My name is Jim and I am the owner of the Boneyard Pub & Grille. We opened the restaurant in Mukwonago in 2007. This is a family run business, and many of my family members have worked with me. My passion in the business is using fresh quality products as much as possible. While that is not always the fastest, we always aim for it to be the best. My hobbies include tournament bass fishing and volunteering with 4-H.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I have been married to my wife Barb for 32 years, she is a nurse at Froedtert. We have 3 children, twins who just graduated college this year and the youngest is a junior in high school. You are likely to find my kids Brody, Brianna and Brooklyn working at the Boneyard on a busy Saturday night!
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My original career was in CNC machining, but I chose to open a restaurant because I love good food. What I love most about the restaurant business is trying new items on the menu and getting the reaction from our customers who love it.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
The Boneyard, of course. But my wife and I like to eat out and try new things a lot too at other places.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
We have lived in Vernon for 22 years on my wife’s family farm. The land we live in has been in the family for many generations.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
I remember a guy from Louisiana who was in town for work. He stopped in every day for a week. He asked to speak to the chef, and I was originally worried for a complaint. But he was so excited to talk to me, he loved the Shrimp Po Boy and our Jambalaya, said it was as good as anything you could get in New Orleans.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Florida, to go bass fishing in warm weather
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Yellowstone is my favorite TV Show
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Get a job doing something you enjoy, and show up on time.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Fishing in Costa Rica.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
I listen to a lot of talk radio, but I enjoy Whiskey Meyers, a country rock group.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Its not a business, but fishing on Phantom Lake reminds me of fishing as a kid.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
I would love to have Guy Fieri to the Boneyard for lunch to sample our hot wings with me. We have a stupid hot wing challenge, not many people can get more than 1 down.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I think Midnight Magic is really neat in our community, how the whole town comes together with different activities to celebrate the season with so much to do.
Q: What have you done to make Mukwonago a better place?
I support many different teams and activities and donate to many community events.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully retired some day. While I love to cook, it is really hard to find enough help, and the long hours are tough on the body.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t eat seafood.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Alaskan Cruise
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Thanksgiving! I am all about good food.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
a 10 pound bass!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My customers. When they appreciate my food, it motivates me to keep going.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Lasagna in the smoker
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, my Dog, and a “Honeydo” list
