The Bunkhouse Grill in Killdeer Balances Great Food With Fast Service

Residents of Killdeer, North Dakota, and surrounding communities have a new lunch and dinner option with the Bunkhouse Grill. Located at 10 Central Ave N, this restaurant strives to offer family-friendly dining and quality food served quickly. The Bunkhouse Grill recently celebrated its Grand Opening at the start of July. 

“We wanted to open a restaurant that gives people their time back,” says Serena Ewer at Western Choice Cooperative, which is responsible for bringing the concept to life. “Our goal is to serve good food with an intentionally small menu that lets people get in and out in 15 minutes if they choose.” 

This new restaurant is exciting because it adds to the downtown dining options in Killdeer, but also because it breathes new life into a historic building. A space that previously sat vacant is now a community hub. Keep reading to learn what makes this business special and get to know the Western Choice Cooperative as a whole. 

The Bunkhouse Grill Will Have a Rotating Menu

The Bunkhouse Grill prides itself on fresh ingredients and never-frozen food. Diners can see the kitchen staff when they come in, and watch them cook burgers and other dishes “straight from the butcher to your plate.” The smaller menu allows for faster meal preparation, but the owners also plan to add new dishes that rotate throughout the year.

“We can look at our sales to see which items are popular, and keep them on the menu,” says Ewer. “We can then try new dishes to see which specials or seasonal options our customers enjoy.” 

Diners can arrive hungry and order their favorite staples (like the Ring of Fire with jalapeno bacon cream cheese) or change it up with flavors that they’ve never had before through the rotating dishes. 

Ewer is particularly happy that the Bunkhouse Grill is a family-friendly place that doesn't serve alcohol. “We love our bar restaurants in town, but wanted a place where sports teams can come in, and families can feel comfortable,” she says.

This is the Latest Addition by the Western Choice Cooperative

The Bunkhouse Grill is part of the Western Choice Cooperative, which strives to meet the needs of Dunn County residents. The cooperative has 10 locations and more than 100 employees. It is responsible for the Killdeer Hardware Store, the Tire Shop, and various other businesses, including the Dairy Queen. 

“We live here, so we’re always looking to see what we need,” says Ewer. 

While the cooperative is proud to own the Dairy Queen, Ewer admits that owning a franchise can be limiting. It doesn’t have the same menu development options and flexibility as launching a brand-new restaurant. Both the Dairy Queen and Bunkhouse Grill have a home in Killdeer and provide different dining options for residents. 

The cooperative has supported the region since 1935 and continues to explore ways to bring businesses and add amenities to the community. 

The Restaurant Launched With Help by the JDA

Because the historic Main Street building had sat vacant for so long, the interior and exterior needed to be completely redeveloped before opening the Bunkhouse Grill. The Dunn County Job Development Authority (JDA) helped cover the cost of the exterior improvements through its storefront renovation grant. 

“We gutted the entire thing, with new floor choices and everything,” says Ewer. “We wanted to preserve the historic nature of the building, but also needed to open a vibrant and functional restaurant.” 

The JDA grant allowed the cooperative to invest in several exterior improvements, including:

• New awnings
• A new deck
• New trim 
• Custom artwork from Zane Pittsley, owner of Spring Creek Welding

When asked about ghosts in the historic building, Ewer believes there must be at least one or two. However, she’s confident that so far they’re friendly ghosts. They must have a taste for cheeseburgers. 

Dunn County is Growing, and the JDA is Here to Help

The Bunkhouse Grill will be a fun and delicious addition to the Killdeer community, and there are plenty of entrepreneurs and businesspeople looking to bring their ideas to life. The Cowboy Golf Foundation is another great story of a passionate resident bringing a new gathering place to the community. We can’t wait to see both these businesses grow.

Do you have an idea or need resources for a new business? Reach out to the JDA. We can explore potential incentives and find opportunities to grow Dunn County. Contact us today.