The Restaurant Secret That Started in the 1850s
Five generations of Iowa families have trusted our 2-in-1 seasoning formula
From Our Family Restaurant to Your Kitchen
Since the 1850s, when Peter Kalmes opened his bar in St. Donatus, Iowa, our family has been perfecting legendary flavors passed down through five generations. Our family restaurant and catering (est. 1980s) proudly carries on that tradition with one mission: serve the most tender, flavorful steaks in the Midwest. The secret? A proprietary 2-in-1 meat tenderizer and seasoning blend developed in our own kitchen.
For decades, customers kept asking, "What's your secret?" Finally, we decided to share it. Today, that same restaurant-proven formula is available to home cooks, professional chefs, and food service operations across America — in every bottle of Kalmes seasoning and breading.
Kalmes Famous Deluxe Steak Seasoning & Tenderizer — restaurant-proven on the grill
22 Years — Best Catering Business
Voted the #1 Catering Business in the Tri-State Area for 22 consecutive years.
Iowa • Illinois • Wisconsin
🏆 Why Chefs Trust Kalmes
- 22x Best Catering Business — Tri-State Area - Recognized year after year for professional-grade flavor
- Restaurant-Proven Formula - Used in our family restaurant and catering for generations
- 2-in-1 Innovation - Our 2-in-1 Seasoning & Tenderizer tenderizes AND seasons in one step (saves time and money)
- Enzymatic Tenderizing - Papain from papaya breaks down tough proteins naturally
- Made in USA - Crafted in Iowa with premium ingredients
- Five Generations - Family recipes rooted in St. Donatus since the 1850s
- Professional Grade - Same quality used by restaurants and caterers
Our Story: From Iowa to Your Table
📍 The 1850s — Where It All Began
Peter Kalmes opened his bar in St. Donatus, Iowa, planting the roots of a family legacy that would span five generations. That same spirit of hospitality and bold flavor lives on in every jar of Kalmes seasoning today.
Theodore & Stella Kalmes — "Windy" in Training
Peter Kalmes — the man who started it all, St. Donatus, Iowa, 1850s
📍 Mid-Century — The Kalmes Store & Tavern
The Kalmes family operated a general store, tavern, and service station in St. Donatus — a community cornerstone for generations.
The original Kalmes tavern & service station
Kalmes Store — St. Donatus, Iowa
Windy & Helen Kalmes — behind the bar, St. Donatus, Iowa
Kalmes Famous Seasoning & SUPERB BLEND — on shelves across the Midwest
📍 1956–2016 — Celebrating 60 Years of Restaurant & Catering
Kalmes Restaurant & Catering served St. Donatus, Iowa for 60 years, earning 22 consecutive Best Catering Business awards across Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Kalmes Restaurant & Catering — Celebrating 60 Years (1956–2016)
Inside Kalmes Restaurant
