41 Best American Restaurants near Lino Lakes

“We stopped in at Trappers last Saturday for bingo. The place was packed and it was a fun atmosphere.I tried the new Smashburger, which was REALLY good! Cooked perfectly and with fresh mushrooms. I'd definitely come back for that. My wife and our friends all enjoyed their food as well and, since Trappers has such a diverse menu, there's something for every appetite.Granted, they were very busy, but our service was very, VERY slow. Our server was clearly not up for a busy atmosphere and didn't know her tap beer & seltzer options - nor did she have it written down. Initially, she didn't show up at our table for at least 10 minutes and this was before they got busy. A few times, she disappeared for quite awhile without checking in on our table.I was pleased that they offered a build-your-own bloody Mary bar, since I'm pretty particular about using good mixes. There were plenty of options, including a variety of mixes, hot sauces, and condiments.We've been to Trappers dozens of times and will be back. Sitting at the bar is always a solid option for ensuring good service.“

“The food was absolutely amazing I really let gluttony take over and I ordered more than I could finish so epic leftovers! The establishment was pleasantly Decorous the beauty and the food definitely make up for the lack of space in the restaurant but that is my only complaint“

“Ok, I'm visiting Minneapolis to see my kids and grandkids, and my two sons and I decided to come to a new dinner and drinks spot. We were quite impressed by the food! OMG! I had the goat cheese toast and it was superb. I know what you're thinking...goat cheese toast??? Yes! It has the creamiest goat cheese with candied walnuts, thyme, figs, honey, pesto, and a balsamic reduction on a toasted ciabatta. Wow! All those flavors in my mouth made me want to sing!! Hahaha We also got the lemon Caesar salad, and the BBQ Brisket Melt. So good! BBQ flavor was rich and delicious, with a juicy and tender brisket. We also ordered ALL the desserts. LOL The pistachio cheese was, hands down, the best cheesecake I have ever had. What a surprisingly delectable taste combination. The pistachio with the creamy cheesecake, think graham cracker crust and the whipped cream and ice cream was so delicious, I made a scene. Haha! The pineapple Bundt cake was soft, moist , pineapply and so damn good. The chocolate torte was good, delicious but nothing super surprising. The strawberry shortcake was the dessert I was most excited about, but it was disappointing. We did not like it. The shortcake had a really strong bitter flavor. Weird and not pleasant at all. We sent it back, it was that disappointing. But...the rest of the food and beverages were absolutely a do-over! We will be back!!!!“

“AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING !!!I have been coming here for years, (since the American fries) and this is definitely my top number one breakfast spot. I love the family atmosphere. I took my husband today and my server was Sue, let me just say she is truly phenomenal at her job! Her communication is top tier, fast service and delicious delicious food! I want to say, THANK YOU for not changing your portion sizes due to the food waste. It absolutely angers me how people can possibly waste food here. The portions are out of this WORLD and definitely worth every penny you leave with plenty extra, full stomachs and don’t break the bank! How much better can it get? The only recommendation I have is please please please I beg you bring back those spectacular American fries PLEASE I BEG YOU!! You guys are amazing at what you do. Thank you again! You have customers for life. -Kaiya & Branden <3 ♥️♥️ and p.s Sue, keep doing what you do, you are greatly appreciated and seen!!!“

“Fresh and flavorful ingredients used to make mostly Ecuadorian dishes mixed with others. Try the hornado (roasted pork), which comes with a fresh tomato/onion marinated salad, cheesy potato cakes, and hominy. You won’t be disappointed! The service is great and they don’t use their drink sales as a huge profit center like many other restaurants do.“

