The Wonder Bar Steakhouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

Nearly Eight Decades of Tradition

The Wonder Bar Steakhouse has been a fixture in Clarksburg, West Virginia, since John and Betty Folio first opened its doors in 1946. What began as a small intimate dance hall grew, generation by generation, into the region's most enduring fine dining destination. The Folio family stewarded the restaurant for over six decades before passing ownership to Daniel Watts and local businessmen Manny and David Alvarez in 2012 — a transition that brought significant reinvestment without abandoning the traditions that made the place beloved.

Under current ownership, the building received a thorough transformation: a state-of-the-art kitchen, a rough-cut stone façade, a cedar beam entrance, expanded indoor dining space, multiple private rooms, an outdoor fire pit area, and a scenic dining patio. The bones of a classic steakhouse remain; the surroundings simply caught up.

The Food

The kitchen's focus is straightforward and uncompromising. Steaks and chops are hand-cut and grilled to order with the restaurant's own signature seasoning blend — a combination that loyal guests have described for years as "the best-tasting steak anywhere." Seafood receives equal care: each selection is inspected by the culinary team before service, with fresh crab cakes made daily and South African Rock Lobster Tails among the standout offerings. Pasta rounds out a menu that positions this steakhouse as something broader than a single-note chophouse.

A Wine List Worth Recognizing

Wine Spectator has recognized The Wonder Bar Steakhouse with its Award of Excellence continuously, a reflection of a list that draws from every corner of the globe. By-the-glass pours span Mosel Riesling, Barossa Shiraz, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, and Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, while the bottle list extends deep into Burgundy, Bordeaux, the Rhône, Australia, and Argentina. Ports, Sauternes, and dessert wines round out the selection for those who linger. For a steakhouse in West Virginia, the breadth is genuinely impressive.

Beyond the Dining Room

The Wonder Bar is equally well-equipped for private occasions. Multiple private dining rooms, a wine cellar, and the outdoor patio make it a practical choice for engagement dinners, holiday parties, and corporate events. On- and off-site catering extends that hospitality further, with menus tailored to the occasion and the same level of service guests expect at the restaurant itself.