Waukon native, business owner looks to help fill a niche with the opening of new Lid’s Bar and Grill
First Dollar Visit for Lid’s Bar and Grill ... Lid’s Bar and Grill, newly opened at 1350 Ninth Street SW in Waukon, recently received a First Dollar Visit from the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. Pictured above at that First Dollar presentation are, left to right, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Leddia Tallman, Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Tyler Halverson, Kelly and Dan Liddiard of Lid’s Bar and Grill, and Waukon Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Reid Mahoney. Submitted photo.
A new dining establishment in Waukon opened for business August 4, as Lid’s Bar and Grill in southwest Waukon looks to fill a niche in the local community following the loss of a pair of prominent dining venues in Waukon within the last couple years due to devastating fires. Dan Liddiard, owner of West Side Auto Sales, recognized that need and opportunity, and has renovated a portion of his auto sales building located at 1350 Ninth Street SW into what he hopes will be a destination that helps fill the void created by the unfortunate losses of Mulligan’s Grill Pub in January 2018 and Dave’s Gus & Tony’s Pizza and Steakhouse in February of this year.
“Our town was in need, and we love the public and our little community,” Liddiard said. “It’s home.”
Liddiard and his wife, the former Kelly Fossum, are both graduates of Waukon High School, as are both of their sons now, Sean and Nathan. After his high school graduation, Dan Liddiard served in the U.S. Army for three-and-a-half years before moving back to his native hometown of Waukon.
“I have worked and enjoyed raising my family here for the last 30 years,” he shared.
The new restaurant prides itself on using local meat and buns in its meal preparation, as well as providing friendly service. “It’s been very rewarding seeing all the people that we’ve been able to serve, and to be able to do a good job at it,” Liddiard said.
Finding the help needed to provide such service in a clean, family-friendly restaurant has proven to be one of the greatest challenges thus far in opening the new business. But Liddiard said he plans to hopefully expand the new venture even further in the future and hire even more people.
Lid’s Bar and Grill also has a drive-up window for those who call in a carry-out order. Although that window - along with some outdoor seating areas - has been a welcome amenity during the current COVID-19 pandemic in allowing the restaurant to meet current mitigation guidelines of limiting larger crowds inside, Liddiard has noted that it also helps with the flow of business and is an added convenience for customers.
“We take great pride in our friendly service, great food and fair prices,” Liddiard summarized.
Lid’s Bar and Grill is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed Mondays. The business can be reached by calling 563-568-2388.
