Brunson's Pub — Restaurant in Saint Paul

If you're on the East Side...even if you're passing by the East Side you must stop @ Brunson's!!! Your palate & belly will THANK YOU!!! A hidden(?)... nah.. a blended gem of Payne Avenue!! I've only ever launched here, so the small-ish digs aren't bustling. But when I do stop it I can be sure of a few things... I will be cheerily greeted by owner Tom @ the host stand before he shows me to a table. Unfortunately I am a creature of habit... so I haven't tried much of the menu! My solid go-to's are... the Banh Mi, the Brunson Wings, wasabi soy!! The Classic Double burger. I only ventured to the burger because several years ago City Pages wrote it up as one of The Best Burgers of the East Side. I've had the cheese curds a few times.. delicious!! Not greasy like state Fair curds. The best things about the wings and curds? Their sauces are scratch! I don't know what the wing sauce is, but it is so much better than boring ranch! Years ago on my first, I discussed the menu w my server who highly recommended the tacos. She was convincing but I still haven't tried them. I am by no means a wing person.. I think it's too much work for a little meat. I find myself arguing? Debating? with wing connoisseurs that these ARE wings. Brunson's serves all thighs.. I am a fan!!! The sandwiches standard side is chips. I am not a kettle chip fan but believe in trying them before writing them off... glad I did. Brunson's has the best kettle chips I've ever had! While you're there; take in the history.. the old bar and old black/white photographs. There is street parking on Payne or Case, there is also a small parking lot behind the pub. Be sure to check out their beverage menu. They have a great small selection of craft beers and some stellar scratch cocktails. The kitchen is in the SE corner of the bar so the last thing I do on every visit is hit the restroom, en route I pass by the kitchen... I lean in to loudly declare "fellas...as always, you provided me with the most delicious meal, thank you!!!" I usually get a chuckle and a thank you. To which I reply: no, Thank you!!! Brunson's covers all the bases! Delicious food, friendly staff, comfortable location and rad owners. Thanks Brunson's for consistently feeding me a delicious meal, brought out by fun and friendly staff that leaves me questioning... why I deprive myself by spreading out my visits too...

Brunson’s Pub is in my top two eating establishments in the state of Minnesota for many reasons. This is the perfect place to dine and drink for any type of person. The food is absolutely outstanding. And I mean outstanding in every sense of that word.

The wings are by far the best I’ve ever had in my entire life, a unique take on a pub classic with the most high quality meat that slips off the bone and packed with flavor.

The Hoppin’ John salad is like nothing I’ve ever eaten before, and I mean that in the best way. A warm salad reminiscent of southern collard greens, with black eyed peas, roasted corn, tomatoes, and delicious, smoky shredded bacon.

The Togarashi Tuna Sammy…to die for. A divine sandwich with a huge rare tuna steak comparable to what you would find at a Michelin star establishment.

The Mixed Bean burger? Incredible! I love a veggie burger, and Brunson’s had consistently presented the best one to date. The patty is so flavorful. And with the addition of goat cheese and red pepper purée this is a dream come true for any Vegetarian.

Don’t get me started on their house made potato chips with the dill onion dip. Holy cow, from someone who despises potato chips and will usually always substitute fries with their sandwich/burger, I will never not get their potato chips. Incredibly delicious, and almost has a slight chewiness to them with the perfect flavor. The dill dip is the perfect compliment.

Best priced Bloody Mary and perfectly executed.

I’ve eaten through their whole menu front to back, and I’ve never been let down even in the slightest.

The front of house staff is some of the best service in the Twin Cities, but I have to give my standing ovation to the chefs of Brunson who are some of the most consistent artists in their craft…Never missing a beat or giving you anything less than the highest standard. An establishment with the upmost integrity; I will always be a devote patron to them. I love you, Brunson’s and I couldn’t think of a better neighbor than Tongue in Cheek to pave East St Paul with the best two restaurants in our state. Never...

Heard good things so we stopped for lunch on 4/10. Place was empty at 11:45, but a few more tables came in while we were there. Very surprised this place wasn't busier. We had cheese curds and the popcorn, and these curds are definitely in my top 3 (and I order cheese curds A LOT - light batter, good cheese flavor and solid dipping sauce). Popcorn tasted like simple movie theater popcorn without the butter and with a dusting of chili powder - something different, but probably wouldn't order again, may be worth trying for $1 (it's a very small bowl). Our table had the fish and chips, brisket burger and pulled BLT. All were above average. Get the fries over the chips, or if you get the chips, be sure to get their dipping sauce or the chips will taste a bit dry. Fish and chips was lightly battered and fresh tasting, but one in our party thought the tarter was overdone and could have been simpler (had too much lemon flavor). The pulled BLT was super unique and almost like a breakfast sandwich with the addition of the egg. Worth a try at least once to try out the pulled pork tasting bacon. The brisket burger was well seasoned and had good flavor. Although the waitress asked if we wanted pink (we said yes), it came out with no pink. Not a big deal, but may have pushed the burger a bit higher on our list. The prices are rock bottom for the flavor you get (pretty much everything under $13), so definitely gets a high score there. The menu had no less than 10 things I wanted to try and the 3 our table got were all worth ordering again, so we'll definitely be back. Service was friendly, albeit a tad slow for how dead the place was, but still made us feel very welcome and got us out in...