GRUB HUB: 'Not typical bar food' at Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Lounge

STERLING – When I walk into a restaurant, one of the first things that usually grabs my attention is a waiter or the smell of something sizzling on a grill.

When I walk into the Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Lounge, the first thing I notice is a large buffalo head hanging over the bar.

"My dad had it mounted," Ruth Cowley, manager at Wagon Wheel, says about her dad, Rick Preston, the owner. "That is his thing."

Since 1987, Wagon Wheel has been serving up homemade food. Some of the more popular items on a loaded menu include gyro sandwiches, steaks, catfish, frog legs and chicken.

Although a bar is the first thing I see when I walk into the restaurant, Cowley says the business is more of a family restaurant.

"Our food is homemade and it's made from scratch," Cowley says. "It's not typical bar food. We also have a big salad bar, and not a lot of restaurants offer big salad bars anymore."

Inside the dimly lit restaurant are a variety of animals mounted on the walls, such as deer, bears, buffalo, mountain lions and a goat.

"They are real animals," Cowley says.

Dart boards, a pool table and TVs also decorate the establishment. The front of the building is a place to go to get a drink and the back of the restaurant is a place where families can enjoy a meal.

There is also a large space for wedding receptions and other banquets.

One of the more popular dishes is the pork tenderloin, which is lightly breaded and much bigger than the bun. It is served with the restaurant's homemade potato chips.

Not only does the sandwich come out fairly quickly, it is homemade and full of flavor.

The restaurant also has different specials throughout the week, such as all-you-can-eat fried chicken on Monday or all-you-can-eat walleye on Friday.

One thing that has kept the restaurant going for 28 years, Cowley says, is the customers.

It's one thing she believes will keep the restaurant in business for the next 28 years.

"We have a lot of loyal regulars that come in here," Cowley says. "You see a lot of people come in here week after week and a lot of it has to do with the family atmosphere. Everyone knows everyone here and I think that is part of what keeps people coming back."

WHEEL BEARINGS

Restaurant name/address: Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Lounge, 1711 W. Fourth St., Sterling

Hours: Bar hours are 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday. Dining hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Atmosphere: Very dimly lit bar. Natural lighting helps bring light in; otherwise, it's pretty dark.

Service: The food I ordered came out fairly quickly. Really nice staff overall.

Sound level: Depends on where you sit. The bar area can get a little noisy, but it's more quiet in the back of the restaurant, where there is more seating.

Most popular appetizer: Combo platter

Chef recommends/house special: Chicken/tenderloin

Drinks and wine: There is a full service bar.

Salad bar: Yes

Video gambling: Yes

Reservations: Required with large groups. Otherwise, not necessary.