Where to Find Minnesota's Most Beloved Burgers
Where to Find Minnesota's Most Beloved Burgers
By Erica Wacker
From creatively topped varieties and vegetarian options to greasy diner-style classics, a smorgasbord of America's favorite sandwich awaits visitors and foodies alike in every corner of Minnesota.
While our claim to fame is the Juicy Lucy—a burger that features molten cheese oozing from the center of the patty—burger lovers needn't stop there. Here are just a few delicious options to whet your appetite:
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Gordy's Hi-Hat, Cloquet
Gordy's Hi-Hat in Cloquet received Guy Fieri's seal of approval / @burgerapolis
Gordy's Hi-Hat, CloquetSummer road trippers en route to the North Shore, Iron Range or Voyageurs National Park would be wise to plan their drives around a mid-day stop at this local legend. Dishing up fresh hand-pattied hamburgers, homemade onion rings and other classics since 1960, Gordy’s was a hot spot long before Guy Fieri put it in the national spotlight.
The burgers come in single and double portions, with variations including the bacon deluxe, mushroom and Swiss, and pizza burger. Pair yours with the famous onion rings, French fries or cheese curds, and wash it all down with a freshly blended shake or malt in flavors like Oreo, butterscotch and classic chocolate.
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King's Bar & Grill, Miesville
King's Bar & Grill, Miesville
Located between Hastings and Red Wing on Highway 61, the tiny town of Miesville is home to quite possibly the biggest burger menu in the state. At any given time, there are more than 60 options to choose from at King’s, with toppings like bacon, peanut butter and maple syrup—all on one burger. They’re always trying out new recipes, so even the regulars don’t have to order the same thing twice.
The best part? Every burger is less than $8.
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The Barn, Brainerd
The Barn, Brainerd
A Midwestern institution since 1926, Maid-Rite is more akin to a sloppy joe than a burger, combining loose ground beef with onions, pickles and mustard on a warm bun. There are only two Maid-Rite franchises remaining in Minnesota (the other is in St. Cloud), and The Barn just outside downtown Brainerd is a local icon.
In addition to the sandwiches, The Barn serves breakfast starting at 5:30 a.m. and is famous for its homemade pies.
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The Blue Door Pub, St. Paul & Minneapolis
Breakfast Blucy / Blue Door Pub
The Blue Door Pub, St. Paul & MinneapolisThe closest thing to a Juicy Lucy on this list, the Blucy is a kicked-up version of the classic, with around a dozen varieties featuring fancy cheeses on the inside and some unexpected additions on top. Try the original Blucy stuffed with blue cheese and garlic, or opt for more adventurous iterations like the Bangkok Blucy with coconut-soaked mozzarella, pickled ginger mix and a side of curry.
The Blue Door's original location is in St. Paul, with three outposts in Minneapolis and another at MSP Airport. While you’re waiting for a table, check out the impressive list of local Minnesota beers and tempting appetizers like Spam bites and deep-fried pickles.
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Fitger's Brewhouse, Duluth
Fitger's Brewhouse, Duluth
Sometimes, it’s not the beef that makes the burger. Minnesota’s state grain, wild rice, is enjoyed in many forms throughout the state, and one of the tastiest ways is on a bun. The historic Fitger’s Brewhouse in Duluth serves it up three ways: the Classic, with cheddar, sprouts and garlic mayo; Pub Style with sauteed onions, mushrooms and Swiss; and one topped with blue cheese and jalapenos.
Also in Duluth, Grandma’s Saloon peddles its own version with lots of veggies on top, and the Duluth Grill serves it as a melt with pepper jack cheese on grilled multigrain bread. Another popular patty can be found at Black Woods in Duluth, Proctor and Two Harbors.
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Newt's, Rochester
Newt's, Rochester
There are four Newt's locations in Rochester, with the downtown original maintaining its status as a local legend. Come hungry for the massive hamburgers served with a mound of fries: the signature Works Burger is a 3/4-pound patty covered with American cheese, hardwood-smoked bacon and blue cheese sauce on a grilled and buttered Kaiser bun. Other topping options include fried onions, peanut butter and fresh guacamole.
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Parlour, Minneapolis & St. Paul
Parlour, Minneapolis & St. Paul
The Parlour burger kicked off the double-patty burger trend in the local dining scene at its cozy bar in the North Loop of Minneapolis. This delicious burger is a mix of ground chuck, ribeye and brisket that is smashed on the griddle and topped with white American cheese on a fresh egg bun. It’s so flavorful that locals always include it on lists of “favorite burger” in the Twin Cities. The crew at Parlour has expanded to include a second location on West Seventh Street near the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, and a roaming food truck that can be found at your favorite brewery, distillery or event in the Twin Cities.
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Culver's, Austin
Culver's, Austin
Sure, you can find Culver’s restaurants in more than 20 states, serving more or less the same menu of ButterBurgers and fresh frozen custard. But there’s only one Culver’s in the country where you can get a Spam burger, and that’s the one in Austin, Minnesota, home of Hormel and the family favorite Spam Museum.
Order it one of four ways—as a cheeseburger, a melt, a BLT, or with Swiss on a hoagie bun—and pair it with the signature crinkle-cut fries and custard flavor of the day.
Erica Wacker is a Midwesterner through and through, growing up in Illinois, going to college in Wisconsin, and settling down in Minnesota. She loves to run, travel with her family, and go to concerts to relive her youth.