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Now I have a real adult job, I have a good excuse to go eat out on Wednesdays. I'm going to call it research for Yelp.
Grabbed the boyfriend and headed to Matt's, since I was craving a burger and had never been. Plenty of my friends though, and I've heard nothing but good words.
It was crowded but we got there at a good time; we only waited for about ten minutes when the waitress finally asked who was next. It's pretty much an honor system, so remember who was waiting ahead of you.
The menu is one of the shortest I have ever seen, but it's beautiful in that way; you know that the cooks have repeated the five same things over so many times, there's no room for mistake. We ordered a couple pints - very cheap at $5 - of Summit and Blue Moon, a couple Jucy Lucy's, and a basket of fries. The wait was longer than I expected for this kind of food, but then I saw the cooking area, which was just a little smaller than a work desk.
Our waitress was really nice, despite being the only one working the tables. The turn-over time was pretty fast so she was constantly working. But she never failed to keep our pints full, so that's a big plus.
The food is remarkable for bar food, in regards to the price and the history. Fries are pretty consistent and overly greasy. Everything comes on wax paper - there isn't any silver or plateware, so if this is something that bothers you, bring your own fork - but I think it adds to the experience.
The Jucy Lucy was everything I hoped for in a bar burger. I kept burning my fingers like an idiot, but I couldn't stop eating. Make sure to get the onions, it adds a lot of flavor. The beef would be average at best, on its own, but the cheese and onions really create a good flavor. The cheese was oozier than I thought it would be, and not as cheesy, but in retrospect that was a good thing. I was pretty near a food coma and I was the driver for that evening.
How to eat at Matt's Bar:
1. If you are on a Gourmet Burger hunt, don't bother coming here. Jucy Lucy's are special indeed, but they will not appeal to those expecting something made with Kobe beef and filled with ten-year aged cheddar and eaten on a brioche bun.
2. Bring cash. Thirty bucks will get you and a friend two Jucy Lucy's, a couple pints of beers, a basket of fries, and enough for tip.
3. Be patient. There are exactly three people working at Matt's. While they are super nice, they are also super busy. Cut them some slack.
4. There is no ice for drinks. Deal.
5. Bring a couple of moist towelettes; it's gonna get greasy.
Jucy Lucy please! The BEST EVER!
Very busy for lunch. Call in your order and pick it up. Street parking can sometimes be hard to find.
Oh, and be sure to go for a run afterwards, because otherwise your heart might stop from all the grease and cheese, but still DELISH!
After my sister watched the Man V. Food episode of Adam checking out the Jucy Lucy at Matt's Bar and 5-8 Club, she HAD to come check out one of the places, and HAD to have the Jucy Lucy. She is quite a food fanatic as well as a heavy Yelper, so flying in from Chicago for a visit was just an excuse to try out the different restaurants Minneapolis had to offer. This was my first time there as well, so everyone had an experience there.
While my sister was the only one who had the Jucy Lucy, a couple of us had the cheeseburger, hamburger, and the chicken sandwich. Unaware of the atmosphere there, we found that the waitress was a little hard to get a hold of when needed, and when asked for ice...because we didn't know they don't serve anything with ice...they said, nope, no ice with almost a hint of attitude in there. It wasn't until I saw the sign on the wall that read, "we do not serve ice & silverware because we broke the budget on napkins".
We all agreed that the burgers were good. Nothing to say wow about, but good. Good prices, good time...of course that goes along with having good company. The fries tasted like McDonald's fries, so if you like that, then look no further. Overall, a good place to check out.
If you want the real Twin Cities Jucy Lucy experience, you have to go to Matt's. They haven't let any of the (deserved) notoriety go to its head, and it remains a great dive bar. This is a no-frills joint, down to the fact that they don't have ice (according to the sign, they blew the budget on napkins). Jucy Lucys are available with one kind of cheese (yellow American), and I'm pretty sure there is no lettuce or tomato in the place. Get yours with grilled onions, and get a basket of fries to share while your Jucy Lucy cools down.
Bring cash. they don't take credit cards, but there's an ATM on site.
I'm sorry Matt's. I don't know how I have not reviewed you yet. I hope you forgive me and let me buy you a Premium. I'll even pay the fee to get cash at your ATM this time, instead of bringing it.
