How two friends built a legacy of dining across the Inland Northwest

By Like Media Team

John Grollmus and Brad Fosseen have been more than restaurateurs in the Inland Northwest. For nearly three decades, they’ve built a family. The two lifelong friends started with a dream to create a welcoming restaurant and have since expanded their original vision into a community-focused collection of dining spots: Moon Time in Coeur d’Alene, The Porch in Hayden Lake, and The Elk Public House, Two Seven Public House, and El Que in Spokane. Each location is a beloved staple, offering delicious food and a sense of belonging for patrons and employees.

John moved to Spokane in 1974, developing his skills in various restaurants before completing the hotel and restaurant management program at Washington State University. After gaining success in the corporate restaurant world across the West Coast, he returned to his roots, eager to create something unique in Coeur d’Alene. Brad, a Spokane native, has always appreciated the area’s natural beauty and community spirit. His hospitality skills developed through years in the industry, and he shared John’s vision of a restaurant with a warm, local feel.

Their first venture, Moon Time, opened in Coeur d’Alene in 1996, followed by The Elk Public House in Spokane’s South Hill in 1999. A few years later, they launched El Que in 2001, then expanded with The Porch in Hayden Lake in 2003. Their most recent addition, Two Seven Public House, opened in Spokane in 2008. From the beginning, their philosophy has been straightforward: serve high-quality, affordable food in a comfortable atmosphere while prioritizing employees and customers. This guiding principle defines their approach to business.

Their recipe for success goes beyond good food and ambiance—it’s the people who make it possible. With over 100 employees across their restaurants, Brad and John believe that consistency and employee care are the keys to a successful restaurant family. "Employee retention helps create a consistent environment," John explains. "Seeing the same friendly faces and having a long-tenured kitchen staff ensures that guests always experience top-notch service and food.”

This employee-first approach is integral to their business. Brad and John provide competitive pay, health insurance, retirement plans, and paid vacations to make restaurant work a long-term career path rather than just a temporary job. John shares, “It’s important to create stability so that our employees can achieve personal goals—whether buying a house, starting a family, or establishing roots in the community.”

Longtime employees like Chris Schultz, chef and general manager of Moon Time, and Kevin Russel, chef and manager at Two Seven, exemplify the strong bonds within their team. Chris, who has been with Brad and John since the beginning, remains a valued manager and friend. Kevin, who has worked with John since their days as cooks at Schweitzer Mountain, brings his passion and expertise to Two Seven while lending a hand at The Elk as needed. These relationships underscore the sense of family that permeates every level of the business.

Brad and John remain hands-on, regularly spending time in each restaurant to ensure high standards are met. This involvement has cultivated loyal customer bases who appreciate the food and the personal, friendly service. “It’s incredibly fulfilling to meet people who are excited to tell us how much they love our restaurants and how personal they are to them. After all, we may have inadvertently created a corn pasta cult,” says John.

Beyond work, the duo enjoys and supports the beauty of the Inland Northwest. Brad loves boating and fishing on the area’s many lakes, while John is an avid skier and mountain biker. Their connection to the region runs deep, and they strive to keep their business intertwined with the community’s fabric.

With a focus on community, quality, and loyalty, John Grollmus and Brad Fosseen’s family of restaurants continues to be a cherished part of the Inland Northwest. Their dedication to employees and patrons alike has created more than popular dining spots; they've built a legacy of warmth, service, and hospitality that will continue for many years.

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Moon Time

1602 E. Sherman Ave.

#116Coeur d’Alene, ID

208.667.2331

The Porch Public House

1658 E. Miles Ave.

Hayden Lake, ID

208.772.7711

The Elk Public House

1931 W. Pacific Ave.

Spokane, WA

509.363.1973

Two Seven Public House

2727 S. Mt. Vernon St. #5

Spokane, WA

509.473.9766

El Que

141 S. Cannon St.

Spokane, WA

509.624.5412