Cuisine: American, Burgers, Dessert, Steak, Ribs, Kids Menu
Restaurant Features: Bar, Catering, Flat Screen TVs, Happy Hour, Pull-Tabs, On-Site Parking, Sports Bar
Locations: Bloomington, Eagan, Plymouth and Roseville
Addresses & Maps:

Bloomington-4217 American Blvd. West Bloomington, MN 55437 (952) 835-1191

Eagan- 3010 Eagandale Place Eagan, MN 55121  (651) 687-9333

Plymouth- 16605 County Road 24, Suite 210 Plymouth, MN 55427  (763) 559-1990

Roseville- 2350 Cleveland Ave Roseville, MN 55113 (651) 631-1781

Hours: Open at 11am
Links:Joe Senser’s Website * Joe Senser’s Facebook Page
Joe Senser's Sports Lounge ~ Roseville, MN

Atmosphere: The inside of Joe Senser’s is the ultimate haven for Sports Enthusiasts, (besides being at the stadium, of course) with every wall lined with giant 5′x9′ HDTVs displaying just about every televised sports event.  The area along the walls is slightly raised, housing both tables and booths, as does the dining space throughout the middle of the restaurant.

There is also a decent sized bar area near the entrance, flowing into the center of the restaurant.

Menu: Appetizers at Joe Senser’s include Seasoned Waffle Fries, Pizza Spirals, Onion Rings, Chicken Wings, Boneless Wings, Bacon-Wrapped Tenderloin Bites, Quesadillas, Crab & Artichoke Dip, Chicken Fingers, Nachos, Southwest Eggrolls, Coconut Shrimp and Asian Lettuce Wraps.

Salad options are Buffalo Fiesta, Bangkok Peanut Chicken, Chipotle Ranch Taco Salad, Cobb, Island Salad (chicken, bacon, pineapple), and Caesar.

Soups include Chicken Noodle, White Chicken Chili and then a Soup du Jour. Mon- Creamy Potato bacon Tues- Black Bean with Andouille Sausage  Wed- Tomato Basil with Tortellini  Thurs- Creamy Chicken Wild Rice  Fri-New England Clam Chowder  Sat/Sun- Chef’s Choice

Burgers at Senser’s are Half-Pound fresh ground sirloin, served with chips or upgrade to fries for $1.59.  Options include Cheeseburger, Applewood Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger, Bleu Cheese, Jalapeno Pepper Jack, Deli Burger, Sourdough Patty Melt, California Burger, Mushroom Swiss, BBQ Bacon & Jack, Rookie Burger (1/3 lb), and Southwest Turkey Burger.

Sandwiches also come with chips or upgrade to fries or fruit.  Options are the French Dip, Buffalo Chicken, Turkey Bacon Parmesan, BBQ Jack Chicken, Tuna Melt, Reuben, Beer Battered Walleye, Chicken Teriyaki, Clubhouse, and Shaved Prime Rib Melt. Wraps include Baja Chicken and Buffalo.

Joe’s Specialties include Wood Roasted Chicken, Beef Brisket, Hickory Ribs, Smoked Pulled Pork, Chopped Sirloin, Parmesan Ranch Walleye.  Prime Rib available on Saturday and Sunday.

The Entrees at Joe Senser’s include Center But Sirloin, Filet Medallions, Steak and Shrimp, Citrus Chicken and Shrimp, Chicken Bruschetta Pasta and Coconut Shrimp.

Dessert options are the Turtle Brownie Sundae, Midnight Chocolate Ecstasy, and New York Strawberry Cheesecake.

Kids Menu items include Mini Corn Dogs, Chicken Strips, Cheeseburger, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, and Grilled Cheese Sandwich.

Price guide: Appetizers $5-9  Salads $8-10  Sandwiches/Sandwiches $9-10  Specialties $9-18  Entrees $11-19  Desserts $4-5  Kids Menu $5

Happy Hours:

Mon-Fri  3:00-6:30

  • $5 Appetizers-  Sicilian Pizza Nachos, Loaded Senser Fries, Buffalo Chicken Dip, Buffalo Chicken Minis, Cheeseburger Minis, and Pepperoni Cheese Loaf
  • $2.50 Short Domestic Taps, Rail/Calls, Domestic Bottles, Short Signature Teas, House Wine
  • $1 off all other drinks
Sun-Mon 9pm-Close  Tues 10p-Midnight
  • 2 for 1 Drinks: Captain Morgan, Bacardi, Short Domestic Taps
What we ordered: There were many appetizers that looked good but the Crab & Artichoke really stood out as a winner.  The piping-hot baked dip was served in a ramekin with a pile of hot pita wedges, topped with fresh pico de gallo.  I thought this dip was delicious and flavorful.  You could distinctly taste both the well-blended crab and the artichokes, and a slightly smokey flavor somewhere in the blend of cheeses.  There was enough dip to pile it on every piece of pita.  A very different flavor than artichoke-spinach dip, but excellent all the same.

Crab & Artichoke Dip at Joe Senser's~ Roseville, MN

Several of the sandwiches sounded really good to me so I asked the server for a recommendation, who declared the Prime Rib Melt the most popular with the employees. It sounded really good so that is what I ordered.  I loved the flavor of the thinly sliced prime rib mixed with the onions, but the bread got soggy very quickly from the juicy beef and creamy horseradish sauce.  I didn’t even try the au jus because I was afraid my sandwich would fall apart in seconds flat if I did.  It would’ve been better on a hoagie roll or a more substantial bun.  I am also a huge fan of fresh horseradish, so I would’ve loved a little more kick than this creamy mild version served at Joe Senser’s, but that is just a personal preference.  It was still very tasty.  I upgraded to the shoe-string fries which were good but only slightly crispy.
Prime Rib Melt at Joe Senser's ~ Roseville, MN

My companion ordered the Mushroom Swiss Burger, which was a thick, juicy 1/2 lb patty made of  freshly ground sirloin.  The flavor of this burger was hearty and beefy, even better topped with thick mushrooms and melted Swiss.  The bun wasn’t much of a match for this big burger; it was very light, fresh and lightly toasted.
Mushroom Swiss Burger at Joe Senser's ~ Roseville, MN

Service: It was a very busy weekend evening during my visit, so we were lucky to get a table right away.  We were asked if there was a particular game we wanted to watch so they could seat us accordingly.  Our server was very busy and service was slightly slow, but nothing out of the ordinary for how busy it was.
Overall Impression: Excellent Happy Hour specials and a big selection on the menu.  The vast number of Large Screen TVs, delicious big burgers and many beers to choose from make Joe Senser’s the perfect place to watch any televised sporting event or hang with your buddies after work.

