Photos: After 80 years, Zwieg's Grill serves for the final time
- JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
- Updated
Closing out an eight decade run, patrons of Zwieg's Grill in Watertown gather one last time for the diner's final day of business.
The lights of Zwieg’s Grill beckon early morning diners for the last time Wednesday. The restaurant opened in 1946 in a building built in 1926 for a gas station on East Main Street in Watertown.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Mary Zwieg, right, shares an embrace with Pam Neis, who has been a cook at the Watertown diner for more than 52 years. The business, known for its cheeseburgers, broasted chicken and fish, and homemade soups and chili, closed Wednesday after nearly 80 years.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Diners at Zwieg’s Grill gather at the serving counter on the final day of business for the long-time Watertown, Wis. eatery Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART STATE JOURNAL
Glenn Zwieg, second from left, has worked at Zwieg’s Grill for most of his 82 years. He took over the diner in 1976 after the death of his father. Two years ago, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, which has limited his ability to work at the beloved diner.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
A clock fashioned from eating utensils tracks the time at Zwieg’s Grill in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Mary Zwieg, left, and long-time employee Pam Neis work in the kitchen of the diner during final day of business for the eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Besides cheeseburgers and chili, Zwieg’s Grill also offered up hearty meals that could include mashed potatoes, noodles and beef tips, meatloaf and spaghetti. On Fridays, the broasters cranked out chicken and fish.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
The counter has always been a popular hangout at Zwieg’s Grill in Watertown. An adjacent dining room was added in the early 1960s.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Hamburgers and fried egg sandwiches were the only two main entrees on the final day of Zwieg’s Grill.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Regular customers of Zwieg’s Grill in Watertown, Wis. gather for the last time at the counter of the business Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Glenn Zwieg, left, converses with long-time patrons Doug and Pam Kohls during the final day of business for the eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Mary Zwieg greets long-time patron Al Rose after opening for the final day of business in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner wears a wrist corsage given to her by a co-worker on the final day of business for the eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Glenn Zwieg, right, converses with long-time patron Al Rose during the final day of business for the eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Artifacts tracing the history of Zwieg’s Grill are displayed inside the eatery in Watertown.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Mary Zwieg shares and embrace with a patron during the final day of business for the long-time eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Glenn Zwieg, second from right, converses his business’ regular customers during the final day of operations for the eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Diners at Zwieg’s Grill gather at the counter on the final day of business for the longtime Watertown eatery.
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill co-owner Mary Zwieg, left, and her sister, Jean Anderson work in the kitchen of the eatery during the final day of business for the grill in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART,STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill worker Chris Brown mixes a Bloody Mary cocktail for a patron of the long-time eatery in Watertown, Wis. Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART STATE JOURNAL
Regular customers of Zwieg’s Grill in Watertown, Wis. gather for a final time at the counter of the business Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
Zwieg’s Grill patron Bob Hamann, who first started coming to the Watertown, Wis. eatery in 1961, shares a goodbye with co-owner Mary Zwieg after visiting the business on its final day Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025. JOHN HART, STATE JOURNAL
JOHN HART, STATE JOURNALRelated to this collection
From serving up cheeseburgers to meat loaf and broasted fish and chicken, the East Main Street diner closes after 80 years.
