s given us the opportunity to bring smiles to so many other families.”

Brown House is located at 100 E. Ensley Ave, Auburn IN. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Customers can call ahead, order online, walk in, or visit one of the two drive-thru locations.