Joe Senser's Sports Grill on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Burgers, Dessert
Restaurant Features: Bar, Kids Menu, On-Site Parking
Locations: Apple Valley, Plymouth and Shoreview, MN
Addresses & Maps:

Apple Valley- 15560 Cedar Ave. Apple Valley, MN 55124 (952)997-6250

Plymouth- 2669 Campus Drive Plymouth, MN 55441 (952)997-6250

Shoreview- 1090 Gramsie Road Shoreview, MN 55126 (651)766-8417

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm  Friday-Saturday 11am-11pm

Links: * Red Robin Website * Red Robin Facebook Page *

Atmosphere: The Shoreview Red Robin is located just off 694 and Lexington Ave , in a large stand-alone building next to the Hampton Inn.  The decor is contemporary and somewhat industrial, with exposed air ducts,etc up above and abstract-patterned booths and tables gracing the dining room floor.  The walls are adorned with a variety of interesting memorabilia and framed posters.

The Expediting window is open to the dining room and is a very busy place as servers quickly grab hot fries and burgers to take to their customers. I happened to be sitting on the other side of a partition from it and had this lovely view.  Our table had a lamp similar to the ones you see here, with the exception that it wasn’t a heat map, just a mini spot-light on our food!

The Shoreview location also has a nice bar area just inside the main entrance, with more booths as well as an extra-long pub table that can be used for big groups.

Menu: Appetizers at Red Robin include Towering Onion Rings, Riblets & Chips, Buzzard Wings, Chili Nachos, Chicken and Bacon Quesadillas, Creamy Artichoke and Spinach Dip, Chili Con Queso, and Guacamole & Salsa with Chips.

Soup options at Red Robin include French Onion Soup, Homemade Chili, Clam Chowder, and Chicken Tortilla Soup.  Salad offerings include Mighty Caesar, Asian Chicken, Cobb, Apple Harvest Chicken, Crispy Chicken Tender, Grilled Chicken and Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad.

Premium Sandwiches offered at Red Robin are the Grilled Salmon, Grilled Chicken, Crispy Arctic Cod, Lettuce-Wrap Burger, Garden Burger, Boca Burger, California Chicen, Chicken Teriyaki, Crispy Chicken, Pulled BBQ Chicken, Blackened Chicken, Simply Grilled Chicken, Bruschetta Chicken, and Chicken Caprese Sandwich.  Lighter sandwiches include BLT with Avocado Croissant, Chicken Cesar Wrap, BBQ Chicken Wrap.  All sandwiches come with bottomless steak fries.

Gourmet Burger offerings at Red Robin are the Banzai Burger (marinated in teriyaki with pineapple), Bleu Ribbon, Guacamole Bacon, Royal Red Robin, Whiskey River BBQ, Shroom and Swiss, Bacon Cheeseburger, A-1 Peppercorn Burger, All-American Patty Melt, Red Robin Gourmet Cheeseburger, and Burnin Love Burger.  All burgers come with bottomless steak fries.

Red Robin’s Entrees include Clucks & Fries (chicken tenders), Jumbo Shrimp & Slaw Platter, Creamy Mac N’ Cheese, Grilled Chicken Pesto Pasta, Prime Rib Dip, Riblet Basket, Arctic Cod Fish & Chips, Red’s Rice Bowl with Chicken Teriyaki, Grilled Chicken Alla Caprese, and Ensenada Chicken Platter

Desserts at Red Robin include any of their Ice Cream Shakes and Malts, Hot Fudge Sundae, and Hot Apple Crisp.

Items on the Kids Menu include Burger, Corn Dog, Cheesy Mac N’ Cheese, Pizza, Grilled Chicken on a Stick, Spaghetti, Chicken Fingers, Grilled Cheese, and Chick-N-Cheese Quesadilla.

Price guide: Appetizers $5-10 *Soup $3/5 *Salads $6-10 *Sandwiches $9-10 *Gourmet Burgers $9-10  *Entrees $9-13  *Desserts $3-6 *Kids Menu $5

What we ordered: My companion and I shared a Strawberry Malt which was like Heaven in a glass.  Ice cream is one of my most favorite of foods and if it is going to be mixed with fruit it also better be mixed with a lot of malt powder!  It had a great amount of strawberries mixed in, making it perfectly fruity and creamy.  It was topped with a good amount of whipped cream and sprinkles as well.  Almost too thick to sip through a straw which is just how a malt should be.

Just about everything on the menu looked good but since this was my first-ever visit, a burger was the only choice I would be satisfied with.  The Burnin Love Burger came highly recommended from our server and the spiciness sounded right up my alley.  Every element to this burger was all about the spice, from the Jalapeno infused kaiser roll, the cayenne-seasoned beef patty, to the pepper jack cheese, the crispy fried jalapenos and the chipotle mayo.  Oh, I can’t forget the salsa!  It also had sliced tomato and shredded lettuce.  This burger was awesome! It was spicy but not to the point where your face is going to burn off or anything.  All the burgers at Red Robin come with bottomless steak fries, how great is that?

My companion ordered the Blue Ribbon Burger, which is one I would likely get on another visit.  The 1/2 lb burger of juicy beef is basted with a steak sauce then placed upon a bed of crispy onion straws then topped with bleu cheese crumbles, shredded lettuce and tomato.  It is all placed on a freshly baked onion bun.  After having one bite of this burger, I think I could eat onion straws on every single burger I eat from now on.  I love the sweet and crunchy texture. Yum! And meat with bleu cheese? Double Yum!

Service: We had an adorable, friendly server who was genuinely great at her job.  She made good suggestions and stopped by frequently to refill sodas and water. and our food was served quickly.

Overall Impression: I know Red Robin is a big chain and I tend to avoid the Big Guys, but I won’t be able to stop myself from heading back to Red Robin for another delicious burger and malt very soon!

Red Robin-Shoreview Saint Paul, MN

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Fish & Seafood, Pasta, Steak

Restaurant Features: Bar, Banquet Room, Happy Hour, Patio
Location: Willernie, MN (Mahtomedi)
Address: 301 Stillwater Road  Willernie, MN 55090  651-762-9662
Hours: Opens Daily at 4pm
Links:Gordy’s Steakhouse Website * Gordy’s Facebook PageGoogle Map

Atmosphere: Gordy’s Steak House is located in the heart of Willernie, on Stillwater Road just one block from Hwy 244.  Gordy’s opened in 2005, in the location that was once the historic Shore Club.  The inside of the restaurant is formal,  romantic and masculine, with dark woods and deep colors emphasized by the grape vines and fairy lights that grace the walls.  The dining room is quite dark, with just the candles and fairy lights providing any light.   The room is quite formal with each candle-lit table and booth covered with a white table cloth, and the wait staff all wearing matching uniforms of formal white shirts and black pants.  A bar centers the two sections of the dining room, and there is also a dining room in back that is perfect for larger parties.Inside Gordy's Steak House ~ Mahtomedi, MN

Menu: The appetizers at Gordy’s include Blackened Tenderloin Tips, Seared Ahi Tuna, Bruschetta, Crab Cakes, Italian Flat Bread, Stuffed Mushrooms and Artichoke Spinach Dip.

