About Us

WILDER'S

STEAKHOUSE

WILDER'S ~ A HISTORIC JOPLIN LANDMARK SINCE 1929

Wilders has been a fixture of the downtown area

opening as Jay L. Wilder's Drug Store,

addressed as 224 Main.

A simple dirt road and railway going through the heart of Joplin, Missouri.

Later during the 1930's thru 1945 Wilder's operated at 1216 Main Street as a restaurant featuring buffet style dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

A full bar was also available except during the years of the prohibition.

In 1946, Vern Wilder expanded the operation with a complete renovation of the

two story brick building at an expense of $50,000 dollars.

The renovation included a beautiful 40 ft mahogany bar and high back booths

both still exist in the main dining room today.

The cafe style restaurant was one of only a few that offered breakfast, lunch

and dinner seven days a week to the growing town of Joplin.

The restaurant had a large kitchen that stretched across the entire back of the building.

This is where the areas finest chefs offered an extensive menu of fine foods,

including several fresh bakery items.

Wilders also featured private dining in the two large banquet rooms downstairs,

and another upstairs.

An additional upstairs area featured a gambling parlor for a number of years

until local and federal authorities closed down the operation.

Vern Wilder's successful downtown restaurant continued to serve the Joplin area until 1976.

Soon after in 1977, Clarence Burgraff bought Wilder's

continuing to operate the full scale facility for several years before downsizing the restaurant. Under the name Wilder's Old Time Bar & Grill,

the Burgraffs had a good run in the business offering a wide variety of menu items for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a week.

In October of 1996 the Burgraff family sold Wilders to us,

we had been operating The Kitchen Pass Restaurant and Bar since 1986,

which existed as a result of the downsizing of Wilders in the early 1980's.

Exactly 50 years after Vern Wilder had renovated the areas most popular restaurant,

we took on the challenge to restore Wilders to is original design.

We brought back the original atmosphere by refinishing the 40 ft mahogany bar and exposed the original 16 ft ornamental tin ceilings that had been hidden for so many years.

Currently, Wilders Steakhouse is open for dinner Monday thru Saturday

and features casual fine dining in the main room

with private facilities to the north and south.

Hand cut steaks, chops, ribs and fresh seafood highlight the menu

along with nightly dinner specials from our chef.

An extensive wine list as well as a full service bar

are available to compliment your dinner selections.

Wilders has withstood the test of time in the growing and everchanging city of Joplin,

we urge you to come in and see why people come to us

for unique and memorable dining.

As we celebrate our 25 years in the restaurant business in Joplin

we invite you to join us for a casual meal at

Kitchen Pass Restaurant and Bar, 1212 Main Street

a more refined dining experience at

Wilder's Steakhouse, 1216 Main Street

It has been a true joy to serve the people of this area

and travelers, just passing through.

Mike and Marsha Pawlus, Owners

HOURS

Monday - Thursday

5:00-9:30pm

Friday - Saturday

5:00-10:00pm

Sunday Closed

Please call for your reservation today

417-623-7230 or e-mail mapawlus@hotmail.com

Wilder's Steakhouse is located in Joplin's Historic Downtown Area

1216 South Main Street

Joplin, Missouri 64801

Driving Directions from Interstate-44 West: from Springfield, MO

Exit 8B - Exit to the right towards Hotel district, continue north on Rangeline 1.7 miles to

15th St., turn left (west) on 15th St. then 2.0 miles to Main St., turn right (north),

two blocks to 1216 S. Main. Wilders is on the west side of the street.

Driving Directions from Interstate-44 East: from Oklahoma

Exit 6 - (43 North) Turns into Main St., go north 2.8 miles to 1216 N. Main St.

WILDER'S STEAKHOUSE

ESTABLISHED 1929