Long-time Kewaunee Co. bar marks 60 years

DUVALL - At the intersection of County Roads X and AB in Kewaunee County is what some hamburger devotees might call "Ground beef Mecca."

On December 5, 1952, Joe Rouer and his wife Helen opened Joe Rouer’s Bar in Duvall. And for 60 years it’s been serving up its famous burgers and beer.

“For 45 years for sure,” said Jim Dorner, of the Town of Montpelier, recalling at least how long he’s been coming to Joe Rouer’s. “Even when we were teenagers we snuck in here for a few drinks!" he said laughing.

"50, 55 years," said Luke Linzmeier of Denmark, sitting at a high-top table in the bar, with his wife Germaine.

"We went to other places for hamburgers,” said Diane Dorner, Jim Dorner’s wife. “But this is one of the best."

After 60 years, not much has changed

Joe Rouer's Bar is cooking its food the same since it opened.

"We do quarters of beef,” said Joe’s grandson and current owner Mike Bultman. “Get the meat fresh every morning."

"Straight-up hamburger, cheeseburger, fried onions – you got to get the fried onions – or else we slice raw onions fresh."

"It tastes so good you don't want to swallow it,” said Dorner of the hamburgers. “That's the truth."

But the road wasn't easy for Joe Rouer and his wife when he bought the bar in 1952.

"It was a strange place for them,” said the Rouer’s daughter Betty Bultman.

Betty Bultman says owning and operating a bar with a kitchen was something the former dairy truck driver and farmer was not familiar with.

"It was very slow, believe me,” said Bultman of the beginning of the business. “We counted the pennies when we first moved in here."

In fact, Mike Bultman says for a place that’s now known for its hamburgers, that wasn’t always the case.

"They were known more for their fish, more than their hamburgers years ago," said Mike Bultman.

That is, until one day.

"A worker was at the school and didn't have any lunch,” explained Betty Bultman. “So he came here and my dad was here by himself – and he said, 'I suppose I can fry you a burger!' The rest is history."

The cost of a burger at Joe Rouer's back in the 50s: 25 cents.

When Joe passed away, the bar was left to Betty.

She asked her son Mike if he wanted a crack at running the place.

"I was only 18 at the time,” recalled Mike Bultman. “What are you going to say when you're 18? Right? 'Sure! Let's do it!'"

So she signed it over. He now runs it – along with his son.

He says the business has lasted 60 years because the sum of the ingredients in it – even rebuilding after a fire in 1990.

But Mike says it really all comes back down to the beef.

While you can't find 25 cent burgers on the menu at today, it is offering a special deal for December 5 only. Buy the first burger and drink at regular price, and the second burger is 60 cents. The bar serves food until 8 p.m.