Salads offered are the Tomato Salad, Bacon Bleu, Caesar and Chopped Salad.

Gordy’s sandwiches include Prime Rib Hoagie, Kobe Burger, and Artichoke Chicken.

Pasta options are the Fettuccini Alfredo, Shrimp Campellini, Cheese Tortellini Alfredo with Ham and Mushrooms, Lobster Ravioli and Cajun Chicken Fettuccini.

Steaks at Gordy’s include 7 oz Filet Mignon, 10 oz Top Sirloin, Black & Bleu Sirloin, 18 oz Ribeye, 14 oz New York Strip and Steak Oscar (Steak & Crab).  Other Entrees at Gordy”s are Pan Fried Walleye, Chicken Kiev, Grilled Lamb Chops, Chicken Marsala, Grilled Salmon, Jumbo Shrimp, Toro Shrimp (blackened tips with jumbo shrimp), and Seafood Combo (shrimp, walleye and crab cake).

Desserts at Gordy’s include Cheesecake, Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie, Molten Chocolate Cake, and Caramel Toffee Brownie.
Price guide: Appetizers $9-13  Salads $8-12  Sandwiches $11-12  Pastas $15-20  Steaks $20-30  Entrees $17-26

Happy Hour: Sun-Sat 3:30-6:00pm

  • $2.00 off any Tap Beer
  • $3.00 Bottle Beer
  • $4.00 House Wines
  • $5.00 Martinis

Weekly Specials:

Tuesdays- Blackened Swordfish $17.99

Wednesdays- Steak Oscar $25.99

Thursdays- BBQ Ribs 1/2 rack $14  Full rack $18

Fridays- Halibut Milanese $23.99

Saturday- Prime Rib 10 oz/ $22       16 oz/$27

Sunday- Land & Lake 10 oz Sirloin & Walleye $26.99

What we ordered: My companion and I started with the Spinach Artichoke Dip, a large serving of creamy, cheesy dip served with a loaf of warm baguette.  This dip was heavenly! It had several bite-sized pieces of tender artichoke, along with spinach and green onion, baked with a blend of cheeses.  The crusty bread was partially sliced and offered the perfect compliment in texture to the creamy dip.  The serving was quite big and would easily feed more than two.

Each entree comes with choice of soup or salad. I had the garden salad, my companion had the Chicken & Dumpling Soup.

The Chicken and Dumpling Soup was served in a large bowl, with a generous amount of dumplings and carrots swimming in the savory chicken broth.

My companion and I both ordered the 18 oz Delmonico Ribeye Steaks. My steak was a very tender cut, grilled to a perfect medium.  The steaks at Gordy’s are said to be aged for 28 days; I could taste just a hint of the aged flavor.  The steaks were seasoned very mildly (if at all?!), emphasis was purely on the beef.  I dressed mine up with raw horseradish and my companion ordered a side of bearnnaise.  Unfortunately my companion’s cut of ribeye was not nearly as tender as mine.

I had my choice of potato or vegetable and went with the Loaded Baked, which came with the standard sour cream, bacon crumbles and green onion.

My companion ordered the Teriyaki Green Beans as side of choice.  These were really good, they were sweet and cooked just right.

Before dinner I had asked what the offerings were for dessert, so I made sure to save a little room for this Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie.  Giant it was! It stood about an inch high and was probably 5″ across.  It was served warm, and tasted just like soft homemade cookies fresh from the oven.  It was drizzled with chocolate and caramel, with vanilla ice cream optional.

Service: Our service at Gordy’s was excellent.  Our server, Lisa, was very friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. Drinks were continuously replenished and our food was served at the perfect pace so we were able to enjoy each course as it was brought out.
Overall Impression: While Gordy’s is known for their steaks, there are other items on their menu that I would be more likely to try instead if I visit again.  Service was top-notch!

Gordy's Steakhouse on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Burgers, Dessert, Pasta
Restaurant Features: Bar,  Flat Screen TVs, Happy Hour, On-Site Parking, Patio, Sunday Brunch
Locations: Rogers and Excelsior, MN
Addresses and Maps:

Excelsior- 685 Excelsior Blvd   Excelsior, MN 55331 952.470.1800

Rogers- 21415 136th Ave. N. Rogers, MN 55374   763.428.0700
Hours: Sun 10am-12am       Mon-Sat  11am-1am
Links: Maynards Website

Atmosphere: The Maynards in Rogers is located in a large building about 1/4 mile from I-94.  The large, open space is divided into two sides; the dining room and the bar.  The dining room has both tables and booths, centered by a beautiful large stone fireplace.  The lighting is dim and romantic yet the mood is lively.

The bar area takes up about half the space of the restaurant and is a very popular place to a widely-aged crowd, many of whom come to play Texas Hold ‘Em Poker on Tuesday nights or BINGO on Wednesday nights.

Maynards in Rogers also has an expansive patio area, complete with tables and a fire pit.  I wish I had been able to photograph it during the day but since I was there after dark, this was the best I could do!

Menu: Appetizers at Maynards include Buffalo Wings, Szechuan Wings, BBQ Wings, Nachos (chicken or beef), Chicken Quesadilla, Szechuan Spicy Green Beans, Cheese Curds, Onion Rings, Italian Waffle Fries, Artichoke Dip, Romaine Wraps, Halibut Fingers, Walleye Fingers, Firecracker Shrimp, Buffalo Shrimp, Steak Bites, Ahi Tuna, Calamari, and Buffalo Chicken Strips.  Maynard’s also offers Flatbreads, including the BBQ Chicken, Basil Tomato, and Buffalo Chicken.

Maynard’s salads include Steakhouse Salad, Buffalo Chicken, Ahi Tuna, Oriental Chicken, Chop, Frannie’s Chicken Salad (coconut crusted chicken), Caesar, Taco, Cobb, and Marine Salad (jumbo shrimp and baby shrimp).

Sandwich offerings include Pot Roast French Dip, Halibut Fish & Chips, Walleye Fish & Chips, Halibut Sandwich, Cuban, Smoked Chicken Panini, The Excelsior (turkey, ham and bacon), Walleye Sandwich, Reuben, Chicken Philly, Chicken Breast, Philly Cheese Steak, Buffalo Chicken, Veggie Wrap, Fish Taco Wrap, and Asian Chicken Wrap.  All sandwiches are served with chips, or upgrade to waffle fries for $1.50.

