Gridiron Grill in Breese is popular with sports fans, families
Nathan Bedard was a bartender at the Gridiron Grill in Breese when his friend, Tony Falconio, offered to sell him the business.
“I jumped at the chance,” Nathan said. “I was 27 at the time. I didn’t know what I was doing. I had never managed anything. I could barely manage a checkbook.”
Five years later, Nathan, 32, operates one of the most popular restaurants in town. It serves lunch and dinner six days a week and recently began opening for breakfast.
People pack the place on Sundays during football season, watching big games on eight TV screens and munching on sandwiches, salads, pizza, wings and other appetizers.
“This is the best place to watch sports in Clinton County as far as I’m concerned,” said Mike Douglas, 38, of Aviston. “I can bring the kids, and I don’t feel like I’m taking them to a tavern. It’s a family friendly atmosphere.”
This is the best place to watch sports in Clinton County as far as I’m concerned. I can bring the kids, and I don’t feel like I’m taking them to a tavern.
Mike Douglas on the restaurant
On this night, Mike was eating dinner with daughter Taylor, 18, and son Vaughn, 12. Mike and Taylor ordered the Grilled Chicken Salad ($7.50). Vaughn went for Mini Corn Dogs.
The family also likes the Gridiron’s hand-pattied burgers served on pretzel buns. Seven kinds of fries include curly, cubed, shoestring, crinkle-cut, American, tator tots and sweet potato waffles.
“The Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap ($5.25) is good,” Taylor said. “The combination of flavors and the way it’s presented. It’s not like they just thrown it on a plate.”
Across the room, another regular, Ernie Gebke, was sitting at the bar, drinking a beer. He had just finished a French Dip Sandwich with crinkle-cut fries ($6.75).
“I usually get the wings,” said Ernie, 60, of Breese. “They’re great. You can get them naked. You can get them breaded. I like the honey hot sauce. Or the salt and pepper wings. They’re just dusted with seasoning.”
Other customer favorites are the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich and appetizers ranging from quesadillas to breaded mushrooms ($4 to $6).
“We try to be as high-end as we can be without going overboard,” said Nathan, who spends much of his time in the kitchen.
The Gridiron building on North Main has housed several bars over the years, with names such as Frosty’s, Tiny’s and Jimmy T’s and most recently Darla’s Last Chance.
Tony bought the business in 2009 and renovated it with help from Nathan and other high school friends. Many still are regular customers.
“The crowds are pretty diverse,” Ernie said. “You never know what you’re going to get on any given night.”
The main room has high ceilings with exposed duct work, blond wood floors, regular and high-top tables and red walls covered with sports jerseys and neon beer signs.
We’ve got a lot of craft beer. It’s starting to gain popularity around here. But it’s definitely a light-beer area. We go through a lot more light beer than craft beer.
Nathan Bedard on beer choices
“We’ve got a lot of craft beer,” Nathan said. “It’s starting to gain popularity around here. But it’s definitely a light-beer area. We go through a lot more light beer than craft beer.”
Video-gambling machines line a back wall. Breakfast is served in an adjoining room, which is quieter and looks more like a diner than a bar.
Sometimes the Gridiron hosts live bands on weekends. Appetizers are buy one, get one free on Friday nights.
“Nate runs a pretty good ship,” Ernie said. “All the bartenders are friendly. They do their best to keep you happy.”
At a glance
- What: Gridiron Grill
- Where 259 N. Main St. in Breese
- Seating: 90
- Kitchen hours: 7 to 11 a.m. for breakfast and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Sundays (bar open later)
- Handicap-accessible: Yes
- Carryouts: Yes
- Information: Call 618-526-9101 or visit Facebook page
On the menu
- Chicken Wings — Served boneless or bone-in, naked or breaded with choice of sauce (hot, honey hot, gridiron, Parmesan garlic, Thai, dry rub, hot honey mustard, violent, barbecue or sweet Asian), 5 for $4.25 or 10 for $7.75
- Grilled or Fried Chicken Salad — Chicken on a bed of lettuce with shredded Cheddar, tomatoes and croutons, $7.50 for full or $4 for half
- French Fries — Choose from shoestring, American, crinkle cut, curly, sweet potato waffle, cubed or tater tot, $1.75 to $2.50
- Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich — Beefsteak, grilled peppers and onions, Swiss and American cheese on a hoagie, $5
- The Haystack — Piled biscuit, sausage, hash browns, gravy and cheese covered with scrambled eggs and topped with diced bacon, $6.75 (breakfast only)
This story was originally published December 4, 2015 at 2:27 AM with the headline "Gridiron Grill in Breese is popular with sports fans, families."