Tucked away in Bloomington, Minnesota, Mallards Southern Kitchen is the kind of place that feels like a well-kept secret among food lovers. With a 4.8-star rating from over 3,500 reviews, this southern-style gem has earned serious bragging rights.
From creamy shrimp and grits to sizzling cast iron apple pie, every dish tells a story. If you haven’t made the trip yet, here are 13 reasons why Mallards deserves a permanent spot on your restaurant bucket list.
The Shrimp and Grits That Started It All
Some dishes have the power to stop a conversation mid-sentence, and the shrimp and grits at Mallards Southern Kitchen is exactly that kind of dish. Reviewers have raved about how flavorful and filling it is, making it a clear fan favorite on the menu.
The grits are rich and creamy, serving as the perfect base for generously seasoned shrimp that are cooked just right. Every bite feels like a warm hug from a Southern grandmother who knows exactly what she’s doing in the kitchen.
Located at 2300 W 80th 1/2 St in Bloomington, Mallards is open daily starting at 11 AM. Whether you’re a longtime grits enthusiast or a first-timer, this dish is reason enough to make the drive across town.
A Hidden Gem Worth Finding in Bloomington
Not every great restaurant sits on a busy main street with flashing signs, and Mallards Southern Kitchen proves that the best spots are often the ones you have to seek out. Nestled at 2300 W 80th 1/2 St, this place flies under the radar in the best possible way.
One visitor described stumbling upon it while searching for shrimp and grits online, and walking away completely blown away. That kind of happy accident is what food adventures are all about.
With a rating of 4.8 stars from more than 3,500 reviewers, the secret is clearly getting out. Once people find Mallards, they keep coming back, and they almost always bring friends.
Sometimes the best restaurants aren’t the ones with the biggest billboards, but the ones your foodie friend whispers about like it’s classified information.
Corn Risotto With Shrimp That Deserves Its Own Fan Club
One reviewer said she would come back to Mallards just for the corn risotto with shrimp alone, and honestly, that tracks. Adding lobster is an option that takes this dish from impressive to absolutely unforgettable.
The combination of sweet corn, creamy risotto, and perfectly cooked seafood hits a flavor profile that feels both comforting and a little luxurious. It is the kind of dish that makes you pause, put your fork down, and just appreciate what is happening on your plate.
Chef David and the team at Mallards clearly put serious thought into their menu. Every ingredient feels intentional, and nothing tastes like an afterthought.
If you are someone who loves bold, layered flavors with a Southern twist, this risotto is going to become your new obsession. Plan your visit around it.
Jerk Chicken That Rivals Any Caribbean Spot
Bold, smoky, and packed with layers of spice, the jerk chicken at Mallards Southern Kitchen left at least one reviewer declaring it some of the best chicken they had ever tasted. That is a serious claim, and based on the reviews, it holds up.
The seasoning is confident without being overwhelming, giving every bite a warmth that builds slowly and keeps you reaching for more. Paired with a generous side, it makes for a satisfying meal that feels both familiar and excitingly different.
One couple specifically said they were glad they chose Mallards over a chain restaurant, and the jerk chicken was a big reason why. It is the kind of meal that shifts your expectations.
You walk in thinking you know what chicken can taste like, and then Mallards quietly proves you wrong in the most delicious way possible.
Crab Legs So Big They Are Practically a Workout
Thursday specials at Mallards are not something to sleep on. One reviewer ordered the Thursday crab leg special and received three enormous clusters alongside a side dish big enough to share, all for what she described as a great price.
The crab was sweet, juicy, and packed with meat, which is exactly what you want when you commit to a full crab leg experience. There is something deeply satisfying about cracking into a crab leg and being rewarded with a generous, flavorful bite every single time.
Server Christopher made the experience even better by offering enthusiastic recommendations and genuine hospitality. Mallards is open Monday through Friday starting at 11 AM, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM.
Checking in on their weekly specials before you visit is a smart move that could land you a seriously impressive seafood deal.
Nashville Hot Chicken and Waffles Done Right
Chicken and waffles is one of those dishes that sounds simple until you actually eat a truly great version of it. At Mallards, the Nashville hot chicken arrives perfectly crispy, juicy on the inside, and seasoned with just the right amount of kick that warms without burning.
Multiple reviewers singled out this dish, with one noting that the Nashville sauce was not too salty, which is a common pitfall at other spots. The waffles are described as different in a good way, adding a unique texture that complements the chicken beautifully.
One table of guests enjoyed this dish as part of a full evening that came in under sixty dollars, which included a complimentary dessert. That kind of value at this level of quality is genuinely rare.
Mallards makes you feel like you found a cheat code for eating extremely well without overspending.
Lobster Dishes That Punch Way Above Their Weight
Lobster in Minnesota might raise an eyebrow, but Mallards Southern Kitchen has made believers out of plenty of skeptical visitors. From the lobster roll to the Lobster Rosa Pappardelle, the kitchen handles this premium ingredient with serious skill and generosity.