I'll take 2 Jucy Lucies, a basket of fries, and 2 Grain Belts.
I love these places. Nothing fake. Real people. Well, usually. K.I.S.S. keep it simple, stay true to who you are.
And yes, a Jucy Lucy qualifies as a snack, an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. If you disagree we will duel at sunset.
Matt's has the best Jucy Lucy in the TC area IMO. They have a great char flavor, tasty cheese and fried onions that are magical. I took a peek at the grill to see how they get so much flavor into the onions, and noticed they are sautéed in with the beef grease. Pure genius I tell ya. The fries are bountiful and thin cut. The beer selection is nothing special (no booze) , but Matt's is all about the Jucy Lucy. Get there early if you can because it's always, always, busy.
I've had a Juicy Lucy at the 5-8 and now one at Matt's. I was starving wen I went to the 5-8 and merely hungry when I went to Matt's, but I have to say... Matt's wins, hands down.
My brother came to town for his birthday, my parents came in to surprise him, and one night we just wanted simple food and Matt's delivered. The Jucy Lucy at Matt's is perfectly cooked, comes with onions, pickles, and a bun, and it is good food in perfect simplicity. I can't imagine how good the burger would be after a night of adult beverages. The 4 of us shared a basket of fries and wea each got a burger. A couple of beers and soft drinks later and we were out of there with a satisfied smile. Go, it's worth it.
Come for the food, but stay only until the check. If someone tells you they're going to Matt's, don't count on them going for a cocktail. Matt's Jucy Lucy is one of the best, if not THE best, burger you will ever eat and brings people here in DROVES.
While Matt's may not be much to look at on the outside... well, it doesn't get fancier inside either! Looks can be deceiving, however. All of the staff at Matt's have experience; this isn't anyone's first "rodeo" and it definitely shows in the service, food, and the entire experience of eating here.
As far as food is concerned, 95% of the customers are here for the Lucy. If you don't already know, you're about to experience a pure food nirvana with this burger. Paired with some shoestring fries and an adult beverage, eating a Jucy Lucy becomes a definitive experience. And/or a heart attack. I'm not into calorie counts or ingredient lists, but I know that a fried burger with a molten cheese center isn't going to win over your local cardiologist.
The staff is down-to-earth, prompt, and amicable. On my first visit, I had a nice short conversation with staff about Anthony Bourdain who was up on one of their many TV screens. When I forgot to bring in my checkbook, it wasn't a huge issue to go out to my car and get it. If you're looking for a place to tell your life story, find a psychiatrist. If you're looking for friendly atmosphere, come to Matt's!
That said, here are a few tips for a 1st timer. One, remember to bring cash or a check (no cards!). Matt's Bar is busy, especially during peak lunch and dinner hours, so expect to wait at least 30 minutes if you can't beat the rush. And lastly, if you don't know the burger lingo, ask a friend who knows or take a minute to learn (its not complicated)... this saves time and helps make the experience better for everyone!
Sorry to be the lone dissenter here, but I just thought the Jucy Lucy was ok. The place was hip and the waitress was fun. I was tempted to try a cheeseburger, but the waitress keep pushing the JL (we're known for the Jucy Lucy she said). Well I had already read about it and so I said what-the-heck.
It was good I guess. I was disappointed that the meat itself wasn't all that flavorful. It's socked full of melted cheese that comes with a stern warning from the waitress to let it cool a bit before biting into it. That's about the only flavor it had. And the meat was pretty well done which I suppose has to be in order to get the cheese inside to melt.
Anyway, it wasn't bad, it was good... just didn't blow me away like I was expecting. Next time I'll try the cheeseburger tho.
*A note to those who don't know the difference between a Jucy Lucy and a cheeseburger. The JL is two patties of beef crimped around a bunch of cheese inside. It's cooked thoroughly so the cheese melts. Careful how you bite into it, it has a tendancy to squirt out all over the place. Comes with onions and pickles. That's it.
The top reasons why I don't like Matt's
1. When they poured my water into the glass, I could see stuff floating in it. Dirty dishes, yuck.
2. The interior is pretty nasty.
3. I was not warned about the juicy lucy explosive nature and burned myself. They were lucky I didn't pull a McDonald's hot coffee law suit.
