They welcome patrons with popcorn, provide free appetizers and have a string of televisions showing the games of the day.
All of the incentives help make the Ground Round one of the most popular casual restaurants in Grand Forks.
It was my good fortune to choose a cranberry walnut chicken salad on a recent visit. Served with sweet Italian dressing and a breadstick ($10.49), it was just right.
The serving was so generous I ended up taking half of it home for a second meal.
I was out for supper with my granddaughter Carrie Sandstrom (CS), a UND student who was leaving for a summer of study in Peru.
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Her choice-a burger. Instead of the customary quest for fries, CS chose mashed potatoes as the side dish.
While burgers are the big draw, salads are my choice at the Ground Round. My cranberry walnut chicken salad was crunchy with candied walnuts, crumbled bleu cheese and greens. They blended well with the chicken, smoked bacon and touch of sweet dried cranberries.
I like the interesting, crunchy combination of flavors. And I will go back and order the same salad again.
Customers commenting online give mixed reviews of the very popular hamburgers. They are served for $5 on Sundays.
The lettuce seemed limp and I longed for more tomato and onion on the burger I had on another Sunday visit to the Ground Round. And while I appreciated the green beans I chose to go with it, I wished they had a dab of butter.
The Ground Round offers a cheery lounge area as well as a more quiet dining area on a lower level, where there are booths and colorful hanging lamps.
We chose this area when CS and I went there for our farewell supper. We welcomed the popcorn and the pleasant, friendly service by our waitress, Ann.
The staff at the Ground Round seem agreeable and anxious to please. Maybe it's because they quickly welcome customers with free popcorn.
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The restaurant buys its popcorn in 50-pound bags and uses about 600 pounds a month.
The Ground Round has been part of the Grand Forks scene near Columbia Mall since 1986. It is one of a cooperative with separate owners. The Grand Forks owner is Matt Walkowiak, who came to UND from the Twin Cities to study aviation and ended up owning a restaurant.
And he has branched out recently with a quick service counter on Grand Forks Air Force Base.
The Ground Round also has been building up a catering service. And it welcomes card players who come for lunch and spend part of the afternoon.
Ground Round Grill and Bar
2800 32nd Ave. S.
Grand Forks
Owner: Matthew Walkowiak
General manager: Danielle Hotvedt
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Telephone: (701) 775-4646
Hours: Opens daily at 11 a.m. and closes at 1 a.m., except for 11 p.m. Sunday closing
Seating: 100 in lounge, 90 in dining room
Eatbeat Report Card: With its free popcorn and hamburger specials, the Ground Round rates as a popular and fun place to eat and socialize. Prices are a draw. A full menu provides plenty of variety.
