I'll get into the "burger joints" that I like in the Twin Cities, but first – why do we call them "joints"? 
The word "joint" has many definitions. When it comes to burger joints the definition starts with a place where people meet. Think "joint", as in the OED where "joints" are points of connection in our bodies, derived from French and Italian for the functions; elbows, knees, ankles and such. (I confess I didn't know that OED stands for Oxford English Dictionary, but I do now.)
In talking "joint"; a "burger joint" it is more likely to be used as a retail "store" that sells food/drink rather than clothes or auto parts. It tends to imply the establishment is local, small and very casual, where food is eaten right after purchase. It often suggests it is a favorite of local people, places where people meet. As in Fats Waller's "This Joint is Jumping" from 1943.
There's also the idiomatic "case the joint" (look over an establishment, usually with intent to rob the place.)
Think also of "clip joint", "gin joint", in the "joint" (prison), etc.
Down to local burger joints I like:
The Loop* – The Best burgers, expensive, industrial-chic decor, 5331 W 16th St, St. Louis Park (West End) & 606 N Washington Ave #100, Minneapolis – The Loop West End… amazing burgers, and their salmon rice bowl is not to be missed!
Blue Door Pub* – very good, one of my favorites, inventive menu, home of the "Blucy" my favorite, 1811 Selby Ave, St Paul & 1514 Como Ave SE, Minneapolis & 3448 42nd Ave S, Minneapolis – Antiques, beer and Juicy Blucys in St. Paul's Merriam Park
The Copper Hen - Great burgers, everything from scratch, local produce, 2515 Nicollet Ave Minneapolis – Amazing Burger on Eat Street… at The Copper Hen
The Red Cow - great burgers, pricey, 3624 W 50th St & 208 N 1st Ave, Minneapolis, 393 Selby Avenue, St. Paul – Red Cow North Loop… great weekend brunch stop in Downtown Minneapolis
Burger Moe's - very good burgers, sports bar close to Xcel Center in St. Paul with great outdoor patio, 242 W 7th St, St. Paul – Burger Moe's… one of the best outdoor patios in downtown St. Paul
Convention Grill – really good burgers, classic diner appeal, retro setting, 3912 Sunnyside Rd, Edina – Sunday's Site – Convention Grill, Edina
Victory 44 - great burgers, nice quiet neighborhood by Victory Memorial Parkway/Grand Rounds, creative, 2203 N 44th Ave, Minneapolis – Award-winning Victory 44 brings foodies to North Minneapolis
The Malt Shop - very good malts, old favorite, nostalgic experience, great neighborhood, 809 W 50th St, Minneapolis
My Burger - pretty good local fast food counter service, modern space, 3100 Excelsior Blvd, 601 Marquette Ave & 213 Oak St SE, Minneapolis, 6555 Lyndale, Richfield – MyBurger… our favorite stop for a quick, fresh burger
The Lion's Tap - good burgers, small menu, out of the way, but well worth the trip, a longtime favorite hangout for many! 16180 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie
The Nook* – very good, purist (no cheese substitutes) 492 Hamline Ave S, St Paul – Sunday's Site – Best Burgers at The Nook, St. Paul
Snuffy's Malt Shop – OK burgers, but malts are fantastic, local, retro, 4502 Valley View Rd, Edina; 244 Cleveland Ave S, St. Paul; 17519 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka; plus 1125 Larpenteur Avenue West, Roseville that used to be Snuffy's and is now The Original Malt Shop – Burgers, malts and phosphates…
50's Grill - good burgers plus homemade pies, chicken pot pie, nostalgic, 5524 Brooklyn Blvd, Minneapolis.
Gold Nugget Tavern & Grill – very good, former dive bar re-born, 14401 Excelsior Blvd, Minnetonka – Minnetonka Meanderings
Burger Jones – good, 3200 W Lake St, Minneapolis & 1619 County Road 42 W, Burnsville
And the best burger Sharlene has ever eaten… The Strip Club Meat & Fish , amazing Chef's Burger with burger ground from trimmings from their amazing steaks!, 378 Maria Ave, St. Paul
That's it (for now)!
*The asterisk means they serve "Juicy Lucy's"
John Hensrud, REALTOR
RE/MAX Results HomesMSP Team - Sharlene, John, Angela – Twin Cities Realtors
RELATED POSTS
- The Loop West End… amazing burgers, and their salmon rice bowl is not to be missed!
- Antiques, beer and Juicy Blucys in St. Paul's Merriam Park
- Amazing Burger on Eat Street… at The Copper Hen
- Red Cow North Loop… great weekend brunch stop in Downtown Minneapolis
- Burger Moe's… one of the best outdoor patios in downtown St. Paul
- Sunday's Site – Convention Grill, Edina
- Award-winning Victory 44 brings foodies to North Minneapolis
- MyBurger… our favorite stop for a quick, fresh burger
- Sunday's Site – Best Burgers at The Nook, St. Paul
- Burgers, malts and phosphates…
- Minnetonka Meanderings
