Something for Everyone

Oct. 5, 2014

Tucker’s serves food and fun in Northport

Tucker’s is a very hip hybrid. It’s part sitdown restaurant, part arcade, part sports bar, part pub, part bowling alley, part music venue and part of a plan to save Northport.

That may sound like hyperbole, but owner Ben Walraven believes perception is reality. In the seven years between buying a vacation home in the area and moving to Northport full time, he knew the perception was that the town was dying.

"We bought a place in 2003 and moved from Chicago to Northport in 2010. During that time, there was a flight of businesses from Northport," he says. "I knew if we lost our anchors, that would be the death knell. We needed some businesses year-round."

The retired sales and marketing executive began thinking of ways to revitalize the town’s business climate. He wanted to create something that could survive in the off-season and, ultimately, hit on the idea of a boutique bowling alley combined with a restaurant. Walraven began talking with others, including his friend Bill Collins, who was intrigued.

"He said, "˜I’m really interested,’ so we struck a deal," says Walraven.

Their mutual dream was realized when Tucker’s opened in May 2014.

THE SCENE 

Walraven and Collins created Tucker’s to serve all facets of the public.

"You have families who are multi-generational who want to go to a restaurant; young families who want to go bowling; and thirtysomethings that want to go to a sports bar or music venue. We thought each business could have its own attributes together in one building," Walraven says.

Building a facility that could pull that off was a bit tricky. The sound of balls rolling down the alley and pins flying wouldn’t exactly be conducive to a nice evening out. So, they worked with the bowling manufacturing and consulting company Brunswick that then recommended an architectural firm in Grand Rapids. The result is an open and spacious building with soundproofing where it’s needed.

THE MENU

Walraven says he wanted to create a menu that would have something for everyone, whether they were looking for fine food or some pub grub while watching a game or bowling. The menu includes entrées like Thai Sea Bass with coconut curry sauce, a coffee-crusted New York strip steak with ramps and port wine reduction, and char-grilled lobster tail.

Then there’s pizza: hand-tossed or Chicago-style deep dish, as well as four different flatbreads.

Sandwiches include a pastrami Reuben, cod po’ boy, and San Fran crab roll. For starters, you have your choice of cherry chipotle poppers, fresh Thai rolls, crunchy ravioli with more fillings than you can shake a stick at, and plenty more.

Add salads, soups, desserts and a complete wine, beer and cocktail menu, and you’re covered no matter what.

THE BEST

"The most popular item is the fried pickle. It’s great bar food and great for an appetizer," says Walraven, referring to the house-made spears wrapped in ham and Swiss cheese, then enveloped in a fried won ton.

Among the entrées, he points to the ribs. "We put our special rub on them, then smoke them, then finish them when they’re ordered," he says.

His other personal favorite is the wings. "They’re fresh, smoked and made to order," he says.

The Magic Mushroom features shiitake, oyster and crimini mushrooms with Havarti, provolone and Boursin cheese.

THE REST OF THE STORY

When it came to naming the facility, Walraven was in a bit of a pickle (not the fried kind).

"I have three kids, so I couldn’t name it after just one of them," he says.

The solution came to him in the form of his shaggy goldendoodle, Tucker.

"Northport is known for the dog parade and it’s a dog-loving town," he says.

Now Tucker has become something of a celebrity in Northport. He also has his own favorites on the menu, marked with a paw print.

THE SKINNY

Appetizers start at $4.95 ($1.75 each for the pickles), salads at $9.95, sandwiches at $8.95. Entrées start at $12.95, as do flatbreads. Pizzas start at $10.95.

Tucker’s is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30am to midnight, and Sunday, 10am to midnight, depending on customer traffic.

Tucker’s is located at 116 Waukazoo Street in Northport. Call (231) 386-1061. Online, visit: www.TuckersNP.com or their Facebook page.