Duluth Grill — Restaurant in Duluth

EDIT as of Jan 2nd: if this doesn't say something about the character of the people working and running Duluth Grill, I don't know what would. The owner reached out to us, apologized, and explained that our order wasn't put into their ordering queue properly, and that our situation will be used as a training exercise. I'd think that's about as good as it could get in that situation, but they've also been kind enough to make it right with a gift card. So, chalk it up to poor circumstances and genuine mistakes. A hearty thank-you to the people who work here and run this place. It's a tough job, and your hard work is greatly appreciated.

This first paragraph was written Jan 1, 2025. The lower paragraphs were written about a year or so ago, winter of 2023.

.... So, I understand places get busy. Things get delayed. When that happens, it would sure be nice to be made aware of the delay, as courtesy at least. We've loved this place before, and... I'm frustrated. When three other tables have walked in, ordered their food, gotten it, and LEFT for other people to have their orders taken - and ARRIVE - at those same tables before you hear anything about your food and you've waited for almost an hour without getting it? That leaves a bad taste in your mouth, particularly when the wait has only once before gone over, like, 20 minutes (and we were told about delays in getting our food then). When you have to plan out a trip to Duluth Grill far in advance, wait an hour in your car on top of the 50 minute wait at your table just to walk in the door, and see people who you watched walk in that said they weren't on the list, still sat at a booth, got served, ate and paid for their food and left?

I don't think I'll eat here for a while. This was my favorite place in the Duluth metro to eat and... I have no desire to anymore. Maybe after some time.

(Written earlier, winter 2023) There are few meals that I can genuinely say almost made me cry, and Duluth Grill numbers that list. It IS a place that you need to plan to eat at with it being incredibly popular- their browser-based scheduling system works well to avoid stress - and expect the parking lot to be annoying... but it will give you a spiritual experience if you enjoy breakfast foods, all of which are locally-produced in some way. The people working here are absurdly talented, and deserve every penny they're paid if not more (while also being kind while serving). I've not been to the bar or ordered any alcohol from it, but the seats are always packed when we go there and I haven't overheard any complaints.

I'd highly recommend the Red-Flannel Hash, the Leeky Waffle, any of their toast, the PANCAKES and their SYRUP... I don't know if there's a bad item on their menu. You will not regret going here, and if you live within 60 miles of Duluth, you owe it to...

Honesty is key….. Duluth Grill, please take off the additional charges off the face of your menu. It’s honestly insulting. It makes me already think the cost of the meal before even getting excited about the meal. So as a consumer, and a multi business owner, I’m highly alert to these things as I’m sure everyone else is too. The OMC Smokehouse down the street does the same thing and for those reasons alone, I won’t be back. Also, including the lack of quality of all products served for our meals. If you’re going to charge those insane rates, the quality better be outstanding. It definitely fell short.

*Fried Chicken on a biscuit with country gravy It was overly deep fried and killed 3x over, I thought the gravy would save it but not when you only put one once of gravy on my plate. Come on man! You just shoved in my face that I’m paying 8% before I even picked an item, then this. Ouch The Chef picked up a little slack by serving a homemade biscuit but to no avail, no gravy.

*Breakfast Burrito It had fried chicken, eggs, hash, bacon and cheese. Very healthy portion and was satisfactory to the person eating it. It was also topped with country gravy. That’s what got them up to a 2 star.

• French Toast was just that but insanely expensive for something I could of made at home. My God Chef, put some effort here. Like put PB&J between them and fry again with crushed cereal on the outside. Some kind of imagination would be great. Make a s’mores one as that’s a staple there. Just some effort would be nice.

*Omelet I just can’t …… good job guy/girl in the back that rolled our egg into a roll…. For the ambiance and location, you’d think someone could find someone with creative spark in that kitchen. I know we’re in Northern MN but my God….

I would of posted the rest of our food but I’m tired of being negative but food is my obsession and I’m offended when establishments fall short when I know they have the potential to be better. This is my 5x here in 2 years and I’ll pass for awhile.

The staff was very friendly and accommodating so their was that and good coffee. But I personally need more for that kind of money. Doesn’t match...

I have been to this place many times over the years and have enjoyed seeing it transform over the decades into what I think can be safely called a pillar of the Duluth restaurant community.

I don't go there as often anymore because I am usually on a tight budget, but, as in the photo I have linked to here, they honestly do an enormous amount for the local economy and suppliers and are part of the rennaissance in Lincoln Park neighborhood.

Today I got the pot roast as it is a Sunday and my wife got the huevos rancheros. I forgot to snap a picture before I had my first bites. They were both good. I enjoyed the bread with my roast. It arrived without veggies besides the potatoes but they did bring me some a few minutes later. I took before and after photos. I was thinking they would be pot roast cooked veggies but these appear to have come from a skillet. That was disappointing but it was still good. Also the portions seem to have gotten a little smaller but I am basically ok with that. People are more conscious of portion-size and reducing their carbon footprint and this was a reminder of that. I would have preferred a slightly larger portion but, like I said, I can live with what I got.

The service was as attentive or more so as ever, and i am going way back to the Highway Host truck stop days with my review here so that is high praise. My coffee and water glass never got less than half full. Also, I arrived with so e irritability that was nobody's fault but my own. When we were seated it was almost a full place and our table was wobbly. I thought about sticking a couple of match books under a leg but no place has match books anymore! Anyway, I didn't think it bore mentioning, but the astute server noting our party of five including two children picked up on it immediately and found a manager to fix it for us before pouring our water. (And they have very tall water glasses which I love.) This kind of service and the tastiness and complexities of the food are why people adore Duluth Grill.

We will, of...