05/19/2026
Bit of a long one here, sometimes I just cannot help myself so bear with me.
Almost 13 years ago I opened this place with a shoestring budget and the idea of a public house, welcoming to everyone.
I pinched every penny. Painted the place with Chris and Coz over a long weekend. Scrubbed, fixed and Craigslisted enough equipment to turn the lights on.
A little over a month ago one of our coolers died. I'm pretty sure it was new 17 years ago at the Brick Cafe...it didn't owe me anything and it was time for an upgrade.
In the past 5 weeks we bought a new cooler, three new fryers, a new cooktop, and a new (to us) salamander broiler along with tons of shelving, stands, tools and more. These upgrades will make our kitchen safer, our food better, our service faster and our employees happier!
In a contractor meeting about safely installing our new appliances (last Thursday about 10:45am) we noticed some action out back and went to check it out. When I opened the door the entire back of our neighbor's (Bartels Tap) building was fully engulfed and the hissing sound was deafening. Jordan shouted "that's gas at the meter, let's get the blank outta here!"
I evacuated our building and as soon as I got my wits closing was a no-brainer. We didn't have any power so we couldn't even open a cooler let alone cook food.
I wanted to help where I could but knew the most important thing I could do was stay out of the way. I watched those crews battle that fire for hours through my teared up eyes and their actions confirmed who they are...heroes. I simply cannot find the words to thank them enough.
Now that the smoke has cleared it's time to start getting things back on track. Phil from Dubuque Fire was here making sure our fire suppression system fits our new equipment yesterday.
Jordan and the Monroe Heating and Sheet Metal team are renewing our gas line and getting our new appliances hooked up safely.
The kitchen is the heart of any restaurant and sets the limit for the restaurant. I think the sky is our limit now.
Come check it out. Starting today on Tuesdays and Thursdays were gonna do family nights. Buy one adult meal and get one (or two) kids meal half off! Come get some $7 wings Wednesday or see us for lunch on the weekends, we'll have a new menu very soon!
We're proud to be part of this community and our goal is to elevate Monroe and our people. Thank you for your continued support, without it we could not remain!