4. The wait staff are much to be desired. And so is the wait before you see them when you get food or need something.
Here's a hint... don't take a chick you really like to Matt's on a first date. She won't call you for a second one.
Properly eating a Jucy Lucy is nothing short of a fine art, perfected over many years and cheese-scalded fingers. But one day, you'll find yourself there with a pitcher of Primo and a basket of hot-from-the-deep-fryer French fries, staring down the beast up until the point that it's cool enough to handle (this is key, like a zen master, you must be patient and wait).
My dad lives all of two blocks from Matt's, so I'm a as-frequently-as-my-cholesterol-will-allow guest. I positively love that going to Matt's is like stepping back thirty years with golden booths and wallpaper and Johnny Cash on the jukebox. What they lack in ambiance, they make up for in their food.
I don't think I need to say that a Jucy Lucy, French fries, and Primo are my primary example of "Minnesota terroir". Don't even bother ordering anything else from the menu, which I think was more of an afterthought than anything else. The perfectly melted cheese between two, if unremarkable, beef patties with the rich fried onions and sesame bun will simultaneously melt and clog your heart.
In quest of the juicy Lucy!
I have heard allot about this place and people always said "if you want the real juicy Lucy you have to go to Matts". Then there is the group that says the 5-8 Club is the real deal. Well I decided to judge for myself. 1st stop was Matts.
Very good burger, great taste, great cheese...not divey enough but its a start. I love the idea of no plates, just served on the paper they wrap them on. The fries were really good and again the burger tasted great. This is one of those burgers not loaded with flavorings. Just salt and pepper I would guess so you really taste the meat. I must say I love the juicy Lucy, I am now a fan and will be back.
Only down side of the visit. Pint of beer is not a pint, dive bar should have cheap beer, not $3.00 for a pint that is really a half pint. I expect that crap in the burbs. Great burger but get me a pint!
KT
Dear Matt's Bar:
You have a special place in my heart. But I hate the way you make my hair stink after I leave.
I love cheese. Put it in a burger and it's a win. I hate it that your burger scientists can't engineer a Juicy Lucy that doesn't squirt out half the cheese in the first bite. Oh well, I use the drippings as a condiment for my fries.
xoxo Amy
I found myself alone in a hotel room next to the mall. Business travel can be such a drag. A landing jumbo jet flies past my window and somehow that triggers a memory of a recent Man Vs. Food episode. Why NOT head up to the city and do the Jucy Lucy Fun Run?!? Which is better? Matt's? 5-8 Club? Time to find out.
Now, in Maryland, we don't know a thing about Juicy/Jucy Lucies. We are perfectly satisfied with our cheese melted over the top, but I decided to see what the fuss is about.
When you walk in, you get the feeling that Matt's is a great dive bar. The right lighting (none to speak of), the right decor (think dark with occasional neon), the right staff (a little on the snarky side). I think that a visit a couple of hours later would reveal the more BAR side of things.
However, I went early enough that families and white collar folks were still walking in for the good greasy food. I sat at the bar and waited patiently. I can't believe the size of the grill or the amount of visible grease. The cook is clearly in the weeds. He hasn't looked up for 15 minutes, but he is churning out those fat burgers like nobody's business.
The burger arrives. The bartender (a woman of few words) says the truest thing I have heard all day. "Might want to let that cool for a minute." Hahaha. Okay. Easier said than done. So I stared at my burger for as long as I could bear and then I had to dig in. Oh the lava flow! The pain! Dear god it is good though. What did they do with those grilled onion? Gotta be the grease.
Been there, done that, bought the T-Shirt. (had to settle for green though, they were out of the cool mustard yellow.
Whole lotta hype to this spot apparently.
We could look at this place one of two ways. Local bar or burger joint.
BURGER JOINT:
+Jucy Lucy has the potential for greatness
+Cant get beer at most fast food spots
-Burgers are inconsistent. My 2nd visit was a huge letdown.
-Crowded. Definitely not worth a wait in line
-Dont drink too much unless you like peeing in a trough. Not even a full size trough. Bet on rubbing shoulders if someone else is down there.
LOCAL BAR:
+Bartender was cool as hell. Friendly and attentive
+Price is right on that burger. Anyone who complains needs to come out here to SanDiego where we're robbed for $10+ unless you're rollin' through a drive-thru
+Gotta love peeing in a trough. Urinals are for pussies.
