For more than six decades, The Heidelberg — known affectionately by generations of Mizzou students as “The ‘Berg” — has been one of Columbia’s most recognizable gathering places. Located just adjacent to the University of Missouri campus, the restaurant has become a landmark where students, alumni, faculty, and local residents have shared meals, celebrated victories, and created memories that span generations.
The story of The Heidelberg began in 1963 when Dick Walls became involved in opening the restaurant. According to family accounts, Walls invested in the venture alongside three partners — George Petrakis, Marty Sigholz, and Jim Martin — at first contributing more through hard work and determination than through financial capital. Their goal was to establish a place that would be known primarily as a restaurant rather than simply another college bar. Inspired by the famed University of Heidelberg in Germany, they chose the name “The Heidelberg,” giving the establishment a distinctive identity that hearkened back to European university traditions.
From the beginning, the restaurant occupied a strategic location near the MU campus. The proximity to students provided a steady stream of customers, but The Heidelberg quickly distinguished itself from many campus-area establishments by offering a welcoming atmosphere that appealed to students, faculty, and permanent residents of Columbia alike. German-inspired menu items, including German potato salad, pork loin sandwich, sausages, and — my personal favorite — the Reuben, became signatures of the restaurant while maintaining broad appeal for American diners.
The Walls family soon became synonymous with The Heidelberg. The Walls’ oldest son, Richard, grew up in the business and learned the restaurant trade at an early age. Richard told me he washed glasses behind the bar as a youngster. He and brother Rusty would help their mother, Joyce (who was a high school English teacher before moving to The Heidelberg), by seating guests on football Saturdays. They would also run food and wash dishes, and then, after the dinner rush, go to Jack’s Coronado on the Business Loop for dinner. Like many family-owned businesses, The Heidelberg became an extension of family life, with the children learning responsibility and customer service by working alongside their parents and longtime employees, who were very much part of the Walls’ family.
As decades passed, The Heidelberg established itself as a rite of passage for Mizzou students. Alumni returning to Columbia frequently made stops at The ‘Berg a priority, revisiting favorite menu items and reconnecting with friends. The restaurant’s atmosphere blended the feel of a traditional pub with that of a neighborhood gathering place. This combination helped it survive changing dining trends and economic downturns that caused many other establishments to disappear. Even a devastating fire in 2003 did not stop them. The Walls family worked tirelessly to reopen and to maintain the same level of food, service, and character as before the fire. The Columbia community got behind the family and showed them their deep appreciation and support.
One reason for the restaurant’s longevity is its ability to evolve while preserving its character. Over the years, The Heidelberg added features such as a rooftop patio and expanded event space, while maintaining many of the traditions that longtime patrons expected. The restaurant became known not only for its food, but also for its role in community celebrations, alumni gatherings, and university-related events.
Richard and Rusty eventually assumed leadership of the business, continuing the family legacy their father began. The elder Walls often emphasized that the restaurant was more than a business; it was vital to the family’s identity. He described The Heidelberg as “part of our family,” reflecting the deep personal connection the Walls family felt toward the institution they had built and maintained for decades.
The family has been very involved with the Missouri Restaurant Association for years. Both Dick and Richard have served as president, while Rusty was recognized by the association as “Restaurateur of the Year.” Dick was also voted into the elite MRA Hall of Fame. He still serves on the MRA’s executive board along with Richard. In 1971, Dick was instrumental in establishing the Hotel and Restaurant Management Program at MU. The Walls have continued to support and employ these students ever since.
The restaurant’s significance extends beyond its menu or longevity. It represents an era when family-owned businesses played a central role in shaping the social fabric of college towns. While many campus-area restaurants are transient operations that come and go with changing student tastes, The Heidelberg became a constant presence. Students who first visited in the 1960s and 1970s later brought their children, and sometimes grandchildren, to experience the same atmosphere. This has created a unique bond between the restaurant, the university, and the community.
Today, The Heidelberg remains one of the longest-standing restaurants in Columbia. What began as Dick Walls’ vision for a welcoming restaurant near campus evolved into a beloved Columbia institution. Through the efforts of Dick, Richard, and Rusty, The Heidelberg has earned a place in the memory of countless Missourians.
Each year, new students discover The ‘Berg.
And so it begins all over again.
Ciao for now,
John
