In the face of a variety of changes, Pike’s Den holds on to community, food, and familiarity in De Soto, WI
Pike’s Den sustains sense of community and familiarity ... Pike’s Den in De Soto, WI has strived to retain the sense of community and familiarity that was previously offered by the former Pork’s Hilltop at that same location. Christal Sudol, who previously worked at Pork’s Hilltop before purchasing the business and renaming it, says she is working to maintain the aspects that once made the former establishment one of the foundational Main Street public gathering locations. Submitted photos.
by Joshua Sharpe
Located at 315 Main Street in De Soto, WI Pike’s Den has crafted its identity around a simple principle: stay familiar while progressing forward. According to public listings from the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Pike’s Den is a bar and grill owned by Christal Sudol, who describes it online as “locally owned and full of character,” emphasizing that it’s “more than just a bar - it’s a gathering place.” This language highlights the vital role the business plays within the community.
Before becoming Pike’s Den, the same location was known as Pork’s Bar and Pork’s Hilltop. Historical references to these previous names illustrate how deeply rooted this Main Street building is in the local memory, long before the current branding took hold. Rather than starting fresh in a new or unfamiliar location, Pike’s Den has embraced a space that has long been part of De Soto’s social fabric.
This continuity is a key part of Sudol’s story about the business. In an interview, she shared that she had worked at the establishment for many years, even before the last owner took over about 20 years ago. This long-standing connection gave her valuable insights into the clientele, the staff, and the vibe that keeps patrons coming back. As she put it, her goal in buying the business was “not to change much, just to make it better.” This philosophy captures the essence of Pike’s Den: to preserve what people cherish, enhance what needs attention, and maintain the establishment’s role within the community.
The name change itself wasn’t framed as a dramatic overhaul. Sudol explained, “It really wasn’t an idea. I didn’t have a choice but to change the name,” noting that she wanted something short and simple, eventually naming it after her dog, Pike. Public references echoed this sentiment; a Hidden Valleys post described the transition by stating, “Pork’s Bar in De Soto is now… Pike’s Den, Formerly Pork’s Bar,” signaling that the change was meant to be seen as a continuation rather than a complete departure from the past.
The ownership timeline adds depth to this story. Sudol mentioned that she leased the property for two years before fully purchasing it. During that lease period, some decisions were put on hold due to the uncertainty of shared responsibility. Thus, the transition from Pork’s Bar to Pike’s Den was gradual rather than sudden. There was a phase of waiting, overlapping duties, and uncertainty before Sudol could take charge on her own terms.
Once she secured ownership, the building needed considerable work. Sudol pointed to a 72-page inspection report that outlined several urgent issues. She discussed the tasks of rewiring, clearing out unnecessary items, and tackling a long list of renovations. Notably, she highlighted the rewiring of a wall that had been short-circuiting and plumbing repairs to ensure that parts of the building met code requirements. These details illustrate that the next chapter for the business involved much more than just a new sign; it required reinvesting in the physical space to keep the establishment thriving as a staple of Main Street.
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