Two locations, one mission: Dunmire’s provides exceptional food and stress-free experience

BY JODIE NORQUIST

Chris Dunmire has been catering weddings since he was 14 and working for his father. With a lifetime of experience and a talented crew at both his restaurants, Dunmire’s Bar and Grill in East Brainerd, and Dunmire’s On The Lakes on North Long Lake, he and his team can cater and host any event, large or small.

Are you searching for a venue to host a special party or event? Or is your dream wedding spot on a beach or in a wooded (yet close to town) location? If so, Dunmire’s can accommodate both types of “up north” wedding experiences. Dunmire’s Bar and Grill in East Brainerd offers a grassy, wooded outdoor area for weddings and other parties, while Dunmire’s On The Lakes is quickly becoming a popular wedding destination for couples who want a beach wedding or a lakeside wedding reception in the Brainerd Lakes area. The North Long Lake restaurant features 700 feet of lakeshore plus a nearby rental house that can sleep up to 15 guests.

Dunmire’s, with two locations, has the

Dunmire’s has the best food around. They offer over 120 food items couples can choose from for their wedding guests. Their menus are designed to ensure there is something for everyone. Quality food is essential for every special event. After all, the food is something your guests will remember long after your wedding day.

“Everyone wants good food at their wedding,” Dunmire explains. “Anything to do with feeding them and partying, we’ve got it.”

Burgers, pizzas, pasta, ribeye steak, walleye, lobster and seafood platters are among their many offerings. You’ll always find your favorite meal on the menu at a Dunmire’s restaurant. In fact, Dunmire’s On The Lakes was featured on “America’s Best Restaurants Roadshow” in 2023 because of its quality food, its lakeside location and its well-earned reputation as a local, independently-owned restaurant in the Brainerd lakes area.

Not only is quality food important for a successful wedding or other event, but it’s equally important to Dunmire that these parties are stress-free for the hosts. He wants couples accommodate couples who want a dressy, formal wedding or an informal party where everyone arrives by boat in shorts and T-shirts.

Dunmire understands how overwhelming event planning can be, especially for those planning the perfect wedding. Your venue is important. It sets the stage for your entire celebration. The wedding couple must navigate many decisions along the way, including budget considerations. After years spent working in the restaurant industry, he understands what guests want and need from the venue. That’s why Dunmire’s is a “one-stop shop.” His staff will work with wedding parties to make sure everything runs seamlessly.

“We’re super easy to get a hold of any time of day,” Dunmire says. “It’s an easy process to work with us. We work on your terms.”

Wedding couples sometimes forget about one crucial aspect of wedding venue planning: accessibility. Fortunately, both Dunmire’s locations are easily accessible from both major highways that run through Brainerd, yet still provide that “up north” feel that couples want for their wedding day in the Brainerd lakes area. The East Brainerd restaurant is located right off Highway 210, while the North Long Lake restaurant is on Highway 371 north of Baxter, both close to many hotel options. Not only are both locations accessible by car (and by boat on North Long Lake), but both restaurants offer close parking and a variety of seating options. Want to get married on the beach with your elderly grandparents able to sit on the deck above and watch the entire ceremony? Dunmire’s On The Lake can offer these types of essential accommodations. Everyone should feel comfortable and enjoy themselves on your special day.

Dunmire emphasizes his team will work with you to create the type of wedding or special event you envision. They want your wedding to feel authentic for you. If you aren’t sure what you want, they can also help when you don’t know where to begin. Your first step is to give them a call.

Contact Dunmire’s On The Lakes at 218-454-0690 or Dunmire’s Bar and Grill at 218-454-0625. For more information or to check out their menus, including weekly specials, visit dunmiresbar.com.