moorhead business news
Nancy Edmonds Hanson
Co-manager Stacey McMahan and chef Ryan Sauvageau expect to welcome the first customers to the new Midtown Tavern early next week. It occupies the former site of Duane’s Pizza on Highway 10. (Photo/Nancy Hanson)
Moorhead favorite Duane’s Pizza is coming back next week, along with much more, when the Midtown Tavern opens its doors in the old pizzeria on Highway 10.
Stacey McMahan, co-manager of the new bar and eatery, concedes that “minor hiccups” in the supply chain pushed back the hoped-for opening a month to the first week in April, but guarantees it will be worth the wait. “We think customers will say ‘wow’ when they walk in,” he says of the completely remodeled space. Reclaimed wood and a huge U-shaped bar with seating dominate the former House of Pizza. McMahan describes the décor as having a rustic feel with the industrial elements common in loft settings. “It doesn’t look anything like Duane’s anymore,” he observes.
The new establishment boasts the kind of menu and amenities that are synonymous with a favorite hangout. That includes a selection of 20 beers on tap, including a selection of craft beers including Fargo Brewing, Drekker Brewing and Summit of St. Paul, along with favorite domestics.
He is especially proud of the menu. “We have all the Duane’s favorites,” he says. “We’re using the original recipes. We chat with Steve Schultz (the former owner) every day to get pointers on how to make our Duane’s pizzas the way they should be.” They’ll be authentic down to the distinctive square slicing that fans recall.
That’s just the beginning. The menu includes a broad range of Midtown’s own fare, all made from scratch in the kitchen. McMahan, whose past kitchen experience includes Old Chicago Pizza and the Work Zone, is particularly proud of the appetizers – especially the Midtown Torpedo, jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese and sausage, wrapped in bacon and finished with his own Midtown Bourbon Glaze. “I’ve had the recipe for many years. Finally I got a chance to bring it here,” he says.
Chef Ryan Sauvageau’s menu extends to a variety of burgers and wraps. McMahan singles out the Philly cheesesteak options, available as an appetizer, a sandwich or a wrap. Chicken gets several treatments, from southern style to Nashville Hot and beyond. “You’ll see familiar items too, but Ryan always adds our own twist,” McMahan promises.
He, co-manager John Douglas and bar manager Dakota Nerud are aiming for a particular kind of experience at Midtown – a great setting, he says, for people to meet and enjoy themselves, encouraged by 20 televisions tuned to sports programming. Families and those celebrating special occasions can find a quieter spot in the tavern’s special events room next door. It will be available for parties and other occasions, too.
In the past two months, McMahan and his team have hired a team of 50 kitchen and front-of-the-house staffers. It has been a challenge, he concedes, with every establishment in town looking for workers; one tactic they’ve used is offering $500 refer-a-friend bonuses. “We want to instill a family-type culture among our staff,” he says. “If your employees are having a great time while working, the guests can see it. It rolls right over to their own experience.”
Down the road, he predicts, the Midtown Tavern may add special events of its own like steak nights and other specials. The manager says they’re looking for opportunities to team up with other businesses and promote other local products. He predicts, “We’re going to put our heads together and see what we come up with.”
Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Midtown Tavern is located at 2223 Center Ave., Moorhead.