Tappa’s Steak House gives you something ‘better than you expected’
By Laura Anderson Shaw,
DAVENPORT — Nearly three decades ago, Cliff and Jan Tappa began a mission to revive the Sports Page bar in Davenport.
“My dream down here was when you walk in, to give you something better than you expected,” Mr. Tappa said.
The bar, since renamed Tappa’s Steak House, still is going strong and will note its 30th anniversary this month.
Mr. Tappa has worked in the restaurant business since graduating from Assumption High School in the mid-1960s. Born in Chicago, he was raised in Kenosha, Wis., before his family moved to the Quad-Cities when he was 14.
After graduation, Mr. Tappa put himself through St. Ambrose College by working as one of a few partners at Mr. Steak in Davenport. That’s where he met his wife, who also worked there.
From the mid- to late-1970s, Mr. Tappa cooked at Ben’s Gourmet House in Rock Island before the couple moved to Arizona because “we needed a change,” Ms. Tappa said.
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Meanwhile, Mr. Tappa’s brother, Gene, opened the Sports Page bar at 1620 Rockingham Road, Davenport. In November 1981, Gene was shot and killed during a robbery at the bar. Mr. Tappa’s other brother, Jim, said the bar would be “thrown to the wolves” unless Mr. Tappa returned to take it over.
“I thought, ‘I can’t let this happen,’ ” Mr. Tappa said, adding this his initial idea was to return to the Quad-Cities, revive the bar, and then go back to Arizona. “But that didn’t happen.”
A friend who was a certified public accountant told Mr. Tappa he was wasting his time on the bar, but Mr. Tappa said he “took that as a challenge.”
Mr. Tappa said Gene’s dream was to have a sports bar where his friends could hang out. After he took over the bar following his brother’s murder, Mr. Tappa began offering food, starting with steak and lobster for $9 or $10 a plate.
While it took a long time, a lot of patience and hard work, the food is now what the spot is known for, Ms.
Tappa said, adding that “we just refused to give up.”
Mr. Tappa said the couple toyed with moving the restaurant to another part of town, but decided to stay put.
He said his shoulder surgeon often sent out-of-town colleagues to the restaurant for a steak when they were in town.
The reaction always was the same, he said. They would think, this “can’t be the place,” after pulling into the parking lot, but once that rib eye with mushrooms and hash browns hit the table, the light bulbs started going off.
“‘This IS the place,'” Mr. Tappa said.
By the mid-’90s, he said “there was encouragement. I was paying my bills … I saw hope.”
The couple removed the pool table, jukeboxes and high-top tables, did some painting and made it look more like a family-friendly restaurant.
Then, “business started to build up,” Mr.
Tappa said. “We were getting repeat customers” and word was spreading.
The biggest change came in 2005 when Sports Page was renamed Tappa’s Steak House. “That told people that it was a restaurant, not a bar,” Mr. Tappa said.
While business is booming, Mr. Tappa said that doesn’t mean it’s time to relax. “No, this is the time to get better.”
He said he’s “picky” about the meat the restaurant serves, and even though the couple owns the place, he cooks several nights a week while Ms. Tappa works as hostess and waitress.
“I care,” Mr. Tappa said, taking a break in a chair in the dining room. “I want to make sure you come in here, and you get a good meal.”
It was a Friday afternoon, and while his wife talked with customers, Mr. Tappa scamned photos of friends and family at the bar over the years.
Those employees, friends, family and the community helped them get to where they are today, he said.
“Now I feel like I’m living the dream.”
Living the dream
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Private Party Room – Rodizio Grill Brazilian Steakhouse Henderson – Event Venue Rental
About this space
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm
Minimum spend pricing
PA system / music speakers
Alcohol licence extension
Own music allowed
Promoted / ticketed events
If you’re looking for a modern and spacious private party room for your next event in a Brazilian Steakhouse, then look no further!
Our private party room at the Brazilian restaurant has enough space to accommodate up to 52 people and is equipped with tables, chairs, and all the necessary amenities.
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Prices
Per session
11:00 am –
8:30 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
12:00 pm –
9:00 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
12:00 pm –
9:00 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
12:00 pm –
9:00 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
12:00 pm –
9:00 pm
from
$1500
min.
spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
12:00 pm –
10:00 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Per session
11:00 am –
10:00 pm
from
$1500
min. spend
Note:
Alcohol licence until 9:00 pm.
All prices include sales tax.
$200 Deposit
Capacity
Standing
up to 60
Dining
up to 52
Catering and drinks
In-house catering
External catering not allowed
Venue provides alcohol
BYO alcohol not allowed
Facilities
Flatscreen TV
Natural light
Free on-street parking
Paid parking facilities available nearby
Projector
Whiteboard
Flipchart
Conference call facilities
Air conditioning
Storage space
Accommodation available
Music & sound equipment
PA system / music speakers available
Own music allowed
Bring your own DJ
Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible
Rules of the space
Allowed events
Promoted / ticketed events
Loud music / events
Wedding licence
Temporary event notices (TENs) available
Host rules
-No smoking in the building
From mouthwatering rotisserie-grilled meats and unique salads to exquisite homemade desserts Rodizio Grill stays true to authentic Brazilian cuisine.