Mrs. Carnivore and I were heading for a day trip to Parts Unknown, MN, and our travel took us by this gem of a place that The Carnivore learned was under new management. The credentials and history of the new owner, despite her familial connections to the previous owner, had the Carnivore a bit worried. The new owner seems (from reading interviews and biographical information, I have never met her) to be someone that would absolutely ruin what the Copper Lantern was. The Copper Lantern was, you see, an absolutely perfect place to get a real, genuine American breakfast, which the Carnivore has consumed many of at that establishment. It was folksy and functional, a bit worn looking but not in a run-down sort of way. The concern given the new owner's history with rich folks and upscale things was that she would kill a decades old gem and do something fancy instead.
The Carnivore somehow managed to apparently not review the Copper Lantern once upon a time, for which I apologize to the previous owners. It would have been a solid, unquestioning 5 star affair. The inside is now nearly unrecognizable, but in a good way. The feel is far more upscale than the fare, but that isn't a complaint unless the fare changes. The food is exactly as it was a long time ago, but now adult beverages are available. It looks really nice!
After seating Mrs. Carnivore and a confused looking Carnivore, the friendly and attentive staff was interrogated concerning the food, and we were assured that the awesome food I remembered was still coming out of the kitchen. It is. Staff was all super friendly and appeared to be having a good time. Our food arrived quickly.
Copper Kitchen has the best pancakes I can recall eating. I am fussy about pancakes and there are a number of places they can go wrong, from something that imparts an aluminum taste (a certain type of baking powder, perhaps) to the inexplicable and inexcusable abuse of adding vanilla. Vanilla is at home in french toast, but not a pancake. Savages. Back to breakfast. The carnivore is particular about eggs in a way that most cooks do not care for, but Copper Kitchen delivered them as requested. Toast was perfect, real butter was present, hash browns were great. Sausage was great. Mrs. Carnivore enjoyed every aspect of her breakfast as well.
It is the correct opinion, which is near as close enough to be factual, of the Carnivore, that while there may be another breakfast in Saint Cloud that might rival Copper Kitchen, there is definitely no breakfast in Saint Cloud that is better than Copper Kitchen. If you are in Saint Cloud for any reason and in need of breakfast, this is your first option.
At the time of this review, there is some road construction happening as the idiots at MNDOT (not the folks in green and orange) try to ruin yet another road, but this annoyance will not hinder your access to and from Copper Kitchen. Fear not, your tummy will thank you! read more