Haskell's Port of Excelsior — Restaurant in Excelsior

Well... I have been here a few times now and have a hard time doing this review because I know what they are trying to be... and it seems like a review should reflect their success at doing that, not what the reviewer thinks they should try to be or to match any association to their namesake. Most recently, I stopped in with a couple friends for beers. One would think with this being Haskell's, the tap beer list would be more diverse, local, and interesting but it is not, what they have is very standard stuff - so any expectation otherwise will be dashed. (If you are in Excelsior and looking for craft taps, try The Suburban).

Given Haskell's is a purveyor of beverages (most notably wine) and not food, one might not have any such expectation like that for their food - which works, as the menu is equally generic yet sufficient; as let us not forget, this place is basically a bar with food, not a James Beard Award restaurant. -- I do find it both odd, and a little funny, how the outdoor seating is lined up looking at the sidewalk. If you walk by, it almost feels like you are on display, or headed down a medieval style heckler lane. Maybe that is just me.

However, Haskell's is the only place in Excelsior that is trying to be, and is succeeding at, being that low-key with straightforward fare like one might find in small Minnesota resort town. -- 4 instead of 5 mostly due to somewhat inconsistent service, and atmosphere (be prepared for some cigarette smoke to come your way if you choose to...

If you’ve ever longed to be mansplained the difference between a liquor store and a restaurant by a clearly intoxicated clerk, Haskell’s is your dream destination.

I stopped in yesterday afternoon to simply ask if they were affiliated with the local paddle tap (we were given their address as a meeting point). iIstead of a polite or helpful answer, the flushed, clearly intoxicated clerk sneered, “This is a liquor store… and next door is a restaurant. It’s a great spot to buy alcohol.”

I must sincerely thank this gracious host for clarifying—because it never occurred to me that a liquor store sells liquor or that a restaurant serves food. The real kicker? Our group could have used a few more seltzers and snacks for our paddle tap experience. But after watching the smallest man who ever lived glory in his sick burn, Iost my appetite and any desire to spend so much as a dollar at the establishment.

Haskell’s could easily own the paddle taps, making this a perfectly logical meeting point. The business is already well divested in being both a liquor store and restaurant. But apparently, the idea that it might have just one more function was too bold a concept for this employee to grasp.

Hospitality clearly wasn’t on tap yesterday. Haskell’s: where basic human courtesy...

An Excelsior institution a block away from Lake Minnetonka, I’ve walked by Haskell’s for years and finally decided to pay them a visit last night. Probably the only dive bar in Excelsior, I appreciated the cheap, yet strong drinks. Food menu was extensive, if unremarkable. Prices for food were high, especially considering the Sysco-esque quality of the frozen fries and chicken tenders. Service was friendly, if albeit very slow. I did notice they’re looking to hire more folks - hopefully they add servers as they go into their busy summer season. Don’t waste your time inside and snag a seat on their outdoor patio. If you can’t find seats there go elsewhere. It’s the only redeeming part of...