Oklahoma Tornado: Death Toll Revised To 24 Dead | Survivor Finds Dog | Slideshow | How To Help Victims

Best Of Home

Best Juicy Lucys In The Twin Cities

May 5, 2011 6:30 AM

(credit: crnook.com)

Juicy Lucys are, so Wikipedia tells me and I consequently tell every out of town visitor who passes through the Twin Cities, the “Philly cheesesteaks of South Minneapolis.” They are our contribution to the country’s legacy of artery-clogging cuisine, the apparent result of our winter-seasoned propensity for wrapping warm things up in warm things. I mean, what says “comfort food” more boldly than traffic-light yellow food-stuff leaking from its lightly-seasoned meat pocket? The only argument I have with the aforementioned cheesesteak tag is the “South Minneapolis” bit. The two most famous Lucy flingers are, indeed, located in that area, but they’re served throughout the Cities and, as you can see from my picks below, there are now just as many fine Lucy establishments across the Mississippi as there are in Lucy’s homeland.

matts Best Juicy Lucys In The Twin Cities

(credit: mattsbar.com)

Matt’s Bar

3500 Cedar Avenue South,
Minneapolis, MN 55407-2339
(612) 722-7072
Directory | Website

One of the two Cedar Avenue establishments that claim to serve the “original” Lucy (the other being 5-8, see below), Matt’s Bar is the only one that has been immortalized by Michael Birawer. It’s also been featured in multiple cable network showdowns with its main rival and, so far as I know, won each time. Who am I to argue? Matt’s Jucy Lucy (they said if it’s spelled wrong, it’s the right “Jucy”) is a marvel of burger engineering. Whatever it takes to keep that cheese inside its chamber and not seeping into the surrounding meat, they do it perfectly!

thenook Best Juicy Lucys In The Twin Cities

(credit: crnook.com)

Casper & Runyon’s Nook

492 Hamline Avenue South,
St. Paul, MN 55116-1613
Directory | Website

Matt’s and 5-8 are the Geno’s and Pat’s of Minneapolis, but ask any native Philadelphian and they’ll tell you the best cheesesteaks to be had aren’t found at either. In that spirit, it’s entirely possible that the best Lucy in the Cities isn’t at either. Anyone who’s tried the cheese-filled burgers at the Nook in St. Paul (right next to Cretin-Derham Hall) knows they contend. How can they not? They’ve got more bounce to the ounce. I suspect they also have more ounces of cheese, for that matter; it spills out simply everywhere!

(credit: CBS)

The Blue Door Pub

1811 Selby Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55104-6031
(651) 493-1865
Directory | Website

I introduced some New Yorker friends to the concept of Juicy Lucys by taking them to the Blue Door Pub, where they call them Juicy Blucys. When the burgers were served, one of my friends fainted onto the table. As it turned out, he wasn’t reacting to the overwhelming shock of being served the ultimate in comfort food but, instead, to dehydration. Either way, appropriate. I want to give Blue Door higher marks than they end up earning, because no one else has found more innovative twists on the Lucy template. (Their Breakfast Blucy — topped with cheese, bacon and a fried egg — is worth the instant cardiac arrest.) The only glitch? They haven’t quite managed to figure out how to keep the cheese pool from seeping into the surrounding meat pocket.

adrians Best Juicy Lucys In The Twin Cities

(credit: adrianstavern.com)

Adrian’s Tavern

4812 Chicago Avenue,
Minneapolis, MN 55417-1009
(612) 824-4011
Directory | Website

Among the non-nonsense bars throughout the Twin Cities who have expanded their short-order repertoire into the field of Lucys, Adrian’s Tavern on Chicago is one of my favorites. In contrast to Matt’s, where the meat is lean and firmly packed, Adrian’s serves up their melted cheese between two sizable hunks of beef. If you’re a hard-line carnivore in search of a Lucy fix, this is your place.

(credit: grovelandtap.com)

Groveland Tap

1834 St. Clair Avenue,
St. Paul, MN 55105
(651) 699-5058
Directory | Website

Groveland Tap’s standard issue Lucy isn’t so stellar that it would merit a special trip if you’re jonseing for a cheese-splosion. But if you like your meat-n-cheese piñatas to come in a spicier variety, you need to try their special Cajun Lucy. (And try the broasted chicken while you’re there.)

58club Best Juicy Lucys In The Twin Cities

(credit: 5-8club.com)

The 5-8 Club

5800 Cedar Avenue South,
Minneapolis, MN 55417-2648
(612) 823-5858
Website

OK, I’ve saved it for last not because I think it’s the least of these, but because I almost feel like 5-8 and Matt’s have restraining orders out on each other, and I figure a buffer of four other entries just about covers that. Speaking objectively, there’s one thing 5-8 has on Matt’s: multiple cheese options. Whereas Matt’s only offers gooey American cheese, 5-8 gives you the choice between American, Swiss, Blue and Pepper Jack. And, for everyone who’s had enough cheese inside their burgers, they’ve also come up with the Saucy Sally, which is stuffed with secret sauce.

