Whether it’s waterskiing, jetskiing, or just floating down the river, there are many activities for people in Waterford to do on the river – although one thing was missing, and David “Doc” Allesee knew what that was: There was nowhere on the river to pull up a boat and stop in to have a bite to eat.
Now there is.
Docs on the Fox, 232 N. Milwaukee St., opened its doors on May 13. The new waterfront bar and grill opened right in time to use the 24 docking stations located behind the restaurant.
Doc’s has the look of fine dining, but the feel and customer service one would find in a small town.
“I wanted a place that everyone felt welcome in. The staff will treat you like family and it really is ‘your bar,’” said Allesee.
Allesee said that opening a place on the water has been a lifelong dream for him and his wife, Shirley Allesee, a retired teacher. Though he knew opening a restaurant wouldn’t be easy, he was eager to be part of the industry.
Allesee’s children and their spouses are all part of the Doc’s family.
The restaurant is kept in order by its manager, Jon Klepp, who is married to Allesee’s daughter, Sara. She and Allesee’s other daughter, Maria Allesee-Sweeney, help with advertising and social media. Both daughters work full-time as teachers.
Maria Allesee-Sweeney’s husband, Dwayne Sweeney, helps out wherever he is needed. He owns his own plumbing company, Greenfield Plumbing, 5530 W Forest Home Ave., Greenfield.
“It is simply great to have a family-owned and run operation. We have been in this community for more than 40 years,” said Allesee.
Along with the docking stations along the Fox River, Doc’s offers a screened-in patio that can accommodate up to 75 people. There are projection screen TVs in the patio area and main dining room and bar areas.
For customers who arrive by car, ample parking is provided in front of the restaurant, as well as street parking.
The menu, under direction of the head chef, Stephen Kohler, offers pub food including a variety of soups, salads and sandwiches and boasts its gourmet burgers. Other menu items include homemade pizzas and a Friday fish fry.
The bar area has a variety of liquors and wines and what Allesee said “is the coldest tap beer in town, because the coolers are set at 36 degrees.” With just over a month since the restaurant opened, Allesee is thrilled by the community’s response.
“The overall experience since our opening on May 13th has been extremely humbling,” he said.
With the river and lake always a popular hotspot for vacationers as well as locals, Doc’s on the Fox hopes to fill the dining gap for places to eat that are accessible by boat. The Hilltop in Tichigan is the only other restaurant that boaters can arrive to by water.
Doc’s takes reservations for parties of eight or more and is booking larger events in its skybar for later this summer.
Doc’s on the Fox is open for dining Sunday through Thursday, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; closed on Wednesdays; and open Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 10 p.m.
The bar is open from 3 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday (closed Wednesdays) and open from noon until close on Friday and Saturday.
For more information, visit Doc’s website at www.docsonthefox.com or call (262) 514-DOCS.
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