Cheese lovers, unite!
Minnesota’s hiding a secret arsenal of mac and cheese that’ll make your taste buds do the polka.
From dive bars to fancy joints, we’re diving fork-first into a cheesy adventure across the North Star State.
1. Milton’s (Crystal)
Nestled in a strip mall in Crystal, Milton’s is the unsung hero of comfort food.
This place is like that friend who always shows up with snacks – reliable, unpretentious, and oh-so-satisfying.
Their mac and cheese is the culinary equivalent of a warm hug from your grandma, if your grandma was a cheese wizard.
The outdoor seating area, with its cheerful blue umbrellas and planters bursting with flowers, is perfect for those rare Minnesota days when it’s not snowing, raining, or mosquito season.
Inside, the vibe is cozy and welcoming, like a living room where it’s totally acceptable to wear stretchy pants and devour carbs.
2. Smack Shack (Minneapolis)
Smack Shack in Minneapolis is where seafood meets comfort food in a glorious, cheese-covered union.
Their lobster mac and cheese is so good, it might make you consider trading your lake cabin for a seaside shack.
The restaurant’s industrial-chic decor, with its corrugated metal and neon signs, is like a hip factory where the only product is deliciousness.
Don’t let the fancy lobster fool you – this place is as Minnesota as saying “ope” when you bump into someone.
It’s the kind of spot where you can impress a date or comfort-eat your way through a Vikings loss.
3. The Lowry (Minneapolis)
The Lowry in Minneapolis is like that cool aunt who knows all the best restaurants and always picks up the tab.
Their mac and cheese game is strong enough to make you forget about the weather outside, which in Minnesota, is saying something.
With its sleek, modern interior and patio that’s perfect for people-watching, The Lowry is where the cool kids go to carb-load.
It’s the kind of place that makes you feel sophisticated for ordering mac and cheese, like you’re adulting, but with training wheels made of cheese.
4. Brunson’s Pub (St. Paul)
Brunson’s Pub in St. Paul is the dark horse in the mac and cheese race.
This unassuming neighborhood joint might look like just another corner pub, but don’t be fooled – their mac and cheese is the stuff of legends.
It’s so good, you might start believing in cheese fairies.
The pub’s exterior, with its classic brick facade and vintage-style sign, is like a time machine to when calories didn’t exist and cheese was a food group.
Inside, it’s all warm wood and friendly faces, like Cheers, but with better food and fewer Boston accents.
5. Brick & Bourbon (Stillwater)
Brick & Bourbon in Stillwater is where mac and cheese goes to get fancy.
It’s like your favorite comfort food put on a tuxedo and learned some party tricks.
Their mac and cheese is so luxurious, you might feel the need to apologize to your arteries before diving in.
The restaurant’s chic industrial vibe, with exposed brick and moody lighting, makes you feel like you’re in a Food Network show where the host actually eats the food.
It’s the perfect spot for a night out when you want to feel grown-up but still crave the food of your childhood.
6. Crooked Pint Ale House (Multiple locations)
Crooked Pint Ale House is the Swiss Army knife of restaurants – it’s got a tool for every hunger situation.
Their mac and cheese varieties are like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but every ending is delicious.
With multiple locations, it’s like they’re on a mission to make sure no Minnesotan is ever too far from good mac and cheese.
The classic ale house atmosphere, complete with dark wood and gleaming taps, is like a hug for your eyes while your mouth is busy with cheese.
It’s the kind of place where you can watch the game, have a beer, and still feel like you’re adulting because you ordered something with noodles in it.
7. The Nook (St. Paul)
The Nook in St. Paul is like that hole-in-the-wall place your cool cousin told you about.
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It’s small, it’s unassuming, and it’s got mac and cheese that could make a lactose-intolerant person consider living dangerously.
This place is proof that sometimes, the best things come in small, cheesy packages.
With its no-frills exterior and cozy interior, The Nook is where you go when you want your mac and cheese with a side of nostalgia and zero pretension.
It’s the culinary equivalent of finding a $20 bill in your winter coat – unexpected and delightful.
8. The Freehouse (Minneapolis)
The Freehouse in Minneapolis is where mac and cheese goes to get a college education.
It’s sophisticated, it’s got depth, and it pairs well with craft beer.
Their mac and cheese is so good, it might make you consider getting it tattooed on your arm – you know, for easy ordering.
The restaurant’s modern industrial vibe, with its high ceilings and expansive windows, is like the loft apartment of your dreams, if your dreams involved endless supplies of cheese and carbs.
It’s the perfect spot for when you want to feel fancy but still need the comfort of something that reminds you of your childhood.
9. Handsome Hog (St. Paul)
Handsome Hog in St. Paul is where mac and cheese puts on its Sunday best.
This place takes comfort food and elevates it to an art form.
Their mac and cheese is so decadent, you might need to be rolled out of the restaurant – but trust me, it’s worth it.
With its sleek, contemporary design and warm lighting, Handsome Hog is like the James Bond of restaurants – smooth, sophisticated, and capable of melting hearts (and cheese) with ease.
It’s the kind of place where you can impress a date with your refined palate while secretly just being thrilled about eating really good mac and cheese.
10. Buster’s on 28th (Minneapolis)
Buster’s on 28th in Minneapolis is the neighborhood joint that every neighborhood wishes it had.
Their mac and cheese is like a warm blanket for your soul, if that blanket was made of perfectly cooked pasta and gooey cheese.
It’s comfort food that doesn’t just comfort – it gives you a full-on bear hug.
The laid-back atmosphere, with its green awning and patio seating, makes Buster’s feel like the backyard barbecue you always wanted to host but were too lazy to organize.
It’s the perfect spot for those nights when you want to feel like you’re eating at home, but without all the dishes to clean up afterwards.
11. Icehouse (Minneapolis)
Icehouse in Minneapolis is where mac and cheese goes to jam.
This music venue-slash-restaurant serves up tunes and cheese with equal passion.
Their mac and cheese is so good, it might inspire you to write a cheesy love song – and I’m not just talking about the lyrics.
The cool, industrial chic of Icehouse, with its exposed brick and moody lighting, makes you feel like you’re in on a delicious secret.
It’s the kind of place where you can catch an indie band, sip a craft cocktail, and still satisfy your craving for childhood comfort food.
It’s like growing up, but with better cheese.
12. Pub 819 (Hopkins)
Pub 819 in Hopkins is the dark horse in this mac and cheese derby.
Don’t let the unassuming exterior fool you – inside, they’re serving up mac and cheese that could make a statue weep.
It’s the kind of dish that makes you wonder if you’ve been eating mac and cheese wrong your whole life.
With its classic pub atmosphere and friendly vibe, Pub 819 is like that friend who’s always up for a good time, but also knows how to make a mean mac and cheese.
It’s the perfect spot for when you want to feel like you’re in a small-town pub, even if you’re just a stone’s throw from the big city.
There you have it, cheese enthusiasts – a tour of Minnesota’s mac and cheese landscape that’ll have you loosening your belt and planning your next cheesy adventure.
Remember, calories don’t count when you’re eating something this good!