BURGER CRAZE. Valley Burger Co. is already making a name for itself as a "must-try".

Reverting back to communal values of enjoying a hearty meal with family and friends is the vision that Ryan McKone, Claudio Elizalde, and Tyler Conway have with their new restaurant. On the cusp of Water Street, right next to Hobbs Municipal Ice Center and down the road from Carson Park, Valley Burger Company opened April 13, and its owners are excited to serve locally sourced burgers to Eau Claire. 

McKone wanted to purchase the historic lumber building from James Rolbiecki for years, and at the beginning of February, a plan officially formed for McKone to transform it into a burger joint. (The establishment was previously known as Rolbiecki’s Rinkside Bar & Grill.) McKone had become friends with Conway through a mutual job and offered Conway a place on the team. Conway then contacted Elizalde, a longtime friend from high school, who lived in Oregon before moving to Eau Claire for the project. 

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It’s important to us that we hit the full flavor profile of salty, sweet, fatty – you know, that perfect bite in a burger.

Claudio Elizalde

VALLEY BURGER COMPANY

“The family aspect of it is really important to us,” said Conway, the restaurant’s general manager. “Ultimately we want this to be a family business, where people feel comfortable having a place where they can bring in their family before a hockey game or before going to Carson Park. That’s kind of our main emphasis. We’re family people and we want to be a family-friendly environment.”

With Elizalde’s culinary background in food establishments, their menu is flavorful yet simple. The idea is a streamlined style connected to local ingredients and casual family dining. All but a few of the products will come from in-state sources, including their rotating beer options at the bar, which serves seasonal drinks. 

“Our purpose is to provide quality product that hasn’t really been seen in the Eau Claire area,” said Elizalde, the kitchen manager. “It’s important to us that we hit the full flavor profile of salty, sweet, fatty – you know, that perfect bite in a burger.”

Come for the chance to try their classic sesame bun burger with house-made sauce, the old-school fried onion burger, where onions are mashed into the patty (a meat-preserving technique from the Depression era) served on a potato roll bun; or a Wisconsin Colby burger. They’ll also serve hand-cut French fries and pink-slaw, a vinegar-based coleslaw instead of a mayonnaise coleslaw. 

Valley Burger Company is open Wednesday-Sunday, 11am-midnight. The restaurant values providing a home away from home for families, and giving back to the community through sourcing ingredients from local businesses. McKone, Elizalde, and Conway hope folks come in wanting to never leave and exit feeling full.

To learn more about Valley Burger Company, contact them at claudioentrepreneur@gmail.com or visit them at 1004 Menomonie St., Eau Claire.