The Barn — Restaurant in Brainerd

I had the unfortunate experience of dining at this restaurant, and let me tell you, it was one of the worst meals I’ve ever had. From the moment I walked in, I knew I was in for a rough ride. The atmosphere was nothing short of depressing. The place looked like a diner that had been neglected for decades — falling apart at the seams, outdated beyond belief, and not in a charming, retro way either. There were peeling wallpaper, chipped tiles, and the kind of dim, flickering lights that made me wonder if the place was even safe to stay in. And the smell? It hit me like a brick wall. It literally smelled like a barn—musty, earthy, and just plain bad. I half-expected to see livestock wandering around.

Now onto the food. Calling it bland would be an understatement. The food tasted like it had been prepared without a single ounce of seasoning. It was as if someone had boiled everything—meat, vegetables, and all—and then threw it on a plate without bothering to add salt, pepper, or even a hint of flavor. Honestly, it tasted like hospital food — the kind you'd get when you're recovering from surgery and can only eat the blandest meals imaginable. The mashed potatoes were lumpy, cold, and tasted like cardboard. The meat was dry and overcooked, making it nearly impossible to chew without feeling like I was gnawing on rubber. Even the vegetables were sad, mushy, and flavorless. It was clear they had been sitting out for far too long.

I made the mistake of ordering dessert, hoping maybe they could redeem themselves there. Big mistake. The pie tasted stale, like it had been sitting out for days, and the crust was tough enough to break a tooth. The whipped cream on top tasted suspiciously like the kind that comes out of a can, and the entire thing was just a sugary mess with no real flavor.

The service wasn’t much better. The waitstaff looked miserable, which was understandable given the state of the place, and they barely checked in on us after dropping off the food. It took forever to get refills or even ask for the check.

By the time I left, I felt genuinely nauseous—not just from the food, but from the overall experience. The smell, the atmosphere, and the inedible food all combined to make this one of the most unpleasant dining experiences I’ve ever had. Save yourself the headache, the stomachache, and the disappointment. Avoid this place...

I loved the Barn. The people were always so pleasant, service was quick and the food was excellent. I enjoyed taking company there and recommended it to visitors in town. Won't be doing that any more. Today changed my opinion. I ordered 2 cheese burgers, no buns, with an egg over easy on both. I waited twice the usual wait to recieve my order which was rare, under cooked. I was never asked how I wanted my burgers cooked. I have never been asked by the staff and my burgers were always cooked.I said something to the owner and she took the plate and made a nasty comment over her shoulder about how I should have said how I wanted the burgers cooked. She never asked. It is a violation of the MN Dept of Health to serve under cooked meat UNLESS the customer requested it. I have never requested under cooked meat. If she would have asked me how I wanted my burger cooked I would have said medium well, but I wasn't asked. Absolutely horrible customer service. Too bad, it was a really nice...

I was born and raised in Brainerd, and The Barn was the first place I remember eating at with my Dad as a boy. The pie, the made rite, all amazing. So when I returned after moving away for college after 20 years, this was my first stop. Brainerd had changed so much, but my fond memories of the The Barn didn’t change one bit. The diner is small, quaint, feels like home. The smell of the food was amazing. Take a seat, order quickly, don’t be fussy. This is not a place to alter the menu, this place is meant to order what they have and be amazed. The staff, were friendly and quick. And the food came out even quicker.

I ordered two of the made rites with tots. Then I had a apple pie slice for dessert. Done and done…I couldn’t have been happier.

Memories, amazing food, simple execution of food and experience. This is what makes diners in America amazing. Food for the masses without bias. This is why The Barn to me, is the...