Ever wondered what would happen if your taste buds hijacked your GPS?

Well, buckle up, buttercup, because we’re about to embark on a mouthwatering journey through the Land of 10,000 Lakes that’ll have you drooling faster than you can say “pass the napkins.”

1. Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue (Minneapolis)

Last but certainly not least on our gastronomic tour is Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue in Minneapolis.

Don’t let the golf reference fool you – the only driving you’ll be doing here is driving home with a very full stomach.

From the outside, Ted Cook’s looks like it could be any unassuming takeout joint.

But step inside, and you’re hit with the kind of smoky aroma that makes vegetarians question their life choices.

This place has been serving up lip-smacking barbecue since 1968, and they’ve got the recipe down to a science.

Their ribs are so tender, they practically fall off the bone if you look at them too hard.

And don’t even get me started on their hot links – they’ve got enough kick to wake up your taste buds and possibly your neighbors.

But here’s the real beauty of Ted Cook’s – it’s takeout only.

That means you can enjoy their mouthwatering barbecue in the comfort of your own home, where nobody can judge you for licking the sauce off your fingers.

Now that’s what I call a hole-in-one.

2. Big Bore Barbecue (Hanover)

Next stop on our gastronomic adventure is Big Bore Barbecue in Hanover.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Big Bore? Is this some kind of joke?”

But trust me, the only boring thing about this place is how quickly your plate will be empty.

This rustic BBQ joint looks like it was plucked straight out of a Western movie set.

The wooden exterior and picnic tables give it that down-home charm that just screams, “Come on in, partner, and loosen your belt.”

Inside, the aroma of smoked meats hits you like a delicious, meaty tidal wave.

Their brisket is so tender, it practically melts in your mouth faster than ice cream on a hot sidewalk.

And don’t even get me started on their ribs – they’re so good, you might just consider giving up utensils altogether.

But here’s a pro tip: come hungry, and come early.

This place is so popular, they often sell out before closing time.

It’s like a barbecue-themed version of musical chairs – when the smoke clears, someone’s going home empty-handed (and empty-stomached).

3. Gordy’s Hi-Hat (Cloquet)

Picture this: It’s a sunny day in Cloquet, and you’re cruising down the road when suddenly, a retro-fabulous sign catches your eye.

Welcome to Gordy’s Hi-Hat, folks – where time seems to have stopped somewhere in the 1960s, but the flavors are timeless.

This family-owned joint has been flipping burgers and serving up smiles since 1960.

The classic drive-in vibe is so strong, you half expect to see the Fonz walk in and give a thumbs-up.

But let’s talk about what really matters here – the food.

Their burgers are the stuff of legend, hand-pattied and cooked to perfection on a well-seasoned grill.

And don’t even get me started on their onion rings – crispy, golden hoops of joy that’ll make you forget all about those sad, limp fast-food impostors.

But here’s the kicker – Gordy’s is only open seasonally.

So when those “Open” signs light up, you better believe the locals flock here faster than seagulls to a dropped ice cream cone.

It’s like Minnesotans have a sixth sense for when those grills fire up.

4. The Nook (St. Paul)

Alright, burger lovers, brace yourselves because we’re about to enter the hallowed grounds of The Nook in St. Paul.

This place is so beloved, it’s practically a religious experience for burger aficionados.

From the outside, The Nook looks like your average neighborhood bar.

But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a burger paradise.

The walls are plastered with local sports memorabilia, creating an atmosphere that’s part sports bar, part burger shrine.

Now, let’s talk about their claim to fame – the Juicy Lucy.

For the uninitiated, that’s a burger with the cheese stuffed inside the patty.

It’s like the burger equivalent of a lava cake, only instead of chocolate, you get a molten core of cheesy goodness.

But here’s the real kicker – look up.

The ceiling is covered in dollar bills, each with a story to tell.

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It’s like a low-budget, high-cholesterol version of the Sistine Chapel.

Just remember, if you’re planning to add your own contribution, make sure it’s not your last dollar – you’re going to want to come back for seconds.

