Bites Nearby: Marx the Spot for Dining and Community

A funny thing happened on the way to the industrial park for Mark Sobczak, who had been looking at properties for his home buying and reselling interests. 

“The real estate agent told us that we might want to look at this other place that was a bar, and having been in the business for many years we looked at it, and ended up buying it,” Sobczak explained.

"This other place" has been for five and a half years now, and while the front door opens to the bar, it’s also been the restaurant that has made it a destination. Marx’ features a fish fry every Friday night that has homemade written all over it. Breading, potato pancakes and clam chowder all make it to your plate as a result of hours of preparation in the kitchen.

Saturday nights also feature Marx’ pizza, which is also homemade. Sobczak said he learned in Chicago how to make the best pizza.

The interior is restored to keep the nearly 100-year-old tavern as genuine and authentic as the people who patronize the establishment. Sobczak said that if it weren’t for many friends family and sweat equity, he wouldn’t have gotten the place from run-down to open in just three weeks. Those friends make it easy to come to work.

“I love this job, I love the people.  I like being here with the people who come out, the camaraderie; there are people who have followed me from other bars that I’ve owned. It’s just been great,” said Sobczak  who returns the favor to the community that has supported the bar and restaurant as well.

"We do a raffle here during NASCAR where half of the proceeds go to help the Muskego Food Pantry," he said.  "I like that we're keeping the support local."

He also hopes to add a smoker this year to further expand the menu to include finer cuts of pork and beef on a regular basis. This previous Super Bowl featured pulled pork sandwiches, which took 16 hours on a smoker they rented.

The food is the draw year round, but when the weather gets warm, Pioneer Inn also takes advantage of something that few bars have: real estate. 

“We have a great backyard area off the deck, and we have volley ball and horseshoe leagues here, and we’re looking at adding lawn bowling as well,” Sobczak explained.

The area has also been rented for private parties (there’s a separate tiki bar out back as well), corporate team-building groups and weddings.  The latter can really be a one-stop proposition as well, as Mark is also an ordained minister through the Universal Life Church.

Marx Pioneer Inn, W180 S7808 Pioneer Drive, Muskego
Hours: Mon. to Wed., 3 pm to close; Thurs. to Sun., 11 am to close.  Reservations aren’t taken, but if you don’t want to wait for a table on a busy weekend night, carry outs are available.