Burgers at Maynard’s are the Pepper Burger, Garage Burger (sour cream and green olives), Patty Melt, Tillamook Cheddar Burger, California, Combo (mushroom, bacon and choice of cheese), Texas BBQ, and Turkey Burger.  All burgers are served with chips, or upgrade to waffle fries for $1.50.

Sautee Entrees include Cajun Chicken Fettuccini, Shrimp Scampi, Chicken Stir Fry, Kung Pao Chicken, Chicken and Mushroom Marsala with Fettuccini, Butternut Squash Ravioli in Cranberry Butter Cream Sauce, Rigatoni with Sausage in Creamy Red Sauce, and Tortellini with Prosciutto and Mushrooms in Alfredo.

Maynard’s Entrees include Chilean Sea Bass, Orange Honey Glazed Salmon, Pan Fried Walleye, Battered Shrimp, Teriyaki Sirloin, Baby Back Ribs, Filet, Cajun Pork Chop, Tenderloin Beef Medallions, New York Strip, Filet & Shrimp Combo, and Pot Roast.

Desserts at Maynard’s are the Key Lime Pie, Carrot Cake, Cheesecake, Tower Chocolate Cake ala Mode, and Hot Fudge Brownie Sundae.

Price guide: Appetizers $7-12 Salads $10-15   Sandwiches $ Burgers $9  Sautee Entrees $12-15  Entrees $14-24  Desserts $5-9

Happy Hour:

  • M-F  11am-6pm & 8pm-Close
  • Reduced Price Appetizers
  • Domestic Tap Specials

Weekly Specials:

Sunday Brunch:

  • 10am-2pm
  • Adults $14.95
  • Caramel Rolls, Eggs Benedict, Bacon, Smoked Sausage, Biscuits, Hash Browns, Waffles, Apple Crisp, Shrimp Creole, Swedish Meatballs, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Chicken Stir Fry, Grilled Atlantic Salmon, Smoked Salmon, Cheesy Scalloped potatoes, Pasta Salad, Fresh Fruit, Fresh Veggies, Szechuan Green Beans, Chicken Wild Rice Soup, Pickled Herring, Omelet Bar and Assorted Desserts.

What we ordered: There were many appetizers that sounded really good but I was in the mood for fish and the Halibut Fingers sounded very intriguing.  We started with the Halibut Fingers, an order of six colossal pieces of this delicious, non-fishy fish.  Each “finger” was literally almost an inch thick, breaded with a tasty batter and then deep fried to a crispy golden brown.  Served with homemade tartar sauce and lemon wedges.  I ate almost three of these and was seriously almost too full to touch my dinner!

Every entree come with choice of soup or salad. I had the house salad.  This was a pretty basic house salad with romaine, cucumber, cherry tomato, red onion, fresh grated parmesan and buttermilk ranch.

My companion chose the Chicken Wild Rice Soup with the entree.  This was a delicious choice! The soup had big chunks of white meat chicken, carrots, celery and wild rice.  It was mildly seasoned yet flavorful.

Now on to the Main Course!  There were many items on the menu that sounded wonderful to me, but I strayed from my usual sandwich fix to try a dish that was truly unique. Our server highly recommended the Butternut Squash Ravioli with Cranberries, a combo that caught my attention.  I am so glad I tried this, it was amazing! The serving size was quite large, with probably 15 big raviolis filled with the sweet and tender butternut squash.  The raviolis, along with a plentiful amount of halved cranberries, were bathed in a rich butter cream sauce.  There is just something about cream and berries that was meant to be! Although this particular combo was new to my palette, the cranberries gave it a sweetness that countered the rich creaminess of the sauce.  I was only able to eat about four of the raviolis before I was stuffed (they were great for lunch the next day too!)

My companion ordered the full rack of Baby Back Ribs.  These ribs were also very tasty, but did not stand out as extraordinary.  They were tender and flavorful, with the sauce grilled onto the meat and extra on the side.  It was served with buttered toast and choice of potato.

The ribs came with choice of potato, my companion went with the Waffle Fries (with seasoned sour cream for $.50 extra).  These potatoes were still somewhat soft and lightly fried.  Big serving!

Our meals also came with a basket of Ciabatta Bread.  I’ll just admit right now I was too full to touch the bread but it looked good!

Despite being extremely full, the thought of Key Lime Pie was pretty irresistible.  When our server brought this gigantic slice of pie out to me, I nearly fainted.  She laughed and told me the Key Lime was actually Maynard’s smallest dessert.  Apparently the chocolate cake is the size of a big plate!

The Key Lime pie had three thick layers of filling on top of the graham cracker crust: the key lime, the cream topping and then more whipped cream.  It may have stood 4-5 inches tall!  The lime filling had a consistency that reminded me of custard and was as tart as it should be.  Very refreshing combo of tart, sweet and creamy.

Service: We were greeted with a smile the moment we walked in and were promptly seated at a booth.  Our server, Britney, did a great job of taking care of us.  She was very knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations.  The timing of our food was just perfect so that we were able to eat our appetizers and starters before the entrees were brought out and drinks were refilled regularly.

Overall Impression: Maynard’s has a large menu, with delicious food, and awesome service.  Great place to get a quality meal with friends or to play Poker or Bingo! Try the Butternut Squash Ravioli with Cranberry Butter Cream Sauce for a unique culinary experience.  I wish I lived closer so I could eat my way through the menu!

Maynard's Restaurant on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Burgers, Desserts, Pasta, Pizza, Steaks, Ribs
Restaurant Features: Bar, Happy Hour, Kids Menu,  Patio, On-Site Parking, Sunday Brunch
Location: Blaine, MN  ( Sister Restaurant is Tavern on France in Edina, MN)
Addresses & Maps:

Tavern Grill- 10950 Club West Parkway Suite 270  Blaine, MN 55449 763-398-8100

Tavern on France- 6740 France Avenue South  Edina, MN 55435  952-358-6100

Hours: Mon-Thurs 11a-12a   Fri-Sat 11a-1a  Sun 10a-10p
Links: Tavern Grill Website * Tavern Grill on Facebook
Atmosphere: Located in the space previously occupied by Bella Italian Grill, The Tavern Grill in Blaine opened its doors in June 2010.

