Savoring Flavor and Fun: The Saucy Scene at 281 in Pingree, ND – Jamestown Sun

PINGREE, N.D. — It all started with catering and subsequently a food truck. At present, Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering has a physical location in Pingree.

Gettin’ Sauced on 281 officially commenced its operations in November.

“We aim for this venue to become what it once was — crowded on Friday and Saturday evenings again with joy and patrons enjoying themselves,” stated Dustin Mittleider, from Pingree, co-proprietor of Gettin’ Sauced on 281 and Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering. “A venue where individuals know they can come and enjoy a delightful meal, good company, and chilled beer.”

Mittleider mentioned that Gettin’ Sauced on 281 merges the warm ambiance of a small community with a vibrant, lively vibe.

“It has a small-town charm where you can still sit down and chat with your neighbor, and it boasts an energetic atmosphere,” he remarked.

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun

Mittleider along with Kevin Wolsky, of Carrington, North Dakota, own Gettin’ Sauced on 281 and Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering.

Mittleider recounted catering a graduation event for one of Wolsky’s children, which was a success. Following that, they discovered a food truck.

“We began traveling, and it was well-received everywhere we went,” Mittleider shared.

A central hub was essential for the catering aspect of Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering, so Mittleider and Wolsky opted to reach out to the previous owner of the building that once accommodated the 281 Stop in Pingree.

Mittleider and Wolsky acquired the building in August and commenced renovations in September.

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun

Mittleider stated that the only remaining original feature inside the building was the bar top.

Renovations involved dismantling a fake ceiling to elevate it, removing the women’s restroom, refurbishing an existing restroom, and repurposing space into two restrooms and a room for pool along with electronic pull tabs. Soundproofing materials were fitted into the ceiling to help minimize noise in the venue.

“There’s still more work to do,” Mittleider noted.

Relocating the pool table to the gaming area allowed for additional seating, he mentioned.

Mittleider expressed that the aim of Gettin’ Sauced on 281 is to transition into a supper club—an establishment where patrons can enjoy “a wholesome, fulfilling meal.”

Gettin’ Sauced on 281 offers a daily menu featuring hot hoagies and chips, along with homemade pizza and flatbread. Additionally, there’s a lunch special from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays.

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun

The bar and grill also features specials such as build-a-burger baskets, burrito night, and steak night.

“We keep changing it so there’s always something new every weekend,” Mittleider remarked.

Mittleider indicated that the Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering menu — including brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and more — is only available twice a month at the newest location.

“We don’t want patrons getting weary of having the same options every single weekend,” he expressed. “The more we mix it up, the more you’ll see a diverse crowd every other weekend.”

He suggested checking Gettin’ Sauced BBQ & Catering’s Facebook page for food specials. He also mentioned a website for the business will be launched soon featuring a monthly calendar detailing its specials.

To expand the menu further, Mittleider and Wolsky are contemplating a kitchen expansion that may be completed by next summer’s end.

“We’re brainstorming a couple of different ideas,” Mittleider shared.

John M. Steiner / The Jamestown Sun

He mentioned potential ideas include building a 20-by-36-foot addition or acquiring a 36-by-38-foot food truck equipped with a prebuilt kitchen to be joined with the building.

“Then we’ll roll out our full menu,” Mittleider expressed.

He noted the menu will feature burgers with a primary focus on steaks.

“We aim to be the top steakhouse in the region so that folks will start saying, ‘Hey, let’s drive out to Pingree for a steak,’” he stated. “Once we launch that, we will likely offer five different steak options. … Following that, we’ll incorporate a bit of our barbecue into the menu.”

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Gettin’ Sauced on 281 is situated at 1750 U.S. Highway 281 in Pingree, North Dakota.

Hours:

• Wednesday and Thursday: 3 to 11 p.m.
• Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. or later if the Minnesota Vikings are playing. The establishment operates on Sundays only from week 1 of the NFL season through the Super Bowl.

Masaki Ova commenced with The Jamestown Sun in August 2021 as a journalist. He was raised on a farm near Pingree, N.D. He majored in communications at the University of Jamestown, N.D.