The 17 blocks of Nicollet Avenue south of downtown Minneapolis have long been called Eat Street for good reason… they offer over 50 unique, ethnic, independent food destinations. Some have been there a long time, some are newer. Seafood Palace used to be a favorite, but The Copper Hen is now by its former place across the street from Vertical Endeavors. We stopped there for lunch this week.
It was a beautiful afternoon and we scored a sidewalk table. I always ask our server for recommendations because I figure they should know the highlights of their menu. She said not to miss their burger so that was an easy decision. It comes with a great light salad but smashed potatoes are also an option. Growing up on a potato farm, I am always a sucker for potatoes so I ordered those and John got the salad so we got to experience both… and both were delicious.
The most amazing part of the burger was the bun! The Copper Hen is a scratch kitchen so that means they make everything themselves, including the buns. In fact, 'transforming flour' is their specialty. I think you should add butter to that definition because the brioche-like bun is loaded with so much butter they don't even slather anything on the buns when they toast them to make them buttery-rich.
The other unique thing about their burger is the cheese sauce. I typically order my burgers without cheese, but this sauce was pretty amazing… certainly unique. According to Rick Nelson's Star Tribune review here is how it is made… four cheeses — Gorgonzola, sharp Cheddar, white Cheddar and American (“which gives it the viscosity that it needs,” said owner Danielle Bjorling) — are brought to an oozy melt on the stove, then steeped with whatever hoppy beer is currently available at the bar and puréed in a blender.
The owners, Danielle and Chris Bjorling, who live above the restaurant, describe their restaurant like this…
The Copper Hen is a Farm-to-Table Cakery & Kitchen located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We make everything from scratch and source as many ingredients as possible from local farms and businesses.
The Copper Hen Cakery and Eatery is part of the dominant trend of small, independent, locally-sourced scratch restaurants that provide farm-to-table food. Danielle and Chris are throwing their passion and everything they have into this demanding business… and wisely take Mondays off. The Copper Hen is open 11:00 am Tuesday – Friday, and opens early Saturday and Sunday for a Farmhouse Brunch 8:00 am – 2:30 pm. It is located at 2515 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404.
Think you would like to live around here? It is very close to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts/Children's Theater/Minneapolis College of Art and Design complex next to Fair Oaks Park. Search Minneapolis homes for sale close to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts… it is an area of historic homes.
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results - Minneapolis Realtor
The team at HomesMSP - Sharlene, John, Angela – Minneapolis Buyer's Agents
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