Ask anyone from outstate Minnesota where to find a good burger, and odds are they will point you toward the local bar with a pull tab booth near the door. These neighborhood hangouts are where people catch the game, shoot a round of pool, and try their luck on a few paper tickets while waiting for a basket of fries.
The five spots below stretch from Brainerd lake country to the Sartell riverfront, and each one brings its own twist, from bowling lanes to golf simulators to Wednesday night pull tab races. Save this list for your next road trip, because every stop pairs a hearty burger with a real slice of small-town Minnesota.
1. JR’s Junction Inc, Brainerd, MN
Out on County Road 2, past the turn-offs for lake cabins and quiet townships, sits a spot that keeps things refreshingly simple. JR’s Junction is a casual bar and grill built around burgers, appetizers, and a friendly crowd.
The burgers and fries are the main event here. They come out fast, and the place stays clean, with comfortable seating that makes lingering easy.
Prices typically land in the $10 to $20 per person range.
Once the plate is cleared, there is plenty to keep you around. Pool tables, video games, and pull tabs fill out the fun side of the room, and the TVs make it a solid stop for catching a game.
I like this one for a lunch break during a Brainerd lakes weekend. It opens at 11 AM daily, stays open until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, and closes at 9 PM on Sundays.
Reservations are not accepted, so just show up. Parking is free and usually plentiful, and there is outdoor seating when the weather cooperates.
Friday evenings draw the biggest crowd, so plan around that if you want a quieter table.
2. Melrose Bowl Inc. & schifs bar and grill, Melrose, MN
Strikes, spares, and burger baskets make a pretty great trio. In Melrose, a farm town of roughly 3,600 people in central Minnesota, the bowling alley doubles as one of the best places in town to grab a burger.
Melrose Bowl shares its roof with Schif’s Bar and Grill, a family-oriented setup with burgers and weekly specials. The name to remember is the Schif Burger, the house signature.
The burger baskets are a big draw, and they come at a friendly price. A cheap burger and fries combo makes this an easy pick for families who would rather spend their money on another game.
Pull tabs are part of the scene too, which gives grown-ups something to do between frames. The alley is also a good fit for kids’ birthday parties, so expect a mix of league regulars and families.
Hours run 11 AM to midnight on weekdays, 11 AM to 10 PM on Saturday, and 11:30 AM to 6 PM on Sunday. Free parking sits right outside.
Weekday afternoons tend to be busy, while Sunday mornings are the calmest.
3. Moonlite Bay Family Restaurant, Crosslake, MN
Wednesday nights in Crosslake have a little extra horsepower. Moonlite Bay hosts pull tab horse racing midweek, along with a meat raffle that has become a regular tradition for the regulars.
The setting is half the appeal. This lakeside family restaurant has a big deck overlooking the water, which makes a burger lunch feel like a mini vacation in this northwoods town of about 2,400 year-round residents.
Burgers here are juicy and full of flavor. Look for the Bilski Burger, which comes with the same sauce served alongside the Moonies, and that sauce ties the whole thing together.
The menu goes beyond burgers, with chicken and a club croissant sandwich, plus solid fries on the side. Breakfast is on offer, and there is a kids’ menu with high chairs for little ones.
Hours are generous: 11 AM to 2 AM, seven days a week. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons get busy, so arrive early for a deck table.
Parking is free and usually easy to find.
4. The North Star, Pequot Lakes, MN
Few roadhouses let you work on your golf swing between bites. The North Star in Pequot Lakes has three golf simulators in the back, plus pull tabs and music up front.
Connected to Breezy Point Resort, this relaxed spot sits in a small Crow Wing County resort town of roughly 2,400 people. The menu leans into smoked meats alongside a smash burger lineup.
Here is a fun twist: the smash burgers are good, but the fries often steal the show. Order an extra side if you are sharing.
The North Star is family-friendly, with a kids’ menu and high chairs, and dogs are welcome on the outdoor seating. Unlike some stops on this list, it accepts reservations, which helps on busy Friday and Saturday evenings.
Service runs quick, and waits are usually short. Hours are 11 AM to 10 PM Sunday through Thursday and 11 AM to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. G Allen’s Restaurant and Sports Bar, Sartell, MN
Night owls, take note. G Allen’s in Sartell serves food from 11 AM to 2 AM every day, and the pull tab booth stays open even on weekend afternoons.
This laid-back sports bar sits in a Mississippi River community north of St. Cloud. Lots of TVs, pool tables, and dartboards make it a natural pick for group outings and game days.
The burgers and fries are a reliable order. The Mac Attack Burger platter is a crowd favorite, and the G Allen’s Nachos are a gluten-free, vegetarian option for the table.
When the weather turns nice, head out to the patio with its wood-burning fire pit. Inside, there is a fireplace and a private dining room for bigger gatherings.
G Allen’s accepts reservations and offers curbside pickup and delivery, which is rare for this list. Families will find a kids’ menu, high chairs, and changing tables.
Parking is free, though Friday evenings fill up fastest.
All five stops prove the same point: in small-town Minnesota, a good burger and a stack of pull tabs still make for a great night out.
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