Over the years, Rack’s Bar & Grill in Spring Valley, Minn., has become more than an award-winning restaurant. It’s become a place where the community gathers before and after the big game. It’s become a place where people celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and delicious food. It’s a place where tourists see a parking lot full of vehicles, and they say, “This place must be good, let’s eat here.”
Back in 2013, when Steve and Karla Tart purchased what was once called Tootie’s Little Rock Saloon, they loved what the establishment represented.
“When we took over the restaurant, our vision was to create a place where families could come together and feel at home. When our kids were growing up, when it used to be Tootie’s, we would come in after sports games with our families, sit together, and wait for the 10 o’clock news to catch the sports highlights while enjoying a great meal with friends. That sense of community and togetherness left a big impression on us and we wanted to carry that forward. We wanted it to be more than just somewhere to eat. We wanted it to be a gathering place where parents, kids and grandparents could share meals and make memories. Our goal has always been to build a warm family friendly atmosphere while continually improving the quality, consistency and overall experience for everyone who walks through our doors,” shared Karla.
Rack’s Bar & Grill has certainly lived up to their vision. But it wouldn’t be possible without a combination of many things. They have 27 amazing employees doing all the right things to make sure customers have an excellent experience. Among the employees, they have many family members involved in the restaurant operations: Karla Tart, Steve Tart, Ashley Fenton, Cameron Fenton, Mitchell Tart, Kylie Tart, Lindsay Trende, Tyler Trende and Kenidy Fenton. It’s a good thing they have a big family to help run a restaurant operation of this size.
Karla works at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Steve runs their family farm south of Wykoff while also operating a trucking business hauling pigs for area pork producers. So, when they’re not busy with their day jobs, they are spending time at the restaurant.
Something that has been very important to the Tarts is their opportunity to be involved in the community as a family-owned business. Karla said, “Rack’s is very much involved with the community. We involve ourselves immensely with the school district. We have donated to Spring Valley Park & Rec, Kingsland sports, our local food shelf, Spring Valley Public Library, Spring Valley Ag Days, Spring Valley FFA, Fillmore County Special Olympics and many more. This year our biggest honor was to donate a flag pole and flag at the Spring Valley South Park. We arranged the coach buses when the 2023 Kingsland football team went to state playoffs. We have sponsored and hosted the Kingsland football team meal. We started a trunk or treat – this year will be our 2nd annual one.”
Relating to what they are known for, Karla said “Burgers are our top seller, but our bone-in wings, hand battered onion rings and mushrooms are right up there. Our fish fry was voted again for the best of the best Readers Choice Award from the Fillmore County Journal this year.”
If you’re thinking about which day would be best to pay a visit to Rack’s, Tuesday lunches and evenings with taco night are very popular. All day Friday until they close is a busy day. Friday nights from 5 to 6 p.m. they have happy hour drink tickets, and from 5 to 9 p.m., they have a fish dinner special. Sundays are the only day they are open for breakfast, and they always draw a crowd. They also host bingo for the Kingsland Booster Club starting at 3 p.m.
No matter which day you stop by, you can always expect outstanding food and top-notch customer service. I’ve stopped by with my family on a Friday night, and I would suggest always leaving room for dessert. And, I can attest to their award-winning burgers.
Steve and Karla Tart have something to be proud of with what they’ve done with Rack’s Bar & Grill. “We’ve firmly established ourselves as a business, and are proud of what we have built together as a family. .” Karla expressed with gratitude.
If you’d like to check out their menu, go to www.racksbarandgrill.com.
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