New Woody’s Roadhouse aims for family theme

What was once a place known for its live music and bar scene will become a completely different venue.

Woodbury’s Throwbacks is now “Woody’s Roadhouse,” named after the new ownership group that will change the entire concept.

General Manager David Harvey said the concept has been in the making for three months.

“Throwbacks was very much an entertainment venue that had bar food,” he said. “Woody’s Roadhouse is a company opposite to that in the sense that the focus is on family and food.”

The restaurant will still have live music on Fridays and Saturdays, but it will not charge a cover, he added.

New head chef Steven Schulz comes to Woody’s Roadhouse from North Coast in Wayzata. He said the menu is completely different with fresh foods, healthy kids’ options and fresh steaks.

“It’s a very simple menu but it’s done well,” Schulz said.

The principal owner of Throwbacks remained the same and was joined by few local investors to develop Woody’s Roadhouse LLC.

Harvey said the owners decided to “bring to Woodbury what it’s been looking for” in the 14,000 square foot venue.

The old Throwbacks closed two weeks ago to start the remodeling.

The new Woody’s Roadhouse will have new flooring, a kids’ game room, a new bar and a more open floor plan, Harvey said.

The old bar used to have a game room closed off by brick, which has been gutted and will be converted to serve a different purpose.

A number of new servers were added to staff so that each can now take smaller sections, Harvey said.

The staff went from 20 employees to 65, he added.

The restaurant will also serve a different special each night of the week.

The old bar had 10 beers on tap, which will change to 26 and a total of 75 with bottles, Harvey said.

He added that the menu will come with a wine list that’s chosen to complement the food.

Woody’s Roadhouse will still have a dart board and a pool table, Harvey said, as well as weekend entertainment.

“We’re still going to cut it loose on Friday and Saturday night,” he said. “It’s just no longer our focus.”

Tags: business, woodbury