Matt's Bar and Grill — Restaurant in Minneapolis

URGENT. NOTICE. 1 star experience 5 star place. especially management and any fellow in the weeds/industry people

I’m a regular at Matt’s bar and today the bar was overwhelmed and I haven’t been home since before Covid.

I sat at the bar and order a beer and food to go cause there were no more seats.

The team was full steam and doing amazing im a fellow bar manager and enthusiast

But today i experienced a bad experience.

There were bar seats open and I was at one, when the crowd dispersed I mentioned hey I know it’s to go is it ok if I eat it here. I was told no. And they said policy which I understand.

But 30 minutes later when my food came the bar had died Down and seats were now open. After the crowd dispersed I noticed a sign with a new policy or a busy policy idk im a regular from back in the day working at the lumber yard who came in during closing when I did.

I came to reminisce and i did with the patrons, I bragged about the bar and the cooks that have long history there. I assume he heard me I spoke with patrons while I waited and drank my beer. He got many compliments from me and the patrons. We saw one explode and he tossed it, we assumed cause well less cheese for the customer. And we’re so impressed. I loved this place.

Eventually many left and my food arrived, I asked if I could eat it he said no it’s policy.

I looked around said why it’s not busy anymore there’s plenty of seats open? He said policy. And handed me my food.

So after a fresh beer handed too me and a to go bag I’m left with a decision. A hard one.

I haven’t paid, the foods here and getting cold, you just served me a fresh beer, the bar is at a comfortable pace now and seats are open

Why can’t I eat?

So I got upset argued and was kicked out.

Thank you Matt’s bar for everything this was a poor experience.

I worry I was alone and that’s the issue, I didn’t know the policy when I got there and discussed that with patrons next too me once the crowd died down. The priority is groups more income I get that, it wasn’t my goal to have this experience. But it wasn’t easy too avoid either.

And the kid I argued with, i agreed with you. you do a great job and this shouldn’t be an issue? What do I do with the beer. It’s full? He simply didn’t care

I drove from Somerset wi for this. I’m...

If you’re in Minneapolis and even remotely into burgers, Matt’s Bar is a must-visit. This legendary spot is home to the famous Jucy Lucy (yes, it’s spelled without the “i” on purpose), and let me tell you—it lives up to the hype.

First off, the food is absolutely fantastic. The Jucy Lucy is everything you’d hope for in a burger - juicy, cheesy, flavorful, and totally satisfying. The patty is always fresh and the cheese oozes out in the most deliciously dangerous way (seriously, give it a minute or two unless you want a molten cheese lava burn!). What I appreciated the most is that the burgers taste the same every time. There’s a comforting consistency in quality that you don’t always get, even at some of the bigger chains.

Price-wise, it’s more than reasonable. For the quality and portion size, you’re getting solid value. Staff are friendly, efficient, and clearly used to handling a crowd. Once we got seated and placed our order, the food came out surprisingly fast.

The interior has a nostalgic, old-school charm—vintage signs, cute artwork, and a cozy, no-frills vibe that adds to the whole experience. There’s a decent amount of seating inside, and it’s a great place to just sit down and enjoy your meal without being rushed.

Now, the not-so-great stuff. Be warned: Matt’s is cash only—something that always feels a little inconvenient in 2025. So hit the ATM beforehand. Also, it can get really crowded, especially on weekends or sunny afternoons. We ended up waiting outside in the heat with no one managing the line, which was frustrating. Some basic line management or even a shade setup would go a long way. The place, while charming, could also benefit from a little renovation—just to freshen things up a bit without losing its character.

Still, despite those few hiccups, I’d go back in a heartbeat. Matt’s Bar isn’t just about a burger - it’s about the burger. If you haven’t tried a real Jucy Lucy, do yourself a favor and...

I've lived in Minneapolis for about a year now and have eaten a couple Juicy Lucy's at 5-8 and Blue Door with positive results but I had never made it down to Matt's. My dad was swinging through for lunch and I thought it would be fun to give it a try. We got there about 11:15am on a Friday and we're able to get one of the last open tables. There was a line out the door by the time we left 40 minutes later.

Let's start with the good. The atmosphere is great. I love a good dive bar and Matt's hits all the notes. 100% would go back for beers if it wasn't so packed. The service was fantastic. Our waitress was funny and engaging. Couldn't have asked for better service especially with how busy they were.

Now let's talk about the bad. I see people rave about Matt's all the time. Look for burger recommendations anywhere and it's always pretty high on the list. I can't say it any other way. The burger was awful. It's like they take 2 McDonald's hamburger patties and put a slice of American cheese in the middle and pinch the edges together. It was the blandest burger I've ever eaten. No salt, no greasy goodness, no crunchy bits from the flat top, onions tastes like nothing, school cafeteria buns. The only flavor came from the single pickle chip on the bottom bun. In the last year I've come to the conclusion that Minnesotans just like bland food, and has to be the reason it's always recommended. The only reason I'm giving the food 2 stars is because the fries were good. They had absolutely zero salt, but they were hot and crispy.

This is the kind of place that survives off nostalgia. People are convinced that it's great because you grew up eating it. Your grandpa took your dad who took you and you take your kids. It's generational brainwashing. If you want a actual good burger in a divey setting there are much...