The Garage, Burgers and Beers, is the newest restaurant in Stillwater, having opened less than a month ago. It might seem like a risky move for The Garage to have moved in less than a block away from the world-famous Eskimo Joe’s, but as the past few weeks have shown, Stillwater is big enough for two burger joints in the heart of the OSU campus.Â
You’ll find things on The Garage’s menu such as $5.99 grilled jalapeno bacon cheeseburgers and $6.99 fish taco combos. Instead of pumpkin spice lattes, you’ll find the Fall Mule, a seasonal twist on the traditional Moscow Mule, and a $2 domestic beer happy hour from 3-6 p.m. everyday.
Brandon Kistler, a managing partner for The Garage, explains how Stillwater was a natural choice for expansion.
“We love college towns,” Kistler said. “We’re trying to grow the brand and already have locations in Norman, and several in the Oklahoma City area, and even in Fayetteville [Arkansas]. When the site for the Stillwater store opened up this past year, we loved it, and it made a lot of sense.”
The Garage was originally slated to open this past summer, but delays saw it opening halfway through the football season, which is a tough time to dive in to any restaurant opening. However, based on the enthusiasm and sales for The Garage in Stillwater in its first weeks, the late opening doesn’t seem to have held it back. As Kistler says, they “started off with a bang.”
The atmosphere at The Garage is laid-back and fits in well with the college lifestyle. When you walk in, you immediately place your order with one of the friendly cashiers. You get a table number and find a place to sit at the bar, in the main room or its side room, which is suited to hold larger groups. When you’re done with your meal, you’re free to leave whenever you’re ready – no waiting to pay for your tab.
There are tons of big screens to watch OSU athletics events on, and if you look around the restaurant, you’ll find little quirks, such as two-foot-tall Star Wars figurines keeping an eye on things or old-school gas station signs and memorabilia, a throwback to the restaurant’s name.
“I love working at The Garage because the atmosphere is so fun for me and the other students who work here,” Crissy Clemons, an OSU elementary education junior and Garage bartender, said. “They have great burgers and beers, and there’s always something to keep you entertained. What more could you ask for?”
For more information about The Garage, visit http://www.eatatthegarage.com/