Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon To Open In Woodbury
The restaurant is currently renovating the former T.G.I. Friday’s location and plans to open in November.
Photos
Wild Bill’s Sports Saloon is planning to open its fourth restaurant at the former T.G.I. Friday’s location in Woodbury.
Update: Check out photos from opening day at Wild Bill's.
Brian Moe, the owner of the Apple Valley Wild Bill's, said it was a surprise when T.G.I. Friday’s closed, and company officials viewed it as a good opportunity to gain a foothold in the east metro, especially since Wisconsin enacted its own smoking ban.
The space is currently being renovated, and the Woodbury Wild Bill’s is expected to open sometime in November. Moe wasn’t sure how many employees will be hired.
Wild Bill’s features homemade food and competitive drink prices, Moe said. The Woodbury restaurant will join its existing locations in Apple Valley, Blaine and Maple Grove. There are plans to expand to a chain of restaurants, he said.
The new restaurant will also feature a patio with an outdoor bar and televisions, Moe said.
“It’s a really good vibe,” he said. “You can socialize with friends, get a cocktail and food. … (The patio) is a staple for us. We hibernate for months here in Minnesota, so it’s good to be able to get outside.”
Wild Bill’s also plans to bring in a deejay a couple of nights each week for “party nights,” Moe said.
Wild Bill’s will be located at 546 Commons Drive in Woodbury, off Radio Drive.
In This article
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T.G.I. Friday's
546 Commons Dr, Woodbury, MN -
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Wild Bills Sports Saloon
15020 Glazier Ave, Apple Valley, MN -
Laurie Lynard
1:56 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
Oh heavens...really? Why can't someone come to town with something original and without a theme? I am tired of chains and restaurants that try to make everything for everyone. We need another Appertif or Cravings....let's raise the bar a bit!
Jennifer
4:52 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
Looking forward to it! It doesn't appear to be a nationwide chain. http://www.wildbillssportssaloon.com This will simply be its 4th location (Cravings has 3 locations) in MN. I look forward to the patio with an outdoor bar!
Maria Rippy
10:36 pm on Thursday, September 22, 2011
A Texas Roadhouse would have been nice.
Maria Rippy
6:46 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
that Appertif location seems a great spot for a Texas Roadhouse.
Peter Bakula
6:11 pm on Monday, September 26, 2011
I loved Aperitifs food!! I think Aperitif should reopen!!
Bob Moffitt
10:09 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I'm not quite sure I understand how the smoke free law in Wisconsin would be a factor in opening a Wild Bill's in Woodbury.
Kris Janisch
10:49 am on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bob, I think a lot of businesses were wary of the smoking ban's impact on cities close to Wisconsin. But you're right, it's been a long time since the ban; was a little surprised he mentioned it.
David B. Cruz
1:53 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I think we all would like to see fine dining available in Woodbury; however, it seems that Minnesotan's in general tend to like their chain style establishments. Coming from Washington state, and having many options for dining that were not chain restaurants to be refreshing. Knowing that I had many options other than the local Buffalo Wild Wings, Applebee's, Chili's, etc. to decide where I wanted eat. Considering that I enjoy eating out numerous times a week, I would want the variety. Unfortunately, it seems the local economy cannot sustain places that are not part of a chain.
I've been to places like Crave, Aperitif, and Sunsets. Personally, I think Crave is way overrated for their reputation. The food there seems to be bland and average at best. The presentation is great; however, the execution and flavors for me fall flat. I'm not sure what is the flavor pallet for Minnesotan's, but I tend to think that there isn't much demand for fine dining. Otherwise, Aperitif would have been at least taken over by another entrepreneur, but from what I've heard there was other issues concerning the restaurant that had nothing to do with the actual food and service.
If you go from one suburb to the other, the available restaurants seem to be the same wherever you go, so not surprising that another restaurant like Wild Bill's is opening up here.
Kris Janisch
2:36 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
I wonder if folks are more inclined to head to Mpls or St. Paul for "fine dining" and stay in Woodbury for a quick and easy dinner? Still, a lot of people have been hoping Aperitif will reopen.
David B. Cruz
2:48 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
St. Paul has a few choices, but Minneapolis has a much larger selection. Because suburbs tend to have a much larger "with children" population than downtown's, it is easier to have chain restaurants that can easily cater to the "with children" demographic. Understandably, the number of chain restaurants would be higher in the suburbs than in metropolitan areas in any major city.
No doubt, Woodbury does need another alternative dining option, other than the typical chain restaurant. The Bonfire and Sunsets are a different option, but in reality they are not the fine dining experience. Aperitif would have been great to have kept open, but circumstances probably made that difficult. Maybe an up and rising local chef with financial investors can find a way to make something work here in Woodbury.
Kris Janisch
3:00 pm on Tuesday, October 11, 2011
You'd have to think something would work. Is it the economic downturn from the past few years keeping people away from sinking cash into a fine dining spot? Or the "with children" deal here in Woodbury?
Julie Ohs
12:42 pm on Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I am looking forward to Wild Bill's Sports Saloon. I have visited their website and it looks like a fun restaurant and the prices seem reasonable. I am especially looking forward to their Cowboy Breakfast on Sunday's.