Award-winning chicken wings from Minnesota have landed in Stuart, at J. Michael’s Tavern & Grille. When owner Jeff Michael Groth was based in his home state, the signature wings enjoyed a four-year winning streak at the Minnesota State Fair. Now Floridians can savor the flavor at J. Michael’s, which opened in the Riverside Shoppes near the Roosevelt Bridge this past April.
“I want people to come in and say, ‘These are the best wings I’ve ever had,’” says Groth, who teases that the recipe is a secret he’ll take to the grave. After 50 years in the food biz, the serial restaurateur says he attempted to retire but got antsy. The 66-year-old Fort Pierce resident decided to resurrect his J. Michael’s brand, which debuted in 1985 in Minnesota and grew to 14 locations in multiple states. After the last one closed down in 2002, the brand remained dormant until now.
The tasty wings come with a variety of sauce and rub options, including honey garlic, Jamaican, teriyaki, and barbecue, and can be ordered by 8, 16, or 6 (during happy hour).
Other menu items include handhelds like The Legend, a grilled roast beef sandwich with pepper jack cheese and tomato on a jumbo croissant, which Groth says has been around since the eatery’s inception. Another popular handheld is the grilled cheese sandwich with homemade bean chili served on Texas toast.
On the specialty menu, a new dish pays homage to Groth’s German ancestry: the chicken schnitzel, available as a sandwich or a platter, has become the restaurant’s bestseller. The breaded, deep-fried chicken breast with lemon aioli comes with a choice of two sides, like homemade pasta, potato salad, coleslaw, and out-of-the-ordinary fries. “It’s called a swirl fry,” says Groth, who uses a mandoline to slice a baked potato, which is then breaded and deep-fried to perfection.
Outside on the patio, guests can enjoy frozen drinks and margaritas, plus a variety of martinis—like the Ava Marie’tini, named for Groth’s neighbor and featuring citron vodka, pomegranate simple syrup, and lemon juice. Or try the frisky Porn Star Martini, made with vanilla vodka, passion fruit, simple syrup, and prosecco.
Groth revamped the interior with a charcoal gray ceiling, brick-motif walls, and a display of his personal sports and music memorabilia. There is live music on the weekends and more than 20 TVs to watch games, but Groth says he leans toward a mellow vibe, with the volume low enough for guests to hold a conversation.
715 NW Federal Hwy., Stuart; 772.261.8002
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