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Newt's
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Drive-Thru:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
43 reviews for Newt's
Review Highlights
"...with some great beers - Bells Two Heartwd Ale and Surley."
(in 3 reviews)
"The Mike D's Fatty Melt was pretty amazing in concept."
(in 2 reviews)
"Newt's "feels" like a secret place that only the locals..."
(in 3 reviews)
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43 reviews in English
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Review from Christopher M.
Milwaukee, WI
9/18/2011
Maybe I was just jonesing for a burger, but this place hit the spot! I had the Marvin burger and I would do it again. The popcorn was a nice add, as well.
The place is basically a dive, so don't go there for the ambience. If you want a quick burger and beer, I would highly recommend it. -
Review from Renita K.
Los Angeles, CA
I was pretty excited for the burgers because this place got such good reviews, but I don't think Newt's lived up to the hype.
The service was great - our server was really nice and attentive, and that's the reason for the 3 stars instead of 2.
I got the Dave's Burger with garlic and jalapenos mixed into the patty. In theory, this should have been good. Unfortunately though, the patty was dry, flavorless and overcooked. I asked for medium rare but he said they tend to come out a little on the undercooked side, so I went for medium. Still, it came out well done - there was no pinkness anywhere. There was some flavorless chipotle sauce on top and some shredded cheese that would have been much better if it was melted and sprinkled directly on top of the burger instead of into the cold sauce. This whole thing just didn't really come together nicely... It wasn't inedible but it was close.
I also tried the Peanut Butter Burger which was interesting but not something I'd order again. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't that good either. I guess there's a reason why I've never seen a peanut butter burger before.
Also when it comes to burgers, I have a thing about white buns that just come straight out of a bag. I feel like it makes the burger instantly 10x better when the bun has been toasted or thrown on the flat top for a little bit so the edges are slightly burnt and crispy. These buns, unfortunately, were just plain old white buns that did nothing for the burger besides hold it together.
The fries weren't bad but not "award winning" as the menu suggests. In fact mine weren't that hot when they got to me, which makes me think they were sitting out for a while. Maybe if you get them straight out of the deep fryer they'd be better... but then again, almost anything straight out of a deep fryer probably tastes pretty good.
I feel like for a place that's known for its burgers and fries it should try a little harder. -
Review from Joe B.
Chicago, IL
8/24/2011
Newt's is located right in downtown Rochester, not too far a walk from the Kahler Grand where I was staying.
I ordered the Jucy Lucy. The cheese dripping out of the middle of the burger was delicious, as was the burger on the whole. Fries were fine and free popcorn on the table was an added bonus.
$4 for a Bells Two Hearted Ale may or may not be a good deal in Rochester, but compared to my hometown of Chicago it was a great surprise. -
Review from Gee D.
Rochester, MN
8/9/2011
Newt's is a mainstay of the Rochester downtown that relies heavily on marketing and out-of-town traffic. This is unfortunate as I would like to think that a restaurant should survive on its food and a loyal clientele. However, in that world, I'm not sure if Newt's would be quite as popular. After a couple of trips, I would describe Newt's as a mediocre, crowded, loud burger restaurant with a decent beer selection.
One can expect a 30 minute wait around dinner time. Due to the location of the kitchen on the lower level, the food delivery route passes directly through the cramped waiting area. This does nothing to add to the ambiance, which is kitschy, noisy and smells of stale popcorn, which litters the ground.
Once one is lucky enough to obtain a seat, the experience becomes no less confined; expect to adjust your seating several times during the evening to allow other patrons and the wait staff to pass. The kitchen is slow due its aforementioned location and the volume, so I can only recommend ordering quickly after being seated if one wishes to be fed in the following 45 minutes. I attribute much of Newt's high ratings on Yelp to this fact, as its patrons tend to down two or three drinks in the time it takes to be served their meals, driven by the free, salty popcorn they eat out of pure starvation.