The interior of The Tavern Grill has changed since it was Bella, with a mix of dark wooden tables and cushioned booths.  Tables seemed to be spaced enough that each is afforded a little privacy.  Lighting at night is low without seeming too dark, a very calm atmosphere.
Inside The Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN
There is also a large oval-shaped bar on one side of the restaurant that can accommodate a large numbers  of patrons.
Bar Area at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN
The patio at The Tavern Grill is one of its most beautiful features.  There are many tables spread out amongst the expansive walled-in rock patio, centered by a beautiful fountain.  There is an outdoor bar at the back of the patio as well.
Patio at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

Menu: Appetizers at The Tavern Grill include Burger Sliders, Philly Sliders, Chicken Littles, Crab Artichoke Quesadilla, Toasted Bruschetta, Onion Rings, Tavern Fries, Lemon Basil Calamari, Crab Artichoke Dip, Bleu Chips (homemade potato chips topped with bleu cheese crumbles and bacon), Sesame Chicken Stix, Walleye Fingers, and Buffalo Wings.  Soups include Chicken Wild Rice, French Onion and a Soup du Jour.

Flatbread Pizza options include Build-Your-Own where you choose your Sauce, Cheese, Toppings and Meats, or the Farmers Market Pizza, Prosciutto & Tomato, BBQ Chicken, Buffalo Chicken, Classic Pepperoni and the Beachcomber (canadian bacon, pineapple and cilantro).

Salad options include Build-Your-Own (choose your cheeses, Veggies Mix-Ins, Crunch, Meats and Dressings).  Chef Specialty Salads include Chop, Chicken Thai, Grilled Chicken, Buffalo Chicken and Caesar Salad.

Burger Options include the Build-A-Burger (choose your Meat, Bread, Cheese, Toppings and Extras).  Specialty Burgers include Tavern Burger (bbq, gouda and bacon), Veggies Burger, Widowmaker (cheddar, caramelized onion, philly beef, 4 cheese sauce, onion strings) and the Beachcomber (ginger orange teriyaki, swiss and grilled fresh pineapple).

Tavern Sandwich options are the Grilled Club, Walleye, Grilled Chicken Wrap, Buffalo Chicken, Philly Cheesesteak, Corned Beef on Rye, Steak with Swiss and Mushrooms, French Dip, Steakhouse Wrap, Patty Melt and Crispy Chicken Wrap.

Pastas at The Tavern Grill are the Baked Ravioli with Chicken, MOnterey Shrimp, Fettuccini Alfredo, Baked Spaghetti and the Shrimp Ravioli in Sundried Tomato Pesto.

Entrees include Walleye & Chips, HomeStyle Grilled Meatloaf, Seared Teriyaki Salmon, Tuscan Chicken, Naked Filet, Tucker’s Filet (marinated in soy sauce and garlic), Ginger Garlic NY Strip, Baby Back Ribs and Spicy Ginger Seared Tuna.

Desserts include New York Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie, Fill-Your-Own Mini Donut Holes, Build-Your-Own S’Mores, and Chocolate Cake with Whiskey Sauce.

Items from the Kids Menu include Chicken Strips, Mini Cheeseburgers, Pepperoni or Cheese Pizza, and Grilled Cheese.
Price guide: Appetizers $7-11  Pizzas $8.50-11  Salads $9-12 Burgers $9-12  Sandwiches $9-12  Pastas $13-15  Entrees $ 13-19  Desserts $6-7.50

Happy Hour:

  • M-F 3-6pm and 9pm-Close
  • $2 Off Specialty Cocktails
  • 1/2 Priced Wines & Pizas
  • $3 Appetizers including Tavern Blue Chips, Sliders, Chicken Littles, Cheesy Jalapeno Nachos, and Waffles Fries
  • $4  Cheesy Jalapeno Beef or Chicken Nachos
  • $5  Crab Quesadilla

Weekly Specials:

  • Sunday Brunch 10am-2pm
  • Adults $14    Kids 12 and Under $6
  • Carved Roast Beef, Pancake Bar, Made-to-Order Omelettes, Baked Reggiano Hashbrowns, Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, Hickory Smoked Bacon, Sausage Links, Chef’s Special Scrambled Eggs (changes weekly), Scrambled Eggs, Fresh Skillet Caramel Rolls, Fresh Fruit, Assorted Fresh Pastries.

What we ordered: We started with an order of the Buffalo Wings, which came with 9 wings in the order.  We requested the Buffalo sauce be served on the side, as we were feeding a small child within my party. The thick and spicy dark orange Buffalo sauce had a nice kick to it, I poured it very liberally on the wings I ate (along with bleu cheese, of course!)

I was debating between a burger or the walleye sandwich and ended up with the walleye (sorry about the terrible, blurry photo!). The walleye fillet was sliced rather thinly and then breaded with the Tavern’s special batter before being deep fried to a crispy golden brown.  I was expecting a bigger sandwich but was still satisfied with the fillet, which came served on grilled herb focaccia bread with shredded lettuce and tartar sauce on the side.  I had my choice of potato and went with the delicious golden waffle fries.

Walleye Sandwich at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

One of my companions ordered the Monterey Shrimp Pasta, which came with several sauteed shrimp and vermicelli tossed with roasted garlic, asparagus, roasted red peppers, and spinach in a light white wine, lemon and butter sauce.  The ingredients in this dish were plentiful but the sauce was so light it didn’t go far in the way of flavor.  My companion requested a side of the Pesto Alfredo sauce to kick up the flavor a little and was very satisfied after doing so.

Monterey Shrimp Pasta at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

One of my companions ordered a side salad with her meal, a great add-on for $2.50.

Side Salad at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

Bread does not automatically come with any of the meals at The Tavern Grill, however our server brought out a plate of sliced ciabatta after one of my companions requested bread.

Chiabatta Bread at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

Another companion ordered the Baby Back Ribs, served with garlic mashed potatoes and coleslaw.  The ribs were very tender and moist, falling off the bone after being slow-roasted for several hours.  I did not try this at all but according to my companion, the bourbon barbeque sauce was slightly spicy but very flavorful.

Baby Back Ribs at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

There were a couple of fun items on the dessert menu, such as the Build-Your-Own-S’mores, but what really sounded cool was the Fill-Your-Own-Donut-Holes.  The hot and freshly-fried donut holes were served in an overflowing chinese-food container, with three types of fillings: Chocolate Creme, Bavarian Creme, and Raspberry.  The little tubes have a sharp point to them where you jam them into the center of your donut hole and squeeze until the donut is filled.  What a delicious and fun concept.  These disappeared very quickly!

