Published: Dec. 8, 2017
RESTAURANT SERIES: Nuckleheadz Bar & Grill - Some things are just meant to be
By NICHOLAS DETTMANN
ndettmann@conleynet.com 262-306-5043
TOWN OF WEST BEND — Sometimes, there isn’t an explanation
for how things work out.
That is the case for Angie Yochem, owner of Nuckleheadz Bar
& Grill, 3680 Highway NN.
About seven years ago, Yochem was let go from Nuckleheadz as
a staff member. At that point, she had already been in the restaurant industry
for more than 10 years. So, one of two things was going to happen — she would
try restaurant ownership or leave the industry all together.
The folks who frequent Nuckleheadz are glad she pursued
ownership as Nuckleheadz was voted as one of the 10 recommended restaurants in
Washington County by Daily News readers in an informal poll.
“Life would’ve been totally different if we weren’t here,”
Yochem said.
Yochem started in the restaurant and bar industry about 15
years ago, working at Stocky’s. She then went to Bender’s and then Muggles.
In 2009, she arrived at Nuckleheadz, doing just about
everything, including dabbling with management. She was let go about a year
later.
“At that point is when we decided I was either going to own
a business or I was going to get out completely,” Yochem said.
It wasn’t that simple, though.
“I was a little apprehensive at first,” Yochem said. “It was
my husband that pushed me to do it. He had confidence in me.”
Yochem said owning a restaurant or a bar was something that
she always had as a goal, especially once she started in the industry. She
wanted to do it because she loved the variety each day brings. Certainly, there
are customers who are repeat visitors. But, for the most part, every day poses
a new, but exciting challenge.
“It’s not a repetitive job,” Yochem said. “You never get
bored.”
Her husband’s motivational speech, if you will, wasn’t
spectacular. It was rather simple and to the point.
“He told me he had faith in me,” Yochem said.
Soon after, Yochem and her husband, Mike, sought places to
buy. And one of the first ones they did was Nuckleheadz, which included making
an offer. That offer was turned down and the Yochems researched other places,
some they had put offers on.
For reasons unknown, the Yochems found themselves back at
the doorstep of Nuckleheadz. It might not have been a coincidence after all.
“I was here for two years so I knew the area, I knew the
people, I knew the building,” Angie said.
There was an accepted offer on one, but it wound up not
working out.
“I think it was fate that brought us back here,” Angie said.
Angie took over ownership of Nuckleheadz on Nov. 15, 2012.
“We’ve been very lucky,” Angie said, crediting her staff and
the customers. “I wouldn’t be able to do it without them. You can’t do it on
your own.”
Another factor that favored Angie was the rural location on
the corner of Highways NN and Z near Little Cedar Lake.
From the outside, Nuckleheadz doesn’t have the look of a
restaurant. Far from it, actually. It has more of a bar facade. And that is
partly because of the sand volleyball court and the youth baseball diamond
surrounding the property.
But don’t be fooled, there is a dining area inside that
offers mouth-savoring food.
“Amazing food and inviting atmosphere,” said Mary Kate
Schmidt of West Bend.
There are also some who have found this remote location from
afar.
“Excellent food all around,” said Jennifer Loomis of Norway,
Michigan. “Always awesome meal no matter what you order.”
The go-to items on the menu are the burgers.
“Best burgers around,” said Alex Gannon of West Bend.
What separates these burgers is not their freshness, but
what’s on the inside. That’s what counts.
“Stuffed with cheese,” Gannon said.
There are also unique burger offerings, such
as the Rodeo Burger, which has barbecue sauce, pepper jack
cheese and onion tanglers. There is the Poutine Burger, which has choice of
cheese, cheese curds, waffle fries and gravy. That’s right. It’s on the burger,
not on the side.
Getting to the five-year mark was a great moment, Angie
said. Wes Krimmer, owner of Krimmer’s Restaurant, said most restaurants fail
within five years of opening.
“It feels like we just opened,” she said. “We’re making it.
We’re doing a good job of it, I think.”
And if restaurant ownership hadn’t worked out?
“Probably some factory job,” Angie said. “I don’t know.”
She knows she is where she belongs.
“The people that live here are wonderful,” Angie said. We’ve
met some amazing people in the last five years.”
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