“We love this place! It's a perfect hybrid of casual or classy dining, and everything that we've tried on the menu has always been delicious. Comfy seating, fast service, and healthy + delicious food make this an easy choice for regular visits. MUST-TRY FAVORITES: grilled brussels and bacon, ahi tuna, smoke stack burger, fish tacos, pan-fried walleye, and sweet potato fries. I regularly get the brussels as an appetizer and the ahi tuna [appetizer] as my meal.MENU UPDATE: They recently added birria tacos, which have roasted shredded beef and light-spicy, au jus-like sauce for dipping. (As of Feb 24, 2024, the website menu hasn't been updated yet.)The parking lot is very large. If parking spots only remain on the far left (west) edge row, don't worry, that means there's still a few tables open in main dining and lots open in the overflow space. If the left edge row is full, then the inside is pretty busy. Management does a fabulous job with balancing staffing because even if it's very busy, we've always been promptly seated and served. Accessibility is friendly for disabled or injured folks with flat surfaces all on the main level.If you come on a Friday or Saturday, I recommend a reservation, but it's not required. There are technically 4 seating areas -- bar (with TVs), main dining (fireplace and golf course views), overflow dining (cooler temps), and the seasonal outdoor patio. The bar and main dining area both have booths and tables with cushioned chairs. (The "cushioned" chair aspect is important for me since I have back issues.) The bar atmosphere is open and naturally louder. You can request a *tall* booth in the main dining area if you want more privacy.Service has always been very friendly and prompt. (Special shout out to the server Talon, who just last night ran my forgotten purse all the way out to me in the parking lot. Thank you!)The menu has diverse options from dry-rub chicken wings and burgers to pastas and chicken/steak/fish entrees. There are multiple options for gluten-free, keto, or vegetarian diners. They also have a wide selection of wine and drinks.There is a kids menu, but I don't think of this as a typical place to bring young kids. If your kids are hard to wrangle or like moving around while dining out, a table in the overflow dining space could work out.If you're unsure about Stella's, just go! You won't be disappointed.“

“This is a staple when I’m in town- love bringing my dog in the summer for the patio. The menu changes regularly and everything is always amazing. Tried some chicken penne and cake this time around- the burgers are also really good especially with the caramelized onions.“

“If you want delicious food, do yourself a favor and head over. Their salad dressings are made from scratch and that's my favorite thing. The ranch is SOOO delicious! I haven't tried others but my sister and friends loved multiple other kinds. The soup and sandwiches are great, too. The desserts are great and they serve Northern Soda, which is a fun treat, too! I've gone here with multiple friends and relatives and everyone, even "hard to please at restaurants" think it's great!“

“This is a hidden gem of the northern suburbs. Just a. Few mile north of Co Rd 14 off of Hwy 61. Hustled between Hugo and Forest Lake. The Black Smith had some of the best Broasted Chicken Minnesota. This is a no frills local bar and restaurant and it's totally worth the drive. You can't beat a 1/2 chicles, potato and salad, or coleslaw for under $15.00 and less on Thursdays. And the no-frills Bar will not break your wallet. Make the trip up here any day of week!“

“The service was great And my burger was so juicy... my husband had the Elote wings and they were so good.. the wings were unlike anything I've ever had anywhere. Oh, and don't forget you want chips their chips were so good and get it with a side of their dill sour cream.. or the ranch because the ranch was really good too“

“Great food and service! They were really busy on a Friday and we didn’t have reservations but they got us in right away and into a nice curve both. The 8oz sirloin was above average. Hubs said the chicken and ribs was extra good. Our friends seemed to like the ahi and the full rack of ribs.“

“I enjoyed my dining experience here. There was an approximately 10 minute wait to be seated. We sat at the bar. I liked the seats because we could see the food coming out of the kitchen and the hustle and bustle of the wait staff right in front of us. My order was correct and the food was hot and tasted great. The pancakes are HUGE! Though I do not eat gluten, my date said his pancakes had a lot of blueberries and the taste was great! I gave 4 stars for atmosphere because it was noisy and music was playing overhead. If you are looking for a quiet place, this is not it. The staff was attentive and kind. I highly recommend this restaurant ?“

