For the Pros
HEY! You there! Yes, you – the talented and aspiring professional who reads good magazines. Are you looking for a professional edge? Then I humbly request that you keep the following key to success a secret: IT’S TREATING YOURSELF TO T.J. HOOLIGAN’S!
Like their neighbor Optum across the street, T.J. Hooligan’s is in the business of taking care of people. They just do it in a different way: with warm service, a full bar, and a kitchen that has honed the finest cuisine there is – pub du Midwest – for over 40 years.
“C.H. Robinson. Starkey. UNFI. UnitedHealthcare. Our second location is right in those and many other major businesses’ backyards. That has made us a popular spot for lunch, as well as the happy hour which we host every day from 2:30 until 5:30pm,” said Michael Newlin, proprietor.
“We may serve food fast, but that’s where any similarity to fast food ends. Everything’s made from scratch in our kitchen, right down to the ranch for the Buffalo wings. We’re also a much better deal than fast food, with $1 off all apps and drinks during happy hour plus a round-the-clock three percent discount when you pay cash.”
For the Pooches
Are you looking for Eden Prairie’s dog-friendliest patio? A snug little section of creation overlooking the sunset, where your pooch can attempt mooching flew-flappingly good grub from you? Then howl it with me: LET’S ALL GO TO T.J. HO-O-O-O-OLIGAN’S!
T.J. Hooligan’s big patio welcomes dogs seven days out of the week. It especially welcomes them on Wednesdays, which become “Puppies on the Patio” starting at 4pm (until it snows, to the chagrin of huskies). That’s when Eden Prairie’s most hospitable set down bowls of ice water, hand out T-R-E-A-T-S, and otherwise treat dogs to dogly good times.
“We’re very proudly pro-dog here at T.J. Hooligan's,” said Michael. “We discovered that Eden Prairie didn’t have an ordinance allowing dogs on restaurant patios shortly before our grand opening a year ago. Eden Prairie’s own city government seemed equally surprised to hear it! But just a couple of weeks after promising to take action, Mayor Case and City Council unanimously approved the ordinance allowing us to serve that noblest of all guests: dog."
For the Sports Fans
Let me ask you something. Do you enjoy … fun? Then you will love having it at T.J. Hooligan's, where the greatest football team on earth – the Vikings, because they are Minnesotan – is celebrated properly: on 70-inch televisions everywhere, and on a somehow-even-larger 85-inch television behind the bar.
“Vikings game days are go time at T.J. Hooligan’s,” said Michael, whose devotion to Skol Nation is absolute. “That’s when we offer the king of all deals: a large pizza and a pitcher of beer for just $25, plus $4 domestic pints.”
In the highly unlikely event that the Vikings haven’t taken an extreme lead by halftime, your spirits will be bolstered by the free raffle. “The halftime raffle is a cherished tradition here,” Michael continued. “We give away prizes like Vikings jerseys and other merch, plus gift cards to a great local business (i.e. our own). What more could you ask for?”
For the Music Bingo
MUSIC BINGO? What’s that? Like … bingo, but with music?
“That’s exactly what it’s like!” explained Michael. “We play 30-second clips from popular music, one after the other. If you hear ‘Push,’ ‘New York State of Mind,’ ‘Come Sail Away,’ ‘In da Club,’ and the ‘The Ballad of Jed Clampett’ – and line them all up on your card – then congrats! You win a fabulous prize!”
T.J. Hooligan’s hosts Music Bingo every Friday night beginning at 9pm. If you only want to hear good music, then you can instead attend Music Bingo: Boomer Edition which begins at 2:30pm every other Sunday, unless the Vikings are playing on Sunday in which case it’s held on Saturday, except during a lunar eclipse when it’s…
…you know what? It would be a lot easier if you just checked out T.J. Hooligan’s upcoming events on their Eden Prairie location’s Facebook page. You can also learn interesting things at TJHooligans.com, though the greatest rewards await those who visit 6411 City West Parkway.