Archive for the 'Restaurants' Category

Dining Deals and Steals During a Bad Economy

piggy-bankBy now, you’ve been told not to watch the news or participate in the woes of the tanked economy, and rightfully so. As Americans, it’s tough to make adjustments on a tight budget and who wants to stop enjoying going out to eat? Not me and I’m sure not you either! There are plenty of deals happening to feed your whole family for less than it would take to make a meal at home.

During the week (the time where I know I’d like a break from dinner duty), many establishments across the Iron Range have created food steals. I’m talking less than a few bucks to get a burger and fries, or less than 2 bucks for a half dozen wings—you get the point. Keep in mind, cheap does not infer low quality. And please, if I’ve missed something or you know of any other great food deals, please share!

Burger Nights

Feed a family of four for ten bucks with no clean up or preparation? Yup. Here are the following places who offer burger and fries for a few bucks. I believe all of these specials are dine-in only.

  1. Snicker’s Pizza in Eveleth—Wednesdays after 4pm. $1.75 includes fries and you can add on bacon, onion rights or whatever for a few quarters more. Try to arrive before 5:30pm because the place fills up quick.
  2. Thirsty Moose-Serving up $1.50 burgers every Tuesday
  3. Vermilion Club-Buck Burgers: $1 every Tuesday from 3-9pm.
  4. Mac’s Bar—Belly up for a Burger and Fries for only $1.50
  5. Brick YardThank You Thursdays with $1.00 sliders, 4-8pm. Plus happy hour drink specials.
  6. Jim’s Sports Club—1/4 lb. Burgers on Tuesdays for $1
  7. Wandering Pines—Tuesdays for a $1.50-includes fries. After 4pm.

Wing Nights

Chow down on crispy chicken wings for $0.50 or less:

  1. Goodfella’s offers a variety of flavors for a $0.25 each on Thursdays all day. Again, get there early because the place is packed after 5pm.
  2. Wing Wednesday at the Brick Yard: A quarter each as well as specials on beer and rails from 4-8pm.
  3. Billy’s in Buhl—Thursdays get $0.50 wings from 4-6pm with $2.50 happy hour beer specials.
  4. Vermilion Club—Wednesdays for $.40
  5. Jim’s Sports Club—Thursday wings for a quarter
  6. Thirsty Moose has $2 off an order of wings on Thursdays.

Tacos

Grab a taste of Mexico for only a few bucks on these special nights:

  1. Tacos on Mondays at Brick Yard with drink specials: A buck a taco.
  2. Timber’s Edge—Mexican night—tacos for only a couple of bucks
  3. Wastin’ Away Wednesdays at Goodfella’s: For only a few bucks get nachos, 2 tacos, and quesadillas: add a buck for chicken or beef in your quesadillas. Plus, enjoy margaritas, shots of tequila, mojitos and other Mexican drink specials for only $3.
  4. Thirsty Moose has $1.25 tacos starting at 5pm on Wednesdays.

Other great deals:

Goodfella’s has all you can eat Spaghetti on Mondays for only $7.95; Vermilion club has $4.00 off pizzas on Mondays. Get a T-Bone steak on Tuesdays at the Wooden Table for only $9.95 including fries and slaw. Fish Fry on Fridays at North Gate Café, AYCE, $6.95; Mary’s Morsels until 5pm for only $7.25, Billy’s and Jim’s Sports Club for $8.95 and a 3-piece Fish Dinner at the Wooden Table for $6.95. On Thursdays, get $2 off a pizza. Dollar appetizers on Tuesdays at Brick Yard (some restrictions apply).

Do NOT forget about Coupons! Save money any day of the week!

Going out to eat doesn’t have to break your wallet. You just need to know where the deals are!

Top Places to Chill along the Iron Range Snowmobile Trails

snowmobileSnowmobiling is HARD WORK! When your stomach starts a growlin’, check out these places to stop for a bite to eat along the Iron Range snowmobile trails. Know for their hospitality, Rangers serve up great grub with a free side of “Minnesota Nice”.

Britt, MN

Wooden Table Inn (north of Virginia)
This rustic tavern and restaurant is well known for roasting an excellent Prime Rib; Try the Wooden Table Burger smothered in Pepper jack cheese and Jalapeno Bacon; it’s sure to add a little zip to your day. The Wooden Table makes a perfect stop while cruising the snowmobile trail along Highway 25 between Buhl and Britt. Leaving from Wooden Table Inn? Perfect: make your next stop at Billy’s in Buhl.

The Elroy (north of Virginia)
The Elroy has long been an Iron Range dining “hot spot.” It was closed for a short period of time, but has reopened with a great new menu and fantastic chef. The best part is that it’s right on the trail!

Virginia and Mountain Iron, MN

Sawmill Saloon & Restaurant (Virginia)
The Sawmill Saloon, located on Hwy 53 in Virginia (and nearby the snowmobile trails) is a long time tradition for both “Iron Rangers” and guests. The Sawmill is the place to hang out & socialize, but don’t forget the great food and variety of beverages!

Adventures Restaurant & Pub (Virginia)
Adventures mixes great American classics with a touch of the wild. Try their Sizzling Fajitas, Walleye Sandwich or even their Indian Creek Elk Sandwich….they’re all unique and will satisfy your taste buds! And, don’t forget their 2-for-1 Happy Hour (M-F). Easily accessible off the trail between Eveleth and Virginia.

