Andy's Grill: In 1957, Andrew Johnson opened his locally famous
restaurant, Andy's Grill, on Route 25 in Institute. The business operated for over 40 years as a family
restaurant that provided service to the Institute campus and the entire Kanawha Valley. The grill was best
known for hot bologna sandwiches, ribs, shrimp, chicken, his secret sauce, and grilled honey buns. Johnson,
affectionately known as "Mr. Andy," always greeted guests with a smile and made everyone feel at home.
A special event State students and the community enjoyed each Homecoming Week was the 15 cent hot bologna sandwiches
provided by Andy's Grill. In July 2018, Andy's grill was featured on the WVSU Archives Facebook page. The
post reached over 22,000 individuals, thus confirming the important roll Andy's Grill played in creating
community, comfort, and comradery at State and the surrounding towns. The great times, great people, and
great food are dearly missed throughout the WVSU community.
The article linked below further illustrates the important role Andy's Grill contributed to the Institute and WVSU communities.
One obscure fact centered around Andy's Grill was shared by well-known WVSC alum Lou Myers. "Many know Myers chiefly
as a comedic actor through his role as Mr. Vernon Gaines in the wildly popular TV sitcom "It's a Different World" (1988-1993)...
According to a biography compiled for the event, Myers told a classmate that the Grill Restaurant featured on the series
was based on Andy's Grill, a popular student hangout near WVSC in the '50s through the '70s."
To read the complete Charleston Gazette
article: Gazette article
(Imbrogno, Douglas. "Scholarship fund in Myers' name to be announced at WVSU event Friday." Charleston Gazette [Charleston, WV] September 27, 2017.)
Andy Johnson 1 
Andy's Grill 3 
Andy's Grill 1 
