Bill’s in Clayton by Joleen Jansen
 

Kim Kuehl is a one woman show on the Mississippi River, running what has become her parent’s legacy.  Bill’s Boat Landing is quaintly, nestled in between the waters of the Mississippi and the river’s bluff in Clayton. Kim, a single mother of adorable, three year old Kaitlyn, owns and operates the business her parents began building in 1976. The business started small and was the beginning of a dream comes true for Kim’s parents Bill and Barb Kuehl. According to Kim they had owned a cottage in Frenchtown and “river people” that they were they saw a need for a riverfront bait shop, bar, convenience shop and fueling station. After Bill had completed 20 years as a U. S. tobacco salesman, the humble beginnings of Bill’s Boat Landing, began. Over the years the small service station grew into a full scale restaurant and the building itself transformed into a scenic overlook of our county’s most majestic attribute the Mississippi River.

 “Customers love to dine looking out the windows, and of course we serve drinks and our appetizer menu on our outdoor patio,” comments, Kim Kuehl. The outdoor patio overlooks the two large docking piers which on a weekend boating customers patiently wait in the channel for a space to dock before walking up for a delicious meal. Yet, while customers continue to wait every weekend, Kim adds, “Someone is always pleading for more docking space.”  The outdoor patio sports several bird feeders a tradition Kim continues in honor of her father, Bill.

 Over the past seven years, both Bill and Barbara have passed away. Teary eyed, Kim says, “When I talk about the restaurant I feel very strong about giving credit where credit is due.” This is why every customer can read the brief history and tribute to the elder Kuehl’s on the cover of the newly designed, sharp and sleek menu. “I can talk about my parents to almost everyone and I try to be very strong, but yet their memory is like, right here for me.”

 Kuehl works very hard to honor the traditions her parents established in the restaurant. She is the main cook, doing the majority of the cooking. “The quality and the consistency of the food is critical and of course good hospitality is essential,” adds Kuehl. The ’93 Kirkwood and ’98 Upper Iowa, business graduate has a lot of support on that end.  Don Christensan owner of the local Clayton Bed and Breakfast helps out by tending bar at Bill’s a few nights a week, Maggie Collins works full time during the day shift tending bar and running the front of the restaurant. Beth Helmrichs has worked at Bill’s for the past ten years as wait staff, and Wanda Echard works as the night and weekend bartender. Pam Frye a close family friend helps keep the newly established soup and salad bar stocked with fresh homemade salads and soups.

 When asked about customer favorites Kim notes the burger baskets are probably the biggest seller. But people wait on Saturday and Sundays for the delicious breakfast menu options. People love the omelets served complete with the “best Bloody Marys on the Mississippi.” The bloody mary mix is prepared fresh on site and was a secret recipe of Bill’s.

 Bill’s Boat Landing serves nightly specials starting on Wednesday, including all you can eat Alaskan Walleye on Fridays and steak night on Saturday.  The homemade American fries are still prepared as meticulously as Barb did years ago and are excellent and portion sizes are always very generous.

 Kim works very hard to run a very clean operation she concentrates on serving food with only the freshest, most wholesome ingredients. 

 The final review is great for Bill’s Boat Landing it is has a spacious dining area, offers a unique, dining opportunity for drive in and boating customers alike. The place to go for a quiet dinner on the river, a fun filled Saturday night of entertainment, an early morning weekend breakfast or a reasonably priced family meal.