Chippewa Falls is getting its long-awaited root beer stand.

Thanks to this year's July 4 landing on a Friday, lots of people took advantage of a three-day weekend by swimming, boating, grilling out, and seeing – or avoiding – firework shows. For Dave's Drive-In, the weekend brought a staff orientation. After a years-long journey, the Fish family have pivoted from their original goal of renovating and reopening the old root beer stand in Chippewa Falls, to operating a food trailer at the same site: 12 E Elm St. While the owners have not announced an official opening date, it's clear they're closing in on one, now training cooks, carhops, and other team members (while drumming up excitement for its menu online, asking folks what style of root beer they prefer — whipped cream and cherry on top, or just foam).

Chako Korean BBQ & Hot Pot is (finally) opening.

Since news broke that Eau Claire would be going from zero to two hot pot restaurants in 2024, locals have anxiously awaited both openings. While Hot Pot Barbeque and Sushi – located at the former Old Country Buffet at 2613 E Clairemont Ave. – opened in September last year, little updates were publicly shared about the second restaurant other than, it was still coming. Well, it's official: the Eau Claire Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting for Chako Korean BBQ & Hot Pot (located in the former T.G.I. Fridays at Oakwood Mall) on Thursday, July 17.

Dirty soda has landed in the Chippewa Valley.

If you're an avid TikTok user, former Utah local, or tune into reality TV (specifically, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives), you've probably heard about "dirty soda." Dirty soda is made by combining a base soda, flavored syrups, and cream, served over ice. While not a brand-new invention – Swig, a drive-thru chain and creator of the "original dirty soda," opened in 2010; Italian sodas are made with carbonated water, flavored syrups, and sometimes include cream; other countries and cultures have long combined some sort of carbonated base with dairy products – dirty soda is seeing a big surge in popularity right now. Locally, The Pop Stop – a pop-up dirty soda bar – started up in May, and has appeared at The Spot on Hastings, the Sounds Like Summer Concert Series, and other spots in town.

Jade Garden is moving.

Monk's Bar & Grill (3560 Oakwood Mall Dr.) officially closed its doors after nine years on the south side of Eau Claire on June 16 – and rumors began to swirl that Jade Garden, Eau Claire's longtime Asian-style buffet, may be moving in. Well, according to the Eau Claire Foodies' Eric Koskovich, it's true: Jade Garden (currently located at 3620 Gateway Dr.) will be making the move over to Oakwood Mall Drive with plans to expand its buffet menu. In talking with Jade Garden management, Koskovich said an official date had not yet been nailed down.

Pizza Ranch to reopen with new ownership.

Eau Claire's Pizza Ranch (2451 Truax Blvd.) shut its doors in May this year, citing new ownership would be transitioning in and remodeling the westside restaurant. Through sneak-peeks shared online, the remodel seems to have included some new flooring, new buffet tables, a switch from Coca-Cola to Pepsi machines, and new signage. It doesn't appear the menu will be entirely different than it was months ago; according to an exchange of comments between Pizza Ranch and curious locals, the restaurant "does not have plans to raise prices from what they were (prior to closing)." The official re-opening is slated for Monday, July 14, with doors opening at 11am.