The Juicy Lucy is a burger with a secret hiding inside: melted cheese sealed right in the middle of the patty. In Minnesota, this cheese-stuffed classic is basically a state treasure, and two bars have spent decades claiming they invented it first.
That friendly feud has never really been settled, which only makes ordering one more fun. From tiny dive bars in Minneapolis to laid-back taverns up in Duluth, here are eight spots where you can taste the burger and pick your own favorite.
Fair warning: that first bite runs hot, so give the cheese a minute to cool.
1. Matt’s Bar and Grill, Minneapolis, MN
Half of the entire Juicy Lucy debate starts right here. Open since 1954 on Cedar Avenue, Matt’s is a small, no-nonsense dive that helped make this burger famous in the first place.
The spelling on the menu is part of the charm. Matt’s calls it the Jucy Lucy, no first “i,” and it comes out with a hot pocket of liquid cheese tucked inside the patty.
Pair it with a full order of their shoestring fries and you have the whole experience.
The place is tiny, so a line is normal, especially on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when the crowd peaks. Counter and table service keep things moving, and the room leans casual and historic with a true bar-and-grill feel.
Prices land around ten to twenty dollars per person, and it is open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM. Reservations are not a thing, and street parking can take a lap or two to find, so build in a little patience.
This is where a lot of first-timers start their Juicy Lucy tour.
2. 5-8 Club, Minneapolis, MN
Just down Cedar Avenue sits the other half of the origin story. The 5-8 Club is the rival claimant to the Juicy Lucy crown, and locals have argued the Matt’s-versus-5-8 question for years without ever agreeing.
What sets this stop apart is how full the menu runs beyond the famous burger. You can build a meal around the Pig-Pen Egg Roll, a Taco Salad, crispy Onion Straws, or the Saucy Sally Salad, and finish with a slice of Ice Cream Pie.
Families fit in easily here. There is a kids’ menu, high chairs, a braille menu, and even a full vegan option, plus outdoor seating and Wi-Fi for a relaxed sit-down.
Parking is simple with a free lot, which is a nice change of pace in the city. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, stretching to 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Order a cheese-stuffed burger, then decide for yourself which camp you fall into.
3. The Nook, St Paul, MN
Ask around St Paul about the best Juicy Lucy and The Nook comes up fast. This small, bustling neighborhood bar even has old-school bowling lanes downstairs, which makes it a spot with a personality all its own.
Their version has a name worth remembering: the Juicy Nookie. It is the house take on the cheese-stuffed classic, and it pairs well with the hand-dipped cheese curds, including the dill pickle version.
The rest of the menu keeps things interesting too. You will find the Paul Molitor Burger, the Wee Burger and fries, Irish fries, root beer floats, and Nookie wings.
The room is small and intimate, so a wait is common, particularly on Saturday afternoons. It is open daily from 11 AM to 11 PM with happy hour deals, and the crowd runs family-friendly and welcoming to all.
Street parking can be a little tight in the Highland-area neighborhood, so plan for a short walk. Prices sit in the ten-to-twenty-dollar range per person.
4. Groveland Tap, St Paul, MN
Beer fans have plenty to explore at this St Clair Avenue tavern. Groveland Tap is a laid-back joint known for a large lineup of tap beers, plus a pool table and jukebox for hanging around.
The Juicy Lucy sits right on the menu and holds its own against the bigger-name spots. Order it with the cheese curds, some nachos, or a bowl of beer cheese soup, and you have a solid comfort-food spread.
Beyond the burger, the kitchen turns out a fish fry, Bavarian pretzels, and a Stroganoff Burger. The Wednesday pot roast special has its own following among regulars.
Families and groups do well here. There are high chairs, a kids’ menu, outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome on the patio, plus a free lot that usually has room.
Prices run a bit higher at twenty to thirty dollars per person. Hours go to 11 PM most nights and midnight on Friday and Saturday, making it a good later stop on a St Paul burger crawl.
5. Blue Door Pub Longfellow, Minneapolis, MN
Not everyone spells it the same way, and Blue Door leans all the way into that. Their signature stuffed burger is the Blucy, a playful spin on the Juicy Lucy that has become the pub’s calling card.
The menu gets creative with it. Beyond the classic Blucy you will find the Bacon Blucy and the Cease and Desist, along with Nana Sue’s cheese curds, Hella Totchos, and deep-fried green beans that win over even the bean skeptics.
The Longfellow location has a comfortable pub setup with high-back booths and a rotating craft beer list. It is casual and welcoming, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a crowd that runs family-friendly and inclusive.
Hours are a little different here, so check before you go. Weekdays it opens at 4 PM, while Friday through Sunday it opens at 11 AM.
Parking is usually easy on the street, and prices land around twenty to thirty dollars per person. Reservations are not accepted, so just walk in.
6. The Breeze Inn, Duluth, MN
The Juicy Lucy is not just a Twin Cities thing, and Duluth proves it. Out on Jean Duluth Road, The Breeze Inn is a homey tavern that puts its own cheese-stuffed burgers front and center.
Variety is the draw here. You can go with the original Juicy Lucy, branch out to a roasted pepper version, or size up to the Big Texan, and there is a Minnesota Hot Burger on the menu too.
The rest of the comfort-food lineup rounds things out with cheese curds, chicken wings, and a fish-and-chips plate. A fireplace, live music, and outdoor bean bag games make it a place to settle in for a while.
It is closed on Mondays and open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM, with Friday evenings the busiest. Reservations are accepted, which is handy if you are rolling through with a group.
Dogs are welcome, parking is plentiful and free, and prices stay friendly at ten to twenty dollars per person. A nice reason to detour if you are up the North Shore.
7. 5-8 Grill & Bar, Champlin, MN
Suburban burger fans get their own outpost of the famous name. The 5-8 Grill and Bar in Champlin carries the same tavern roots as its Minneapolis sibling, bringing the cheese-stuffed classic north of the metro.
The Juicy Lucy is right on the menu, listed plainly and ready to order. Around it you will find a Patty Melt, a Reuben, a BLT, a Shrimp Basket, deep-fried cheese curds, pickle chips, and onion straws.
What makes this spot fun beyond the food is the entertainment. There are bar games, trivia night, and plenty of screens for watching sports, which makes it an easy hangout.
Breakfast is on the table here too, which is not something every burger bar can say. It is open daily from 11 AM, running to midnight on Thursday through Saturday.
The setup is family-friendly with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and a large free lot. Reservations are accepted and prices sit in the ten-to-twenty-dollar range, making it a relaxed stop in Champlin.
8. Lost Times Tavern, Sauk Rapids, MN
Central Minnesota gets its say on the list too. Lost Times Tavern in Sauk Rapids is a casual American spot that has built a name on its burgers and a strong beer selection.
The Juicy Lucy here earns real praise, but it shares the spotlight with some serious over-the-top builds. Think a smash burger loaded with smoked pulled pork and brisket, plus the Hall of Fame Burger and fries.
The menu stretches wider than most bars on this list. You can start with garlic cheese curds or lettuce wraps, and the fries get called out for coming out crispy.
It is also one of the few stops serving breakfast and brunch, with Sunday hours starting at 10 AM. The rest of the week runs 11 AM to 10 PM, and Friday evenings draw the biggest crowd.
Live music, a full bar, and a historic-feeling room round out the vibe. Reservations are accepted, parking is free and plentiful, and prices stay at ten to twenty dollars per person.
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