@greyeagle I'm not a huge fan of their fries but they're pretty good when you get them well done. My wife has finally accepted that anytime we're in a location that has a nearby In N Out that we're going.
Steak and Ale became Bennigans which is now Lucky 13. Then another Steak and Ale opened and became (I think) Cowboy Jacks...
In short...Bloomington is weird!
Steak and Ale became Bennigans which is now Lucky 13. Then another Steak and Ale opened and became (I think) Cowboy Jacks...
In short...Bloomington is weird!
Incorrect...
Bennigan's at Southtown was there for many years. It then became what is now Lucky 13 or whatever.
Steak & Ale just off of York in Bloomington, became Cowboy Jacks... It was never a Bennigans.
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I’m going to trust the Jag on this one.
For a fast food burger In-N-Out is pretty good.
For me a big part of it is sitting outside eating a burger in 70-80 degree weather knowing it's miserable in the Twin Cities. That really elevates the burger. ?
I've eaten at in N Out in San Diego and Scottsdale and always come away thinking I don't understand the fascination people have with it. But maybe it's just the novelty that it only exists out west and in warm weather locations.
I'd honestly just rather have Culver's or Freddy's. Five Guys is good too but sooooooo expensive.
I'd honestly just rather have Culver's or Freddy's. Five Guys is good too but sooooooo expensive.
You can never go wrong with Culvers. Ate at Freddy's once and it was good. My niece and nephew love their sauce. My sister and brother-in-law will buy it emplace of ketchup. And yes, Five Guys is good, expensive and their fries are overrated. Even though you get your money's worth. The free peanuts are a nice add.
Steak and Ale became Bennigans which is now Lucky 13. Then another Steak and Ale opened and became (I think) Cowboy Jacks...
In short...Bloomington is weird!
Incorrect...
Bennigan's at Southtown was there for many years. It then became what is now Lucky 13 or whatever.
Steak & Ale just off of York in Bloomington, became Cowboy Jacks... It was never a Bennigans.
Ok, admittedly I might be messing it up but (and this is from knowing the owners of the franchise) I was pretty sure the Bloomington Bennigans was a Steak and Ale first. (they owned both Steak and Ales and Bennigans at the time) Both SLP and Bloomington looked different than other Bennigans because they were built to be something else. (Maplewood and Coon Rapids looked and acted like normal Bennigans...also same owners) Now I could be conflating the two histories, but honestly by the time I worked there very few people had been around long enough to remember how it was before. All I knew was the Bloomington store was a crap building that they refused to put money into. Of all the Bennigans CR was the most profitable restaurant and we (Park) were the most profitable bar. Then they decided to move a CR manager over to our bar and he basically killed the goose that aid the golden egg.
Bennigan’s wow hadn’t thought about those for a while. A few of my friends and I like to joke that we were the reason the Coon Rapids location stuck around longer than the others. We decided to make it the bar we liked to hit up during the week. Started as a joke, wound up being a tradition. I think that particular location turned into a Boston’s after it finally died.
A buddy and I used to hit up the Bennigan's on 394 on Sat nights (2 for 1s 10-midnight) and bet on how many people got pulled over coming out of downtown. 
Great viewing spot.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Bennigan’s wow hadn’t thought about those for a while. A few of my friends and I like to joke that we were the reason the Coon Rapids location stuck around longer than the others. We decided to make it the bar we liked to hit up during the week. Started as a joke, wound up being a tradition. I think that particular location turned into a Boston’s after it finally died.
Boston's is next to where Bennigan's was. The Coon Rapids Bennigan's was torn down and is where the Chick-fil-a and a Mattress Firm are now.
We went to that Bennigans a lot because they had a kids eat free deal that was really good (and our kids were young enough at the time). I can't remember all the details of what night(s), etc. but we got a lot of free kids meals there. It was almost to the piont where we could eat there for the same price (or maybe less) than a fast food place.
I miss their Monte Christo.
I always enjoyed Bennigan's. I used to go to the SLP one off 394. The one with the glass dance floor on the 2nd level. Too bad it closed down. If I recall there was also a good Mexican place across the highway.
Anyhoo, Boston's sounds like a good lunch spot for today. Who doesn't like a nooner?
Speaking of In N Out Burger, there was a story on the news about the first time they opened one in Colorado. People waited in line 12 hours opening day.
I remember that Bennigans! ? In early 80’s there was a Mexican place across hiway 12 named Garcia’s ? Doubled as a dance club during the late evenings! ?I always enjoyed Bennigan's. I used to go to the SLP one off 394. The one with the glass dance floor on the 2nd level. Too bad it closed down. If I recall there was also a good Mexican place across the highway.
