J.B.’s New faces, New Menu, Great Food

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Since moving back to Wanamingo last year, I have had the pleasure of meeting many people who call this town home. I have to say, Barney Nesseth is one of the busiest ones I've met! Barney grew up and went to school here, and then left home and got married, and moved around for awhile before returning to Wanamingo in 2002 to raise his kids. "This is a great place to raise kids", he said, and I agree.

After working remotely for a computer company, he decided to try his hand at retail, and broke ground for a liquor store coupled with a Dollar store in 2004. The Dollar store wasn't as successful as he would have liked, so he turned it into a grocery store and ran that until 2018. Then he chose to expand the liquor store and add an office rental space. In 2014 he and his cousin Justin Nesseth bought what was then Ringo's Bar, and in 2 weeks had torn it apart and put it back together, renaming it JB's Tavern. They added a bar menu with burgers and fries, and it continues to be a place to stop in and chat with friends, or join the Dart League on Wednesdays, a Pool League on Tuesdays, and in the summer a Volleyball League, which the outdoor space turns into a parking lot for snowmobiles during the winter. Always thinking, that Barney!

Now that the New Year is here, there have been some big changes to JB's menu. Barney hired Executive Chef Matt Hinman from Dennison to run the kitchen, and the new menu is delightful. You can see it on the JB's Tavern Facebook page. I can't even begin to tell you about all the culinary delights I look forward to experiencing, but I can tell you that Chef Matt brought new spices and flavors to town. The burgers and sandwiches are still on the menu, with upgraded appetizers and dinners to delight any palette. Along with serving breakfast on Saturdays and Sundays, they have also added “Showing Off Our Chef Night” once a month on a Sunday of their choosing. To see the menu for each month go to the Facebook page and RSVP, because these nights sell out fast. Seating is limited to 32 people. To book your reservation, call (507) 990-7578 with your name and number of guests.

I was able to get in a quick chat with Chef Matt, and asked him about his previous endeavors. He has been an Executive Chef for about 30 years, working mostly in the Minneapolis area. He took a short break to pursue a barnwood furniture business in Dennison, but the call of the grill pulled him back to his culinary background, and Barney was lucky enough to convince him to come to JB's. "I'm just a guy who loves to cook!" he said. Well, I say Welcome Chef Matt, and I look forward to trying all the goodies on the new menu!

Now remember I said Barney is the busiest person I have met? Well, the news is out that there will be a new venue in Kenyon called Angie's, which is a partnership between Barney and Angie Anderson. We will be printing another article about Angie Anderson and her new restaurant in another issue of the Messenger. I have to say, it is going to be something special! Along with the restaurant, there will be a coffee bar featuring Espresso, Mocha Lattes and other specialty drinks like smoothies, an ice cream shop, pizza take-out and delivery, and I think I heard a gift shop, too. Stay tuned for more information when it opens, Hopefully soon!