Eric Henderson is a web producer at WCCO.COM.

Kevin N

Matt’s has better french fries than the 5-8. Both burgers were about the same, in this writer’s opinion. Matt’s doesn’t accept credit cards, nor do they have ice available for their non-refillable soft drinks (what bar doesn’t have ice?).

The 5-8 club has a much better atmosphere (it’s not fine dining by any means, but it’s leaps and bounds above the “dive bar” atmosphere at Matt’s), accepts credit cards, and offers fountain pop with ice and free refills. I’ve tried both places, and the only one I’ll consider going back to is the 5-8. If only they could get the good french fries like Matt’s…

http://krissosphotgraphy.wordpress.com Krisso

Personally I would rather pay cash for meals these days. I’ve come across several instances where eateries have tried to take more than what I designated as tip. Cash is easier for the wait staff and allows the place to keep more of the money they earn.

CC take a percentage for the option to use them. It doesn’t come out of your pocket, it comes out of the people you are paying’s pocket.
Kevo

But, how can you make your own: Just trying to make the perfect burger albeit; beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, tofu, fish, venison, ohhhhhh!!!! Add some cheese (American, cheddar, pepper jack, Muenster, bleu cheese, mozzarella, etc.), or something else and stuff it in the middle. Juicy Lucy with all of the above….please. Juicy Lucy – Ground beef with favorite cheese stuffed inside, Pizza Burger – Hamburger with cheese, peperoni and pizza sauce stuffed inside, Le Cordon Bleu – Ground chicken with Swiss cheese and Canadian bacon stuffed inside, Thanksgiving Day burger – Ground turkey with stuffing and cranberries stuffed inside. Possibilities are endless…..Or, just the standard ¼, 1/3, ½, 2/3, or the whopping 1 POUNDER? Go to Quirky.com and make suggestions.

Joeker

I love Juicy’s! If you enjoy them, don’t pass up Tooties, they have a Jalepeno and cream cheese on some seriously fresh buns….and Surly on tap. What’s not to love? Heaven on the North side.

jmm

yes

Lowry n’ Upton

Tooties has by far the best burgers in the Twin Cities!

DEVO

They all make a mean Juicy Lucy but… Blue Door! Hands Down the best! Where else can you get an egg on your Lucy… Glad my girlfriend moved in right down the street!
patrick.

the BLUE DOOR. by far. not even close. seriously.
Peggy

I miss the old days when the 5-8 was still a dive. The Juicy Lucys are still great, but somehow it’s not as cool as it was when I was a kid and you ordered soda based on what was in the cooler and the pool table had a people waiting to play. I had my 8th grade birthday there and my friends were shocked.
Johnson

Went to the Nook….had their Juicy with pepper jack cheese. Very Delicious!!! The fries were great, homemade, kinda like the State Fair fries. Burger was cooked perfect, good portions, good price. The atmosphere was very nice (for bar/short order resturant). I would definetly recommend and return myself!!!
musicman

Matts burgers are almost inedible. The outside is cremated in order to get the inside done. It was the first place I ever tried a juicy lucy and it remains my least favorite.
Kevin N

Well, Casper and Runyon’s Nook can unfortunately be dropped from this list (for now) unless one likes their burgers really char-broiled. :-/

http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2010/12/14/overnight-fire-destroys-popular-st-paul-bar/

Debbie

Shamrock’s on west 7th is also owned by them and has the same jucy lucy’s if anyone is craving them.
Kevo

Just trying to make the perfect burger albeit; beef, chicken, turkey, lamb, tofu, fish, venison, ohhhhhh!!!! Add some cheese (American, cheddar, pepper jack, Muenster, bleu cheese, mozzarella, etc.), or something else and stuff it in the middle. Juicy Lucy with all of the above….please. Juicy Lucy – Ground beef with favorite cheese stuffed inside, Pizza Burger – Hamburger with cheese, peperoni and pizza sauce stuffed inside, Le Cordon Bleu – Ground chicken with Swiss cheese and Canadian bacon stuffed inside, Thanksgiving Day burger – Ground turkey with stuffing and cranberries stuffed inside. Possibilities are endless…..Or, just the standard ¼, 1/3, ½, 2/3, or the whopping 1 POUNDER?

Dan Monfre

I like the Juicy Lucy at The Depot. I think they call theirs the Inside Out burger or something.
Debbie

yes i loves sax’s too!!!
There is no question

The only real Jucy Lucy is at Matts.

