Not so long ago, J. Cousineau's, Mama G's, and The Lookout were the only proverbial games in town when it came having a nice sit-down meal. We're fortunate to still have those stalwart establishments with friendly faces and great food, but now a few more options have popped up on the scene. Lucky for us, Maple Grove is brimming with places to hop around if you’re looking for that ultimate night on the town.
The Classics
Like the folks at Cheers who pretty much knew who they were going to see and what they were going to get when they walked into the bar, these classic, all-time-favorite dining establishments have been serving up Maple Groveians for a minimum of twenty years.
Since 1958, on what used to be the Kinnan family farm, The Lookout Bar and Grill has provided some of the finest finger-lickin’est victuals (many from beloved family recipes) and libations around. 763.424.4365
Longtime Bartender(s): Lori, Jenn, Lorie, and Anne
Drink(s) to try: Lookout punch: Peach Schnapps, Malibu Rum, cranberry juice, orange juice, and pineapple juice
Food to sample: Award-winning broasted chicken, served with choice of potato, coleslaw and sumptuous cornbread; $8.49 for 3 pieces
Night(s) to go: Karaoke Wednesday; live music Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Happy hour: 3–6 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 p.m.–close Sunday–Wednesday; $2.50 rail drinks, $3 22-oz taps, $3 house wine
Bar stools: 24
Bar activities: karaoke, live music, volleyball, tetherball, horseshoes
This Maple Grove dining staple is known as much for some of the tastiest, cheesiest, ooey-gooeyist pizzas out there, as for their two-acre patio, where, every spring and summer, over 260 volleyball teams spike, set, and serve themselves into volleyball nirvana on six deep-sand courts. 9705 Highway 101; 763.420.2588
Longtime bartender(s): Mark, Rosie, Justine, Jeff, Megan, Sarah
Drink(s) to try: Beer, well drinks
Food to sample: What else…pizza!
Night(s) to go: outdoor live music Friday at 9 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m.–6 p.m.
Happy hour: 11 a.m–6 p.m. daily, $1 off all drinks; 7–10 p.m. daily, 16” pizza and pitcher, $18; 10 p.m.–midnight daily, $3 cocktails
Bar activities: volleyball, darts, pool tables, foosball, beanbag leagues, live music
Longtime bartender(s): Jed and Raegen
Drink(s) to try: Anything in their “yard glass”
For over two decades, J. Cousineau's has been the place to go to see some friendly faces and to sample what they like to call their “American Pub Grub Menu”; not to mention they offer a wide selection of craft beers, ales, ambers, and bocks. 763.420.8355
Food to sample: Mac Daddy: 3 buns, 2 delectable layers of ¼ lb. beef patties, bacon, jack cheese, sautéed mushrooms, American cheese, sautéed onions, lettuce and tomato, topped with special sauce and served with kettle or ripple chips; $10.95
Night(s) to go: Every night
Happy hour: 3–7 and 10 p.m.–1 a.m. daily; $2 rail cocktails, $2.50 domestic bottles, $2.75 domestic taps, $3 house wine,
Bar stools: 35
Bar activities: karaoke, meat raffle, poker, darts, bingo, pull tabs, trivia
The New(er) Kids in Town
These guys are a bit newer in these parts, but were sure worth the wait.