The menu selections are nothing exemplary or imaginary. The portions are what one expects in America, but the taste of the burgers is beneath those served at a Chili's, with some of the ingredients less than fresh. The beer selection is decent, however, I sincerely hope that the Bloody Mary's are not the best in Rochester (as they advertise). The prices are not terrible, but represent a poor value for what one receives.
Contrary to the billboard on US-52, I can definitively state that Newt's is far from the best burger in town. Both Snappy Stop and Five Guys are far superior, and in terms of value, I'd rather go to McDonald's. The popularity of this restaurant is the fruit of excellent marketing, a good location, a risk-averse populous and strong alcohol consumption. Objectively, and soberly, Newt's is as mediocre as they come. -
Review from Kim M.
6/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
What I liked:
- the bun, had a perfect buttery crusting on the inside. It was also fresh.
- the bacon, wasn't what I call "freeze dried" bacon, you know the kind you can nuke for 30 seconds?
- The cheese was plentiful.
What I didn't like:
- I did not feel like the burger had any flavor or characteristic that made it "unique".
What I didn't get to experience that I would have liked to:
They had a "booth" at the First Thursday event. I would have liked to try their outdoor ambience. It looked fun.
Overall Comment:
I actually like a Wendy's burger (no lie) better than Newt's - flavorwise. But if you're really craving a burger -- it's a'iight. -
Review from Laura P.
Minneapolis, MN
4/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
My boyfriend, best friend and I came here one night.
We were seated right away, which was nice on a Saturday night.
I ordered the 'Marvin' burger,
which was kinda like a bacon burger with chipolte mayo on it.
It was fantastic!!
The fries were just fine.
My sweetums had a burger with other toppings that he enjoyed too.
My bestie had a juicy lucy and he complained about it the whole time
:)
I told him "that's what you get" for eating a juicy lucy anywhere
outside of Minneapolis.
Not to be a snob, but the standard of having a good juicy lucy
is driven by the competition between burger joints up in Minneapolis.
Newt's dominates the Rochester burger scene,
so they have no one to stay on top of with quality and taste.
Do you know what I mean?
I'm sure the burger he was eating was adequete,
they have great beef that they use,
but it's just not on the same level.
The restaurant itself is pretty quaint.
I would eat here regularly if i lived in Rochester. -
Review from Kevin L.
Berkeley, CA
5/5/2011
Newt's is known for their amazing burgers, but I wasn't impressed at all by their offerings. it was definitely nothing to write home about. i ordered the marvin burger and the chipotle sauce was overly tangy and the burger itself was average. Even though it was bacon it didnt make up for the lack of satisfying taste.
but +1 for having fat tire on draft -
Review from Alok G.
Rochester, MN
11/5/2011
Great ambience, nice crowd, very good service and the waiter was very attentive...
But, as a vegetarian, i guess i didnt have a best burger in the town experience.. They hardy had one item dedicated in their menu for me... And it ddint live upto my expecations..
Well the prices was good and also the quantity... But, Am not going back there -
Review from Joe B.
St Paul, MN
9/18/2011
Way overated. Don't bother. The worst Jucy Lucy ever made, the only thing worse than the burger was the service.
I'm not sure how they were voted best burger in Rochester 8 years in a row? It must be the only place in town to serve burgers. -
Review from Rich L.
Sherrard, IL
3/24/2011
If you didn't know where Newt's was you'd never find it. It is definitely a well kept secret by the locals. Thanks to all you Yelpers we knew right where to find it! It's pretty small and thankfully we were there on a weeknight. I'll bet there's a wait on weekends.
We had to have burgers and fries since they have been rated the best-in-town the last 8 years running. And they were good; juicy but not greasy; 1/2 lb. on a Kaiser bun . I had the Jucy Lucy and ate every bite including their top-rated fries. There are a lot of bottled beers but only five or six draft.
They also give you a basket of popcorn to keep you occupied until the food arrives. The only downside is I couldn't get enough water afterwards; between popcorn and fries there must be a lot of salt. Would definitely go back though. -
Review from Gavin W.
