Liz Biro

liz.biro@indystar.com

The Gaslight Inn, famous for its ghosts and breaded tenderloins, has closed.

“Good morning Gaslight family, Friends, Brothers ’n’ Sisters all over the World...The Gaslight Inn is closed!!!,” owner Joe DeMore announced July 5 on the south-side restaurant’s Facebook page.

DeMore could not be reached immediately for comment, but on Facebook he blamed “family and health issues” for the closing. “Words can’t express the Thanks we give to you, the Best Customers in the World!!!!,” he said, and then noted in a P.S. that “Gaslight Inn can be Rented out for Events!!”

Catering will be available, DeMore added in response to customer reactions, many marked with tearful emojis, that flooded the post’s comments section. As one woman said, “NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!”

The Gaslight Inn was as celebrated for its paranormal activity and haunted tours as it was for its breaded tenderloins. DeMore bought the place in 2008 and transformed it from what he billed “a broken down little dive bar" on Indy's south side into "a destination that serves the best food around and features live music and comedy acts.” DeMore’s description was included in a Go Fund Me campaign he launched to raise money for building and grounds improvements.

Drinking nostalgia: A tour of Indy's oldest taverns

The Gaslight building, 2280 S. Meridian St., is surrounded by cemeteries. Legend claims Depression-era bank robber John Dillinger drank there. Employees and patrons heard voices, gunshots and, in the basement, glass breaking. Shadowy figures or clear images of a girl, man or woman dressed in early 20th century clothing appeared. Some people felt like they were being touched or watched.

“We’ve had people find scratches on themselves,” bartender Amber Raia told IndyStar beverage reporter Amy Haneline in summer 2015.

Indianapolis-based Paranormal 911 examined the place. The Biography Channel’s “My Ghost Story” featured findings in a 2011 episode. Investigators detected the girl and woman, as well as a male figure in the basement. The man was dressed in an early 1900s-style suit. “Our intuitive investigators have all associated the name ‘John’ with this presence. In-depth research indicated that a former owner of the building for 40+ years was named John Dransfeld,” Paranormal 911 reports at its website.

Perhaps spirits hung around to be close to what was considered one of Indiana’s finest breaded tenderloin sandwiches. Fans adored it and other pub food offerings such as chili, wings, fried catfish and bacon-wrapped filet. The Chicago Tribune in 2014 billed Gaslight’s tenderloin the No. 1 breaded tenderloin in Indianapolis.

Where is Indiana's best breaded pork tenderloin?

“Aesthetically, it’s not a destination restaurant you travel long distances to visit; there likely is a closer place that satisfies your neighborhood pub requirements. But its breaded tenderloin is really something,” reporter Kevin Pang wrote.

“The half-pound slab was hefty, buttermilk dredged, with a glovelike breading reminiscent of super-crunchy chicken tenders. The hand-trimmed pork was thick enough to retain its juiciness. Seasoning was spot on. The Kaiser egg roll was toasted. I did not leave hungry. There aren’t many other adjectives left to explain this simple and well-executed sandwich. It’s just good.”

Follow IndyStar food writer Liz Biro on Twitter: @lizbiro, Instagram: @lizbiro, Facebook and Pinterest. Call her at (317) 444-6264.