-Crowded as a motherfucker. You can tell the only reason any local would ever be in here would be to host visitors or to do some people-watching and laugh their ass off at the tourists.
-Make sure you sit at the end of the bar. In the middle they've got all the glasses and you've got no place to set your drink.
Bottom Line: If you're coming for the burger, it's way too inconsistent. You may have a fantastic meal or you might be completely let down. My advice, just sit down at the bar, enjoy a fucking beer, and enjoy some solid people-watching.
This is only getting four stars because of the fries because usually I get the JL (Juicy Lucy) and fries at the Nook in St. Paul which is near my home. The fries at the Nook are much better.
So quickly about the fries. They're ok, not great. They come out of a bag vs being hand cut. They're not the Nook...but that burger. OMG it was awesome.
I had the benefit of sitting at the bar next to the grill. They clean their grill much less then they do at the Nook and I could taste that added, I don't know what to call it(specialness?), that added extra bit of something. Basically, that burger from before, and the one before that, and so on and so on became part of my burger.
I know that doesn't sound right but if you appreciate a good burger, it makes sense.
God it's 11:30 on Sunday, I had this burger on Friday and my remembering this makes me wish for another one.
FINALLY tried Matt's Bar a few weekends ago. I love how a burger joint who puts cheese in the middle makes the place oh-so-famous. Clearly, and in my opinion, it's nothing close to being special but since it was featured on TV, I shall refrain from giving it the 3 stars it rightfully deserves. I don't mean to be picky because clearly, a lot of Minnesotans love this place, but I don't let these following things slide just because it was on TV: sticky table, lame decor, long-a*s wait, and the fries were eh. As far as the actual burger goes, it was amazing. So hot and juicy it made me melt in my seat. Worth the visit so yay for 4 stars!
Matt's, Matt's Matt's...you seriously f****d my diet..but you're the only man/bar I love for it. Being on a 500 caloie a day diet and checking into the fabulous Chambers Hotel, who's kitchen is under renovation and seeing the "best burger in Minneapolis" magazine in my room, didn't help either.
Let's just get down to the nitty gritty..or the molten hot lovin sexy cheese streaming down my face...I have never actually said out loud that hot steamy liquid filling my mouth and running down my face is my fav. thing in the world , but I am saying that now....Jucy Lucy..you can squirt all over me anytime.You are one hot piece of meat, and baby I love you.
if I lived in Minneapolis, even within 100 miles, I would be there at least once a week.. I ate there twice in 3 days...
I have googled matt's molten cheese till my fingers are bleeding...to no avail...it's not just plain old American...it's more like white/slightly golden (due to hamburger grease), not hard cheese..the lingering tatse is driving me crazy....seriously...freckin crazy....
If anyone knows ( Steve T. that sat at the bar by the grill on 8/9) the "cheese" secret...please I beg of you..save me from anti- depressants and a life of misery...tell me the type/brand of cheese so I can instead become a fat ass molten lovin heffer here ..in my own home. ( ooh..bad mental there, sorry) I'll just establish a jucy luy-athon) on the days I make them for my friends...5 mile run prior to cook off...once perfected I will invite any jYelp Jucy Lucy fan that''s in Phoenix to join me in the my cook off adventure.
I can't get the smell, feel, perfectly burning molten explosion of love in my mouth, out of my senses. Why can't you be a hot steamin walkin smellin of jucy hunk of a man???
If anyone could make a "jucy lucy"phermone spray ...I'm just sayin..
if there's a flight special under a $150 RT to Mn. ...it would be the $154.95 Jucy Lucy..and I wouldn't bat an eye...I'm just sayin...
I had no expectation when I went other than to get a good buger...I walked out in love...Thanks Matt's! You're the Man, the Bar, the Burger!
Can you say Jucy Lucy support group?
Can Matt's say, we are adding same day FED EX services to the menu??