Rochester, MN
9/29/2011
Good burgers, hot waitresses, great location, and reasonable prices. There is a lot of variety within the burger menu (one even has 2 grilled cheeses in replacement of a bun)
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Review from Andrew S.
Raleigh, NC
8/16/2011 1 photo
Are you kidding me?
Right beside the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Rochester. I was trying to avoid, but the reviews sucked me in.
I ended up having the Todd's Burger. Ok, so fried egg on a burger. Good. Two fried eggs on a burger? You've got to be kidding me!!! The bacon tasted like it was sliced today - not just "bacon". The cheese. The meat was meat, not just bland burger. Oh my god.
Definitely worth the trip. The bar is a bit lonely, but the bartender keeps the place lively.
Need to avoid stopping back for a Jucy Lucy.
All I can say after (great for kids, don't get me wrong) spending all my burger years of late at Red Robin is .. "Red Robin" ... "Dumb". -
Review from Jerry M.
Kirkland, WA
Updated - 8/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Rare works burger-Ya Buddy
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Review from jun k.
9/21/2010
This place was upstairs/cute inside facilities, pretty chill. There seems to be a lot of loyal locals who come here, as it got "best burger in town" awards quite often (according to the stuff plastered on the walls).
They give you bowls of popcorn as appetizers which I think is brilliant since it's cheap and cute. Unfortunately, it's also really salty (which probably adds another factor to the brilliant-ness since you'd probably have to order more drinks...)
We ordered the Jucy Lucy, Fried Chicken Salad, and Mike D's Fatty Melt.
I loved the fries that came with the hamburgers... so crisp, so delicious.
The fried chicken salad LOOKED awesome, but the chicken was overcooked and just overall everything was meh.. but then again, that's what you get for ordering a salad at a place like this.
the jucy lucy was a small patty with american cheese inside inside a bun. I was a little surprised... don't burgers normally come with other stuff? *shrug * The patty was also pretty small.
The Mike D's Fatty Melt was pretty amazing in concept.. beef patty, bacon, onion rings sandwiched between grilled cheese sandwiches? Haha! The actual execution was aiite (tiny onion strings, dry grilled cheese sandwiches) .. but definitely more flavorful (ahem bacon!).
Both burgers had to be doused with ketchup and tabasco... because surprisingly, they were a little bland (and I'm nOt a salty person).... especially compared to the popcorn LOL
Overall, good service and such. nothing AMAZING though.Listed in: When I Roam...
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Review from Crystal R.
Birmingham, AL
7/6/2011
I had the Blue Lucy, and it came with fries. I paid about $10 for the whole meal. It was really good--I was doubtful that I was going to be able to eat the entire burger, but I basically inhaled it because it was so tasty. I had it medium, and it was really cooked quite well, pink in the middle. The waitress was really nice, even when we had two extra people show up to our booth and had to stick a chair at the end. She took their later orders no problem and kept our glasses filled. You would think the restaurant would be bigger and more spacious (it's on top of City Cafe) because it's so popular, but that was the only con that I saw. I would definitely go back.
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Review from Amy C.
Rochester, MN
8/5/2011
I think this place is so-so. I don't really know why they got rated so highly, possibly because they were the only burger joint until 5guys came along. I have tried 2 of their burgers there. One of them was described as very spicy with jalapeno, which turned out not spicy and tasteless. I forgot the other one b/c it wasn't flavorful either. I mean the portion is huge when you eat at the restaurant, but I would rather make my own at home.
One other thing that I am strongly dissatisfied about is the Newt's vendor they set out on Thursday's on First & third. I went with a group of friends to get burger there b/c it was my co-worker's last day at work. We were all shocked that the $5 burger (basic burger mind you all) does NOT come with any lettuce/ tomatoes. If you want them, you have to pay an additional $1 that comes in a zip lock back (they are not fancy cherry tomatoes or romain lettuce either....so tacky). I mean come on, why not just sell your burger for $6 so that it comes with everything. To cheap out like that, just repels a bunch of customers.
