MENASHA, Wis. (WFRV) – While the Michiels name has been in many places, one has remained a constant since it opened in 1980 — Michiels Bar & Grill in Menasha.
Michiels Bar & Grill has served the Fox Valley for decades with a smile and delicious food, upholding many traditions. One of those traditions has been a constant at the beloved supper club — family.
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Jerry Michiels opened the family’s first restaurant in Sherwood in the 1960s. Jerry and his wife Julie had nine kids, all working at the family restaurants, and that has not changed.
Jerry’s granddaughter, Jennifer Michiels, has owned Michiels Bar & Grill for eight years, but she says she’s been contributing to this supper club for as long as she can remember.
“I jokingly say since birth,” Jennifer Michiels said.
Michiels’ family has been in the industry for over 60 years, and she says that it’s not just her who feels the family environment or nostalgia — it’s the customers too.
“I have people come in here being like ‘my grandpa brought me here, my parents brought me here,'” Jennifer Michiels said. “I’ve seen the next generation like myself, it’s a place of comfort that they can say they grew up in, too.”
The tradition of family ownership has never wavered, and neither has the original fireplace from when the building was first bought and transformed into the beloved supper club it is today.
The constant of the fireplace serves as a reminder of the family values and roots that the business maintains, as do items like the broasted chicken, a recipe that remains unchanged.
Customers like Deb Swiertz of Fox Crossing described the supper club the same way as the iconic theme song from the beloved American sitcom Cheers.
“I love the atmosphere, it’s very friendly and feels like home,” Swiertz said. “It feels like that show Cheers, a lot of Menashans come here, they know your name, we hang out and talk.”
The menu is filled with staples of Wisconsin, Jennifer Michiels says.
“We are a supper club, we have great steaks, a fabulous Friday Fish Fry, hand-muddled old fashions and a huge soup and salad bar,” Jennifer Michiels said.
Not only is Michiels Bar & Grill family-oriented in terms of ownership, but as bartender Jennifer Wiegand said, the Michiels are a family to everybody.
“The Michiels family is like a family to everyone,” Wiegand said. “I’ve made so many great relationships through this place; they are family.”
Wiegand has been working behind the bar for over 20 years, and perfectly described her experience with one word — special.
“Who would have known that somebody who’s 86 would be my best friend,” Wiegand said. “We see children born, we see them graduate and we see them have children of their own.”
After 45 years, it’s not just the food that makes it a special place; it’s those moments and family roots.
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“Food and drinks bring people together, I love being a part of that every single day,” Jennifer Michiels said. “I’m the third-generation owner here, so I look back and hope they’re proud of me.”
Michiels Bar & Grill is located at 1100 Appleton Road in Menasha.
