About Us

serving the local community since 1948.

 

Mark’s East Side has been family owned and operated since 1967. The original building was built in 1948 as a restaurant, called the Normandie. After 19 years, 3 different owners and a couple of fires, the then closed restaurant was purchased by Mark’s parents, Bill and Jan Dougherty in July 1967. They reopened the restaurant and changed the name to “Chef Bills”. Bill (a long standing area chef) ran the kitchen and Jan ran the front of the house for fifteen years with much success and two expansions to the building.

During this time Bill and Jan’s son Mark worked as a dishwasher and bus person. At age fifteen, under the guidance of his father he started cooking. After graduating from UW Oshkosh in 1982, Mark took over the management and business operations of the restaurant. In 1987 Mark decided to put his own stamp on the restaurant with an extensive dining room remodeling and changed the name to Mark’s East Side.

In 2018, Mark partnered in business with Alex Shea. The two have worked along side each other since 2015, when Alex became the restaurant’s head chef. Alex Shea became the sole owner in 2021. He has been in the restaurant industry since the young age of 14, when he started as a dishwasher. Not only did he learn hands on in a restaurant, he also attended Fox Valley Technical College studying culinary arts and hospitality. Family is continually important to this business and Alex says he could not do it without the loving support from his family.

Alex and his staff hope you enjoy your visit with us. We pride ourselves in using the highest quality products and freshest ingredients available. Please come back soon and visit us again with your family and friends.  Next time out, make it Mark’s.

 

Reservations

  • We happily take reservations every single day EXCEPT Friday nights

  • Friday nights are first come first served

  • Reservations can be made months in advance so do not be shy about calling.

 

Private Dining Room

We are thrilled to offer a private dining room which makes for the perfect meeting space, luncheon, or dinner party room!

  • Groups of 25-40 OR a food and beverage minimum of $750

  • Unable to accommodate private room parties on Friday or Saturday nights

  • Screen with projector and microphone are available for use as well