I am a truly disappointed customer. Wish MN has more authentic individual restaurants than the monopolized restaurants owned by the same person. P/S: I am also disappointed with the Thai noodle bowl in city cafe (which is also own by the same person as Newt's)...the must inedible "asian fusion" dish that is overpriced! -
Review from Bob S.
Los Angeles, CA
6/13/2011 1 Check-in Here
GREAT BURGERS. all around fun spot with really good burgers. a must in Rochester.
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Review from Renee J.
Rochester, MN
7/9/2011
These are the best burgers anywhere. They are cooked exactly as you order them and served with great fries. The burgers are big, juicy, seasoned perfectly and served on great soft buns. I've never been disappointed. Also delicious are the nachos - any variety. Waits can be long but worth it if you have the time. Full bar with some great beers - Bells Two Heartwd Ale and Surley.
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Review from Taryn F.
Denver, CO
6/13/2009
My brother and I sought this bar out on a sleepy Saturday afternoon in Rochester. After a week of intense medical appointments at Mayo, we desperately needed beer and refuge from the real world. We sampled the yummy, salty popcorn, but that day was about beer. Our endeavor into Newt's food would have to wait a few days.
We'd spent much of the afternoon walking downtown Rochester (and there isn't all that much to see) for a good bar. We spied Newt's while wandering -- it was a hot day on Easter weekend and we craved an outdoor setting. Although Newt's doesn't offer outdoor seating, the relentless backflow of people in-and-out was a good sign. Upon entering, we knew immediately that our foodie instincts hadn't been flattened by cancer talk. No Burger King for us -- what a travesty!Tee hee.
We grabbed some popcorn and guzzled a few local brews, leaving happy before the evening rush conquered the small little restaurant.
Since then, my family and I have eaten at Newt's four times, sampling burgers, garden burgers, chicken strips, and the best that Newt's has to offer: chicken nachos. As family members would travel into Rochester to accompany my mother at Mayo, we'd brag about Newt's and get their hearts set on a visit. Nobody left dissatisfied!
We are Mexican food snobs -- it's true. Even my mother, head chef in our family, dubbed the chicken nachos as the "best I've ever eaten." This says much. I've since tried to recreate Newt's nachos, and plan to do so at an upcoming family gathering so we can reminisce about the one place we always found peace and laughter at.
Although our time in Rochester was limited to less than 3 months, our final visit was a celebratory dinner the evening of my mother's successful surgery and my brother's 30th birthday.
We left happy and full. -
Review from Karen S.
4/3/2011
You can't beat this place for a tasty burger and beer. Good service, and easy on the wallet. Free popcorn too! It's pretty small, so you may have to wait.
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Review from Jeff B.
Dallas, TX
6/5/2010
This is a pretty damn good place for a burger. You want cheese -- sure but tell them where. They'll put it directly inside the burger! They have all kinds of burgers for your taste and the popcorn served before your burger arrives is good.
It's a nice little pub sitting atop another one of their restaurants. I highly recommend it. -
Review from Michelle A.
Minneapolis, MN
5/3/2010
I was so ready to love this place! The billboards driving into Roch advertise that Newt's has won the Best Burger in Rochester award for something like nine years. Now that I think about it, I don't know who their competition would be, as Newt's is the only burger-specific restaurant in the region.
The burgers at Newt's are really sort of mediocre, sadly. My blue cheese burger had barely any flavor. There is free (!) popcorn, however, and the beer selection looked good. If you're looking to go for a night of drinking it might be a nice choice, but for actual food...I'd try somewhere else. -
Review from Rhonda R.
Juneau, AK
5/16/2011
Tasty burger joint with a comfortable atmosphere. Burgers were fresh a good beef flavor and buns were fresh baked, light and really let the taste of the burger shine through. Fries were hot and crispy. Would definitely return more than once.