Anyone with half a brain knows that.

Really?

Matt’s sucks dude. Do you even know what a good burger is? If so..how can you possible think Matt’s is even average? I know they have history…but they havent kept up with the times. And from the sounds of it on here….most people think Matt’s is a joke too. Is it true they dont take credit cards? Dont have ice? Or free refills? Combine those things with the fact the burgers are just “average” at best…..anyone with half a brain knows Matt’s sucks burger balls dude.

JamieinMN

I agree. And on top of that, the burger I received was NOT good. It was edible, but it was completely burnt alllll the way around and the cheese in the middle was like water. Not oooey gooey like these other places. The way cheese SHOULD be.
karen

And, let’s face it…the place is a dump. I know its a neighborhood, corner bar kind of place but it is really dirty. There are just so many nicer places to get just as good or a better burger, I think.
Dave

Did you see man vs food
Erick

matts burgers are actually the best. Weird suburbanites often go there and expect something different. You will never find anything similar to matts anywhere, and the price is hard to beat. No credit cards, no ice, no refills, just burgers, fries, and beer. I’m glad most suburbanites dont like it…..that place stays with a line out of the door…..

Ben

Agreed, Hands down Matt’s is the best!!! If you had a bad experience you shouldn’t right it off completely. Go there for lunch sometime and you will not be disappointed.

Amanda

Exactly, you have to go when the guy with dreads and the tie dyed shirt is working. Don’t know his name but call and ask, they’ll let you know… he makes the best Juicy Lucy

Vicki

The Tin Cup on Rice Street has some awesome Lucy’s !!!
Kyle

Adrian’s is great, a much heartier meal indeed compared to the other locations. The bar is quieter than all of them as well, which gives better atmosphere in my opinion.
Brad Ahrens

Are you kidding me Matt’s is nasty dried out meat with a hard bun and little cheese to be had. And the Blue Door I have only been their once and it was not worth the trip.

Dave

Maybe he didn’t like you

Amanda

I have only been to the Blue Door, no need to go anywhere else!

Brian

Agreed. But, a little more seating would be nice.

Garry

Ive tried them all and contrary to the postings here I like Matt’s the best. Maybe it is the atmosphere.
Raven Danzig

I’ve had no complaints with Matt’s Jucy Lucy’s and I’ve tried the 5’8 club years ago. I was there once and was not impressed. Like Garry, contrary to all the Matt’s Nay sayers, I dig Matt’s the most.
Darren

The Best Juicy Lucy I can find is at Buffalo Tap in Savage. Cheese everywhere! and so very good!

weeew

right on the tap rules!!!!!!!!

Them

hands down the tap!

Mk

You also should check out Tailgate’s Stuffed Burgers. They are Awesome
Lisa S.

Shamrock’s serves the same juicy lucy’s as The Nook BTW.

karen

Shamrocks is owned by the same people who own the Nook or so I’ve heard.
Shamrocks has a fun atmosphere and an AWESOME menu. They have really good appetizers, especially the chicken wings. And they have regular fries and really good sweet potato fries. And…..PULL TABS!!! Its a fun place.
Eric

That’s because it’s the same owners silly!

terry

The Pheasant Inn in Siren, Wi. Great Bar and super portion
gourmet eater

The burger at 5-8 had a hint of cheese in a dollop in the middle of an overcooked burger when I ate there. Nothing juicy about it.

Try Gold Nugget in Minnetonka for the best…………forget the idea that American cheese in the middle of an overcooked hamburger would be better.
casnart

Tin Cup on Rice Street has the BEST Lucy’s. Great flavor. Great place. Great service. Great neighborhood place.
Brent from BP

You have to tell the waitress at 5-8 that you want your Juicy Lucy done “medium.” That way the burger is still a little pink and the cheese is melted perfectly. I used to live in south Minneapolis and now enjoy my Juicy Lucy at the 5-8 in Champlin. It is my personal favorite — with onion rings. It’s still only like $5!!!
jpking970

The Shamrock beats them all. We’ve been to all the locations. I’m surprised it isn’t even listed, although it’s owned by the Casper Runyon group.

blog comments powered by Disqus

Filed Under

Related Tags

Listen Live!

Mobile Weather Watcher

Follow CBS Minnesota

Follow @WCCO

The Buzz From WCCO Radio

Meet WCCO-TV’s Anchors

TV Schedule

	Full Program Grid
7:00 PM	NCIS: Los Angeles
8:00 PM	NCIS
9:00 PM	NCIS
10:00 PM	WCCO 4 News at Ten
10:35 PM	Late Show with David Letterman
11:37 PM	The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson