The Preserve Smokehouse at Grand View Lodge — Restaurant in Pequot Lakes

I’ll start with saying that this was the first place since moving to the area in January from Milwaukee that I was excited to try for dinner. My wife and I really enjoy Justin Sutherland’s shows, his cook book and the twin cities spots we have dined at before. Thus, when asked what we should do for dinner on Friday night, we both agreed to go to Northern Soul no questions asked.

We arrived to a very empty dining room at 7pm, slight red flag there as we had to make a reservation earlier in the day as they weren’t accepting walk ins. We were sat for our reservation, received some water and then about eleven minutes later, we were greeted by our server who took our drink order, and then he returned with them about ten minutes later. Luckily, we had put in some starters which turned out to be quite nice and arrived before the Diet Coke and oddest Sazerac I have ever had in my life.

The pimento cheese dip was well done with a nice sharpness, and the burnt ends had me very excited for the brisket I would be ordering on the Northern Soul platter.

My wife ordered the classic fried chicken sandwich, solid, but nothing to write home about. The side of Mac n Cheese looked good, but had very little flavor which was odd. We also shared some creamed corn which was the star of the dinner. Finally, I ordered the “Northern Soul Platter.” I picked brisket, ribs and chicken. The brisket looked as though it had been smoked a day or two before hand, then somehow brought back to life to greet me with a grey and dry hello…..this was a disappointment. Next, the ribs, not great. Mushy and flavorless crust that had a greasy finish………Finally, the chicken, this was the best part of the platter. Juicy, decent smoke and well seasoned. Shame on me for ordering ribs and brisket from a BBQ spot, should have just went chicken I guess……

Anyways, after that forgettable experience, our server returned to ask if we want any more drinks. We asked what they have for dessert to which he said “Um, maybe.”

Well, the maybe was banana pudding, a BBQ favorite. This one however turned out to potentially just be instant pudding with about twelve Nilla wafers placed into it. No chunks or any sign that this was a homemade item, another letdown.

All said, our server returned one final time with the bill for $155 which leaves a sour taste in your mouth, but at the end of the day, I walked through the doors to try Northern Soul, ordered a good amount of the menu to try and no one forced me to do that.

Was this place a let down? Gigantic

Will I ever return? Highly unlikely unless someone figures out the service and quality of actual smoked meats. Maybe it just needs a year to get the kinks worked...

We almost never go out to eat when visiting a family cabin in Nisswa, but when a neighbor shared there was a new BBQ restaurant nearby, we wanted to check it out.

It was a bummer to learn it was actually the clubhouse restaurant at Grandview’s golf course. It’s sort of like a pop-up, maybe?

We walked in and were told we couldn’t be seated because they were short staffed. Fair enough! As both a server and a bartender, I understand being in the weeds and we love a host that protects the staff.

I counted less than 12 tables total, less than 50 covers for sure, so this new restaurant is definitely working out their kinks.

When all was clear, we weee sat at the bar, which also seems to serve as a walk up service area. It took a while to get menus, and we never saw a drink menu. There’s a good selection of bourbons, but no list… which is always a red flag.

We ordered our food to go while enjoying a couple sippers of different bourbons. We ordered hush puppies, smoked wings, side of Mac and cheese, and the soul platter with brisket, chicken, and ribs.

I had a double of Jameson’s Stout Edition, since I know this is roughly $27 at the liquor store so a 3oz pour shouldn’t be terrible. It was $24. We all know restaurants hike prices, but that’s quite a bit of profit.

When we got home, we unboxed. The hush puppies were delicious and traveled well. THEY ABSOLUTELY CONTAINED SHRIMP. This was not listed on the menu and not something i would expect from a hush puppy at a meat-forward restaurant that didn’t seem to serve any other shrimp dishes. So… beware if you have allergies.

The wings were crispy, but under seasoned. The brisket was cooked so well but ALSO under seasoned. The ribs and the chicken were both pretty good though. I wonder what this kitchen has against salt? Salt your meat!

Hopefully things will get better as their team finds their place together.

I’d probably try again in a couple months but if it’s still not good I wouldn’t...

Beautiful views over the golf course accompanied by bbq that could win competitions! Coming early fall was an awesome choice, cool weather, beautiful colors, slight breeze!

Ordered: Burnt Ends 4/5 (could be more caramelized and sauces, but that’s my specific preference)

Northern Soul Platter - Brisket, Ribs, Pulled Pork - Ribs were my favorite part, fall off the bone tender, great spicy rub on them… until I ate a bit of the fat cap on the brisket. That was the best meat jelly I’ve ever had. Brisket was pull apart tender and perfectly seasoned. Pulled pork wasn’t over smoked or too fatty, paired perfectly with the Carolina sauce. Smoke was perfect, not a dry piece of meat on the platter. I will seriously come back just to eat some pieces of the brisket fat cap!

Mac N Cheese with Flaming Hot Cheetos - creamy Mac n cheese topped with crunchy, spicy Cheetos I used to buy after school, delicious and nostalgic. Great pairing with the bbq.

Bourbon BBQ sauce was heavy on the bourbon, I preferred the tang of the Carolina. Corn on the cob was delicious, spread a little butter and sprinkle some extra pepper on it. Daughter loved her Mac n Cheese and potato wedges, also ate most of my...