Anyhoo, Boston's sounds like a good lunch spot for today. Who doesn't like a nooner?
I always enjoyed Bennigan's. I used to go to the SLP one off 394. The one with the glass dance floor on the 2nd level. Too bad it closed down. If I recall there was also a good Mexican place across the highway.
Anyhoo, Boston's sounds like a good lunch spot for today. Who doesn't like a nooner?
Depends when you were going...I think the last time it was Mexican it was La Casita. (same owners as the Fridley one) My GF actually worked there around the time I worked at Bennigans and we never crossed paths. That building changed a lot over the years in my time at Bennigans it was La Casita, Majors, some strange fish place, a sushi spot and I think a steak spot for a second. Nothing lasted especially when GV didn't take up the 2am liquor laws while SLP did. We got a lot of "Last Call" business from across the highway 😉
I kept thinking to myself, "Have I ever been in a Bennigans" and as soon as someone mentioned the glass dance floor it came back to me. ?
Wasn't there a tiki bar (Mai Tai) or something on the north side of 12/394? I know it's been gone a long time.
Mentioned it before, but one of the restaurants I miss most was ‘Cattle Company’.
Along with ‘Cattle Co.’, Rax is another place I miss. I would say I miss Hardee’s, but I got food poisoning there before a Blake/Breck hockey game. It wasn’t a pretty at the arena during the 1st period in the bathroom.
I used to go to Eddie Websters on 494 for Monday night football. IIRC, that was where you would throw the peanut shells on the floor. I would also run into a few Viking players there before they would attempt to drive home...
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Not very objective
IIRC, that was where you would throw the peanut shells on the floor.
Williams (RIP) in uptown did the same. A natural oil stain on the floor.
Eddie Websters was owned by the father of a kid I went ton elementary school with. Funny because it's my first name.
The restaurant I miss most of all for many reasons (many of them childhood memories through college) is T. Wright's. As a kid it was golden, and as a h.s. and college kid it was a gathering/reunion spot on Thanksgiving and Christmas. So many good times and that salad bar and prime rib...
Tequila Berrys with the prime rib loft…loved their chopped salad.
As a kid Sundays at Jolly Troll smorgasbord. Now all smorgasbords are Chinese food buffets.
Tequila Berrys with the prime rib loft…loved their chopped salad.
Tequilaberry's was great. Maybe had the best salad of all salads of all time.
https://twitter.com/StarTribune/status/1623321401753993216
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Not very objective
Good article but they can keep the Hamm's.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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For those that are not willing to pay for a Star Trib article, can you list the bars? Thanks in advance.
And the Racks bar in 'Tonka still isn't open and doesn't look like it's going to open soon.
The Brito's Burritos next door looks like a cheaper version of Nacho's in Hopkins. I will try it out at some point, and will report back.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
@The rube
1.Brunson's
2.CC Club
3.Cuzzy's
4.Dusty's Bar
5.Grumpy's Bar
6.Half Time Rec
7.Manning's Cafe
8.Mayslack's
9.Merlins Rest
10.Meteor
11.Shaw's Bar & Grill
12.Skinner's Pub
13.The Spot Bar
14.Tapper's Bar
15.Whitey's Old Town Saloon
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Not very objective
Brunson's
CC Club
Cuzzy's
Dusty's Bar
Grumpy's Bar
Half Time Rec
Manning's Cafe
Mayslack's
Merlin's Rest
Meteor
Shaw's Bar & Grill
Skinner's Pub
The Spot Bar
Tapper's Bar
Whitey's Old Town Saloon
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
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I like Brunson's but there is another bar on Payne avenue that might be better. Although it doesn't have food like Brunson's.
I'm partial to Smitty's in Chisago. Great place and very good food, $2 burgers (plain) on Saturday/Sunday afternoons.
Added bonus is it's 3-4 blocks from the public dock which is a nice summer bonus. ?
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mainstreet in Hopkins has Macallan 12YOs for $11, and it's honestly a double pour.
The Douglass House in Houghton, hoo boy.
The BNB in Houghton, also.
Dave's in Delano (and great pizza).
Waconia Iron Tap
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I'm partial to Smitty's in Chisago. Great place and very good food, $2 burgers (plain) on Saturday/Sunday afternoons.
Added bonus is it's 3-4 blocks from the public dock which is a nice summer bonus. ?
I played softball on a team sponsored by Smitty’s not too long after Abner Doubleday invented the game.
CC Club
Mayslack's
CC Club - Great place for breakfast and bloody mary's. Would go there Monday morn. after my weekend on nights at Abbott Northwestern or some Fridays mornings going into my weekend off with others from the night crew in cardiac. I mostly saved those Friday mornings for going to the MOA and watching the latest movie.