With a bustling stage that boasts some of the best local bands and comedy acts around, there’s plenty of fun to be had at the Maple Tavern; take a chance at the Man vs. Maple Challenge (eat a pile of habanero-topped nachos in less than ten minutes), and you’ll not only become part of the entertainment, but you’ll be added to their wall of fame—if you succeed, that is! 763.425.2700
Opened: 2010
Drink(s) to try: Bloody Mary bar on Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Food to sample: Parmesan breaded walleye: pan-fried, parmesan-breaded walleye topped with a sun-dried tomato butter sauce and toasted almonds, and all served up with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables; $16.95
Bar stools: 25
Night(s) to go: Live music Wednesday–Sunday
Happy hour: 3–6 p.m. Monday–Saturday, 10 p.m.–midnight Monday–Thursday, and all-day Sunday
Activities: Live music, comedy
This western-themed watering hole offers up an ambience that would make any cowboy (or suburbanite) happy, complete with sturdy, comfortable seating, loads of televisions for sports viewing, a large dance floor and all the peanuts you can eat. 763.420.2422
Opened: 2010
Drink(s) to try: Lynchburg lemonade: Jack Daniels, Triple Sec, sweet and sour, and a splash of Sprite
Food to sample: Fall-off-the-bone ribs, offered up with your choice of sauce (Carolina honey BBQ, Wild Bill’s homemade BBQ or Chipotle BBQ), and served with fries and coleslaw; $13.99, full pound
Bar stools: 30
Night(s) to go: Tuesday, 3–9 p.m., .35-cent wings; Friday and Saturday, DJ and dancing; Sunday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Campfire breakfast
Happy hour: 3–6:30 p.m. Monday–Friday and 9 p.m.–12 a.m., drink and food specials
Bar activities: music, dancing, TNT trivia, pull tabs
Switch It Up!
Go on, it's okay…try something a little different.
With a tagline that boasts, “escape into play,” it's little wonder that Dave & Buster's is filled with fabulous food and loads of fun activities in this adult arcade with a $3 million game floor. 763.515.0694
Opened: 2006
Drink(s) to try: Million-dollar margarita, Sauza Hornitos Blue Agave tequila, Tuaca liqueur, Grand Marnier, and lime juice
Food to sample: Build-your-own-tacos: marinated fajita beef, chicken or shrimp, accompanied by pico de gallo, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, fresh-made guacamole, tortillas, and served with spicy beans and rice; $13.49 and up
Bar stools: 50
Night(s) to go: half-price games from open to close on Wednesdays
Happy hour: 4:30–7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 9 p.m.–11 p.m. Sunday–Thursday; half-priced cocktails, beer and wine specials, select half-priced appetizers
Bar activities: everything from Skee-ball to pool to interactive video games
With a character-filled decor that boasts Gothic, Georgian and Irish cottage elements, and a menu that features some good old-fashioned Irish favorites, Claddagh Irish Pub brings a touch o' the green to Minnesota. 763.773.7400
Opened: 2002
Drink(s) to try: Blacksmith
Food to sample: Claddagh's Fish & Chips: fresh cod with a bass ale batter served golden brown with pub chips, coleslaw and tartar sauce; $13.99
Bar stools: 32
Night(s) to go: buy-one-get-one fish and chips Monday; live music Friday and Saturday nights
Happy hour: 3–7 p.m. Monday–Friday; half-priced appetizers, $2 rails, $2.50 domestics,
Bar activities: live music, team trivia, Claddagh’s Got Talent
Maybe you’re in the mood for some locally brewed beers and some from-scratch delectable fare in a comfortable, family-friendly atmosphere…well, Granite City offers all of the above. 763.416.0010
Opened: 2004
Drink(s) to try: any of their micro brews
Food to sample: Grilled chicken and bruschetta salad: toasted Caesar bruschetta, mixed greens, grilled chicken, olives and blue cheese crumbles tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, and finished with balsamic tomato onion relish and parmesan cheese; $12.99
Bar stools: 18
Best night to go: Kids eat free Sunday 5 p.m.–close; Wednesday wine night: half-price bottles
Happy hour: 4–6 p.m. and 9 p.m.–close Monday–Friday, noon–5 p.m. Saturday; $6 flatbread pizza, drink specials
Bar activities: trying new beers!
It's time to kick it up a notch with mouth-watering steaks, chops and seafood that will fill your gullet and satisfy your soul. 763.416.2663
When opened: 2007
Drink(s) to try: Blackberry mojito martini: Don Q Limon rum, blackberry puree, and fresh mint
Food to sample: Dry-aged ribeye, $38.95; hash browns blue style: delectable hash browns perfectly accentuated with bacon, bleu cheese crumbles, Tabasco and onions; $12.95
Bar stools: 30
Night(s) to go: Every night; reservations are strongly encouraged
Happy hour: 3–6 p.m. and 8–10 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 9–11 Friday and Saturday, all-day Sunday; $3 select appetizers, house wine, domestic taps
Activities: patio, occasional wine and scotch dinners