BG’s (Mountain Iron, MN)
BG’s is known for grilling one of best burgers in town and offers a variety of tasty chicken wings. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming! BG’s is a little tricky to get to from the trails—located just off Highway 169 on HWY 137—but if you’re riding in the Mountain Iron or Virginia area, it’s worth seeking out.

Eveleth, Gilbert and Biwabik, MN

Timber’s Edge (Noth of Eveleth, Hwy. 53)
If you’re sledding north of Highway 53, make a stop into Timber’s Edge, located near Makinen. Here you’ll find great food with an inviting, casual atmosphere. Now under new ownership, you’ll likely run into some exceptional live music on the weekends. They offer daily food specials, happy hour and are also known for an excellent Friday Fish Fry.

Goodfella’s – The Bar & Grille (Eveleth, MN)
Goodfella’s is one of Eveleth MN hot spots. With a welcoming atmosphere, cozy dining room, weekend entertainment and excellent food, it’s a great place to stop! When on the trail along Highway 53 heading north, just cross the highway by the Super 8 motel and Goodfella’s is right there; you can’t miss it.

Wandering Pines (Gilbert)
Visit Wandering Pines, and try one of their ethnic selections like South Americans and Porketta–food you’ll most likely only find on the Iron Range. They also offer a variety of wraps, sandwiches and specialty pizzas, plus a breakfast buffet on the weekends. Located at the end of Broadway Avenue, you can’t miss Wandering Pines when riding the trail from Virginia to Gilbert or Eveleth to Gilbert. This little bar & restaurant makes a perfect stop when on the way to Biwabik.

Whistling Bird (Gilbert, MN)

Know as one of the Iron Range’s most unique restaurants specializing in Jamaican cuisine, Whistling Bird offers a tropical atmosphere, delicious food and a variety of frozen drinks. I recommend the Black & Bleu Steak or the Rasta Pasta. YUM!

Timbers Restaurant (The Lodge at Giants Ridge – Biwabik)
Giants Ridge offers one more option for trail riding treats - Timbers. From subs and steak to pizza, Italian and burgers, Timbers restaurant in The Lodge has an expanded menu full of options. Hint: try the fresh walleye!

Hibbing/Buhl

Billy’s Bar & Grill (Buhl)
Billy’s Bar is located in Buhl, MN right on the trail off of Highway 25 heading west from the Virginia/Mountain Iron area. In fact, it’s a great 45-minute ride from the Wooden Table in Britt straight to Billy’s Bar & Grill. They offer tasty café selections like burgers and sandwiches and they often have live music or karaoke weekly. Stop in during Tuesday’s Meat Raffle and win yourself a slab of beef–sure to stay frozen on the back of your sled.

Thirsty Moose (Hibbing, MN)
Ok, so this one is off the trail a bit, but not too difficult to ditch ride along HWY 37.  The Thirsty Moose is a small (but well known) bar and restaurant located off Hwy 37 just east of Hibbing. They make pizzas of practically any concoction and their burgers are worth writing home about! The Thirsty Moose provides a fun atmosphere with great food.

The Iron Range offers even more fine dining opportunities, homespun “mom and pop” cafes and unique ethnic restaurants…so, no matter where you choose to stop along the trail, the ‘up-north’ hospitality this region is known for is guaranteed to warm your heart and keep you coming back for more!

Be sure to check Dave Karpik’s snowmobile blog for northern Minnesota snowmobile trail conditions, tips and giveaways.

RangeBuzz.com offers Coupons from Local Bars & Restaurants

Valentine’s Day Dining and Dating Guide

Valentine’s day is only a week away! It’s the one time of year to put on your charms and show that person you love—or want to love—just how romantic you can be. What better way than to treat that special some one to a delicious dinner and some great entertainment? Many great Iron Range restaurants are cooking up some tasty cuisine that is sure to impress your date. Sneak a preview of what’s on the menu as well as entertainment and other sweet treats. Enjoy!

Continue reading ‘Valentine’s Day Dining and Dating Guide’

BG’s Bar & Grill

BG’s is one of Mountain Iron’s most popular Bar & Grills. The food is rated excellent by locals and BG’s grills up one of the best burgers in town. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming where friends like to gather to socialize and have a great time. Check out my video review of BG’s…

Wastin’ Away Wednesdays

I love hump day. I find myself starting a count down (2 days, 9 hours, 30 minutes and 45 seconds) until the weekend. In my mind, two and some days is a long time to wait to let loose a little. So, I take full advantage of ‘Wastin’ Away Wednesdays’ at Goodfella’s in Eveleth with Backwoods Karaoke. Oh boy, people—this is a fun night. Continue reading ‘Wastin’ Away Wednesdays’

Poor Gary’s Cheeseburgers Rock!

Ok. I admit it. I LOVE cheeseburgers and French fries. They are my absolute FAVORITE sinful indulgence in the whole wide world. I define sinful as anything I have to feel guilty about. I only have a few of these “sinful indulgences” left in me, and I won’t tell you them all. But, I will go on to tell you about a darn good (and I mean DARN GOOD!) cheeseburger from Poor Gary’s Pizza in Virginia.

Now, I love their pizza. It’s fabulous! And I’ve had about every kind they offer, too. It sits right up there with Snickers, Daves, Sammy’s, Sven and Ole’s and other awesome local, what I call “REAL,” pizza parlors. And, until about six months ago, it was all I knew from the Poor Gary’s menu. Continue reading ‘Poor Gary’s Cheeseburgers Rock!’