“Over the top servings for breakfast, easily split the plate size omelette with my daughter. A single pancake is the size of a dinner plate. Great tasting food, great service. For Mimosa's they bring a glass of Orange juice and a small bottle of Prosecco to add. Class act!“

“We went out for dinner here and had a great time. The bartender was serving everyone drinks and was our waiter somehow and killed it. Everything was really good and the drinks were spot on as well. I look forward to coming back and make sure to get the garlic fries.“

“I absolutely ALWAYS get the kindest, most friendly, (and of course efficient) service here at Culver's on Centerville Rd. in Vadnais Heights. This is where I bring my senior citizen Mom for our lunches because the food and service is great, the tables and booths are always clean, and we can visit as long as we want!. The acoustics are such that we can talk and hear each other, which is usually a problem for my Mom. Admittedly, I usually take home a kid's size burger to eat later so that I can eat a giant custard sundae, malt, concrete mixer, or something else irresistible as my "meal". Highly recommend!!“

“Went in thinking of a typical late night bar menu.If bars had a separate class rating for the late night menus and creativity- this would be the place.Exceeded expectations completely, well done. The cheese curds and steak bites both had a really unique (and delicious) touch. The bloody Mary mix is also next level.They also have a variety of top shelf whiskeys, nothing like a Suntory Hibiki, but they have a good selection.“

“Upscale environment on the main level of new apartment buildings. Parking is inside or behind the apartments, with the center rows reserved for Oliver's. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and it came out quick. I didn't love the seasoning sprinkled on top but otherwise thought the pizza was good. Depending on your seats, you can watch your pizza being cooked. Service was great. Prices are in line with the atmosphere.“

“Awesome foot truck and top notch customer service! Tim accommodated my special dietary request easily. My husband recommends the chicken ranch wrap. I thoroughly enjoyed my KETO philly melt. It's nice to eat the same thing as my family ?“

“Great spot with options for full sit-down meal, bar meal and apps and cozier seating next to bar. Now that they serve breakfast, the menu has something for everyone for every mealtime. (eggs, pancakes, veggies, chicken wings, salads, burgers). Local and standard beers on tap. Good happy hour. And always, if you you are dipping, get the red pepper sauce. Yummy all around food, drinks and people!“

“It's a very open bar and they have some TV's to watch sports. They had a band playing the night I was there and it's nice that they have bands. There is room to dance if a band is playing. The food was good, comparable to most bar food. It's wheelchair accessible. They had a cover charge when the band played. Definitely a fun place!“

“Quick stop here for a birthday drink! Their bloody Mary's are very good! The staff was very welcoming and accommodating to the customers. They are good for any size group and close to the hockey stadium near by for post game celebrations. A great place to watch sporting events too.“

“I don't know where to start. I stopped at Oliver's because it seemed to be less busy than the other restaurants around and I was looking for a quiet place to eat. Walking in, you see an open kitchen and are greeted by a smiling hostess. The menu has great options ranging from burgers to wagyu steak. All of which smell delicious. The atmosphere is really chill and cozy. And the service was excellent. I did appreciate the few tvs they had along the bar, but not having them as a giant distraction. Overall just a great vibe and experience. I look forward to returning again and again!“

“This is our favorite place to go for Wontons with the sweet cream cheese, the House fried rice and wings were really good, the staff work hard and are always pleasant, we’ve never eaten inside the restaurant but have carry out many times and enjoyed the food, still warm at home. See pics and videos.Wheelchair accessibility: Side walk has a ramp“

“Well managed, serviced and staffed. Lots of seating in 3 rooms, 2 bars. Excellent Daily food and beverage specials. Live music. Breakfast. Irish ☘️ specialties. Fantastic corned beef and cabbage platter for Saint Patrick’s Day Weekend. Woman owed, staff and managed.“

