Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon Sings Praises To... Meatloaf Dippers?
Vernon's latest song is for Howard's Bar in Minnesota – paired best with a hearty helping of "horsey sauce"
Coverage from major outlets like Pitchfork and Stereogum – along with regional publications like Racket and Bring Me The News – frequently follows Eau Claire’s Justin Vernon.
Those latest news clippings highlight a savory surprise: an animated promo reel celebrating the “meatloaf dippers” served up at Howard’s Bar in Stillwater, Minn.
As August drew to a close, digital audiences were treated to a 30-second animation by Nick Stokes – whose portfolio boasts projects for musician Orville Peck to the legendary Studio Ghibli – featuring a “Schoolhouse Rock!” inspired short.
Right away, fans of the Bon Iver project will recognize Vernon’s classic falsettos as he sings “meatloaf dippers, could be a whole meal or starter ... oh so light and yummy.”
Vernon was joined by a roster of Midwest collaborators for the jingle, including Isaac Levy, Minneapolis ensemble Cantus and Howard’s Bar owners Adam To and Caroline Smith (Your Smith). The project was engineered by Dane Edwards with production assistance by Ryan Olson (Totally Gross National Product).
Adam and Caroline brought Howard’s Bar to the Stillwater food and drink scene in 2022. As reported by Eater Twin Cities, the local joint offers both cozy neighborhood tavern staples and elevated, supper club-inspired fare from cheese curds and sandwiches to lasagna and pork schnitzel.
As Adam revealed on the City Cast Twin Cities podcast this week, meatloaf dippers remain the restaurant and bar’s star attraction – crafted in-house by slicing its meatloaf entrée into strips, coating them in a simple egg wash and rolling them in seasoned breadcrumbs.
The appetizer truly shines when paired with its trio of scratch-made dips: a savory au jus, timeless ketchup and fan-favorite “horsey sauce.”
“The dippers themselves were amazing. Crunchy outside and that savory meatloaf inside was so flavorful. My favorite was to first deep dive into the au jus followed by a healthy dip of the horsey sauce.”
ALAN COOPMAN
LOCAL LIVE MUSIC REGULAR, ON HOWARD'S BAR'S DIPPERS
“It’s not just Justin Vernon that’s on the receiving end of the magic of the dippers,” Adam shared with City Cast Twin Cities. “Really, if you see anybody who tries them … or sees the animation, there’s a bit of magic there – nobody is safe from that.”
“There are people who order them just out of curiosity who have no fucking idea who Justin Vernon is or any of that stuff,” he quipped.
For Alan Coopman – a familiar face at what feels like every live show in the Chippewa Valley – this culinary curiosity and its infectious new jingle made his recent hour-plus trek to Stillwater more than worth the drive.
“I was already familiar with Howard’s as a fan of Caroline Smith’s (Your Smith) music but it fell off my radar until I saw that awesome commercial – reminding me of ‘Schoolhouse Rock!’ from my youth,” Alan said. “Paired with that catchy tune!”
So, to all who have been following the national news, here’s the moment you’ve been waiting for: an official meatloaf dippers review.
“The dippers themselves were amazing. Crunchy outside and that savory meatloaf inside was so flavorful,” Alan said. “My favorite was to first deep dive into the au jus followed by a healthy dip of the horsey sauce.”
Priced at $15 for a five-piece order, the appetizer becomes available after brunch service around 1pm, Alan noted. Whether you wish to champion the regional foodie scene or sample a specialty dish celebrated in Vernon’s latest tune, now is the time to visit.
Howard’s Bar (302 S Main St., Stillwater, Minn.) operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, no reservations required. The restaurant – about an hour and 15 minute drive from Eau Claire – is open Tuesday-Friday, noon-11pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10am-11pm.
