Why It's Called "COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket": The 1983 Evansville Diner Behind the Name

It's one of the first questions new guests ask: "Why is it called the Cross-Eyed Cricket?" It's a name that makes you smile, and behind it is a genuine piece of Evansville history. The story of COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket is really a story about a beloved local diner, a historic downtown building, and a promise to keep a legacy alive.

Here's the story behind the name.

It Starts in 1983

The story begins in 1983 with the original Cross-Eyed Cricket, a beloved local diner known for its hearty portions and welcoming atmosphere. For Evansville locals, it wasn't just a place to eat, it was a community fixture, the kind of spot where regulars had their table and the food felt like home.

That reputation for genuine hospitality and comforting, satisfying food is exactly what the modern restaurant is built to honor.

Read the full story here:
https://www.comfortevv.com/our-story

The "COMFORT" Half of the Name

If "Cross-Eyed Cricket" is the heritage, "COMFORT" is the promise. The name reflects the restaurant's soul: Southern comfort food, crafted with heritage recipes, locally sourced ingredients, and the kind of scratch-made care that turns meals into memories.

Put the two together, and the name tells you everything, this is a place that takes the comfort and warmth of a legendary local diner and reimagines it for a new generation. It honors the Cricket's legacy while adding its own creative twists.

A Historic Downtown Home

Part of what makes the restaurant so special is where it lives. COMFORT occupies a beautifully restored five-story building on Main Street that first opened as the Washington House Hotel in 1855, complete with refurbished hardwood floors and original architectural details paired with modern amenities.

So the name doesn't just connect to a 1983 diner, it sits inside a piece of Evansville history that goes back well over a century. It's a fitting home for a restaurant all about heritage.

Discover more about downtown Evansville's history and attractions here:
https://www.exploreevansville.com/things-to-do/

Reviving a Legacy in 2018

The modern chapter began when the Tudela Food Group revived the concept in 2018. Rather than simply reopen a diner, they committed to something more ambitious:

• Preserving the Cricket's most beloved recipes, like the famous buttermilk fried chicken
• Elevating ingredients through relationships with 20+ local farms
• Creating a multi-dimensional experience across four unique spaces

The result honors the past while pushing forward with award-winning smoked meats (18-hour brisket, St. Louis ribs), seasonal Southern dishes that change weekly, and an acclaimed bourbon program featuring rare Kentucky finds.

More Than a Restaurant, a Keeper of Evansville's Culinary Soul

That's really what the name represents. COMFORT by the Cross-Eyed Cricket describes itself as a keeper of Evansville's culinary soul, more than a restaurant, but a bridge between the city's past and present.

So the next time someone asks about the quirky name, you'll know: it's a tribute to a 1983 diner that fed generations, reborn in a historic downtown landmark, and dedicated to serving comfort in every sense of the word.

Come Be Part of the Story

The best way to understand the name is to experience it, a plate of buttermilk fried chicken, a pour from the bourbon bar, and a seat in a piece of Evansville history.

Make a reservation today:
https://www.comfortevv.com/reservations

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