Our Story

We are proud of our history.

A landmark experience. A dining and drinking destination. A historic tradition. Since it’s inception, the Kaufman House has been a gathering place for travelers, neighbors and friends. Today, Kaufman Tavern continues and updates the tradition, providing a warm welcome, restorative libations and a fun, comfortable, exquisite dining experience.

The Kaufman House was built after the fire of 1902 by Henry Stokey and operated it as a hotel until 1920, when he sold it to the Union Rubber Company, who used it as housing for workers at its plant in Zelienople. Union Rubber sold the house to E.F. Kaufman in 1924. Kaufman remodeled and modernized what he called the Kaufman Hotel, making it a popular stop between Pittsburgh and Erie. In 1974, Ellwood City native Ken Pilarski bought the hotel and renamed it Kaufman House. In his tenure as owner, the Kaufman House had four dining rooms, a coffee shop, a banquet room and a lounge. Today, Kaufman Tavern continues to be a neighborhood destination, ideal for gathering with family and friends for good food, good drinks and a good time.