We were stuck in a Holiday Inn room between the pool and the hallway in Detroit Lakes, Minn., when the alarm went off on NFL Kickoff Weekend Sept. 9. The Steelers were about four hours from kick-off, and about four hours and 10 minutes from destroying the Browns.

I live in Philadelphia, having recently moved here for work. I was back in Minnesota for my childhood friend Mitch’s wedding, but the trip back was largely predicated on my attendance at the Steelers Fans of Minnesota’s quasi-rebirth at The Tavern on the Avenue (825 Jefferson Ave. St. Paul, MN) after several years at The Starting Gate just a few miles down the road.

Readers who remember me from the Steelers Fever days might recognize the Gate, as it was the site of many of datelines, most particularly, Super Bowl XL, for me and SteelerBro.

I woke up that morning (in slight pain) excited for the game, but even moreso to see the new Steelers Headquarters of the Twin Cities. From my perspective, the Starting Gate had become an embodiment of the Steelers in 2006 -  cold, disappointing and without the ability to make a decent grilled cheese sandwich.

Through the 2004 season, it had been run by someone who was interested in providing a venue for Steelers fans to watch games on Sundays. We didn’t ask much; hot food brought to us in less than two hours from time of order, working TVs and a desire to turn the thermostat dial to the right every now and again during a freezing Minnesota winter.

New ownership took over in 2005 and apparently wasn’t interested enough in the money 120+ people brought in each Sunday.

I’ll save a long rant about waitresses accusations, or owners refusing to take food orders while he stands behind the bar feeling good about himself. I’ll just say it was with much excitement when we learned that we would no longer have to visit that shithole dive establishment.

I know I will never go there again.

The smart business people at the Tav on the Av decided that packing 120 people in a bar to drink beer, eat food (that actually made it through the oven or grill) and spend money hand over fist if given the opportunity to watch the Black and Gold on Sundays was, in fact, a good business decision.

So the club transported itself to the Tav on the Av. Since I am in Philly (note for future: I will visit a few Steelers clubs in and around this area), I knew I would only get to see this on the season opener and around holidays, so I was excited, but hadn’t built myself up too much.

I went there Sunday after a 3.5 hour long drive, and immediately, upon entering, was upset I wouldn’t be a regular visitor.

It has sort of a country-western bar feel in its layout (or maybe it’s just that building itself sits far away from anything else). Very cozy, inviting, yet, vast with plenty of convenient parking and places to sit.

There isn’t a bad seat in the joint, and as Mayor Paul (the head of the club, along with Glenn and Laura Leonberger, and Webmaster Brad “Cody” Jones) informed Die Hard Steel, better TVs are coming. Not that the ones they have are bad, but let’s look at it this way: It’s not that Heath Miller is bad, but when Matt Spaeth is on the board in the third round, you take him.

It was packed wall-to-wall with Steelers fans, much like the Gate was, but it didn’t smell like urine and wet cigarettes. SteelerBro and Kate were already there, and Jenni grabbed a seat next to Kate and let SteelerBro and I yell and scream like we always do. It’s not a surprise our mom likes them more than us.

Our waitress was prompt and attentive despite being slammed by the huge crowd. The bar had promoted specials for the game (including their adaptation of the Roethlis-burger, complete with egg), and Mayor Paul and the rest of the Club Committee had drawings and giveaways for prizes.

We arrived a little late, but given the environment and the obvious feeling everyone shared of the group’s decision to take a step up to the new location, that will be the last time I ever don’t make it by kickoff.

By the end of the first quarter, it was obvious we found a new home. Steelers fans outside of the Burgh (everyone in the club is a Pittsburgh product one way or another) are fortunate to be able to get together and enjoy the team for what it really is - a medium in which to bond and socialize, and watch the Steelers kick the holy hell out of the Browns. But what makes our club unique and truly special is the organization, and the effort to use its membership numbers in a positive way.

The club joined forces with a Browns club in town to promote a canned food drive to benefit area food shelves. If you look at the picture on the food drive link, I’m not sure who No. 85 is on the Browns, but, like the rest of his team, I’m sure he didn’t do anything against the Steelers that day.

The higher point being the groups recognized the fact they have a healthy number of people involved and worked together to support a very worthy cause.

I was bummed upon leaving. It will be a long time until I get to see my brother and Kate again, and Jenni. It will be a long time until I can get back to the Tav on the Av and join in with the other Steelers fans of my real home area, as I have been doing over the last several years.

So congratulations to the Steelers Fans of Minnesota, and a Bettis-sized “Thank You” to the owners of the Tavern on the Avenue, the new home of the group. Commendations are in order for Mayor Paul, Glenn, Laura and Brad. Bookmark their site (everyone loves MySpace) if you’re in the area. Be sure to check out the “Crush the Cards” picnic on Sept. 30.

While I have confidence in your ability to make a grilled cheese sandwich, the option of a Roethlis-burger is too tempting to pass up.