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Review from Cathy H.
San Francisco, CA
6/19/2006
HI FIVE to the best hand-dipped mozzarella cheese sticks, marinated in beer. The excess of corn in the Midwest has led to ethanol treated fuel, Halloween corn field mazes, and best of all-FREE all you can eat and all you can serve popcorn in the old school popcorn cart at Newts!
My friend and I split and devoured the juicy 3/4lb hamburger. The odd thing is that the waitress asked how we wanted our meat to be cooked. My stomach is E. coli sensitive, and I think ground meat should always be well done. Our meat came out to be medium well, and amazingly, my stomach had no qualms. -
Review from Cyrus K.
Elgin, MN
6/30/2010
Newt's "feels" like a secret place that only the locals know about because of its location. It is on the main street in Rochester, MN, but you have to know how to get to it (and yes, there are signs to help you out). The atmosphere feels like a downstairs rec room with photos on the wall and seemingly meaningful odds and ends scattered around. While small in space, it feels very welcoming and not crowded.
Burgers are fantastic and the only thing I have ever had. I suggest you try the Peanut-butter Burger if you go.
Newts is very casual but expect to see a lot of suits and ties during the weekday in the afternoon as Mayo is located nearby.
Highly recommend! -
Review from Mike R.
Chicago, IL
3/24/2009
Great Great Burgers. They do have a lot of different kinds of them too. I really can't say enough about the burgers and they are possibly in the top 3 I've ever had overall across the US (and I've had some great burgers before). Everything else on the menu is good too.
Free popcorn, full bar, tvs in there usually turned to sports. Someone not from Rochester might have a little trouble finding it since it is above and behind City Cafe, but it's really not that bad. Limited seats, and you seat yourself which is all a downside of it because it's usually fairly busy, but you can usually find a seat (if there are none open) within a max of 30 minutes. I've never had to wait more than 10 though.
Overall, great place and great experience. Highly recommended. -
Review from Xander O.
Omaha, NE
5/14/2009
I think this is the best (or one of the best) burger places in Rochester.
Their menu is simple and all of their burgers are great. The Juicy Lucy is great (I have them add peanut butter to make it even better!) as are their other burgers. I have only had one disappointing burger there and that day my whole group was left disappointed, must have just been an off day.
All in all, every time I have been here I've had a great burger - the service is pretty quick and to the point, although sometimes they aren't attentive enough with the water. If you're looking for a great burger check this place out. -
Review from Billy N.
Tenafly, NJ
9/3/2010
So, newts sells burger and fast food. They have a variety of burgers but best I'm ever had? Not by a long shot. Slightly above culvers and more expensive. For a chance to try different types of cheese burgers etc then cool
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Review from Jim H.
Cloquet, MN
1/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went here on the recommendation of a local that we met there for dinner. GREAT atmosphere (kind of like an upstairs Cheers). Burgers were SO SO good. I had a burger with "special" sauce and asked for it medium rare. It came fast and was cooked perfect. Another person in our group had a burger with fried eggs on it and he said that he loved it. The popcorn was even good. The wait staff were polite and fast, it was no hassle at all to transfer from the bar to a table with a tab either. I would recommend this place to anyone that wants good burgers and beer in a fun atmosphere.
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Review from Mike O.
Amagansett, NY
3/9/2010
Now we're talkin'! Burgers are my favorite comfort food... besides maybe cupcakes and maybe a nice fried egg sandwich. But since it's dinner time and I don't see cupcakes on the menu, a burger it shall be! And according to the local populace, this is the place where all good burgers go to die.
Firstly, you have to search a bit to find the restaurant. It's upstairs and has a staircase outside with an awning that helped my figure out how to enter (the snow and ice all over them made me wish there was another way in).