One business traveler tried the Lobster Rosa Pappardelle on a Tuesday night and called it a wow experience, praising the portion size, the perfectly cooked lobster, and a sauce that elevated every single noodle. He came back the very next night, which says everything.
Another guest raved about the lobster roll, noting that the amount of lobster was generous and cooked perfectly. Adding lobster to other dishes like the corn risotto is also an option that regulars highly recommend.
Mallards proves that landlocked states can absolutely do seafood right when the kitchen cares enough to get every detail perfect.
Cast Iron Apple Pie That Ends Every Meal on a High Note
Dessert at Mallards is not an afterthought. The cast iron apple pie arrives sizzling on a platter with a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream, and the contrast between the warm, caramelized apples and the creamy ice cream is genuinely magical.
One reviewer described it as the perfect balance of apples, crust, and cold creamy ice cream, which is about as high a dessert compliment as you can give. Another guest who initially wanted cheesecake ended up with the apple pie instead and called it surprisingly well good, which feels like an understatement.
Some guests have even received complimentary desserts at the end of their meals, which is the kind of unexpected generosity that turns first-time visitors into regulars. If you are someone who usually skips dessert, Mallards is the place that will finally change your mind.
Save room, always.
Servers Who Make the Whole Experience Feel Personal
Great food is one thing, but the servers at Mallards Southern Kitchen take the dining experience to a completely different level. Names like John, Lauren, Christopher, Sara P., Noel, and Sammy appear repeatedly in five-star reviews, each praised for being attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm.
Christopher reportedly keeps guests engaged throughout the meal and makes excellent food recommendations, while Lauren helped one couple turn a spontaneous date night into something truly memorable. Noel was described as easy to talk to and quick with refills, which is exactly the energy you want from your server.
What stands out is that these servers do not feel like they are just doing a job. They feel like they actually care whether you have a good time.
That level of personal hospitality is surprisingly rare, and it is one of the biggest reasons people return to Mallards again and again.
Crab Cake Benedict That Melts in Your Mouth
Weekend brunch at Mallards comes with some seriously impressive options, and the crab cake Benedict is the crown jewel of the morning menu. One reviewer described cutting into it and being amazed that it stayed perfectly intact while still melting in her mouth, which is a genuinely difficult thing to pull off.
Server Noel called it her personal favorite on the menu, and when your server is that enthusiastic about a dish, you know it is the real deal. The hollandaise, the perfectly poached egg, and the rich crab cake all come together in a way that makes you wonder why you ever ordered anything else for brunch.
Mallards opens at 10 AM on weekends, giving you plenty of time to plan a leisurely brunch visit. Getting there early is a smart move, because word travels fast when a dish is this good.
Boudin Balls That Convert Even the Skeptics
Boudin balls are not something most Minnesota diners grow up eating, which makes Mallards the perfect place for a first introduction. One reviewer admitted it was not something he would normally order, but after his server recommended it, he described the flavor, sauce, and texture as absolutely delicious.
These little golden bites pack a serious punch of Cajun-inspired seasoning wrapped in a satisfying crispy shell. They are the kind of appetizer that makes the table go quiet for a moment because everyone is too busy eating to talk.
Starting your Mallards meal with boudin balls is a move that sets the tone for the whole evening. The kitchen’s ability to balance bold Southern flavors without making anything feel heavy or overwhelming is on full display in this dish.
Order them, share them, and then immediately wish you had ordered two plates.
Canadian Walleye That Brings Local Flavor to the Menu
Minnesota has a deep love affair with walleye, and Mallards honors that relationship beautifully. The Canadian Walleye on the menu impressed at least one business traveler so much that he mentioned it specifically after already raving about an entirely different dish on a previous visit.
The walleye bites also appear in reviews as a shared appetizer, described as flaky, tender, and perfectly seasoned. It is the kind of dish that feels both comforting and a little elevated, hitting that sweet spot between familiar and special.
Incorporating local fish into a Southern-style menu is a smart and thoughtful move that makes Mallards feel rooted in its Minnesota home while still honoring its culinary inspiration. Whether you order it as a starter or a full entree, the walleye at Mallards is a love letter to the North Star State wrapped in Southern cooking technique.
A Vibe That Keeps You Coming Back Every Time
Walking into Mallards on a Tuesday night at 7 PM and finding the place packed is a good sign, as one reviewer noted. The energy inside is the kind that makes you settle in, relax your shoulders, and decide that tonight is going to be a great night.
The restaurant features indoor booth seating as well as an outdoor patio, giving guests options depending on the season or their mood. Happy hour after 9 PM adds another reason to linger a little longer, with deals that make the evening feel even more worthwhile.
From birthday celebrations to impromptu date nights to solo business traveler dinners, Mallards has a way of fitting every kind of occasion without feeling generic. It is the rare restaurant that manages to feel both lively and intimate at the same time.
That balance is hard to manufacture, and at Mallards, it feels completely natural.
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