The Fort offers burgers, beer, friendly atmosphere

FORT ATKINSON - Are you getting stir-crazy at home? Take the scenic drive through the rolling hills of Northeast Iowa to the tiny town of Fort Atkinson for a delicious lunch or dinner and beer at The Fort.

 

Ron Gerleman has owned The Fort, located at 100 Oak Street, for the past two years, purchasing it from his brother, Dan. His sister, Pam Severson, also works there.

 

“The Fort has been around for a long time,” Gerleman said. “Years ago, it was a hotel. It’s been a bar since 1972.”

 

The Fort is known for its Flashburger, named after a man nicknamed ‘Flash.’ the Flashburger is a hamburger that is covered with hash browns and cheese. Customers may add mushrooms, green peppers, onions, jalapeno peppers, bacon, and egg. The burger comes in three different sizes (12 oz., 8 oz, or 5 oz).

 

“By the time you add all of that on, you’ve got a really big burger,” Gerleman said.

 

Beyond the Flashburger, Gerleman said customers enjoy the pizza, broasted chicken, boneless chicken wings and grilled chicken salad.

 

The bar features a variety of beverage options, including beer, cider, wine and mixed drinks.

 

Gerleman said that when the COVID-19 pandemic began last year, he had concerns about how the business would be affected.

 

“I was nervous that we might not make it,” he said. “The people of Northeast Iowa erased my doubts in a hurry. The support that they showed was tremendous, and makes me proud to be part of this area.”

 

He continued, “We are currently running business normally. We offer carryout and that’s a big part of the business.”

 

The Fort also features an outdoor patio for those who prefer to dine outdoors.

 

Gerleman said there are rewards and challenges in the restaurant business.

 

“I worked at the bar for the previous two years before buying it from my brother, Dan. The people are the most rewarding. As far as challenges, there is a lot to make this ship run. The most challenging part is staffing.”

 

Currently, Gerleman is preparing for Fort Atkinson’s Rendezvous Days event.

 

“Rendezvous Days will be held in a couple of weeks. We will run some sort of special but not sure what yet.”

 

Gerleman invites the public to come to visit The Fort, enjoy a good meal and drink and make new friends.

 

“I think the Fort is a great place to come for food or if you just want to relax and have a

 

beer or two. People who come to The Fort are genuinely nice people, so you can strike up a conversation with anyone.”

 

The Fort is closed on Mondays. Kitchen hours are 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Bar hours are 10 a.m. until closing hours that vary.

 

Visit The Fort’s Facebook page @thefortIA to keep up with specials and events. The Fort’s telephone number is: 563-358-9006.

 

Gerleman said that he is working on a new menu. In the meantime, current menu items include:

 

Appetizers: Onion rings, cheese curds, mozzarella sticks, mushrooms, fried green beans, fried pickles, mini tacos, a combo platter, chicken strips and nachos supreme.

 

Hot wings include a boneless or bone-in option, with hot, medium, mild, teriyaki, honey, bbq, garlic parmesan and honey mustard sauce.

 

Salads: Chef salad, grilled chicken chef salad and taco salad.

 

Drinks: Coffee, soda (can); soda fountain (free refills); orange juice and milk.

 

From the Bar: Bottled, canned beers and ciders (craft, domestic, imports, several beers, ciders on tap, assorted wines and mixed drinks.

 

Burgers/Sandwiches: Hamburger, cheeseburger, bacon cheeseburger, bacon bleu cheeseburger; mushroom and swiss, patty melt, pizza burger, pork tenderloin, fish sandwich, chicken filet, chicken strip, bacon melt, grilled chicken breast, grilled cheese, grilled ham and cheese, BLT, garlic chicken wrap, sriracha chicken wrap, taco wrap, buffalo chicken wrap.

 

Dinner Specials: Broasted chicken (1/4 or 1/2); two-piece fish dinner, with a choice of potato and side. Either chicken or fish can be ordered gluten-free.

 

Sides: Side salad, coleslaw and cottage cheese

 

Potatoes: French fries, steak fries, Brew City Fries, sweet potato fries, broasted potatoes, baked potato, hash browns and waffle fries.

 

Soups: Soup of the Day (cup or bowl, or home-style; chili (seasonal — cup, bowl or homestyle).

 

Pizza: One topping, two toppings, three toppings, deluxe, taco, BBQ chicken, meat lovers, chicken bacon ranch, garlic cheese bread (extra cheese option); add bacon to any pizza option.

 

Carry-Out Chicken: Sixpiece, eight-piece; 10-piece; 12piece; 14-piece; 16-piece; 18piece; 20-piece. Includes a choice of broasted potatoes or French fries; all white meat or all dark meat orders add $2.00 and 12-inch or 16-inch garlic cheese bread.

 

Gluten-Free Options: Burgers, pizzas (12-inch only) and chicken strips.