Once inside, the place feels just like your everyday sports bar with the game on, businessmen and families hunched over their plates of food, construction workers and nurses (it's right by the Mayo Clinic) elbowed up to the bar. The popcorn that comes as you sit down is a little weird. I say that partially because I, being from NY, am not used to getting anything for free and when I do it is usually bread... But it was a nice change. The popcorn doesn't fill you up and I imagine it's cheaper for them at the end of the day to throw out a few bowls of corn kernels than a few loaves of bread. Smart.
The menu offers a nice range of creative burgers, a bit above and beyond what you'd expect from your regular sports-type TGI-McFunsters (to borrow a phrase from Mr. Bourdain). I ordered the basic cheeseburger. Yes, I know, not too creative or adventurous, but I needed to have a basis to compare this place to the places I eat at regularly. Oh yeah, the fries are listed as "a pound of fries" on the menu. What have I done?..
So the food comes and I am not paying attention because the Vikings are on, and everyone is glued to the TV and muttering under their breath or yelling and high-fiving so I am lost in the melee of anthropological activity. Then I notice the indoor staircase that people are exiting into. Dummy. When I do look down at my plate, wait. Let me rephrase that: When I do look down at my table (I'm at a bar table against the wall) I see it is covered with a basket of fries and what looks like a shiny, large pastry in the middle. Is that my burger buried in that pound of fries? Hold on... Menu check... fresh baked and buttered (!!) hamburger buns! Yes, that must be my burger. I start by excavating my way through the fries, which is not a choice but a necessity, since the burger is halfway covered with them, and they are pretty darn good. Not amazing, but far better than I would expect. Most places known for their burgers are not really known for their fries, unfortunately. they were good enough to keep eating and I would have had I not had a huge burger in front of me... Calling to me...
And now the Burger. It's not huge. It's not looking too spectacular. It's not dripping juice and cheese and ketchup all over my hands, which is a good thing. And it's not oozing through the bun. As I work my way through the first bite I feel kind of like I just kissed someone for the first time. I'm almost giddy. I get like this when I eat something that makes me totally happy and makes me forget the world around me and the real reason I am in Minnesota (Mayo again). I've just been saved by a hamburger...
The bun is where I will begin because that's the first thing I always notice. The burger is terrific, don't get me wrong, but the bun is what makes it really stand out ot me. The almost sweet-savory flavor of a buttered roll mixed with the rich aroma and well-seasoned taste of the burger is sublime, in my eyes. The meat was cooked perfectly to a nice even medium-rare, and they leave the condiments off, so you have a chance to taste how good the burger is on it's own before you add the condiments. in this case, I ate half the burger before realizing I didn't have any ketchup on it... Just mayo ;) mmmm... mayo....
As the week progressed, I felt the tug to visit again and again, and I eventually fell prey to the urge on my final day. I got the Works. This is aburger called the "Works", not just a term to describe my eating zeal. This burger has bacon, veggies, meat, bleu cheese, and american cheese (which I changed to swiss, sorry Kraft). It's a good thing this place is close to the Mayo clinic. this burger made up for the lack of runny juices and soaking wet bun, but it was so worth it. It's not for the fain of heart. It may not even be for the robust-at-heart. It's sort of what I imagine the drug Ambien would be if it was made into a delicious, melt-in-your-mouth meal that left you aching but craving more... Truly a delicious burger. And truly a unique culinary experience that left me wishing wishing I was both unhealthier (so I could stay in MN longer) and healthier (So I could eat more Newt's) at the same time.
As I squeezed back in to my rental Matrix (awesome), I realized that this is now the burger that I will be comparing all others to. The paradigm has shifted.
*sigh* Back to NY....
But I will be back. Two down and ten burgers to go ;) -
Review from Terry D.
Minneapolis, MN
7/12/2011
There claim is great burgers and cold beer - They deliver. The french fries and popcorn are very good also. Good beer choices.
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Review from Kong T.
