Food+Drink

Friendly Food

restaurateurs keep it fresh, classic at Westside Bar & Grill

Max Martinson |

ALL DELICIOUS ON THE WEST SIDE. After an extensive remodel, the Westside Bar and Grill is now open serving comfort food like sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and more in a family friendly atmosphere on Eau Claire’s west side.
ALL DELICIOUS ON THE WEST SIDE. After an extensive remodel, the Westside Bar and Grill is now open serving comfort food like sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and more in a family friendly atmosphere on Eau Claire’s west side.

The Westside Bar and Grill has been open for only a few weeks, but the owners are taking steps to making it an Eau Claire favorite. Sandy Blake and Mark Wingad opened up shop with the hope of making a clean, family friendly environment that serves as a place that people can come to year after year. “A lot of times, people get together with their families and have a restaurant that they like to go to together and it becomes their second home. We want to create something like that,” she laughed. “It’s already become our first home.”

“A lot of times, people get together with their families and have a restaurant that they like to go to together and it becomes their second home. We want to create something like that. It’s already become our first home.” – Sandy Blake, owner, Westside Bar and Grill

The building was only the skeleton of a restaurant before being purchased. “The biggest issue was that when we stepped into this place, there wasn’t anything here,” Sandy said. There were no bars, tables, grills, or any of the things needed in a functioning restaurant. Sandy and Mark pieced it together one bit at a time, using their years of restaurant experience as a guide. After only four weeks of preparation, Sandy and Mark sculpted out a gem of a hometown bar and grill.

Some things to look forward to this summer are lunch and drink specials, as well as Friday fish fries. The aim is to provide affordable meals to people on their lunch breaks with the monthly lunch special, which will include a variety of options that can compete with the prices of fast-food chains. Westside Bar and Grill will stay true to form, and title, in that they’re going to stick to the classic cuisine that Eau Claire loves: Sandwiches, pizzas, soups, salads, and appetizers. “This is not a supper club; it is going to strictly be a bar and grill,” Sandy said. “But we’ll be offering a variety of good quality food and a little twist on many of the items on our menu.”

When asked what adjective she would like people to put on the establishment, Sandy responded “friendly.” Whether it’s the warm welcome or the outdoor patio that makes you feel like you’re relaxing in the backyard, something about the Westside Bar and Grill will make you understand what she means. Located on West Clairemont, Westside Bar and Grill is open Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 2am, but will be operating seven days a week in the fall.

Westside Bar and Grill • 1807 N. Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire • 715) 598-1852