74 YEARS OF FOOD & FUN
It all started in 1947, Downtown Wisconsin Dells...
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Wisconsin Grown. Wisconsin Proud.
Monk’s Bar & Grill is known throughout the Midwest as the place to go for delicious craft burgers and great service. Some say we’re Wisconsin’s first craft burger bar.
Our fun, family-friendly dining atmosphere creates a memorable visit for both adults and children. We’re not just a sports bar that loves their Wisconsin Badgers, we’re supporters and fans of local youth sports and schools in our communities.
What makes Monk’s stand out? Why are we celebrating more than 70 years of food and fun? The Wisconsin State Journal has stated, “The (Monk’s) burgers have taken on somewhat of a legendary status in Sauk County.” We have to agree, our burgers are pretty fantastic because we pride ourselves on quality ingredients such as Premium Wisconsin Cheese, Jones Dairy Farm, our own proprietary blend of fresh Midwestern ground beef, as well as natural and antibiotic-free chicken and turkey breast. All Monk’s Bar & Grill locations are offering these changes with our customers in mind, making us a little different than the rest.
Our History
Monk's Bar was started in 1947 by Gustave Adolph Heineke and his wife, Helen, on Oak Street, just half a block from its current downtown location. The original menu consisted of a 1/4 lb. hamburger, 1/4 lb. cheeseburger, ham & cheese sandwich, liver sausage on rye, chips, chili and bean soup.
In approximately 1962, Monk's moved to its current location and the interior became a shrine of Badger memorabilia, due to the fact that Monk and Helen’s sons, Jim and John, were very successful athletes and excelled playing football at University of Wisconsin-Madison for the Badgers. Included in the memorabilia are autographed photos from Jim and John’s teammates through the years of 1952-1958. The bar has since added contemporary Badger and Packer memorabilia.
In 1982, seven years after Monk’s passing, Helen sold the bar to Tom and Jane Heller who continue to hold on to the tradition of the Badger sports bar and have expanded and developed the business to remain competitive in today’s market. They broadened the menu and seating in 1981. Then in 1999, the back half of the building was completely gutted and the second and third levels were added to create the bar as we know it today.
Monk’s Bar & Grill opened another Dells area location on the Wilderness Resort property in late 2006. Tom Heller and partners collaborated together to open the largest Monk’s Bar & Grill restaurant to date. Monk’s at the Wilderness continues the ‘Original Monk’s’ feel, but in a larger, even more sports-oriented atmosphere. The original menu was expanded to feature more burgers and sandwiches, plus wrap, salad and vegetarian options. A lower level was created to house dinner theatre performances, live entertainment and serve as a large banquet facility with a cocktail lounge atmosphere.
In January 2011, Monk’s Bar & Grill® began a new chapter with expansion outside the Dells area. From the help from the original owner’s son, Jim Heineke, a location in Middleton was purchased for Monk’s first franchise possibility. Greg Frankov, who worked for Monk’s Bar & Grill® for years and served as General Manager at the Wilderness restaurant, partnered together to open Monk’s Bar & Grill - Middleton in March 2011.
The introduction of Monk’s Bar and Grill into the Middleton/Madison market has proven to be a success. Two years later Frankov bought property in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin for his second unit to open by early December of 2014. This restaurant was Monk’s first ‘built from the ground up’ "model" of a 5,500+ square foot facility, which became the standard size of a Monk’s franchised unit.
Monk’s Bar & Grill - Eau Claire opened its doors in May 2016, and was rebranded to Monk’s specifications. The location’s visibility from Hwy 53 and position just outside Oakwood Mall will only aid in its success. Six months after Eau Claire's opening, a sixth Monk's location opened in Verona. 2019 brought about a seventh Monk's location in Plover, WI and our highest grand opening week to date.
Through the last 35+ years, because of the hard work and determination of key management and dedicated employees, Monk’s has developed into a must stop for visiting families and a favorite watering hole for locals. Monk’s Bar & Grill® is known throughout the Midwest as THE place to go for a great burger and friendly service. Wisconsin Grown, Wisconsin Proud.
Downtown Wisconsin Dells
The ORIGINAL Monk’s Bar & Grill in Downtown Wisconsin Dells - where our ‘world-famous’ Monkburgers began more than 70 years ago; this location has made Monk’s a Wisconsin Dells tradition for many generations. The historical value of the building plays a key role in making every dining experience memorable in the Wisconsin Dells area.
You can watch our burgers being made in the front window, experience our creative 'aroma marketing' of fried onions, grilled burgers and cheese curds to bring you through our doors! Grab a Monkburger enjoy one of our many craft beers and have great time visiting with our friendly staff. We bring the small community of Wisconsin Dells to all of our customers with family-friendly service and our classic Wisconsin Badger memorabilia from the 1950s.
Monk’s Bar & Grill is one of the oldest and most beloved restaurants in the Wisconsin Dells area, it’s truly where it all began for us in 1947.