Rosemead, CA
9/24/2008
One heck of a burger. I got the one stuffed with Jalapeno and garlic, with b-b-cue sauce. What an awesome combination. Along with the fries and a beer, it was a great meal to end the day with. Gotta go there if you are ever in town.
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Review from Collin D.
Ypsilanti, MI
4/23/2010
When I hear I've got a trip to Rochester, MN, the first thing I think about is a burger at Newt's. Good beer selection. Simple menu, with approx 10 different burgers. I've been here probably 20-30 times for lunch and dinner. I think my favorite burgers are "THE WORKS" and "FRIED ONION BLUE" burgers. The nachos are huge and tasty, the ground chicken sandwich is mouthwatering. Fish & Chips were so so. Both lunch and dinner service is great. The space is a little cramped for the amount of tables, but gives it a cozy feel. The free popcorn is a bonus when you're starving!! Check it out if you're in the area visiting. Good for parties of 6 or less. Go with a friend first to check it out! Also nice to sit back and watch the Twins game.
Listed in: RST
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Review from Alfonso E.
Oakland, CA
4/13/2007
This appeared to be the recommendation of nearly every local I asked for a beer 'n burger joint. And to me, it's just that. The sort of place that also serves breaded and fried zucchini sticks and mozzarella fingers to burn your gums with. So don't forget the beer -- and go ahead and try a local brew.
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Review from Sarah Y.
Racine, MN
6/4/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great service and slightly above average burgers. Was expecting more.
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Review from Carissa G.
Austin, TX
7/4/2008
Good for burgers. But beware it is a real "old-style" bar.
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Review from A. J.
West Des Moines, IA
10/2/2008
I got a take out burger while there for work, and if I have to go to Rochester again, I will get another.
Its not the easiest place to find, but it is worth it. The environment is what you expect with beer and burgers. The wait staff and bar staff almost seem more interested in hanging out with each other and talking than anything else, but the service wasn't bad.
The burger and fires I bought were VERY good. They were not very expensive, and easily worth the trip and the money. I had one of the spicey specialty burgers (though I don't remember which one). It wasn't very spicy, but it was pretty flavorful.
If you are looking for a "nice place", I don't know that I would go, but if you want an awesome burger for a really good price, don't miss it. -
Review from Derek J.
Rochester, MN
1/29/2010
Great burgers, great chicken sandwich as well. My fries were luke-warm, which is the only thing standing between Newt's and a 5-star rating.
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Review from Carolyn S.
Dallas, TX
1/18/2011
Great burger joint and reasonably priced too! It feels like a hole in the wall bar, which would typically not be ideal for a meal. However, since there is no smoking, I did not mind. Lots of locals and a few even brought their kids. A baby, in a bar?!? Again, no smoking, so who cares. This place was packed in the middle of the week and once you eat one of the burgers, you will understand. The bun was more like a bakery roll, delish. My coworker had the famous fatty melt ( two grilled cheese sandwiches stuffed with a patty, bacon and onion strings). He almost finished the thing, it was HUGE. Overall, good value. Parking situation, not so good in the dead of winter. There is a parking garage across the street, but wear your winter snow shoes.
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Review from Jim M.
Minneapolis, MN
3/7/2009
In downtown Rochester, off of a main street near the beautiful 20's era Rochester City Hall, up a flight of stairs above a somewhat tony eating joint, is Newt's. Since 1980, it's been a local pantheon of great burgers and brews. They have the venerable "Juicy Lucy," an Upper Midwest favorite, which consists of a burger that's been cooked with cheese in the middle. This creates a wonderous spurt of melted cheese with every bite. They also have many variations w/o cheese stuffed inside, as well as chicken sandwiches, and lighter far. Drinks? My friends kids had chocolate milk and lemonade, the women had red wine, and I had, first, a Surly Coffee Bender (great local ale with coffee overtones), then a Bells Two-Hearted. Many good national and local brews. The waitress was great. My only complaint is that the food took a long time to come, but the place had quickly filled up with families from the state basketball playoffs. Recommended!