Fill-Your-Own Mini Donut Holes at Tavern Grill ~ Blaine, MN

Service: I had tried to make a reservation on a busy Friday night but was told that The Tavern Grill would only take reservations for parties of 7 or more, however they would put me on the list for call-ahead seating.  I arrived about 45 minutes after I had called to put my name on the list but was told that they had taken my name off the list because I was late.  I was told my party could be seated right away at a table or I could have my name added to the bottom of the list for a booth.  We didn’t want to wait 40 minutes for a booth so we sat at a table.  Our server was nice and asked if we had been to The Tavern Grill before.  Since we had not, she explained how the Build-Your-Own options worked.  No mentions of highlighted items from the menu, nor did she make any suggestions.  She was helpful however, when helping to decide between a couple of items on the menu.  Food took awhile to arrive, drinks were faster. We had to ask for refills on a  few occasions when our glasses were empty, but the server responded to our requests in a timely manner.

Overall Impression: The Tavern Grill has many specialty items on the menu but also has many Build-Your-Own options.   I would love to go back and try one of the burgers or pizzas.  The Tavern Grill also has great Happy Hour specials on food and a gorgeous patio area.  The service was decent for a very busy Friday night.
The Tavern Grill on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

This is an updated review from the original I wrote in May 2007.  I have eaten at Norman Quack’s countless times since then and felt a new, updated review was long overdue!

Cuisine: American, Fish, Steaks, Chops & Ribs
Restaurant Features: Bar, Happy Hour, On-Site Parking, Flat Screen TVs
Location: Forest Lake, MN
Address: 843 West Broadway Avenue   Forest Lake, MN 55025    651-982-6777
Hours: Mon-Sat 11am-10p   Sun 11am-9pm
Links: *Norman Quack’s Website *Norman Quack’s Facebook Page *Google Map

Outside of Norman Quacks
Atmosphere: Norman Quacks is conveniently located at the end of a small strip mall facing Broadway Ave, between Hwy 61 and I-35.  The space is big and open, with a bar area to the left when you walk in and the dining room on the right.  There are a number of booths and tables throughout the restaurant, with space to accommodate larger parties in the back.  Everywhere you look there are interesting objects hanging on the walls, and a library’s-worth of books stacked on the half-wall between the booths, giving the restaurant character while making the booths more private.

The Bar Area also has tables as well as seating at the bar.  There are also a couple of flat-screen TVs that typically view local sporting events.

Menu: Appetizers at Norman Quacks include Colossal Onion Rings, Quesadillas, Potato Skins, Cheese Curds, Chicken Tenders, 7 Layer Dip and Chips, Buffalo Tender Bites, Peppered Tips & Blackened Toms, Chicken Wings, BBQ Pork Ribs, Creamy Pepperjack Queso & Chips, Coconut Shrimp Kabob and Garlic Alfredo Toast.

Salad offerings are the Chicken Tender Salad, Spinach Tips and Tomatoes, Fajita Salad, House, Salmon Black & Blue, Chicken Caesar, Oriental Shrimp, and Caesar Salad.  Soups include Creamy Baked Potato, Prime Rib Stew, and Soup of the Day.

Sandwiches include BBQ Pork and Cheddar, Buffalo Chicken, Prime Fajita Melt, Walleye, Catfish Po’ Boy, Monte Cristo, Skinny Ribeye, Roasted Bahama Chop (pork with jerk sauce, mozzarella and pico de gallo), Dante’s Revenge, Triple Play Sandwich (layers of ham, turkey, roast beef and bacon with cheddar, mozzarella and jack), French Dip, Philly French Dip, B.L.T, and Blackened Salmon Melt.

The following sandwiches can be made with either chicken breast, ground beef burger or bison burger: Plain Jane, Sloppy Rio (with cheese sauce, beans and sauteed peppers), Mushroom, 4 Cheese, Smoke Head (sauteed mushrooms, onion, bacon, bbq sauce and cheese), Peppered with Bacon and Blue Cheese, Patty Melt, Clubhouse and Bacon Blue.
Price guide:
Appetizers $7-9  Salads $7-9  Burgers/Sandwiches $7-10  Entrees $11-17

Happy Hour: 4-6pm EVERYDAY.  1/2 Priced Appetizers (all except the Samplers)

Weekly Specials:

Sunday- $10.95 12 oz Prime Rib with Onion Rings
What we ordered: We started with the basket of freshly baked Ciabatta Bread.  The bread is served with a flavored whipped butter, the flavor of which changes daily.  We had garden-herb butter on this visit.

Bread Basket at Norman Quacks

We also got an order of Cheese Curds.  I love the cheese curds at Quack’s! The gooey white cheddar curds are battered with  the same unique batter that is used on the giant onion rings, and are slightly salty.  They are fried perfectly until crispy golden brown on outside, and not too greasy.  Great dipped in the ranch that comes with it.

For my meal I ordered the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, which is what I order 90% of the time I visit Quacks. This is my favorite sandwich on the menu and is the best Buffalo Chicken sandwich I have had anywhere. They start with the biggest chicken breast they can find, then bread it, deep fry it, and coat it in delicious and mildly spicy Buffalo sauce. It has a couple of sliced of thick-cut bacon and melted cheddar cheese, tomato and lettuce served on the side. Very big and very messy, I usually end up using silverware to eat it.

One of my companions ordered a “double” of the the Sunday Prime Rib Special (usually 12 oz cut served with onion rings for $10.95). This GIANT cut of prime rib weighed in at around 25 oz, most of which was meat with just a small amount of fat.  Served with au jus and creamy horseradish.  Excellent cut of meat for a great price, making Quack’s a popular place on Sundays!

Another companion ordered the Two-Pork Chop Dinner (can order one or two chops), served with fries (choice of potato) and soup or salad.  These were two big, tender and juicy pork chops, with Cajun seasonings.  Big enough to share between two!

One of my companions also ordered a Bloody Mary, which came dressed with beef stick, olives, celery and pepperoncini pepper.  Thick and spicy!

We did not have dessert on this visit but here is a photo of the Giant Chocolate Cake that I took just a few months ago on a different visit.  Heavenly and gigantic with at least four layers of dark chocolate cake nestled between more layers of thick, chocolate butter cream frosting.  I recommend that you share this big boy!


Service: Our service on this occasion was great!  We were greeted and seated immediately and our order was taken promptly.  Within minutes of being seated we were given a nice big basket of bread fresh out of the oven right.  Drinks were refilled promptly  and food came out at a reasonable pace.
Overall Impression: I’ve already mentioned that Norman Quack’s is one of my favorite restaurants.  They have a fine selection of quality steaks and fish, the specialty sandwiches and burgers are all really good, and the half-priced appetizers during Happy Hour are a great deal.  The Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and Prime Rib are what we crave, in fact there is a good chance you’ll find me (and at least one companion) here on any given Sunday. See you there!
Norman Quacks on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Chicago-Style
Restaurant Features: Bar, Happy Hour, Patio, Nightclub, On-Site Parking
Location: St Paul, MN
Address: 788 Grand Avenue  St Paul MN 55105 651-291-2525
Hours: Daily 11am-2am
Links: Wild Onion Website * Wild Onion on FacebookGoogle Map

Atmosphere: Located on Grand Avenue in St Paul, Wild Onion is a full-service restaurant that also moonlights as a nightclub.  During the day, Wild Onion is a casual, relaxed restaurant that has become a popular place for lunch by local residents, shoppers, and also people who work around St Paul.  The restaurant is fairly large and has many tables and booths around the edges of the space.  The brick walls have a variety of beautiful original canvas paintings hanging about.

