Auntie B's Wax

Dive Night is a once monthly adventure undertaken by me and Husby, along with our friends Ruthie and Ray. Each couple alternates choosing a restaurant, one which must come under the category of “dive.” Our definition of dive: a neighborhood gathering spot with a laid-back atmosphere and good food. We’ll find the interesting hang-outs in the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Casual attire required. A sip of beer or wine doesn’t hurt either.

There’s nothing like spending a crisp, clear autumn evening on the shores of the St. Croix River in Stillwater, MN.  Our Dive Night was spent on such an evening on just that river…in Stillwater yet!  PD Pappy’s was a surprise as it’s hidden from the street.  If I had a houseboat on the river I probably would have known it’s been there for a long time.

The St. Croix River as seen from the deck of PD Pappy’s.

This restaurant has dining and drinking indoors and out and halfway in between.  We had our dinner on a semi-enclosed deck-like section.

The outdoor (sort of) deck area.

There’s also a nice little gazebo bar outside.

Ray poses as a local.

The inside of the building is filled with lovely woodwork and interesting details.

The fully stocked bar.

Of course you’re wondering about the food.  Well it was just wonderful!  The menu was extensive and the offerings were creative, especially when it came to the appetizers.

A poor picture of some very delicious crab and artichoke dip served with corn chips and pita bread.

Lemon pepper shrimp skewers. They offer different flavors of shrimp skewers. Husby loves lemon pepper so that’s what we got. So good. I’d like to try the other flavors some time too.

The entrees were fabulous too.  Husby and Ruthie both got a chimichanga, one chicken and one beef.  They reported them to be delicious.  Ray got a very nice-sized reuben with fries, and I got a fried haddock sandwich with fries.  You might remember how I like to dip my fries in tartar sauce when I get a fish sandwich.  The tartar sauce was so good I could have eaten it all by itself with a spoon.  The sandwich was huge and hot, and the fries were plentiful.

My haddock sandwich and fries.

The chimichanga, served with salsa and sour cream, enjoyed by both Husby (beef) and Ruthie (chicken).

Ray’s reuben, peeking out from behind the fries. A Fat Tire beer too!

And don’t forget, PD Pappy’s has live music.  We weren’t there late enough to hear the band playing that night, but we saw them setting up for a night of music and dancing.

PD Pappy’s is a fun riverside restaurant and bar.  Don’t be dissuaded from going if you happen to hear it’s a biker bar.  Sure, lots of “motorcycle enthusiasts” visit, but they’re there to have a good time, just like you.

Thumbs up all around the table.  The food was great, the service wonderful.  This place is probably best enjoyed in the summer and fall months when you can take advantage of the nice weather.  Sit back, sip on your favorite libation, snack on some good food, and watch the boats float by on the river.  Relax at PD Pappy’s.

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