Nutritionists Kimberly and Erin are back with our Nutritional Healing May restaurant review! This month, we headed out for a nostalgic dining experience at Mark’s East Side.
The Hungry Nutritionist
Dining Local | Dining Healthy
Marks East Side

First and foremost, a little history of this restaurant from their website: 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 alongside 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.

With a rich history, they must be doing something right! The service at Mark’s Eastside is consistently top-notch. The staff are friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about ensuring every guest has a memorable meal. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, you’re treated with the same level of warmth and hospitality.
The menu at Mark’s Eastside is a testament to the restaurant’s commitment to quality and flavor. It features a wide range of dishes that cater to various tastes, with a particular emphasis on hearty American and German cuisine. Our waitress went above and beyond with her menu recommendations and also knew we were from Nutritional Healing! Kimberly and Erin ordered the ‘Southwest Cajun Chicken Salad’ and a ‘Southwest Salmon Bowl.’ Both were delicious and there were many more menu items we’d love to try sometime!

Mark’s Eastside is more than just a restaurant; it’s a beloved local institution that captures the heart and soul of Appleton’s dining scene. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night out, Mark’s Eastside offers a dining experience that is both comforting and memorable. With its excellent food, impeccable service, and inviting atmosphere, it’s no wonder this restaurant has remained a favorite among locals and visitors for so long. We highly recommend it!
In closing, as they like to say at the restaurant, “Next time out, make it Mark’s.”

Reservations are available every day except for Friday nights. To learn more about their lunch/dinner menu and hours, check out their website:

https://www.markseastside.com/