Mayslack's: Great roast beer sandwiches.
The Douglass House in Houghton, hoo boy.
The BNB in Houghton, also.
Was never impressed with the Douglass House. I was boring with the KBC followed by the Ambassador.
The Douglass House in Houghton, hoo boy.
The BNB in Houghton, also.Was never impressed with the Douglass House. I was boring with the KBC followed by the Ambassador.
You're not supposed to be impressed with the Douglass House. That's the point. 😉
Last vacation, friends and I were there until 3am or so. We tried to close out at 1:50, because laws, and they said, "Naw, you're good." WTF
Ambo is more a restaurant than a bar, IMO.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
I know exactly what a dive bar is. If want a dive bar, I would say the Uphill in Hancock is a dive. Even the Downtowner is a dive compared to the list of metro places.
How about EJ's or Smokey's in East Bethel? Also plenty of diver bars on Mille Lacs if you're looking outside the metro.
Mmmmmm, Smokey's........*drool*
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
How about EJ's or Smokey's in East Bethel?
Might have to check these places out next time I heading up to WPoS's place.
Interesting conversation I had with a GM of a Chic-fil-A. He was saying the Raising Cane's in Apple Valley was the busiest Cane's in the US for a while. Though even being the busiest they still only brought in 1/3 what the busiest CFA brought in. I would guess building the Cane's in Lakeville took A LOT of business.
If I recall the McDonald's in Dinkytown was the busiest McD's in the US in the 90's.
Interesting. If I recall correctly the DQ in Woodbury off of Bielenberg, has been top five or ten in sales since it opened.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interesting. If I recall correctly the DQ in Woodbury off of Bielenberg, has been top five or ten in sales since it opened.
A DQ wouldn’t surprise me. Being that corporate is in Bloomington. They would put all their bells and whistles in a store or two.
I could never work at a DQ. I would be eating the cherry and butterscotch bark for their Dilly bars, the fudge for their ice cream cakes and if they carried Orange Julius drinking the products.
Interesting. If I recall correctly the DQ in Woodbury off of Bielenberg, has been top five or ten in sales since it opened.
I swear every time I drive by there, which is a lot, there is a line out to the street. Doesn’t matter time of year. Always busy.
Interesting. If I recall correctly the DQ in Woodbury off of Bielenberg, has been top five or ten in sales since it opened.
A DQ wouldn’t surprise me. Being that corporate is in Bloomington. They would put all their bells and whistles in a store or two.
I swear every time I drive by there, which is a lot, there is a line out to the street. Doesn’t matter time of year. Always busy.
To clarify I only meant DQs nationwide.
Same, though I don't get past it as often since I don't go to Woodbury for work anymore. It's owned (or it was) but former neighbors that my mom still sees on a regular basis and it's a gold mine. I think their oldest son (two years ahead of me at Woodbury) run the store for the family. Good guy and great family.
“When your best friend is the son of God, you get tired of losing every argument.”
― Christopher Moore, Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Took the fam and my parents (for helping me with the remodel) to Cracker Barrel. Been there dozens of times, cause of the food and broad menu for the family. They have good grits. And their hush puppies are top notch. I always get the grits and hash browns as my side and sub hush puppies as my bread over cornbread or biscuits.
Tequila Berrys with the prime rib loft…loved their chopped salad.
As a kid Sundays at Jolly Troll smorgasbord. Now all smorgasbords are Chinese food buffets.
the recipe for the salad is
2 cups mayo
1/2 cup sugar
and a couple tablespoons of milk to thin out.
add 1/4 cup each of bacon, Parmesan cheese and chopped cauliflower (of course adjust to your preference).
Mix with a standard salad mix. Easy on the dressing as it’s fairly thick and doesn’t need as much as you think.
@gator I think the chances of us running into each other in a restaurant are pretty slim. ?
I have a 12, 9 and 5yr old. The choices are few and far between. It must have either grilled cheese, cheese pizza or chicken nuggets/strips. We had our 5yr old’s birthday today at Chuck E. Cheese… The food is blah, but the games are a blast.
So my wife and I look for the opportunities on date night… lol!!!
Even as an adult, it's hard to pass up a good arcade game/skee-ball/etc.
When you tell somebody somethin', it depends on what part of the United States you're standin' in... as to just how dumb you are.
Even as an adult, it's hard to pass up a good arcade game/skee-ball/etc.
If you ever make it to Tempe, hit up Beer Research Institute. Brewery with a bunch of arcade games and pinball machines. Very cool.