VISIT LOCATIONLake Delton
Located right on the Wilderness Resort property, Monk’s Bar & Grill - Lake Delton has more than enough dining room space to accommodate hockey, basketball, soccer or dance teams that head to the Wisconsin Dells area to compete with families in tow!
With more than 30+ large, flatscreen TVS between our bar and dining room areas, this is the best restaurant in the Wisconsin Dells area for any sports fan! Enjoy burgers, sandwiches and wraps, fresh greens, rich mac & cheese dishes or share some apps in our spacious bar, dining room areas or if the weather is beautiful - on our massive outdoor patio area.
Recently, we take pride in beginning a ‘Live Entertainment Series’ in our lower level, with both new and familiar names in music coming through our doors. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Robin Zander, has graced the stage in our lower level for the past five years. Our lower level also provides fantastic space for private events: anniversary parties, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and more.
VISIT LOCATIONMiddleton
Located right next to Costco in Middleton, just off of University Ave - Monk’s Middleton has been serving up Wisconsin taps, curds, burgers ever since we opened our doors in 2011. Quickly becoming a thriving and easy-to-access lunch destination for many businesses in the area; Monk’s Bar & Grill offers a great place to unwind after work as well as bring the entire family for lunch or dinner. With conscious selections such as The Impossible BurgerTM and Sweet Chili Cauliflower Bites,
Need a place to take the team after a game at Capitol Ice Arena? We’ll happily take care of parents and athletes alike. Need a place that’s open for an 11am Badger football kickoff? We’ve got gameday covered. Need a delicious spot for easy-to-order order online/ carry-out for lunch during a busy work day? We’ll get it taken care of whenever you need your food ready for pick up! Our doors are open and we’re ready to serve up great fare for all our fans, friends and families alike.
VISIT LOCATIONSun Prairie
Nestled right into the Shoppes at Prairie Lakes, between Costco, Cabela’s and Marcus Palace Cinema - Monk’s Sun Prairie is the best restaurant for families in the area! Serving up our classic and gourmet burgers, fresh greens and wraps, shareable appetizers, gourmet mac and cheese bowls, stacked half-pound burgers, fan-favorite sandwiches and so much more makes for a easy lunch/dinner/drinks decision.
When the weather is right enjoy lunch or dinner on our premiere outdoor patio - grab a cocktail or two at our outdoor bar - or enjoy an evening relaxing with family and friends next to our firepit. Don’t worry though, we’ve got plenty of space in our multiple dining rooms and spacious bar areas during those cold weather months. There isn’t a bad seat in the house come game day, and you bet we get rowdy during all Badger, Packer, Brewers and Bucks games!
VISIT LOCATIONEau Claire
Around the corner from Oakwood Mall, this Monk’s Bar & Grill features a beautiful view of a private lake and offers abundant dining space for our guests. You can see us as your drive by on Hwy 53, just before that Golf Road exit! Loaded with more than 20 TVs, sports fans won’t miss any of the game’s action when visiting. Paired with our always great food and service, you’ll never want to leave! With seating for more than 250 people, families and avid sports fans alike with enjoy the authentic Wisconsin sports atmosphere in our spacious dining and bar areas. Book your private events, business gatherings or special events at Monk’s Eau Claire - there’s a separate dining area and banquet menu available just for your specific needs.
We brought all the same tasty gourmet Monkburgers, fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps and appetizers that you can get in Wisconsin Dells, making it so much easier for our fans ‘Up North’ to grab their favorite Monk’s meal closer to home!
VISIT LOCATIONVerona
Conveniently located near Verona Area High School, Reddan Soccer Park, Verona Ice Arena and University Ridge Golf Course, Monk’s Bar & Grill is a natural hot-spot for tournament teams and sports fans alike . With our open-concept bar/dining area and two additional private dining areas, we're perfect for those busy game days, as well as special events or private events for all of our Monk’s Bar & Grill fans! Stop in with golf buddies for a drink before teeing off, catch all Badger, Packer, Brewer or Bucks games on one of our 15+ flatscreen TVs or bring in the entire team for lunch or dinner after a round of weekend tournaments for a fun and delicious dining experience.
We’ve brought all the classic and gourmet Monkburgers with us; plus our favorite salads, sandwiches, desserts and delicious entree options too - whatever you might be craving, know that our menu has something just for you!
VISIT LOCATIONPlover
Right off Wisconsin I-39, Monk’s Plover is minutes away from UW-Stevens Point and located conveniently next to TJ Maxx, Walmart, Kohl’s, Lowe’s and Ashley Furniture HomeStore - perfect stop after those busy errand weekends or any day of the week. Find yourself grabbing a drink and appetizer or two at our bar area, or cozy into a huge booth in one of our dining areas. Coming Soon: a multi-season dining experience off of our bar area with lounge seating, bar space and firepits for those chillier spring/summer or fall evenings with friends.
Monk’s Plover features the same great fare and service standards as all of our Monk’s Bar & Grill locations - half-pound burgers, gourmet sandwiches and wraps, fresh salads, delicious macaroni and cheese dishes
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