Real Bites – Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar

Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar

Within the past couple weeks, I was blessed with a couple of great opportunities in Rushford, Minn.

First, I was looking forward to my dental check-up at Rushford Dental Clinic.  I was seriously excited about going to the dentist.  My teeth always feel so good after they’ve been cleaned.  And, I think it is important to be aware of the health of your teeth.  With COVID throwing everything off schedule, my appointment had been delayed just like everyone else.  So, I was truly looking forward to a visit to the dentist.

And, we are fortunate to not have to drive to the big city to receive high quality professional dental services.  We have great dentists like Dr. Marcoux, a local proprietor, located in communities like Rushford, and his professional and caring staff.  Rushford Dental Clinic isn’t the only small town dentistry in our area.  If you look around, we have Houston Dental Clinic, Spring Valley Dental, Midwest Dental in Chatfield, Pearl Ridge Dental in Spring Valley,  Spring Grove Dental, and D.D.S. James Waldow in Lanesboro.

You only have one set of teeth, and you’ll want to take care of them.

I do have one confession.  I never eat anything before I go to the dentist.  I always feel bad for the dental hygienists who I envision have to occasionally clean someone’s teeth after a patient has eaten a pile of ribs or slammed a can of spinach.  I don’t want to be that guy, so on the day I go to see the dentist, I don’t eat anything until after my appointment.

Naturally, after going to the dentist, and receiving the good news that I didn’t have any cavities, it was time to eat.

So, I paid a visit to Stumpy’s Restaurant & Bar located less than one block from Rushford Dental Clinic.

I’m not sure what my dentist would suggest to eat after an appointment at his practice, but I’m going to refer to this combination as the “Dentist’s Special.”

First, I was leaning toward lunch, even though I could have also ordered from the breakfast menu.  Then, I was alerted to the daily lunch special, which was a two-piece cod with fries, coleslaw, and a roll.  I love broiled cod.  It’s always a tasty, healthy option.

But, I knew I was going to be hungry enough to eat more than the daily lunch special, so I had a wild hair and decided to order an appetizer – jalapeño  poppers.

Of course, with current COVID restrictions not allowing for me to dine-in at the restaurant, I knew I’d be snacking in my vehicle.

It’s not easy, because a jalapeno popper is unpredictable.  You simply can’t trust them.  You don’t know which side the fiery cream cheese is going to escape.  But, I have jalapeño popper experience, and all the deliciousness was captured without casualties.

I held off on the regular meal of broiled cod until my return to the Fillmore County Journal office in Preston, Minn.  Safe and warm in the styrofoam container, the moment I arrived at the office, I placed the meal on a plate.

Even after more than 30 minutes in the vehicle, the broiled cod, fries, coleslaw, and dinner roll were fantastic.

Stumpy’s owner Judy Christian runs a great restaurant, and has been doing so for more than 20 years.  I remember back in 2019 when she was named the KTTC Amazing Woman.  I wasn’t surprised.  She has always been a big supporter of the community.  She has a wonderful staff, which resembles how she treats customers.

When you are in the Rushford area, Stumpy’s is an outstanding dining option – always.