“First time here and it was a pretty good experience. I appreciate how the restaurant offers reservations... just makes it so much easier for everyone. Unfortunately, I did not see any staff at the hostess stand when I arrived however, my party was already seated. I've heard nothing but fantastic things about the all you can eat fish fry here, so that's what actually brought me here. Fantastic! Fish was hot, crispy, and not greasy; also served with tartar sauce. You also get a generous amount of fries which were great... I love a good zesty fry. Coleslaw was tasty as well. I had to get the mini donuts for dessert and those were delicious. Tasty, hot, and perfectly sugared. There were a few things I'd like to try on the menu... Buffalo chicken wontons, cheese curds, and the burger. I'll have to come back next time I'm in the area. I'd say our waitress wasn't very attentive and not too friendly.... Just kinda felt like she didn't want to be there. However, the food made up for it. Restaurant is large, well lit, and clean.“

“The food is good. The portions are for hungry people. Servers are pleasant, but sometimes too busy. The ambiance is a bit busy and therefore noisy, but we'll always go back again. We've only been there for breakfast.Mama Bear Omelette and Papa Bear Omelet are my favorites. Mark C.“

“Love restaurant week! The beef bourguinon with mashed potatoes and demi-glace was delicious and so tender it melted in my mouth. Our server Alex was a delight. Located on the other side of town from me but well worth the extra time to get there. I'll definitely go back to try some other dishes.“

“The two ladies working were so sweet and made our entire days. They both had such spunky and fun vibes!The Depth Charge I got was solid. Definitely a good pick me up!My bf absolutely smashed his cinnamon roll. 10/10 cute little coffee shop❤️Shout out again to the two ladies working. ??“

“Ordered fish and chips for takeout. The order was ready promptly but pickup was a bit chaotic as it was Friday night during happy hour and all the servers and bar personnel were really busy, The portions were very generous for both the fish and the chips and the fish was flavorful and not overly battered. My main complaint was that the takeout containers were plastic and thus the food couldn't be rewarmed in the oven. Microwave makes the chips soggy which these were by the time I got them home. Styrofoam is equally bad for the environment but at least it could have been put in the oven to reheat. Price was fairly reasonable for the size of the portions.“

“We have dined at Bricks several times and this most recent time we had them cater a large networking event with 35+ other businesses. Briana and her team were excellent to work with. They helped suggest food choices, prepared perfectly to serve about 60 in attendance. Food was excellent, delivery was included along with some set up help. I highly recommend Bricks Kitchen and Pub to anyone looked for a great in person dining experience or a catered event!“

“Best breakfast in Minnesota! We love coming here for a delicious, hardy meal after church. It's also a preferred breakfast destination when we have family or friends in town. The menu has tons of options. Basically, eggs and omelets any way you can imagine plus a super-sized serving of hashbrowns or pancakes with most entrees. They also have incredible French toast and 4 variations of eggs Benedict. Don't forget a side a crispy bacon. YUM. If you want something that's not on the menu, if they have it in stock, they're typically happy to accommodate requests. (Like banana French toast... one of my favorites!)They include bread or toast with almost every menu item. I'm a low-carb eater, so I typically avoid bread. However, Keys has a homemade berry jam that's INCREDIBLE. The bread simply becomes a vehicle for jam consumption. Fortunately, they have sourdough and gluten-free bread options, so I don't feel as guilty for eating the bread.They have fresh baked desserts, cakes, cookies, and more that are easy take-home or pick-up treats for special events.For seating, there's walk up [cushioned] barstools [with TV view], booths, tables with wooden chairs, a hybrid booth/wooden chair option on the back wall, and seasonal outdoor seating. I have back issues, so we opt for the cushioned booths or barstools. The variety of seating makes it easy for solo or group dining. Tables can optionally be joined together for larger groups. The very back section is partially divided by a decorative wall with a fireplace, which is a great backdrop for photos and a pleasant ambiance on chilly days.There's a large shared lot to accommodate parking. For our party of 4, if there are some parking spots clearly visible, table wait time is usually around 10 minutes. If the lot is super full with only a few spots left, table wait time is 15-30 minutes depending on party size. We like visiting the next-door pet shop, Chuck n' Don's, while we wait. (Key's has nice bathrooms to easily wash up before meal time.)Service here is always friendly, and being a family-owned and run business, it's nice to see familiar faces and smiles over the years.We highly recommend Key's to everyone!“

