OUR STORY

THE HISTORY OF STELLA’S BAR & GRILL

​

Stella’s is a restaurant rich in tradition and history. We’re named after Estelle Francois Sullivan Tobler, Bellevue’s first tavern owner, a mother who raised her four children alone, and the creator of the famous “Stella Hamburger.”

​

1936

Stella and her first husband, Al Sullivan, moved to Bellevue to operate a service station that her uncle built, located on the corner of Betz Road and Lloyd Street. Stella soon converted one room of their three-room house into a tavern. Dubbed “Francois & Sullivan” (sometimes referred to as “Grandma’s”), the 12×15 ft room couldn’t accommodate very many customers, but “in those times, they’d take their bottles outside,” Stella said. She purchased her first beer license for $50 and first tobacco license for $2.

​

1939

Stella moved the tavern into bigger quarters, just a few blocks away. Sadly, Stella’s husband died that same year, leaving her with four children to raise on her own, as well as two businesses to operate.

​

1949

Stella purchased the land at the current location, which had once been a dairy farm. She then had the building moved there on Friday the 13th of May 1949 and renamed the tavern “Stella’s.”

​

1974

After years of hard work running two businesses and raising four children, Stella suffered a stroke. Heeding her doctor’s advice to take it easy, her son, Al Sullivan Jr., and his wife, Mary, took over full-time management of Stella’s.

​

1985

Although a heart attack claimed the life of Stella on April 3, 1985, her picture is still prominently displayed in our bar. She was a remarkable lady who built a successful business based on integrity, hard work, and a willingness to serve others. Her philosophy in life was, “Help others out of the kindness of your heart, without expecting anything in return.”

​

2007

After 33 years running Stella’s, Al Jr. and Mary retired in June 2007. Now under the ownership of Stella’s great-great- niece, Stephanie Francois, Stella’s continues to operate on our founder’s simple philosophy: “Good food doesn’t need to be fancy.” Our hamburger meat is fresh, never frozen, rolled into a 6 1⁄2 ounce ball, and hand pressed onto a cast iron grill. The burgers are tasty and, well, greasy, and that’s part of what makes them so good.