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Sassy Sows, Special Sauce at Wild Boar

Chef Dave Donner and his small kitchen crew are working to bring big, bold flavors to Hopkins.

Wild Boar opened just after St. Patrick's Day and has been dishing out ribs, pulled pork and other foods at a breakneck pace ever since. Using a kitchen not more than three people deep, Chef Dave Donner has crafted a menu of flavors unique to Main Street.  Chef Donner takes a personal, creative approach to everything that happens in his kitchen and on the floor. He takes particular pride in the two sauces which give a distinct taste to the Sassy Sow, the most popular sandwich on their menu. While he doesn't give a complete recipe, he's eager to share some of the ingredients that make them so special.

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Downtown Hopkins' Wild Boar Celebrates Opening Day

The bar and grill opened Wednesday.

The Wild Boar celebrated its opening day Wednesday.  The bar and grill at 1022 Mainstreet occupies the old Decoys space, a property that has long hosted some variety of bar. The owner has given the restaurant an interior makeover and brought in an exciting new menu. Check back with Hopkins Patch later in the week for a more in-depth look. Hours  

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Check Out the Food at the New Wild Boar Restaurant

Council approved a liquor license Tuesday, keeping the restaurant on track for a March opening date.

Unique burgers, paninis, Cajun favorites and comfort food are just some of the items on the menu of the new Wild Boar restaurant, set to open in the old Decoys space on Mainstreet later this month. “We’ve added a little flavor of everything,” owner Richard Eckert said. Council unanimously approved the restaurant’s liquor license Tuesday—paving the way for the owner’s hoped-for March opening. The liquor license passed with few obstacles. Assistant City Manager Jim Genellie noted the one of the two other restaurants Eckert owns in Buffalo and Brooklyn Park has an above average number of police calls. But Hopkins police were satisfied that Eckert would work with them to keep order. Eckert described how he gives a $250 bonus when one of his …

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'Wild Boar' to Open in Old Decoys Space

The restaurant and bar should be open by March 15.

A new restaurant and bar called the Wild Boar could open in the old Decoys space as early as mid-March. Richard Eckert, who owns Buffalo Bar and Grill in Buffalo and Ciento Tequila Bar and Mexican Kitchen in Brooklyn Park, recently submitted an application for a liquor license in the vacant Mainstreet space. Eckert told Hopkins Patch that the business will feature live bands, a DJ on Thursdays, pull tabs and a lunch buffet. “We’re going to put in good food,” he promised. Eckert aims to open the Wild Boar by March 15, provided there are no delays from an interior remodeling—he said he didn’t like the existing color scheme. The liquor license will go before the City Council on March 1.

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