You can find a Grafton Burger for $7.50 or order a Hoople Burger for $6.95 at Shenanigan's Family Restaurant in nearby Grafton, N.D.
The large, homey restaurant on Hill Avenue, the main street in Grafton, has a wide variety of offerings on its menu. There are appetizers, salads and pizza. Then salads, melts, sandwiches and burgers. There's poultry and pork items along with seafood and beef. Burritos, tostadas and enchiladas round out the choices.
And the menu carries a brief history about George Walsh, for whom Walsh County was named. He is remembered as an early steamboat employee who went on to establish the Plaindealer-the first newspaper in Grand Forks.
Shenanigan's has a history of 35 years in Grafton with the past 10 years located on the main street. Its restaurant features a buffet with everything from broasted chicken to walleye and ribs, along with a wide variety of vegetables. More than half of the customers were visiting the buffet at noon on a recent Friday. Others chose to order from the tables, which are located on two levels.
I made my way through the buffet a couple of times, choosing carefully. I wanted to taste the various meats and still get plenty of vegetables. I could tell there was a preponderance of working men seeking a mid-day meal at the buffet. The offerings were being replenished as customers appeared.
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My Eatbeat companions were Susie Shaft (SS), Sue Huus (SH) and Donna Gillig (DG). They chose soups of the day, and we all finished at least tasting lemon meringue pie.
The menu is extensive at Shenanigan's. Desserts that day included coconut and pecan pie as well as red velvet cake. There are fried pickles among beginner items. And liver and onions have a place on the menu.
At most restaurants, coffee is coffee. Neither good nor bad. But the Farmer Bros. brand coffee served at Shenanigan's is some of the best I have tasted. SS, DG and SH were ready to leave, but I keep dawdling and enjoying the coffee.
The restaurant is spacious with seating in three different areas. It has a homey feel with floral arrangements all around and pictures on the walls.
Potato dumplings called klub are a draw Thursdays.
The large restaurant has greenery all around and pictures on the walls. There are extra touches such as the lemon wedges in the ice water and the garnish on the square plates.
Service was better than average considering the mid-day rush. Our server was Krystle Gire who managed the noon day crush calmly.
Shenanigan's Family Restaurant
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547 Hill Ave., Grafton, N.D.
Telephone: (701) 379-2222
Owner: Gail Martinson and family members
Chef: Monte Hanson
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Saturday.
Seating: 120 to 160
Report card: Extensive menu, average to good food, spacious and attractive. Good ambience, service. Better than the usual coffee. Average ticket is $20 or less.
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