By unique we mean weird in a good way. From a unique spin on a classic to something you’ve likely never tried before, these offerings are all about the adventure.
7 West Taphouse
Nestled in the old Electric Fetus music store, 7 West Taphouse is a hotspot for beerburgers and all your craft beer needs, 50 taps on deck to serve an array of IPA’s, Stouts, Seltzers, Hard Teas, Ciders and more! We love pairing their homemade Salt + Vinegar fries with everything on the menu!
- Location: 28 5th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Featured Menu Item: OMG Burger – This burger might just have it ALL. American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, beer onions, cheese curds, Taphouse sauce, all piled ontop double burger patties on grilled sourdough bread. OMG is right!
The Boulder Tap House
The Boulder Tap House is under the corporate umbrella of the Letnes Restaurant Group located in St. Cloud. Brothers Steve and Curt Letnes opened the first Grizzly’s restaurant in St. Cloud in 1995 and expanded their restaurants to a total of 14 locations in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. The Grizzly’s at Crossroads Center shopping mall in St. Cloud was shut down and the liquor license was transferred to their new venture, the Boulder Tap House that had taken over a what was the old Timber Lodge Steakhouse location on the south side of St. Cloud. The Boulder Tap House opened in 2011 and a second location opened in Mankato later that year with more opening around Minnesota and Wisconsin in time since.
- Location: 3950 2nd St S, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Featured Menu Item: Home Made Boulder Giant Cheese Curds – Choose from cheddar, white cheddar or pepper jack cheese. They are big, bold and delicious!
Anton’s Restaurant
Built in the 1920’s by a gentleman named Cy Brick, Bricky’s was a speakeasy during prohibition. For many decades after the repeal of prohibition, Bricky’s became a haven for young people to meet and socialize. The ownership of Bricky’s changed a few times after Mr. Brick but continued to operate under the name of Bricky’s. In 1973, Anton (Tony) Gaetz and his wife Lorraine purchased the building and changed the name for the first time to Anton’s. During the first few years a small menu was offered and live house bands were featured on the weekends. In the early 1980’s a full menu was developed and the live music was discontinued. Feel welcome as you walk through the door and are greeted by the sounds of hearty laughter and sounds from the “Roaring 20’s”.
- Location: 2001 Frontage Rd N, Waite Park, MN 56387
- Featured Menu Item: Chicken Almond Stuffed Popover – made with all white chicken salad and toasted almonds, stuffed in a giant Popover and served with honey butter, this is one that is ready for its photo!
The Pickled Loon
BARTENDERS TO BAR OWNERS & FRIENDS WHO TURNED INTO FAMILY…
The pickled Loon originated in 2013, when 4 close friends who had worked together downtown St. Cloud during their college years and beyond decided that the next step in life was to create a concept of their own. They came in and brought life back into an old college staple and added an amazingly unique twist onto your normal bar food.
- Location: 715 W St Germain St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Featured Menu Item: The Shrimp Burger – A unique spin on a classic staple “hamburger”, this is a hand pattied shrimp burger topped with house slaw, avocado, lettuce, and roasted garlic aioli served on a pretzel bun.
Taco Chon Mexican Grill
In 2021, Juan Ramos introduced Taco Chon to the St. Cloud community, inspired by his family’s taco shop in Mexico during the 80s. This establishment offers a range of authentic Mexican cuisine, including popular dishes like Birrria tacos (featured on the 2021 Restaurant Week), Chimichangas, Street tacos, and the Macheton. Their menu even includes cactus options.
- Location: 2956 W. Division St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Featured Menu Item: The Macheton– It’s like a mix between a giant hard-shell taco and a quesadilla. Made with a giant corn quesadilla, your choice of meat (6 options including marinated soy or beef tongue) , onion, cilantro, sour cream and served with a side of salsa.
Copper Kitchen
The Waseka Family Legacy: A Business Passed Down for Three Generations
The Waseka family has been running the Copper Kitchen for over 40 years, but the business has roots that go back even further. In 1966, Robert and Ila Waseka opened the 14th Country Kitchen in the Minnesota-Wisconsin franchise. They owned it until 1984, when it was taken over by their sons John and Mike Waseka. The brothers transformed it into the Copper Lantern, which was later run by John and his sister Robin.
In 2022, John’s daughter Madison Waseka took over the restaurant, making her the third generation of Wasekas to run the business. In 2023, Madison decided to revamp the restaurant and give it a new name: the Copper Kitchen. The new name is a combination of the original Country Kitchen and the Copper Lantern. Customers can still enjoy classic breakfast favorites, but with a dash of innovation. To top it off, Madison also obtained a Beer and Wine license, so patrons can indulge in a specialty Mimosa or locally crafted beer with their morning meal.
- Location: 15 US-10, St. Cloud, MN 56304
- Featured Menu Item: Crab Cake Benedict – Two crab cakes, eggs and chive served with a side of hashbrowns. A twist on the classic eggs benedicts, this will be just what your morning needs.
- Promotion: get $2 off a Crab Cake Benedict and Mimosa Combo
Arroy Thai and Filipino Restaurant
Tradition you can taste. Arroy (uh-Roy) meaning delicious in Thai, brings the St. Cloud community authentic Thai and Filipino food with savory delicious flavor in a modern atmosphere featuring a cocktail bar with every drink specially crafted to bring your taste buds on a mouthwatering journey.
Owners, Adrienne and Annie, created Arroy to keep cultural food in the downtown area, specifically bringing Adrienne’s Filipino family recipes and award winning craft cocktails. But to them, it’s more than just about the food and drinks, it’s about creating an atmosphere and safe space for different cultures of the community.
- Location: 800 W St Germain St, St. Cloud, MN 56301
- Featured Menu Item: Beef Mechado – A Filipino style beef stew, slowly cooked in a tomato sauce with red pepper, carrots & potato, topped with green onion.
Hear more from one of our featured restaurants, Arroy Thai and Filipino!