Great Northern Cafe — Restaurant in Park Rapids

My family discovered this nondescript restaurant many years ago on our annual vacation in the Park Rapids area. We’ve been coming back ever since.

The place feels like something the locals would visit. It’s nothing fancy, but the servers are friendly and the food is good at a reasonable price. And what got us hooked on this restaurant initially was the French toast, a personal favorite. It’s not made with traditional sliced white bread. See the photos for a sample.

Several of us get the number 7 (a slice of French toast, 2 eggs and bacon or sausage) or the number 10 (basically the number 7 plus hash browns).

Parking usually isn’t a problem. There is space out front and a long lot in the back. But be prepared for a full restaurant. Even when we’ve arrived and the place is not very busy, it seems within minutes the people arrive. It’s not uncommon for all the tables to be completely full. You can also sit at the counter, which usually has some seating available. And if you have a small party, you may need to join a smaller party sitting at one of the larger tables.

It’s easy to miss the restaurant since their signs are in the sides of the building. It’s right near Burger King if you’re looking for a landmark.

We haven’t been there for lunch (no dinner since they close at 2:00 pm), so I can’t speak to that. But breakfast is fantastic. Highly...

A not so hidden gem to those familiar with the area! The French toast is absolutely amazing and my favorite item there, but to be fair I haven't tried much of anything else after trying the French toast. It's not sweet or dry like some places and they typically don't skimp on the butter either. If you like French toast, it will ruin other French toast for you, lol.

The service is always wholesome and fits a small town diner stereotype, in a good way! We always love whichever waitress we get. One thing to note is they only take cash, but there is an ATM in the building. It's a small building, but they make great use of the space. They have mostly booths/half booths but you can move the tables on the half booths, which is nice. It's nothing fancy, but those are my types of places. Parking is ample, yet always seems full, but there's usually always still room to sit inside if the parking lot looks full.

They have a nice variety of selections, and some items you don't usually see. The kids menu has a fun variety as well. The prices are good for the portions and experience.

If you're in the area and love small town diners,...

Awesome little mom & pop breakfast/brunch place! Very standard breakfast and lunch fare, nothing fancy, don't expect any flavored aioli or craft tea. Simple cuppa Joe, bacon and eggs, sandwiches, but cooked just right and served FAST! And the portions are huge.

Atmosphere only got 4 stars because it's got very average, outdated booths and tables and lunch bar, and it's often a bit of a wait for tables with no hostess, so you have to dash for open spots. It has some cute railroad memorabilia, though, which I appreciate. You can find everyone from groups of teens to families with kids, to retirees there with no drama.

Servers are always friendly and attentive. They're crazy busy and never slow down, yet they will stop and chat and joke with you while refilling your coffee or busing your dishes.

If you're looking for great comfort food in a comfortable diner-type place,...