Well, I have to say Man vs. Food let me down a little bit over this place. We came into a very obscure spot down Cedar Road, and was surprised to see how small the place was. It looks much larger on tv as I suppose many things do. I guess I expected the place to be a bit more welcoming, but it's not. Sure, most dive bars might not be typically friendly, but it definitely helps out with the comfort level. I'm not saying that anyone should be fake, but if you act like you don't want to be there and are serving people then it shows as well. Oh by the way, they don't have ice here. I guess that means no mixed drinks come to think of it. The menu here is very limited, but of course I came for the widely acclaimed Jucy Lucy. I wanted it to be a bigger burger, but it wasn't. It was good, but it didn't knock my socks off. Yes, it's super hot dripping with cheese, but it didn't seem to make a difference to me whether it was all melted in the middle in between the meat like this or if it was a slice of cheese on top of the meat to be honest. I guess the uniqueness of how it's prepared seems more of a marketing ploy, but I can appreciate that. The fries are super delicious though, very similar to McDonald's if you like those. The prices are okay, but then it just makes this place average to me.
Its a dive, so of course its dirty, falling apart, and stinks...but those attribute play no roll in my review.
It appears that most other negative reviews about this joint talk about the slow service and the long waiting times, this is to be expected going to a place with lots of hype!!!
My complaint is the burger wasn't worthy of any awards. I ordered the juicy lucy with fried onions, and unless someone had told me it was Gouda cheese I would have never guessed, The onions reminded me of those on a White Castle slider, along with the soggy bun, or maybe I've just became accustom to toasted/grilled buns.
I did enjoy the french fries, but if you can't make good french fries you might as well close your doors, also, my girlfriend ordered the same thing but with raw onions which made it a bit better!
I remember reading someone else's review on here about this place and they said something like the cheese being stuffed into the burger doesn't make up for the lack of flavor in the patty, and they were right.
The soda came in a 12oz can, at a $1.50 a can I should have ordered a beer!!!
Once we finished and went to pay, I noticed the bartender who had been handling money, wiping her hands on her pants, etc start to assemble the burgers, maybe its just me and some of my phobias but it wasn't the most pleasant sight after downing a burger and fries.
The only positive thing I have to say about this bar is how friendly the other customers were to us.
If you ever find yourself searching for a good burger in the twin cities keep this place in mind next to the fast food joints.
I only tried the Juicy Lucy (duh) while I was here, which was pretty good. I thought it was kind of weird they don't give you fries with it, but maybe that's just me. I probably couldn't have eaten them anyways, those burgers are filling!
Atmosphere was dive bar style, but fun, service was fairly prompt but with not a lot of character. Cheap pitchers and lots of people for people watching. Oh, and they only accept cash or checks! There is an ATM, but get cash before unless you want to pay an ungodly fee.
This is definitely one of those places that you go once to try, and maybe go again with friends who haven't been there before, but I don't think I would suggest going here when trying to decide where to eat.
Had my first jucy lucy 2 weeks ago at this joint. It was so good I ended up having a second. Great neighborhood spot away from downtown. I was not sure what to expect from the outside look, but the food, drink and staff were great. Will be back next time I go to MSP. If you want a cool local spot that's authentic, gritty and just a cool spot this is for you.
Make no mistake: eating here will make you fat, then kill you. The Jucy (sic) Lucy is to "die" for, but little-known secret: the cheeseburger is just as good, and you don't have to wait for it to cool down or else risk third-degree burns in your esophagus.
Good but overrated! This place wins award after award and just doesn't stand out. ZZZZZZzzzzz
I've been to this establishment on multiple occasions, though it must be noted that those times we're when I was a vegetarian. Grilled cheese sandwiches are just that, no more, no less. Writing an in depth review about a burger place, when all you've experienced was the grilled cheese just didn't seem right to me.
Fast forward to my current meat eating lifestyle, I figured it was time to get juiced by the Jucy Lucy.
My girlfriend and I went on a Thursday afternoon, probably around 2:00 or so, and there was hardly any open tables. Busy Busy Busy. We we're surprised. Thankfully we got there just as two ladies we're leaving. Having been a server in the past, I know how annoying it is for a server to have people sit at a dirty table, however our server had nothing but smiles and was all about us. I can always appreciate that
We both ordered the Jucy Lucy and split a full order of fries. Fries we're fries, nothing crazy, but then again nothing terrible. It should be noted that a full order of fries is more than enough for 2 people. The Jucy Lucy on the other hand was damn delicious. Well seasoned with some tasty grilled onions. The cheese bomb that just keeps going; where the hell do they hide all that cheese, seriously these burgers aren't exactly 2lb. monster burgers, yet the cheese seems to keep ooozing out.
