Girolamo’s Court ‘n House
As I finish my meal in the darkened restaurant aglow with neon beer signs, I lean back in my booth and breathe deeply, hoping to make a little more room in my uncomfortably full stomach to finish my fries.
My friends and I have spent the last hour laughing and talking, and now we pause to reflect on the good food and cheap drinks we’ve just gluttonously consumed. Some of us make jokes about our failed attempts at dieting, but no one really cares, because the food is just that good.
Our server brings the bill and we stare at it in disbelief, just like we do every week -$20 for six burgers and beers? Can that be right?
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Girolamo’s Court ‘n House.
I first ate at Court ‘n House last year. My friends always raved about their burgers, which are two for one on Thursday nights. I finally went with them one week, and I’ve gone every week possible since then. It is one of my favorite restaurants in Eau Claire, and if you’re looking for something new, fun, and cheap to do for dinner, Court ‘n House is the place for you.
Location: 113 W. Grand Ave., near the police station, far from the craziness of Water Street.
Atmosphere: It’s a laid-back place, with a checkerboard-tiled floor and neon beer signs galore. They have a pool table and dartboards, and Thursday and Sunday nights they offer Karaoke. It’s a classic “bar” atmosphere, with only about 10 tables. If you can’t stand smoke, you won’t like to sit here too long. But it’s a place where most nights you can drink, eat and then sit and talk without feeling rushed.
Service: Like I said before, this place is laid back. Many of the workers both serve and bartend, so don’t expect someone to run to your table as soon as your butt hits the booth. But on most days, you can be in-and-out in an hour. On Thursdays, however, during dinner time the restaurant is packed, so anticipate a 45-minute wait for your food … but it’s worth it.
Food: This is by far my favorite part of Court ‘n House. Basically, if you’re on a diet, this is not the place for you. My favorite menu item is definitely their mushroom and swiss burger, and most people I talk to claim that Court ‘n House burgers are the best in town. Their appetizer menu is mostly fried food, and their entre food options are mostly sandwiches. They serve burgers, BLTs, fish sandwiches and other offerings along those lines. They also serve basket meals, salads and pizza.
Prices: Here is another wonderful thing about Court ‘n House: their prices are all refreshingly inexpensive. Their appetizers range in price from $1.50 to $4, and their entre items are between $3.25 and $5.25. Dinner specials are a little more, but still cost less than you’d spend at most other places for a meal.
Drink prices are also very reasonable; if you go for happy hour (Monday through Thursday, 4-7 p.m.), you can enjoy $1.50 rail drinks, $1 tap beer, and $1.50 domestic bottles.
Specials: The best Court ‘n House special is their Thursday two-for-one burger night. When a hamburger costs $3.25, you’re getting a deal buying one. They offer a Friday fish fry dinner for $6.50, a Sunday pizza-and-a-pitcher special for $7.50, Wednesday all-you-can-eat chicken wings for $6, and much more. Also, every Wednesday during the lunch hour, they serve a different hot dish special.
For you who appreciate history, the Girolamos bought Court ‘n House in 2003. However, they had previous bar experience as they used to own Girolamo’s University Tap on Water Street – bar-goers today know that building as the Pioneer.
I spoke with Jim Girolamo, owner of Court ‘n House, and he described his bar and grill as having a hometown bar atmosphere where people feel at ease.
“You can be 6-years-old or 21-years-old and everyone has a good time,” Girolamo said. “It’s a comfortable place. That’s what people have told me, they always feel comfortable.”
So if you’re tired of the Applebee’s/Olive Garden/Panera Bread scene, try Court ‘n House. It’s inexpensive, the food is great, and the comfortable atmosphere provides for good times with good friends.
Duwell is a senior technical writing major and a columnist for The Spectator.
