Ernie’s Boondock

Since opening on the corner of E. Grand and E. Fifth Street in 2019, Ernie’s Boondock has crafted a uniqueness that’s hard to come by with affordable prices, outside-the-box cocktails, a divey interior, a patio to host a food truck on the weekends, and enough space leftover to hold the summer’s nighttime crowds.

Ernie’s is modeled after the old-time bars once found across Iowa that have gone by the wayside in favor of modern, trendy bars. While it isn’t difficult to find dive bars throughout the city, Ernie’s has crafted one inside the previous Daniels Brothers Super Service Station.

Stepping in through the gate on a weekend night, you’ll be met with a no-frills food truck on your right, ready to serve burgers, fries or cheese curds. The open patio has several benches available to take in the recently ordered food or one of Ernie’s specialty beverages.

Making your way inside is akin to walking into a time capsule. Aged barstools line the bar that takes up nearly the entire back wall. Heading past the bar, you will find a set of couches and chairs by a fireplace that rests beneath a giant bison head. 

A Polaroid “wall of fame” of regulars clings to the underside of the cabinets above the bar. 

Once you look down at the available drink options, it might get confusing.

“Egg bomb?” Huh? “Coffee drink?” At this hour? “Daytona Corona?” Are we racing? Whatever you might be thinking is in the egg bomb, think again. Twelve ounces of Hamm’s on tap with a pickled hardboiled egg “bombed” into it. Once you get to the bottom of your glass, bartender Drew might be kind enough to offer salt and pepper for your snack.

The coffee drink takes bargoers in the opposite direction. Made from frozen Folgers coffee and Black Velvet whiskey, it’s still sweet with an ice cream-like consistency and just enough coffee taste to satiate that craving but not enough to remind you of your morning brew.

The Daytona Corona was described as one of the bar’s original cocktails. A play on one of NASCAR’s most popular beverages, prepare to be handed a Miller High Life with a slice of lime. 

Those aiming to avoid the specialty drinks need to look no further than the “Beer and a bump.” The choice of a Rolling Rock, Pabst Blue Ribbon or Old Milwaukee served with a shot of Black Velvet for a mere $5 is sure to get the job done. 

Taking time to look up from the egg at the bottom of your glass, two TV screens behind the bar have had staple programming since the bar opened. On the left, classic “Attitude Era” WWE wrestling matches. On the right, skateboarding mixtapes from Thrasher to Alien Workshop. 

“I had this side and wanted to play wrestling, and Drew had that side, and he wanted to play skateboarding videos. They’re both visually stimulating, so it just kind of stuck,” said, Drew. (Yes, both bartenders are named Drew.) ♦