Anyways, after it was all said and done, we both left holding our bellies in a pleasant food-coma induced haze. Can't wait to go back!
Now, contrary to some of the reviews here, I think Matt's bar is quite amazing. Okay, granted, the service isn't the sex of sex. Truly. I can't count the number of times my mouth has went dry before I gulped down a refreshing beverage that assists the food transportation process. Service aside, those damn jucy lucy's get me everytime. I feel like a child getting seduced by Grandpa buying me a new Tonka truck: You can pet me now pa pa.
So, when I'm in a bad mood, I hit up Matt's bar for a fat, greasy cheese oozing lucy that works out the logic of the soul. When I'm in a good mood, I gobble up a fat, greasy cheese oozing lucy that shines the world through God's eyes. I give it the Best Burger of Minneapolis: Cooked on a bed of onions--what could be so wrong about that?
5 stars this place is not. I don't know if I have ever had a more over hyped burger in my life. Putting cheese in the center of an otherwise fairly bland burger does not make this place worthy of a long drive. If you live around the corner, I completely understand why you'd be a regular. This is a good neighborhood dive bar.
The service is pretty slow as well, since our waitress spent more time outside smoking than she did in the bar refilling our pitcher.
Will I be back? Well, if a bunch of friends wanted to meet up out there, I'd probably be persuaded, but the draw would be the company, not the destination.
The best part for me was sitting by the grill and watching the "chef" do his thing. I say chef because he was making everything so fast and so well it was a treat to watch and learn. Everything that was ordered in the place was was coming out of this area that was no bigger than a coat closet.
The griddle looked extremely old and dirty. But at the same time insanely delicious as it glistened with french fry oil and hamburger grease from those it has cooked in the past.
The food itself was good but I will say I like the nook better. However if I am back i will wait for that seat at the bar next to the grill again to again truly appreciate what happens in that small corner of the restaurant.
If you are out of town, this place is difficult to get to without a car. I had to walk from the nearest MRT station which was probably about two miles away. But after seeing it on the Travel Channel, I had to try it for myself.
The place is a dive. There were only three people in the whole place working. One person serving the tables, one person behind the bar, and one person cooking the burgers. With how busy it was, it was not hard to imagine how bad the service sucked but it did. For to go orders, the woman behind the bar was quoting one hour. One hour for a burger! I digress though. The people there were extremely friendly, and I didn't mind the wait because I was not in a rush.
I ordered the Jucy Lucy and a order of fries. The fries were just meh. Nothing special. The Jucy Lucy was bomb though. I had no expectations going in, and it blew my mind. The meat was tender and well spiced, and the idea of putting cheese in between two burgers is genius. Although I did make the mistake of not waiting for the cheese to cool down before biting in because I burned the inside of my mouth pretty bad.
Cost: $14 for a Jucy Lucy, fries, beer, and a soda
The Jucy Lucy is the most amazing, cheese-spolsive experience for burger lovers. Make sure you pay attention to the instructions if you've never eaten one before or that molten cheese will scald your face off.
Step one:
Bite teeny tiny exploratory nibble to let steamy goodness escape
Step two:
Dip fry into cheesy hole you've just created while the burger cools a bit
Step 3:
Enjoy cheesy fries until you're ready to eat burger without burning your face off.
Step 4:
Take a bite while simultaneously avoiding a molten cheese squirt in the eye, face or lava flow on hands
Leave your jacket in the car - and anything else you don't want to smell like a greasy frying pan.
Really isnt much I can say about this place that hasn't been covered. It rules, and anyone who scores it below a 4 has most likely killed brain cells from years of smoking styrofoam to the point where "logic" and "taste in good stuff" has been tossed by the wayside.
Not really a bar. I mean, there are kids in here. is this the new bar?
I mean, I went to bars when I was young, but that was only because my dad was a drunk.
But this was like thanksgiving for these people: adults at one table, kiddies at another.
and that kiddie table was way too close to our table.
So close that I asked the little shit if he wanted some of my catsup. he mumbled around the straw he was chewing on while drooling over the TV (travel channel: biggest structures. we went from bridges (!) to buildings (!!) before we left, and it was great).
He was all : Huh?
and I was like: DO YOU WANT SOME CATSUP???
his mother pulled him away shortly thereafter, bless her soul.
come for the burger, stay for the trough urinal. thats right folks. yet another trough.
