by Dennis Dalman
The long-anticipated grand opening of the House Food and Tap finally took place March 11, with hundreds of people enjoying delicious foods and drinks in downtown St. Joseph.
The House is a multi-restaurant venue at 13 Second Ave. NW. It’s a large, recently built structure on what was the corner-lot site of a long-time gas station.
At its opening, mouth-watering aromas wafted throughout the House and out into the streets as eager customers walked into the place and began ordering entrees and pouring alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the Tap Wall.
The House has had a long, interesting development that began when BriAnne and Craig Hern of St. Joseph bought that corner lot in 2023 but were not sure what to use it for. They then conducted a city survey of residents to hear what they would like on that lot. Of the more than 300 ideas received, top answers included “restaurant, food, gathering place, drinks and a café.”
On trips to the Twin Cities, the Herns noticed some food-hall places (several restaurants in one structure), and they had an ‘ah-hah” moment, realizing they should build one in St. Joseph. And so they did. Ground was broken in late summer 2024.
Meantime, the Herns shared their concept with friends and acquaintances, many of whom are in the food business and who were gung-ho about being part of the new place, the new concept.
“The core of the House,” BriAnne said, “is not just about providing a place to eat, but about enhancing our sense of community. Our goal is to create a space where good people can connect over great food, share experiences and build relationships.”
The following are the facilities within the House Food and Tap.
Eminent Coffee
Josh Kaeter of Sartell opened a coffee roastery in Sartell a couple years ago after discovering a love of good coffee during his five-year service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
He now has a coffee shop dubbed Eminent Coffee in the House. It will feature a wide variety of coffees (hot and iced) made from fresh-ground beans from throughout the world. There will also be options for all kinds of tea and fruit smoothies.
“Through education, discussion and the constant striving to improve, I just want to share beautiful coffees with my community,” Kaeter said. “All while also assuring the producers growing these amazing beans are getting not only the fairest price for their product but recognition and praise for the beautiful coffee (beans) they produce.”
Birdie’s
“Birdie’s Pizza and Garden Bar” will offer a variety of pizzas baked in brick ovens, as well as garlic cheese bread, salads and specialty lemonades. There will also be an option for “build-your-own” pizzas.
Examples of the pizzas include the “Margherita Classic” (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil); “The Firebrand” (creamy ranch sauce, seasoned chicken, red onion, mozzarella, grated Parmesan cheese); and “Pretty Girl” (tomato sauce, pineapple, bacon, mozzarella, fresh basil, hot honey).
The restaurant is owned by two sets of married couples and long-time friends Tyler and Sheena Thieschafer and Michael and Chelsea Gauthier. Their pizza business started in a two-stall garage and was inspired by Gautier’s determination to duplicate the delicious pizzas he’d eaten while in the birthplace of pizza – Naples, Italy.
When BriAnne and Craig Hern told the Gauthiers and Thieschafers about plans for the House, the two couples were instantly eager to become a part of the new place. The couples have been friends of the Herns for many years.
Birdie’s Pizza and Garden Bar is named after Birdie, a young daughter of the Thieschafers.
Hawaiian grill
98 Hawaiian Grill is owned and operated by Chef Esera Tuaolo, whose nickname is “Mr. Aloha.” He was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii and was a professional football player in the National Football League for several teams for many years. He played 60 games as a member of the Minnesota Vikings from 1992-96.
He is also a much-lauded singer who has sung at many venues in the United States and Europe. He was also a contestant on the TV show “The Voice.”
After retiring from football in 1999, Tuaolo announced he’s gay and has become an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights.
Chef Tuaolo’s restaurant in the House will specialize in his favorite foods he relished while growing up in Hawaii, such as pineapple barbecued chicken, Kalbi ribs, Ahi tuna, Kimchi salad, seaweed salad and many other exotic Polynesian entrees.
Smashburgers
“JoeTown Smashbergers” is owned by a St. Joseph couple, Mateo Mackbee and Erin Lucas, both of whom recently won prestigious national recognition for their cooking/baking skills. They are co-owners of the Krewe restaurant of which Mackbee is the head chef; and Flour & Flower, a bread, pastry-and-flour shop of which Lucas is the head pastry chef. Both are located in downtown St. Joseph.
A “smashburger” is a hamburger that is “smashed” onto a very hot grill, resulting in a crisp patty with a caramelized crust.
Along with French fries and milk shakes, the restaurant will offer four varieties of smashburgers. Mackbee is a firm believer that too many typical hamburgers smother the good natural taste of the meat by piling too many toppings on them.
Tap wall
The “30 Self-Tap Wall” inside the House will allow customers to pour their own beverages from the 30 taps protruding from a large wall.
There will be a variety of beers (Guinness ale, Boston lager, Miller, Coors, Michelob, Stella Artois, Honey Weis Wheat beer, to name just some.)
Also available will be soda pops and ciders.
Open hours
Business hours for the House Food and Tap will be from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; and from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. It will be closed on Mondays.
Chef and restaurant owner Esera Tuaolo gives a thumbs-up to one of the specialty foods offered by his restaurant, 98 Hawaiian Grill. It is one of three restaurants and a coffee shop located in the just-opened the House Food and Tap in downtown St. Joseph.
Jeremy Sarder of Sauk Rapids enjoys a fresh-baked pizza from Birdies Pizza shop inside the House Food and Tap, which opened for business March 11 in downtown St. Joseph. Sarder, smiling, said the pizza was delicious.
This is the front exterior of the House Food and Tap. It occupies a site where a long-time gas station used to be, at 13 Second Ave. NW in St. Joseph.
Customers enjoy food and beverages in one of the large dining areas at the House Food and Tap, which had its grand opening March 11 in downtown St. Joseph.
Karen and Greg Roun of St. Cloud pause at the Tap Wall in the House Food and Tap restaurant in St. Joseph during its grand opening March 11.
