Dick's Bar & Grill Remains Hudson Staple

When Paul Kremer was asked what separates from other eateries in town, the manager answered with a history lesson.

“It’s the oldest continuously running bar in Wisconsin,” he said.

It was established in 1860 and has grown throughout the years.

“From 1853 to 1866, new buildings and businesses came to Hudson. One of those buildings was Hendees Hall. Built on the spot where Dick's Bar & Grill stands today, Hendees Hall was not only a meeting place for Hudson's council members and militia, but it also served as a social gathering place,” according to the website.

The hall evolved and became St. Croix Tavern in 1967. The llama on the bar’s logo is from a story in 1877. A man needed a place to stay when the river boat carrying his cargo of four llamas needed to be repaired. He and his animals stayed at the tavern which brought many curious onlookers – and therefore business to the tavern.

The restaurant switched hands many times, eventually landing in Dick Brunelle’s in 1955 which is when it got its present name. His wife served up dago meatball sandwiches to members of the growing community.

In 1982 a new owner, Kremer’s father Fred, took over and revitalized the establishment. Rooms were added, the menu expanded and business brought back when it had fallen because traffic had moved to the highway.

The saloon/tavern/meeting place and bar has been able to stay open in Hudson because of its proximity to the Twin Cities, Kremer said.

“St. Croix County is big and feeds into the cities. People swing through the area on their way home looking for a bite to eat,” he said. “Hudson expands beyond the community itself. A lot of people from Minnesota jump the border to come to Dick’s for the Wisconsin experience – I think it’s different here.”

Though it’s expanded and grown, some things remain.

“We call this the traditional Wisconsin experience,” he said. Which he explained to mean the menu caters to the whole family. “It’s a place to go together. Now restaurants try to find a specialty niche for their customers.”

Because the food menu at Dick’s is so diverse, Kremer said it serves everyone. Sandwiches, burgers, steaks, fish, veggie burgers, bison, salads – all are available there.

“We think our food is the best,” he said. “We’ve got something for everyone – down to some oriental flair.”

But his pride, and favorite, is breakfast.

“We’ve got omelets, waffles and hashbrowns,” he said. “It’s fun to see people in after church for bloodies and breakfast.”