Bartender Michael French pumps up the atmosphere with extra jalepenos on the super nachos, extra head on the big beer and a friendly attitude that turns guests into friends.

By Amber Williams

Those who think one Legacy Bar and Grill is just like another never biked the Raccoon River Valley Trail 20 miles from Linden to Waukee, bar-hopping through Redfield and Adel, to find the oasis of Legacy. Legacy in Waukee has more to offer than a convenient parking lot along Hickman Road.

Spandex-clad cyclists roll up in droves, following their noses to the smell of grilled, seasoned meat getting served on the patio that stretches across the front of the bar adjacent to the trail. They dismount and park their bikes in the rack to take a closer look where they spot ice-cold beer frothing over the brim of a frosty mug accompanying plates of super nachos, salads, sandwiches — pretty much anything the palate craves after a long journey across Dallas County (or Polk County, depending on which direction you’re going).

“There’s nothing better than a cold bottled beer on ice except maybe a cold, frosted mug,” said sexy bartender Michael French.

But it’s the food and the bike path that is the Legacy’s real meal ticket, contributing to the majority of its summer traffic. The patio is the biggest in Waukee and its spot right along the bike trail is key, French said.

Although Legacy’s prime location and its patio are nothing new to the locals or travelers along the bike path and Hickman Road, with some recent changes in ownership and management, the bar and restaurant has a few new things to offer. After a four-day hiatus in order to do some painting and slight remodeling, the bar/restaurant re-opened with a new attitude, a fresh look and an enhanced menu, such as fish and chips, three herbs sirloin, Mediterranean pasta and new sandwiches, salads, melts and wraps.

“It’s all home-cooked food, house dressings, homemade onion rings, bourbon sauce and salsa — all homemade in our kitchen,” French said. “The jewel obviously in the summer is the patio, but our thing is really the food.”

French said the restaurant plans to expand to a weekend breakfast menu, and management hopes to bring live entertainment to the patio this summer, too. Although it’s a hot spot among cyclists in the summer, French said he sees people of all sorts bellying-up for various reasons — whether it’s for food, cold beer or the game.

“We’re a nice place where you can have a martini or something like that, if you want, but at the end of the day, you can relax with a cold beer and watch the game, too,” he said. “You walk in any day this summer, and you’ll find the Cubs game on one of the TVs — we’re a Cubs bar. If you don’t know that, you should,” and you will, as its 25-foot projector screen, (possibly the largest in the metro) is always lit up with Cubs action.

“It’s the kind of vibe where everybody blends well here, and I like to keep it fun for everyone,” French said. CV

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Legacy Bar and Grill

87 Carefree Lane N.E., Waukee

(515) 987-6444

Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat.

Happy Hour: 4-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.

Capacity: 139