Some restaurants chase every new trend, and some simply refuse to. On a quiet corner in Edina, Minnesota, there is a burger shop that has been serving the same kind of meal since 1934.
The malts still arrive in a full glass with the metal mixing can on the side, so you basically get a bonus round. Servers wear vintage uniforms, an old tin menu still hangs on the wall, and families have been coming back for decades.
Some regulars have been stopping in for more than 45 years and say not much has changed. Keep reading to learn where this spot is, what makes its malts so famous, how the parking system works, and when to go to skip the wait.
A Corner Of Edina Frozen In 1934
Some addresses carry more history than others. Convention Grill sits at 3912 Sunnyside Rd, Edina, MN 55424, in the United States, just off France Avenue.
The spot is technically in Edina, though it borders the Linden Hills area of Minneapolis. That blurry city line has led plenty of people to call it a Minneapolis classic anyway.
It is a hamburger restaurant at heart, built in the style of a classic American diner. The menu focuses on burgers, fries, and the hand-spun malts and shakes that put it on the map.
The location is easy to find thanks to its spot near France Avenue. Neighbors walk over, out-of-towners get sent here by friends, and families make it a regular weekend stop.
Its staying power is impressive in a world where restaurants come and go quickly. A shop that has been open since 1934 has outlasted a long list of trends, and it still keeps the same simple idea front and center.
That simple idea, as the next sections show, starts with a tall glass and a metal can.
Nine Decades Behind The Counter
Opening a burger shop in 1934 took some nerve. Convention Grill did it anyway, and the doors have welcomed hungry neighbors for roughly nine decades since.
The building still holds on to pieces of its past. Original wainscoting lines the walls, and a chipped-paint tin menu still hangs where diners can spot it.
Those details are not props added for effect. They are part of what makes the place feel like a small trip back in time.
Longtime regulars describe it as barely changed over the years, other than the faces of the staff. Some have been coming for around 45 years and still treat it as a must-stop.
The grill also went through a stretch of being closed. When it reopened, longtime fans were thrilled to find it still focused on hamburgers and shakes.
That loyalty says a lot. A place does not keep three or four generations of the same families coming back by accident, and the history here is as much a draw as anything on the menu.
The Malt That Comes With A Sequel
Ordering one malt here is a bit like ordering one and a half. The drink arrives in a full glass, with the metal shake container set right beside it holding the extra.
A large malt can fill the glass twice. That is great news for anyone with a sweet tooth and a little warning for anyone pouring too fast.
It is no surprise that malts are the most talked-about item on the menu by a wide margin. Shakes come in second, and together they do much of the heavy lifting at this grill.
Regulars share a handy trick for finishing strong. Give the can a stir before pouring that last bit, or things can get messy in a hurry.
Popular picks include the chocolate malt, the Oreo malt, butterscotch, and a mint brownie version. A full blueberry shake also has its fans.
These are the hand-spun, old-school kind that built the place’s reputation. In a world of drive-thru cups, getting the whole can feels like a small, sweet act of generosity.
Mix, Match, And Make It Yours
Kids tend to treat the malt menu like a science lab. Flavors can be mixed and matched, which opens the door to all sorts of combinations.
Banana paired with blueberry is one favorite that has earned high praise. Groups often order several different shakes and trade sips around the table.
That flexibility turns a simple drink into a small creative project. Nobody has to settle for plain vanilla unless they really want to.
The ice cream love does not stop at malts either. A hot fudge sundae has its own following, and the banana split has been called the local secret.
Some fans go as far as calling it the best banana split in the country. A root beer float also gets regular shout-outs from people who wanted something a little different.
Choosing can be the hardest part of the visit. The good news is that there is no wrong answer, and coming back to try another combo is half the fun.
Burgers With A Supporting Role
Burgers may be in the job description, but the malts often steal the spotlight. Even so, the grill keeps a solid lineup of diner-style burgers on the menu.
Options include the Plaza Burger, a California Cheeseburger, a mushroom and Swiss, and a jalapeno bacon cheeseburger. The patty melt and meatloaf sandwich also earn plenty of love.
Opinions on the burgers are honestly mixed. Many call them classic and satisfying, while others find them a fairly standard diner burger.
Burgers are also smaller than they used to be, according to longtime fans. They still win over the people who come for that nostalgic, no-frills style.
The fries are a different story. Hand-cut and skin-on, they get strong praise, and the portions are huge.
A large order can feed a whole table, with leftovers. Even the smallest size can be more than one person can finish, so sharing is a smart move.
Items are served a la carte, which matters when planning a budget, as a later section explains.
