Who needs fancy tablecloths when you’ve got gravy-soaked napkins and finger-licking goodness?

Buckle up, food lovers – we’re about to embark on a mouthwatering journey through Minnesota’s comfort food paradise!

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

Last but certainly not least, we have Ted Cook’s 19th Hole Barbecue.

Don’t let the golf reference fool you – the only driving you’ll be doing here is driving home with a belly full of smoky goodness.

This no-frills joint has been serving up barbecue since 1968, making it older than most of the trees they use for smoking.

The exterior is simple, with an awning that promises “Soul Food” – and boy, does it deliver on that promise.

While I can’t speak to specific menu items, I can tell you that Ted Cook’s is the kind of place where the smell alone is enough to make you consider moving in.

It’s a testament to the power of low and slow cooking, proving that good things come to those who wait… and those who are willing to get a little messy in pursuit of barbecue perfection.

2. Big Bore Barbecue (Hanover)

If Gordy’s is a blast from the past, Big Bore Barbecue is a smoky trip to flavor town.

This unassuming joint looks like it could be the set of a country music video, complete with rustic wooden exterior and picnic tables that have seen more sauce than a barbecue bottle factory.

The name “Big Bore” might make you think of your Uncle Larry’s fishing stories, but trust me, there’s nothing boring about this place.

As night falls, the neon signs light up like a barbecue-themed Las Vegas, beckoning hungry travelers with the promise of meat sweats and happiness.

While I can’t speak to specific menu items (remember, we’re keeping it real here), I can tell you that any place that proudly displays a cartoon pig on their sign knows their way around a smoker.

Just follow your nose and the trail of satisfied customers – you can’t go wrong.

3. Gordy’s Hi-Hat (Cloquet)

Oh, Gordy’s Hi-Hat, you beautiful beacon of burgers!

This seasonal drive-in has been flipping patties and serving smiles since 1960.

With its classic checkered exterior and retro vibe, Gordy’s is like stepping into a time machine – if that time machine was powered by milkshakes and onion rings.

The menu board proudly advertises their “HFDA Spicy Chicken Sandwich,” which I can only assume stands for “Holy Fried Deliciousness, Amigo!”

But let’s be real, you’re here for the burgers.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill fast food patties; these are hand-pattied, fresh-never-frozen flavor bombs that’ll make you want to hug the grill cook.

And don’t even get me started on the atmosphere.

The parking lot is a car enthusiast’s dream, with classic rides pulling up alongside minivans full of hungry families.

It’s like “American Graffiti” meets “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” – minus the Guy Fieri hair.

4. The Nook (St. Paul)

Ah, The Nook – where burgers go to fulfill their cheesy destiny.

This St. Paul institution is proof that sometimes the best things come in small packages.

And by “small packages,” I mean “buildings that look like they could barely fit a food truck, let alone a full restaurant.”

But don’t let the cozy exterior fool you.

Inside, you’ll find a cave of wonders that would make Aladdin jealous.

The ceiling is plastered with dollar bills, making it look like the aftermath of a very enthusiastic game of Monopoly.

It’s like dining inside a giant piggy bank, except instead of saving money, you’re spending it on some of the best burgers in the Twin Cities.

Related: This Hidden Minnesota Ribeye Steak Haven is a Culinary Treasure Down a Country Road Worth Exploring

Related: This UFO-Themed Restaurant in Minnesota is Too Quirky for Words

Related: This Tiny Tropical-Themed Restaurant in Minnesota Will Transport You Straight to the Caribbean

The Nook is famous for its Juicy Lucy burgers, a Minnesota invention that proves that yes, you can improve perfection by stuffing it with molten cheese.

Just remember to let it cool down before taking a bite unless you want to cosplay as a fire-breathing dragon.

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

Lindey’s is the kind of place that makes you want to put on your fancy jeans.

You know, the ones without the barbecue sauce stains.

This family-owned steakhouse has been serving up slabs of beef since 1958, and they’ve got it down to a science.

The exterior looks like a cozy cabin that decided to get into the steak business.

By day, it’s charming.

By night, with its warm glow and “The Place for Steak” sign, it becomes a beacon for carnivores far and wide.

The menu at Lindey’s is simpler than a caveman’s grocery list: steak, steak, and more steak.

Oh, and maybe a potato if you’re feeling fancy.

But when you do one thing, and you do it this well, why complicate things?

It’s the steakhouse equivalent of a one-hit wonder, except this hit has been topping the charts for over 60 years.

6. Duluth Grill (Duluth)

Duluth Grill is like that overachieving friend who makes everything from scratch, grows their own vegetables, and still has time to look fabulous.

This family-owned restaurant takes “farm-to-table” so seriously, they’ve got their own urban farm right outside.

From the outside, it looks like a typical diner that got a hipster makeover.

But inside, it’s a wonderland of comfort food with a twist.

While I can’t vouch for specific menu items, I can tell you that this place treats vegetables with the same reverence most places reserve for bacon.

It’s the kind of spot that could make a carnivore consider going vegetarian… at least until they smell the burgers cooking.

The atmosphere is as warm and inviting as a bear hug from your favorite lumberjack uncle.

It’s the perfect spot to fuel up before exploring the beauty of Lake Superior, or to recover after realizing that no, you’re not actually fit enough to hike the entire Superior Hiking Trail in one go.

7. Brasa Premium Rotisserie (Minneapolis)

Brasa is what happens when comfort food goes to culinary school and comes back with a degree in deliciousness.

This Minneapolis hotspot takes inspiration from the cuisines of the American South and Caribbean, resulting in a menu that reads like a love letter to slow-cooked meats and hearty sides.

The building itself is unassuming, with a simple sign that belies the flavor explosion waiting inside.

It’s like the Clark Kent of restaurants – mild-mannered on the outside, superhero on the inside.

While I can’t speak to specific dishes, I can tell you that Brasa is the kind of place where you’ll want to order family-style, share everything, and then fight over the last bite.

It’s a testament to the power of good food to bring people together, even if that togetherness involves playfully stabbing at each other’s forks.

8. Matt’s Bar (Minneapolis)

Matt’s Bar is the dive bar that all other dive bars aspire to be when they grow up.

It’s been serving up its famous Juicy Lucy burgers since 1954, making it older than most of the condiments in your fridge.

The exterior is about as frills-free as it gets – if it weren’t for the sign, you might mistake it for a particularly well-loved garage.

But inside, it’s a temple to the art of the burger.

The walls are adorned with decades of memorabilia, each grease stain telling a story of burgers past.

Now, I can’t confirm the specifics of their Juicy Lucy (remember, we’re keeping it real), but legend has it that this is where the cheese-stuffed burger was born.

Whether that’s true or not, one thing’s for certain: Matt’s Bar is proof that sometimes, the best things in life come wrapped in wax paper and served with a side of nostalgia.

There you have it, folks – a tour of Minnesota’s comfort food landscape that’ll leave you full, happy, and probably in need of a nap.

Cravings are calling!

Use this map to steer your food journey in the right direction—and maybe discover a hidden gem or two along the way.

Remember: calories don’t count on road trips, especially when they’re this delicious!