The Great Sunset Grill Experience: A Comedy of Errors (and Occasional Triumph)
Holy moly, where do I even begin with The Sunset Grill? This place is like a box of chocolates that's been sitting in a hot car for six hours... you never know what you're gonna get!
The Sunset Grill sits majestically overlooking Laddie Lake. The patio is absolutely gorgeous, and on a perfect day, you'll feel like you're dining in paradise. Unfortunately, perfect days in Minnesota are about as rare as unicorns wearing parkas.
Now, let's talk about the LEGENDARY service. One brave soul waited 15 minutes just to get a menu and another 15 minutes for a beer, which in Minnesota time is roughly equivalent to waiting for the ice caps to melt. Another customer sat down for breakfast at 7 AM, waited until 7:15, and gave up when no server materialized. It's like they're playing hide and seek with customers!
The Easter brunch buffet was described as "very disappointing" with music so loud you couldn't hear your own thoughts. The buffet items were cold, serving spoons had fallen into the food, and the waffles were so hard they could probably be used as hockey pucks. One customer watched in horror as another diner set her plate directly on the carving board while waiting for roast beef!
Speaking of prime rib, oh my sweet buttery biscuits! One family ordered medium rare prime rib and received what can only be described as "sawdust with delusions of grandeur". When they tried to get it fixed, they were told the restaurant was out of primeye came out so undercooked it was practically still mooing. Despite acknowledging the food was incorrect, they still charged the full $80!
The meatloaf situation deserves its own dramatic retelling. One poor soul described it as "the worst meatloaf I've ever had" for $15, adding that if they hadn't eaten all day, they still wouldn't touch it. For $15, you'd expect a meatloaf that resembles food rather than something scraped off a parking lot.
But here's where things get confusing: some people actually LOVE this place! The buffalo chicken dip gets rave reviews. The eggs Benedict is described as "perfect". The prime rib, when cooked correctly, is apparently "very good" and "the cheapest in the area". It's like The Sunset Grill has multiple personalities!
The atmosphere gets mixed reviews. Some folks love the outdoor patio, while others complain about "crabby waitresses" and service so slow it makes continental drift look speedy. Trivia nights are popular, but getting a table is like trying to win the lottery.
The Bourbon Bacon Burger sounds divine with its bourbon bacon jam and double patties. The Thai Chicken Fettuccine features house made peanut sauce that's either amazing or questionable. They've got everything from Bang Bang Shrimp to Smoked Gouda Mac.
The pricing is all over the map like a GPS having an existential crisis. You can get an Early Riser breakfast for $9, which is reasonable. But then they'll charge you $20 for a ribeye.
What really gets me is the consistency issue. This place has more mood swings than a teenager with social media addiction. One day you might get perfectly cooked food with amazing service, and the next day you might feel like you've wandered into a restaurant run by people who learned cooking from YouTube.
The location is pretty sweet though. Right on Laddie Lake with a fantastic patio for those three weeks of perfect weather Minnesota provides each year. They've got daily specials like bottomless mimosas on Sundays and fish fry on Fridays.
In conclusion, The Sunset Grill is like that friend we all have who's either absolutely wonderful or completely exhausting, with no middle ground. You might have the meal of your dreams, or you might have an experience that becomes family legend for all the wrong reasons. Just maybe bring a good book, comfortable shoes, and patience, because you never know which version you're going to encounter. Roll the dice and may the odds be...
Read moreWe made a delightful stop at the Sunset Grill for happy hour, and I have to say, it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic experience! The atmosphere was electric, especially with the sun setting behind us, casting a beautiful glow over the outdoor deck. It’s the perfect spot to unwind, especially during the warmer months, and we were pleased to find ample parking available, which is always a plus.
Our server, Rebekah, truly made the evening special. From the moment we sat down, she greeted us with a warm smile and an infectious enthusiasm that set the tone for our visit. She provided exceptional recommendations, clearly knowing the menu inside and out. Rebekah was on top of everything, ensuring that our drinks kept flowing and that we were well taken care of throughout the evening. Her attentive service added a personal touch that made all the difference.
Now, let’s talk about the food! We started with the mini tacos, which were outrageously good. They vanished from our plates in mere seconds, so delicious that we couldn't help but reach for more. Each bite was bursting with flavor, leaving us wanting even more of that tasty goodness. Following that, we tried the Thai chicken fettuccine, which was an explosion of flavors. The creamy sauce had just the right amount of peanuty goodness that paired perfectly with the tender chicken and fresh veggies; I could easily eat that dish every day!
Of course, we also had the meatballs, which, while a touch on the colder side, still packed a punch in terms of flavor. They were savory and hearty, and they complemented the other dishes nicely.
Overall, our happy hour at Sunset Grill was nothing short of amazing. With the stunning views, delicious food, and exceptional service from Rebekah, it was an evening we won’t soon forget. I can’t wait to return and indulge in those mouth-watering mini tacos and explore more of their...
Read moreA friend of mine said that they saw this place they thought would be cool to check out, The Sunset Grill. It is a local restaurant and bar tucked into a corner of Fridley, MN. I liked the name (the song) so I agreed. I went on a Thursday night around six. The lot was crowded which I figured was a good sign. Inside we were greeted by a gal selling meat raffle tickets, kind of felt like a VFW. We demurred and were told to just sit where we liked. The sunset is a nice place not too crowded and looks out over a lake. The place was busy as the parking lot indicated. It was noisy but too much so that we could not hear one another talk. The service was nice; our server offered to take our drink order (water) and then left. It took her a while to get back and then gave us menus. The prices seemed rather high for a neighborhood restaurant this side of a dive. Kind of really high. We ordered the steak bites, a BLT with their signature hot honey bacon (add 2.00) and a bourbon cheese burger with the same bacon (add 2.00). They offered only two sides. I had the slaw and my friend the fries. The food was good. The steak bites were bland though the menu said they would be seasoned and we had to wait for ketchup. The BLT was a standard one but the slaw lacked everything but crisp raw cabbage flavor. The burger was also pretty typical for a place like this. The bun was untoasted and the entire affair was sloppy and required a knife and fork to finish. The fries were crisp but un seasoned. Throughout our meal we were offered meat raffle tickets and pull tabs. They called the raffle numbers every so often. By seven the place had slowed down so I figured most were after work drinkers. We got out of there for just under 40.00...
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