Soup, Grilled Cheese, And Other Quiet Favorites
Not every fan walks in craving beef. Chicken soup is one of the more frequently mentioned menu items, which makes it a cozy choice on a cold Minnesota day.
The Grilled Cheese Club also comes up often. It offers a familiar comfort-food option for anyone wanting a break from burgers.
Results here vary depending on who is eating. Some love the grilled cheese, while at least one diner found it disappointing.
Salad can stand in for fries too. It makes a lighter side, though it may lead to some longing looks at passing fry baskets.
The overall menu stays simple on purpose. Fans appreciate that the grill sticks to what it has always been instead of piling on trendy extras.
That focus can feel refreshing. A short menu means fewer tough decisions, leaving more brainpower for the truly big choice: which malt flavor to order.
Breakfast Joins The Party
A grill famous for malts now has a reason to show up in the morning. Convention Grill opens at 8 AM, and a newer breakfast menu has been drawing plenty of attention.
The lineup keeps things focused, with a handful of classic items. Eggs Benedict has earned glowing praise, and kids have happily cleared plates of pancakes and bacon.
There is also a s’mores waffle that has been ordered as a sort of breakfast dessert. It made at least one young diner briefly speechless.
The manager has suggested the breakfast burrito as a next-visit pick. Months of planning went into building the morning menu.
Breakfast adds a whole new reason to visit beyond lunch and dinner. It also gives early risers a chance to enjoy the retro room before the crowds roll in.
Fans of the classic menu need not worry. The burgers and malts are still the main act, and breakfast simply widens the stage.
Soda Jerk Style And Shining Chrome
The uniforms alone start conversations. Servers dress in white, 1930s soda jerk style outfits that match the vintage setting.
When they are not turning tables, staff members are often busy cleaning. The chrome stays shining and the room stays tidy.
White walls and mirrors give the space a classic retro look. Most people find it charming, though the style is not for everyone.
Servers are often described as friendly, quick, and moving with purpose. One even pulled a straw from her apron so fast it delighted a young guest.
Service can occasionally run slow, and food may take a while to come out. The management has said it is working on timing.
The overall vibe works well for date nights, family lunches, and trips down memory lane. The crowd tends to lean a bit older, but kids clearly love the place too.
A little patience goes a long way here, especially when the room is packed.
The Parking Puzzle, Solved
Here is a tip worth more than a coupon: know your license plate number. The grill’s lot uses a registration system, and staff need that number to validate parking.
Parking in the lot is free for guests. Every vehicle just needs to be registered and validated using the guest pass code.
Staff can enter the plate number into an iPad at the counter. They are also happy to help using their own devices if a phone or website gives trouble.
The system has confused some people, especially with QR codes posted around the lot. The restaurant has said it is working on clearer signs.
The reason for the change is simple. It helps make sure grill guests can always find a spot in the lot.
Prefer to skip the process altogether? Street parking is usually available, and there is a free public parking garage across the street.
Snapping a quick photo of the plate before heading inside saves a lot of guesswork.
Timing, Budget, And Beating The Line
Good news for flexible schedules: the grill keeps the same hours every day. It is open from 8 AM to 8 PM, Monday through Sunday.
Weekends fill up fast. Tables can be full soon after opening on Saturday, and a wait at the door is common when it is packed.
Mid-afternoon tends to be calmer. Around 2 PM, the dining room can be fairly quiet.
Budget is worth a little planning. Everything is a la carte, so fries do not automatically come with a burger.
Some call the prices a bit spendy, while others say they are in line with expectations. A burger can run around $13, and a plate of fries around $10.
The easy fix is sharing. Fry portions are big enough for a group, and a large malt pours out roughly two glasses.
A little strategy turns a pricey stop into a fair one, and leaves room for dessert.
Why The Can Keeps Calling People Back
Ninety-some years is a long time to keep doing one thing well. With a 4.5-star average across nearly 900 opinions online, the grill clearly still connects with people.
Not every bite is perfect, and the burgers spark honest debate. The malts, the fries, and the old-school setting are what keep the loyalty going.
The appeal is easy to understand. Few places still hand you a full glass plus the metal can, served by staff in vintage uniforms beneath an old tin menu.
It suits families, couples on a date night, out-of-town guests, and anyone who grew up on malt shops. It is also a fun first stop for kids who have never seen a soda jerk outfit.
Come with your plate number ready and a friend to split the fries. Then pick a flavor combo nobody at the table has tried yet.
Some traditions are worth keeping exactly as they are, and this one still pours twice.
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