91 South Lincoln Street was not only the location of my best friend’s family’s restaurant growing up, it was also the location of my first real job. A lot has changed since the early 2000s and those nights at Sal’s wearing evergreen aprons and snacking on Andes Candies (the treat that was served to diners with their checks). The Tudor style building with the welcoming awning over the entrance has gone through several hands of ownership. Last June, to everyone in Elkhart Lake’s delight, the new owners have made sure that the important things remain. The Full Monty is full of charm, overflowing in hospitality, and menu items that excite diners down the road or flying in for Road America.
This summer marks one whole year since Kelley and Daniel Sadiq have taken the helm at the iconic Elkhart Lake location. Most people would shy away from opening a restaurant on the longest day of the year in a tourist town, but the Sadiq family is heavily seasoned in the high tides of summer business. The Full Monty is their second restaurant in the village, their first one being the locally beloved Off the Rail café. “It’s been a whirlwind”, reflects Daniel. “When we opened the Rail, we were in our 30s. With the Monty, Kelley and I are now in our 50s! I think there’s some forgetfulness that comes with those first hectic months of opening a new place. But overall, it’s been phenomenal.”
Similar to other longstanding family-run establishments, The Full Monty was a dream of the owners made possible by their commitment to the village and their network of local staff and loyal customers. In a town like Elkhart Lake, your staff and your customers often become people you call friends. “We couldn’t have done this without our exceptional team keeping things at Off the Rail running smoothly. The Rail put us on the map and gave us the credibility in town that we needed to take the leap with opening the Monty,” says Daniel. It’s a known fact amongst locals that if you haven’t worked at Off the Rail, your sister or your cousin or your close friends have. This is still the case at the café. It’s this type of community that allows a town of 1,000 people to have such an impressive selection of dining options. “The Monty has that same local energy with an incredible history. You wouldn’t believe how many people who’ve eaten here have told me they worked in this building over the years. Taking over this spot is truly an honor”, says Daniel.
Part of the building’s history that the Sadiqs really leaned into is the downstairs bar area. While the upstairs houses a classic English pub feel, the lower level is The Underground (named after London’s transit system) – a sleeker, yet laidback hangout for post-dinner cocktails, or an aperitif if you prefer that. (Local tip: The Underground also maintains an exceptionally comfortable temperature on hot summer nights!) “I have very fond memories of hanging out in the downstairs bar in the ‘90s,” reminisces Daniel. The minute you take the stairs down to The Underground you’ll be greeted by hip neon signs. In line with the Sadiqs’ business and personal philosophy (much like many of the other village residents), The Underground symbolizes the importance of hard work, but also never missing an opportunity to meet up and swap stories. The downstairs bar is a local hangout as well as a must stop for visitors to the area.
You probably have connected the dots by now – Off the Rail, The Full Monty and The Underground all have an English personality. Daniel hails from the UK, where he and Kelley met in bustling London while working at the same market research company. “It took Kelley and I one lunch together to come up with the name for Off the Rail. For the Monty, we went back and forth for months! We just couldn’t seem to agree at first”, Daniel chuckles. In the end, the couple landed on The Full Monty, a cheeky comedy that is Kelly’s favorite English film. “In England ‘the full monty’ is also an expression for the whole nine yards. Which tied in perfectly with the type of menu we were trying to create”, explains Daniel.
“Kelley has always been a phenomenal cook,” remarks Daniel. “She grew up in a military family and experienced a lot of different places and cuisine because of that. She was raised with incredible recipes from her mum and has continued keeping those alive in our family’s kitchen.”On Daniel’s side of the family, food has also been an important tradition. Patrons of the Monty will notice that in addition to comfort pub fare, you will find something a little outside of the typical Sheboygan County flavor profile – curry! Curry is a mainstay on menus throughout England due to the country’s historical relationship with India. The Sadiqs’ relationship with the dish goes all the way back to 1920, when Daniel’s grandmother opened one of the early curry houses in London.
“When I was working at Siebkens in the ‘90s, I remember my friends and I taking trips down to Chicago to try to get a good curry”, reminisces Daniel. “I think now there’s multiple different places between here and Sheboygan where you can get a good plate.” On the Full Monty menu there is currently a red lentil curry, chicken tikka masala, Thai panang chicken curry, and Thai peanut pork noodles. “The chicken tikka masala and the Thai panang curry are two of our top sellers on the menu right now”, says Daniel. The inclusion of the curries on the menu adds the perfect amount of color and spice to the Elkhart Lake restaurant scene. And if you prefer something a little closer to home? Not to worry. The kitchen also serves up reliable pub plates including three different burgers, bangers and mash, and schnitzel. And for those like me who crave the nostalgia of Sal’s Elkhart Inn, Kelley and Daniel included the haystack onion rings on the appetizer list.
On Friday nights, you can enjoy the ultimate intersection of Wisconsin and England tradition – a fish fry or as the English call it – fish and chips. The Monty serves beer battered cod every Friday. “We’re not really a supper club, and we’re not just a pub. We’re more of a supper pub”, smiles Daniel. Whether operating a supper club or a pub, or a little bit of both, in the 53020 zip code, it requires the same ingredients to become a local favorite with a lasting legacy – dedicated owners and staff who love the village. Kelley and Daniel make everyone who walks through the door a part of their business’s story. Whether you see them at Off the Rail or the Fully Monty, don’t be surprised if they remember your most recent order or pick up the conversation you had with them the last time you were in.
Another aspect that makes the Monty a favorite in town is its approachable atmosphere in every season. Everyone in Elkhart Lake knows that summers are short yet mighty. They come and go in a flash. When the nights become longer, it’s the cozy corners like the bar and fireplace at the Monty that carries villagers through the quieter months. Once the leaves turn, everyone from the local businesses will exchange notes about yet another busy season they all made it through. “One of the best parts of Elkhart is dining at one another’s restaurants. There isn’t a salty competitive energy here. We all need one other to get through the summer together”, says Daniel.
The Full Monty is celebrating its first anniversary this year on the week of summer solstice. Book your family a table and take in the energetic buzz of Elkhart Lake summer. It’s this kinetic pulse that fuels the soul of the village and every entrepreneur who’s taken a chance here. As soon as you walk through the doors, you will feel what living the Elkhart Lake way means – a long held respect and ongoing celebration of history and hospitality.
Meet The Author
Kate Vollrath was born and raised in Elkhart Lake. Although she now spends most of her time in Northern California, Wisconsin will always be home. The incredible local culture, extraordinary community, and Sundays spent floating on the water are what keep her rooted and returning to her favorite freshwater shoreline.
