Tammy Dopp said there were two things she’d never do: own a bar and, even more so, own a bar with a grill. However, as the great John Lennon sang, "Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans."

Hence, despite her pledge, Dopp opened her first bar, Dopp’s, about 16 years ago on Hawley Road. She later went to work at the gift-basket seller Fruit Ranch, was let go and finally realized she was actually pretty good at running a bar and maybe, just maybe, this was her lot in life.

"I wanted to buy my first bar, but the owner didn’t want to sell," says Dopp. "And at the time, I had money and credit and a life … And so I started looking around West Allis. I’m from here, and always been here, other than for a short period of time."

Dopp bought a building, 1753 S. 68th St., that housed a watering hole at the time called Duke’s. It was in disrepair and "very dingy," but when Dopp saw the attractive and still-solid art deco bathrooms, she knew she had to own it.

"Wait until you see the women’s bathroom," says Dopp. "And you’ll understand."

Dopp says the address of the building also struck her because it was the same numerals – 1753 – as her grandma’s address on 71st Street when she was alive.

In early 2009, Dopp closed on the building and opened the second Dopp’s, which was originally busy with workers employed across the street at Metal Technologies. However, by the end of that first summer, the factory closed and Dopp found herself with an empty bar off the beaten path from other West Allis taverns.

"You know how the economy was back then. It’s been a rough, crazy road for me here, but it’s finally starting to get better," says Dopp.

Two years ago, there was finally an upside to the factory closing when the new investor stopped into the bar to introduce himself. He and Dopp have been dating ever since. "Silver lining, as they say," says Dopp.

Today, Dopp says the bar and grill is thriving, with customers ranging from 30 to 80. She also teamed up with the Wisconsin Country Music Association to offer live music and open jams. The next band will perform on May 15.

Adding occasional live music along with expanding the food menu has helped Dopp build her business. She offers a solid selection of burgers, sandwiches and, most recently, pierogi – which are Polish dumplings – by the local business, Stuffed. 

"That was a learning curve for me," says Dopp. "I had never made pierogi before, but they turned out really good I think."

The pierogi are available stuffed with potato, onion or sauerkraut and are sautéed in butter. There’s also a tasty Dopp’s burger on the menu that comes topped with Swiss cheese and sauteed mushrooms with a side of crunchy fries and a sweet offering of a Reese's peanut butter cup and a mini Kit Kat bar.

Dopp’s serves food until 1 a.m. and all of the bartenders double as cooks. Dopp spends a lot of time behind the bar as well as in the kitchen.

"It’s hard to find good bartenders, but I have some good people in here now and it’s working," says Dopp. "I’ve met some of the best people in here. They have given me a lot of ideas. I’m really good at taking an idea and making it happen, not necessarily coming up with the idea, but going for it once it’s suggested."

There’s also a wheel on the wall that guests can spin for $2 and win prizes from a drink to cash. The space is also available for rentals, weddings or baby showers, birthday parties and more.

"I always said I would never own a bar, but here I am, and I’m really liking it now," says Dopp. "This is an up and coming area and things are really getting better."

Dopp’s is open every day from 11 a.m until bar time except Fridays when the bar opens for breakfast at 7 a.m. The breakfast is $5 and different every week. "It used to be a third shift thing, but now I do it just for fun," says Dopp.

Dopp’s will participate in "West Allis A La Carte," a fundraiser and street festival that takes place Sunday, June 5  on 75th Street and Greenfield Avenue.