Brunswick Bar Credits Loyal Community For Opportunities

It’s really not a coincidence that the Roadhouse Bar & Grill opened up July 3 last year. After all, it’s loyalty and pride that keep the Brunswick business busy every noon hour and evening.

 “The community has been very supportive,” said owner Louise Eggerling. “We have a great group of people who come in for meals. They want a place to come for good food, so it’s become a good regular crowd for us.”

Eggerling has a diverse background that may be just about perfect for her line of work. She worked at Double K in Norfolk, has managed Payless Shoe Stores, worked as a bartender and has spent much of the last 15 years farming outside of Brunswick.

That hometown connection, blended with her food service and retail experience, led to her being approached by the building’s new owners about taking over operations of the Brunswick bar. Two weeks after the last renters exited, Eggerling did just that.

“It was only closed for two weeks before I opened the doors,” she said. “We’ve had a very exciting year.”

While the largest customer base is from Brunswick, Eggerling said she sees regulars from all over Antelope, Pierce and Knox counties.

Being the only restaurant in Brunswick, the Roadhouse Bar & Grill serves a variety of customers. That’s why the menu features everything from hamburgers to egg salad sandwiches. Above all, Eggerling said they’ve become known for their homemade specials - spaghetti, prime rib, corned beef and cabbage and fresh gravy for the mashed potatoes.

“My gravy should be a food group,” she said with a laugh. “Even though it is mine, believe me it’s very, very good. We serve it at least once a week, and everyone loves it. We’re very proud to offer homemade food.”

Other homemade items have also become favorites. The Roadhouse is known for serving Drunken Bears and Gummy Worms. Eggerling said she soaks the candy in alcohol for a week, stirring them occasionally.

“We try to come up with different things, like speciality drinks and meal specials. It’s a great way to get people excited and another reason to come in,” she said. 

With summer just around the corner, Eggerling said she’s lining up bands to play on the deck and beer garden, preparing new food specials and even looking at updating some of the decor in the back room.

“We really want to bring more things in for the community,” Eggerling said. “But we also have to pace ourselves a little bit because we’ve already done so much. And it hasn’t even been a year yet."

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