GRAFTON, N.D.-On a recent Eatbeat outing, I went to Grafton and ate a Hoople.
That is, I ordered a Hoople burger off the menu of Shenanigans Family Restaurant in Grafton. This is a large restaurant with a homey ambience on the main drag-Hill Avenue-in Grafton. It seems to be THE place where people go.
At least the place was humming when Sue Huus (SH) and I found our way there on a recent summer day.
Most of the customers were going through the enormous, well-stocked buffet table. It features everything from chicken and ribs to mashed potatoes and pizza. And customers come on Thursdays for klub potato dumplings.
There were tables full of families. Tables of working men stopping in for a mid-day meal. Older couples.
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It indeed seems a gathering place. Regular customers know it as the place to find their favorite meats and gravy.
This is a place with a menu offering liver and onions ($8.50) with potatoes and coleslaw. It has baked Boston cod ($10.99) with a choice of potato and trip through salad bar.
It features Mexican food as well as pizza. And judging from comments of customers nearby, it is worth the trip into Grafton.
There's a slim 'n trim dieter's corner on the menu for those who count calories. The choices include a buffalo patty with a tomato slice and hard cooked egg on whole wheat toast for $5.99.
In my ongoing quest for the best burger, I chose a Hoople Burger ($6.50). It brought me a quarter-pound burger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and bacon. And it was good. At least 7 or 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 on the top.
SH had paged through the big menu and was well pleased with the Indian Taco ($5.99) she ordered. The fried bread was topped with ground beef, refried beans, lettuce, tomato and cheese.
The restaurant is large with a balcony a couple steps up for seating. Shenanigans is homey with two large main floor seating areas with windows looking out on the main street. And there is a banquet room. There are curtains and artificial flowers on tables creating a homey ambience.
On the plus side, the fries that came with my burger were enormous. And they were not salted. Another plus.
On the minus side, there is a charge for refills for soft drinks that cost $1.99. But that seems to be a trend.
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Shananigans Family Restaurant
547 Hill Ave.
Grafton, N.D.
Telephone: (701) 379-2222
Owners: Gail Martinson, Krystle Gire
Kitchen manager: Monte Hanson
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Seating: Up to 200, including banquet room for up to 70.
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Eatbeat Report Card: A family-owned restaurant that rates well for having something to suit everyone. Quality of food is better than average. Service at least a B. Needed updating including flooring is beginning.