“This was our frist time here and it was great. Our sever hamza was great and so on top of everything, he was so easy going and polite(he needs a raise), the food was amazing and the atmosphere was great. They play amazing music. Everyone is so nice here too.“

“Wow! There is always something happening here. I like the easy bar menu, incredibly reasonable prices on food and beverages and mostly the fun and attentive personalities of the staff. An example of 1 week's activities (from their FB page): Week of February 16 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *SUN - 2:30pm BINGO , Wrap with wild rice soup (until final BINGO coverall ~5:30pm) *MON - All-day pulltabs and bar *TUE - 6:30pm BINGO *WED - 5pm ‍ Buffet: Pulled Pork & BBQ Chicken, 6:30pm Texas Hold'em *THU - 5pm ‍Chef Special, 6:30pm BINGO *FRI - 6pm Meat Raffle, 7:15pm TRIVIA⁉ *SAT - 1:30pm Live Bluegrass , 2:30pm Meat Raffle, 3pm Texas Hold'em, 8pm Karaoke, bar menu 1-8pm *Check EVENTS calendar for details. #KrausHartigTime 763-780-1900“

“I love the Mermaid. The BEST pizza, cheap beer, they even have my fav Modelo on tap which you won’t find at most places. They have a huge bowling alley, axe throwing, pool, other games. The workers are always nice. Perfect place to have a bite to eat, have some drinks, and hang out.“

“Isaac was beyond professional and fun. Can’t wait to come back. Thank you so much. I really love the new menu updates. We had the Cajun Alfredo as well as the chicken skewers added bacon and pineapple. It was amazing with drinks of course bloody Mary and old-fashioned. Amazing service hands-down coming back every time thank you Isaac.“

“I enjoyed a small salad with a garlic dressing. It was a good size and colorful. That's all I had cause I was on my way to a Yelp event. Basil got their version of fish and chips called sunnies. Small lake fish. Two more and you'll feel like you got your money's worth. There were more bluegills served for an appetizer at Acqua recently. Fries were kind of soggy. The tarter was good. About 3PM was a good time, not busy and our server was very attentive. I'm looking forward to burgers and other meat in a couple of weeks.“

“Good food, all be it they were having issues for some reason with fries coming out cold so had to get a new order, service was good because other servers took care of us when our server was nowhere to be seen or just busy. All in all I would go return.“

“Just moved to Hugo, was excited to finally have a dairy and gluten free burger place for my wife. Really affordable pricing compared to the cities, and bigger than average portions if you like that sort of thing. Everytime I've eaten there or gotten take out we have enjoyed it and the service is top notch. It's a great American food spot and our toddler loved the pizza on the menuDietary restrictions: Gluten dairy free optionsKid-friendliness: Good kids menu“

“I have been going to this restaurant once a week for several months now. Every time I’m here we spend 2-3 hours occupying a table studying. I have never felt more welcome at a restaurant, the staff never rushes us and continues to serve us until we are ready to leave.The food is ALWAYS hot and fresh and served incredibly fast. I definitely recommend this location“

“My first visit here. It was busy, and a little slow in service/kitchen timing, but in their defense, we showed up an hour before Bingo night. Mackenzie P. was our waitress and she was hustling! Great attitude and super friendly, always checking in. Overall great experience, great Cuban sandwich and looking forward to coming back when the patio is open.“

“Got the Mac attack burger. Sandwich Size was smaller than expected but it was pretty good. High rating because it's a unique Sandwich. Needed salt though. Fries were a mixed bag. Love the crunch and texture. But the taste of onions on them was overwhelming. I presume they fry a lot of onions in the oil. It's not bad, just not what I expected when i eat fries. Overall I recommend the place. Especially if you like onions and their flavor.“