THE EATBEAT: Marketplace on 8th in Grafton

• Marilyn Hagerty

Marilyn Hagerty

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GRAFTON, N.D. — Have you ever hear of torsk?

It’s a cod-like fish in the ling family that sometimes is called “poor man’s lobster.”

It’s not an item I have seen on area menus recently, but if you make it here some day, you’ll discover that torsk with drawn butter is one of the four house specialties at Marketplace on 8th. (The others are beef liver with onions and bacon, barbecued loin back ribs and a beef burrito with chips and sauce.)

My friend, Sue Huus (SH), and I chose Marketplace, a rather large restaurant, for an early dinner after browsing through a couple of shops in Grafton.

The restaurant has three separate dining areas and a sort of an adobe-style decor. There’s a salad bar available for diners. And there are popovers made fresh daily and available with honey butter for all diners.

There’s also a bar that is separate from the dining area, where Joe Watkins, a friendly bartender, was presiding.

Our server, Julie Schuster, seemed experienced. She was helpful and friendly. And that set the tone for a pleasant meal in Marketplace.

I ordered a 6-ounce sirloin steak with a twice-baked potato ($12.99). The steak was served on an oblong-shaped metal plate that you rarely see anymore. But to me it, conjured up good memories of supper clubs that are becoming few and far between.

My steak was lean and good with a nice flavor. The potato that came with it was large — enough so that I should have walked home to Grand Forks.

SH chose the beef burrito ($8.99). She found the burrito good but almost too large.

Suzie Corneillie, who owns and operates Marketplace, said the average check for the midday meals is about $8, and it’s $10 to $15 for dinners in the evening.

Marketplace usually is fairly busy, but there are times when benefits for people down on their luck are held in the party room.

This, in a small town, means Corneillie’s dinner business takes a dive. But she is glad to see people who band together to help others.

Marketplace seems like one of the main gathering places in the Grafton area. The local Kiwanis Club meets there at noon Wednesdays, and the Legion holds a meeting there each month, too. Sometimes, women who once worked for the Bell Telephone Co. in Grafton get together for a meal.

The food at Marketplace is good. The salad bar is all right and not too large. It had some interesting peppers wrapped in thinly sliced ham. The tableware is all right but could be improved.

Marketplace has been operating for 20 years. It is in a building that originally was owned by the American Legion and later became the Dakota Supper Club.

Marketplace on 8th

43 E. Eighth St., Grafton, N.D.

Owner-manager: Susie Corneillie.

Chef: Kim Puppe.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday for lunch; 5 to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday for dinner; closed Sunday.

Telephone: (701) 352-3072 (for reservations).

Pay: Cash, credit cards, checks accepted.

Report card: Extensive, easy-to-read menu with wide range of choices. Moderate prices. Good service. Everyday surroundings. Definitely worth the 40-mile drive from Grand Forks for dinner.

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