5. Lindey’s Prime Steak House (Arden Hills)

Hold onto your hats, steak lovers, because we’re pulling up to Lindey’s Prime Steak House in Arden Hills.

This place is so old school, it makes your grandpa’s record collection look cutting edge.

From the moment you step onto that wooden porch, you’re transported back in time.

The red-trimmed exterior and neon sign scream “1950s steakhouse,” and boy, does it deliver on that promise.

Inside, it’s like a carnivore’s time capsule.

The decor hasn’t changed much since it opened in 1958, and neither has the menu.

In fact, calling it a menu might be a bit of an overstatement.

Your choices are basically: steak, bigger steak, or biggest steak.

It’s the kind of simplicity that makes you wonder why other restaurants even bother with those pesky multi-page menus.

But here’s the real magic – that steak.

It’s seasoned with nothing but salt, pepper, and butter, then grilled to perfection.

It’s so good, you might just forget about ketchup altogether.

And let’s be honest, in the world of steak, that’s saying something.

6. Duluth Grill (Duluth)

Next up on our culinary crusade is Duluth Grill, a place that proves you can teach an old diner new tricks.

From the outside, it looks like your typical roadside eatery.

But step inside, and you’ll find yourself in a farm-to-table wonderland.

This former chain restaurant has reinvented itself as a beacon of local, sustainable cuisine.

They’ve got their own garden out back, for crying out loud.

It’s like they took the concept of “fresh ingredients” and decided to show off.

Their menu is a beautiful hodgepodge of comfort food classics and innovative creations.

Want a burger?

They’ve got you covered.

Craving a quinoa bowl with locally foraged mushrooms?

They’ve got that too.

It’s like your hippie cousin and your meat-and-potatoes uncle decided to open a restaurant together.

But here’s the real kicker – their commitment to sustainability extends beyond the food.

They’ve got solar panels, they compost, they even use recycled materials in their decor.

Eating here isn’t just a meal, it’s practically a public service.

7. Brasa Premium Rotisserie (Minneapolis)

Alright, folks, loosen those belts because we’re rolling into Brasa Premium Rotisserie in Minneapolis.

This place is like a love letter to slow-cooked meats, with a side of Southern comfort.

From the outside, Brasa looks like it could be any hip Minneapolis eatery.

But step inside, and the aroma of roasted meats will hit you like a delicious, smoky freight train.

Their rotisserie chicken is so juicy, you’ll wonder if they’ve somehow figured out how to inject flavor directly into the bird’s DNA.

And don’t even get me started on their slow-roasted pork.

It’s so tender, it practically falls apart if you look at it too hard.

But here’s the real beauty of Brasa – it’s not just about the meat.

Their sides are so good, they could easily be main courses in their own right.

Creamy yuca, collard greens, fried plantains – it’s like a culinary tour of the American South and Caribbean, all on one plate.

8. Matt’s Bar (Minneapolis)

Hold onto your hats, burger enthusiasts, because we’re diving into the hallowed halls of Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis.

This place isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a piece of Minnesota history.

From the outside, Matt’s looks like it could be any neighborhood dive bar.

But step inside, and you’re entering the birthplace of the legendary Jucy Lucy.

And no, that’s not a typo – they spell it without the ‘i’, because who needs vowels when you’ve got a burger this good?

For the uninitiated, a Jucy Lucy is a burger with the cheese stuffed inside the patty.

It’s like the burger equivalent of a lava cake, only instead of chocolate, you get a molten core of cheesy goodness.

And Matt’s claims to have invented this miracle of modern cuisine.

But here’s the real kicker – the atmosphere.

It’s cash only, the decor hasn’t changed in decades, and it’s always packed.

Eating here isn’t just a meal, it’s a rite of passage.

Just remember to wait a few minutes before biting into your Jucy Lucy, unless you want a cheese burn that’ll make you the laughingstock of Minneapolis.

There you have it, folks – a tour of Minnesota’s finest smoky, saucy, and downright delicious eateries.

Satisfy your taste for adventure!

This map has all the stops you need to make every meal a memorable one.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go buy some stretchy pants.