Matts is in good company.
i wonder how the dreaded white dude who looks like nothing but raw veggies pass his lips can stand there and flip and slap that meat down, stabbing each one after turning so the cheese can ooze without exploding?
I bet he smudges every night, and sends prayers to the mighty goddess of lettuce and carrots to be kind and forgive.
I love Matt's! The burgers are amazing. It defines dive and beer always tastes better out of a pitcher
Arrive early and by early I am talking noon. Tables fill up fast and waiting space is extremely limited. But you will forget your annoyance as soon as your lips meet the original Juicy Lucy!
Oh, and if you get your burger and fries to go. Never fear, your fries won't get soggy in a styrofoam container on your way home. Nope, Matt's respects their fries and serves them to go in a paper bag.
Ya gotta come to the original for a Jucy Lucy.
The Jucy is a mighty good burger. But it is really just a fried cheeseburger, so if you're expecting an orgasm in your mouth you may be disappointed.
Don't let one subpar experience disappoint to much. They cook A-LOT of Jucy Lucy's, and sometimes you may unfortunately get one that leaked a bunch of your cheese out on the fryer before it got to your mouth.
I had my first Jucy Lucy here. And my first, "$1.50 FOR a TEPID CAN of POP?!?!" Still, you can't beat hot cheese. Try it - I defy you.
*Note: Though the call of the Jucy Lucy crosses most socio-economic borders, there is a high whitetrash to whitecollar ratio in here. Dress & drink accordingly.
I walked into Matt's Bar for one reason, and one reason only. New to the area, I had what felt like every person I bumped into insist that I absolutely HAD to try the infamous Jucy Lucy, and so, always up for a good burger, I stopped by one night.
Matt's bar is exactly what I expected from a little old corner bar. It was cramped, stuffy, noisy, busy, and reeked of frying burgers and fries. All of which was fine by me. So I ordered myself a Jucy Lucy and waited, eager to try the very hyped up burger. And...I was pretty disappointed. It wasn't horrible, or even sub-par. But it wasn't great, either. I will say that I ordered mine with the fried onions. Having heard that, my good friends were quick to tell me to try it again, with fresh, or even no onions, and maybe I will someday. I'll have to let you know.
All in all, a fun experience, but I left disappointed and feeling....greasy.
I had my first Juicy Lucy at Matts, and I liked it! It is a greasy dive bar, short on ambiance - lighting is harsh and the place is pretty beat up, but the booths were comfy, and the burger was fine. I wouldnt call it a great burger, but I was not unhappy with it. And I dont mind peeing in a trough...
My first visit to Matt's was really not about the burger...my friend met her future husband over a shared roll of paper towels up at the bar. But the burger was good. I just confirmed it a couple of months ago when we went back to recreate the moment 2 years later.
It's all about the pitchers of beer, a juicy lucy and a 1/2 order of fries now. And I keep trying to sit at the bar...maybe I'll meet someone with greasy fingers too!
It's good, and cheap, and definitely a dive, and even more definitely quite an experience. It's like 3 blocks from my house though, and I've only been there once in 6 months, so that says something.
We went for dinner, and it took a long time to get a table, to order, to pay. So don't go expecting a spectacular customer service experience. But it's good food for a good price, how can you argue with that?
They don't take credit cards, debit cards, etc. They take cash and (luckily for us) checks. Just a heads up. They have a cash machine, but I didn't really feel like paying a bunch of fees.
My family has been coming here for at least 50 or so years. I like to go in and imagine my great grandfather (who I never actually met) having a beer. It's easy to do because according to my grandmother, the interior of Matt's is exactly the same as it was back then. And lucky me I'm now within walking distance!
I like the Juicy Lucy. Just get a knife, cut it in half, watch the cheese ooze out and let it cool for a few minutes. The burn is no fun. I love the fries at Matts, too, a full basket is enough for 2-3 people. The menu doesn't expand much from there, I think it's Lucy's, burger with or without cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches and *maybe* one or two other kinds of sandwiches.
Minneapolis, MN
Category: Bars
Minneapolis, MN
Category: Pubs
Minneapolis, MN
Category: Dive Bars
Minneapolis, MN
Category: Bars
Minneapolis, MN
Category: Bowling
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