At night the Wild Onion turns into a really fun place to hang out with a large, centrally located Bar and dance floor.  Most nights there is a DJ playing after 8pm so it can be quite loud, as expected.  Very popular with the 21+ crowd, especially local co-eds, birthday celebrations, and bachelor/bachelorette parties.

Menu: Appetizers at Wild Onion include Singapore Chicken Lettuce Wraps, Nachos, Walleye Fingers, Grilled Chicken Quesadilla, Cheese Curds, Onion Rings, Sesame Seared Ahi Tuna, Pot Stickers, Italian Fries, and Chicken Wings (Double Diamond, Buffalo, Wild Fire, Baked Cajun Wings, and Asian Battered Wings).

Soup and Salad options include Mixed Green, Caesar, Black and Blue Shrimp, Wild Onion Signature Chopped Salad, and Buffalo Chicken Salad.  Soups include French Onion, Chili and a Soup du Jour.

Chicago-Style Specialties include Chicago Hot Beef Sandwich, Chicago Dogs, Hot Italian Sausage Sandwich, Michigan Ave B.L.T., Windy City Fettuccine, and Spaghetti and Meatballs.

Sandwich options are BBQ Pork, French Dip, Walleye Fillet, Reuben, Widow-Maker Club (chicken, bacon, avocado and spicy Scorned Woman sauce), Prime Rib, Bad-to-the-Bone (shaved ham with sauteed peppers, jalapenos and onions), Turkey Melt, Superheater Sandwich (grilled chicken with pepper jack, habanero peppers and diamond sauce), and Turkey Burger.  Tortilla Wraps include Thai Chicken, Fresh Veggie, Walleye, Tijuana Chicken and Blackened Ahi Tuna with Avocado.

Wild Onion also has a variety of burgers (served with kettle chips) and sliders including Original Beef Sliders, Walleye Sliders, Blackened Chicken Sliders, Grand Avenue Burger, Chipotle Pepper Jack Melt, Juicy Lucy (stuffed with Swiss cheese), Onion Mac, and the Steakhouse Burger.

Handmade Pizza options include Four Cheese, Wild Onion Combo and Buffalo Chicken.

Entrees at Wild Onion are the Bricked Chicken, Dijon Marinated Sirloin, Steak Frites )fries topped with Bistro steak and Bordelaise sauce), Canadian Walleye, Steak and Eggs, and Szechuan Chicken Rice Bowl.

Price guide: Appetizers $7-9  Salads $5-12 Sandwiches/Burgers $7-9 Pizza $8-12  Entrees $10-16

Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3:30-6:30pm

  • $1 Off Domestic Bottled Beer, Cocktails, House Wines
  • $1 Off all 20 oz. Mugs
  • $2 Small Plate Menu available in Bar Area
  • $2 Off all Martinis, Manhattans and Gimlets

Weekly Specials:

Monday- Hot Chicago Beef Sandwich $6.99, $2 Off All Steaks and Wings, $1 Off All 20 oz. Mugs, Shake Dice for Drinks @ the bar, Super 34 oz. Mugs – $5.50 Domestics, $6.50 Imports

Tuesday- Birthday Specials

Wednesday- $9.97 Steak or Chop Plate.  Choice: A 10 oz NY Strip or 12 oz Bone-in Pork Chop  served with house salad and signature cheesy scalloped potatoes.

Thursday- (Italian Night) Porketta $9.49, Fettuccine Alfredo $7.49, Chicken Parmesan $7.49, Macaroni and Cheese $7.49, Spaghetti & Meatballs $7.49,  $2 off glasses of wine

Sunday- $3.50 Build-you-own Bloody Mary Bar (11am-3pm), $6.99 Signature Burgers (5-11pm),

What I ordered: I did not want to order a full meal for lunch so I opted to get the chicken quesadilla appetizer.  Very flavorful choice! The two large flour tortillas were stuffed with bites of grilled white meat chicken, roasted sweet corn, sauteed peppers and onion, cheddar and jack cheeses, and then grilled until everything was hot and melted.  The tortillas were a crispy golden brown and slightly buttery, then topped with chipotle ranch, sour cream and crumbled Mexican cheese.  It was served with sliced fresh peppers, salsa, and chopped greens on the side.

One of my companions ordered the Ahi Tuna and Avocado Wrap.  This wrap had Sushi-grade yellow fin tuna seared rare and wrapped inside a tortilla with shredded carrots, avocado, tomato, wasabi and a white-balsamic vinaigrette. Served with a side of avocado ranch and fresh fruit.  (Comes standard with kettle chips or you can upgrade to fresh fruit or french fries for $1.50 extra)

Another companion ordered the Veggie Wrap with fries (upgrade from standard kettle chips).  This wrap included Lettuce, tomato, cucumber, avocado, green and red onions with Swiss cheese. Tossed in a white balsamic vinaigrette and served with a side of avocado ranch.

Another companion ordered the Juicy Lucy, which was stuffed with Swiss cheese and served on a toasted bun.  I didn’t try it but it looked great and my companion enjoyed it very much.


Service: Our visit was on a Friday for a late lunch but we were luckily able to find a parking spot in the attached lot.  As soon as we arrived we were greeted by a friendly hostess and then seated.  Our server was patient as we took our time looking over the menu, and offered a few suggestions to make ordering easier.  It took at least 20 minutes for our meals to be served, but drinks were filled in a timely manner.
Overall Impression: The Wild Onion is a happenin’ place to eat or drink on Grand Avenue, with good food and great birthday specials.  Check out Wild Onion at night with a group of friends if you’re looking for a fun place to dance and have cocktails.
Wild Onion on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission

Cuisine: American, Bar & Grill, Burgers, Dessert
Restaurant Features: Bar, On-Site Parking
Location: Maplewood, MN  (Sister restaurants include 5-8 Club in Minneapolis and 5-8 Bar & Grill in Champlin)
Address: 2289 Minnehaha Ave S Maplewood, MN 55119 (651) 735-5858

Hours:11a-12a (Kitchen closes at 11p)
Links: 5-8 Website * Google Map

5.8Tavern-outside

Atmosphere: Located in Maplewood at the corner of McKnight and Minnehaha Ave, 5-8 Tavern & Grill is the sister restaurant to the famous 5-8 Club in South Minneapolis.  The building is divided into two distinct sides, the tavern is to the left when you walk through the front entrance and the dining room to the right.  The dining room  had both tables and booths.  Walls were decorated with a combo of neon lights and 50′s memorabilia.

5.8tavern-inside

5-8tavern-wall

Menu: Appetizers at the 5-8 Tavern include Nachos Supreme, Jumbo Battered Wings, JoJo Potatoes, Extreme JoJos (with chili and cheddar), Deep Fried Cheese Curds, Chicken Fingers, Quesadilla, Onion Straws, Onion Rings, Buffalo Popcorn Shrimp, Potato Skins, Battered Fried Mushrooms, Mozzarella Sticks, and Summit Pale Ale Cheddar Dip.

Salads offered are the Turkey BLT, Grilled Chicken, Taco Salad, Chef Salad and Tossed Salad.  Soups include Chili and a Soup of the Day

5-8 has several basic sandwiches including Clubhouse, Hot Dog, Chili Cheese Coney Dog, Grilled Cheese, BLT, and Corn Dog.  All served with kettle chips and pickle.

Specialty sandwiches at 5-8 are Pork Tenderloin, Walleye, Chicken Club, Philly, French Dip, Patty Melt, Grilled Chicken, Reuben, Buffalo Chicken, Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap.  Served with French Fries.

Roadhouse Classic Sandwiches include Steak sandwich (served on Texas Toast), West Chicken (grilled with BBQ sauce, pepper cheese, and bacon), and BBQ Pork Sandwich. Served with JoJo potatoes.

The 5-8 is famous for its “Juicy Lucy”, a 1/2 lb burger stuffed with melted cheese (choice of American, Swiss, pepper or bleu) and has several other specialty burgers as well.  Specialty burgers include Mushroom Swiss, Bleu Cheese, Santa Fe (guacamole, pepperjack and bacon), Supreme (bacon, pepperjack and bbq sauce), the Speakeasy Burger (Swiss, ranch and bacon), Big Jim (double cheeseburger with 4 cheeses), the Saucy Sally (cheeseburger stuffed with special sauce), California Burger, Montana Jack (Heinz 57, bleu cheese, mayo and onion straws), Pizza Burger (marinara and mozzarella), Roadhouse Burger (bacon cheeseburger with 5-8 sauce), and The GCB (garlic cheeseburger).  All burgers are made with Angus Beef (or substitute any burger with with Veggie or Bison patty (with exception of Juicy Lucy or Saucy Sally).

Dinner Entrees include BBQ Pork Ribs, Walleye Basket, Shrimp Basket, 8oz. Sirloin Steak, BBQ Chicken Dinner, Hamburger Steak, Chicken Delight (melted pepperjack and mushrooms ), and Fajitas.  5-8 also has Genuine Broasted Chicken (cooked under high pressure).

Desserts include Chocolate Supreme Cake, Fried Cheesecake, Grasshopper Pie, and Muddy Paws Cheesecake.

Price guide: Appetizers $5-8  Salads $7  Burgers $4-7  Sandwiches $4-8  Entrees $7-11  Broasted Chicken $8-15  Desserts $3-5

Happy Hour: Mon-Fri 2-6pm,

  • $3 Appetizers include 2 mini cheeseburgers, 2 chicken sliders, deluxe fries, beef nachos, onion straws and slider of the day.
  • $2 Appetizers include garlic cheese bread, chips and salsa

Nighttime Happy Hour: Sun-Wed 8:30p-close

  • 1/2 price appetizers
  • 1/2 price taps

Weekly Specials:

Monday- Chef’s Choice $6.99

Tuesday- Hot Beef Sandwich $6.50

Wednesday- Meatloaf $6.50
Thursday- Hot Turkey Sandwich $6.50
Friday- Broiled Walleye $8.99 or  Beer Battered Cod Lunch $6.50 Dinner $8.99
Saturday- Jumbo Shrimp $6.99
Sunday- All-you-can-eat Spaghetti $6.95

What we ordered: My companions and I started with the Deep Fried Mushrooms.  The mushrooms had a thick, crunchy, solid breading that had been fried to a dark golden color.  I thought these were very good but the mushrooms inside the breading had shrunk quite a bit while cooking, leaving a lot more batter than mushroom.  It was served with a mild blue cheese dressing for dipping.

5.8tavern-mushrooms

My companions also ordered some of the Potato Skins which were covered with melted cheddar and Monterey jack, bacon, green onions and sour cream on the side.  I did not eat these but my companions liked them.

5.8tavern-potatoskins

For my entree I ordered a Swiss cheese Juicy Lucy with bacon ( because bacon makes every burger even better).  The burger was made with two 1/4 lb patties pressed together with cheese melted in the middle.  It was extremely hot so I cut it in half as seen below (served whole).  There was a substantial amount of cheese escaping the pocket of meat but it sure was great tasting! There was a thin layer of pickles under the patty.  I liked it a lot but honestly didn’t have that different of an experience than I would with a traditional bacon and swiss burger.  The french fries were an “add on” to the burger for an additional charge.  Tasty but basic shoe-string fries

5.8tavern-juicylucyswissopen

One of my companions ordered the American Cheese Juicy Lucy with mushrooms in a basket with Onion Rings.  The Juicy Lucy was indeed hot and juicy, loaded with melted cheese.  The onion rings were fried to a crispy dark golden brown and were just the right thickness for my liking
5.8tavern-juicylucymushrooms

Another companion ordered an American cheese Juicy Lucy with Bacon and Swiss melted on top, also in a basket with onion rings and a small side of coleslaw.

5.8tavern-juicylucy

Service: This was my first time at this location of the 5-8 and the restaurant was pretty busy, being a Friday night.  I have to admit I was a little confused when I first arrived because there was no hostess stand or a sign anywhere inviting guests to find a seat and there didn’t seem to be anyone handy to ask.  My companions and I took the liberty of seating ourselves in a booth and were greeted shortly after by one of the wait staff.  Our server was very friendly and also had a great sense of humor.  The food was prepared in a reasonable amount of time considering how busy it was.
Overall Impression: If you haven’t ever had a Juicy Lucy before, what are you waiting for? The 5-8 is a great place to try the famous creation and they have four different varieties of cheese so there is something for everyone.  They also have a variety of other sandwiches and entrees on the menu with very reasonable prices, especially considering the large portion sizes.  My only suggestion is that 5-8 should have malts on their menu because what could go better with a burger basket than a nice creamy ice cream malt or shake?!
Maplewood 5-8 Tavern & Grill on Urbanspoon

Article and photos by Kristi Sauer
Copyright Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
Content cannot be used without permission