Dinner 7/28 Run, don't walk here. This dive bar is the origins of the S-tier Juicy Lucy. Frills not needed, the burger is a bucket list item and continues to be a dominant staple for burger joins around the world. This is also cash-only. read more

- Matt's Bar Since Matt's Bar is one of the two Minneapolis restaurants that claims to have invented the Jucy Lucy, I had to stop in and try it for myself. This is a very busy place, so expect at least some wait. I stood in line for about five minutes, but I was dining alone and was able to take a seat at the bar. Larger parties may have to wait longer. Also, be aware that Matt's Bar is cash only. The Jucy Lucy is clearly the most popular item. The burgers are cooked to order, but the grill is constantly loaded with them. From what I observed, they seemed to be prepared in batches, so your wait may depend on where your order falls in the cooking cycle. Parking was easier than I expected. I found free street parking about 100 yards away. The bartender was excellent, the kitchen staff kept things moving, and there was a decent beer selection. I also ordered fries, and the portions are enormous. A half order would easily be enough for two people to share, while a full order could probably feed four. As for the burger itself, it was good and definitely worth trying for the history and experience. I would rate it somewhere around 3.5 to 4 out of 5. One important tip is to let it sit for about five minutes before taking a bite. The cheese inside is extremely hot and very liquid when the burger first arrives, so it can easily burn your mouth. Giving it a few minutes allows the cheese to cool and thicken slightly. Overall, I enjoyed Matt's Bar and am glad I tried the original-style Jucy Lucy. Between the crowds and the cash-only policy, it is probably a one-time experience for me rather than somewhere I would visit regularly, but it was still a very good stop. read more

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Found free street parking right in front of the restaurant, which made getting there easy. When you arrive, you wait in line until a table opens up. Luckily, there were only two people ahead of us, and we waited about 6-10 minutes. If you visit during peak hours, I'd definitely expect a longer wait. The menu is refreshingly simple Jucy Lucys, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, fries, and not much else. I ordered the original Jucy Lucy with pickles and onions, and we shared a basket of fries. It was a true no frills experience, and I can appreciate the significance of keeping things simple. Matt's embraces that hometown diner feel: burgers wrapped in paper instead of plates, drinks served cold & bottled instead of over ice, cash only (there's an ATM inside with a $2 fee), and a nostalgic atmosphere that feels uniquely Minnesota. The staff deserves recognition. Our waitress was friendly and patient, and it was clear everyone, from the bartender to the cook, was working incredibly hard to keep things moving. Their teamwork definitely didn't go unnoticed. As for the burger, I personally didn't think it was the best Jucy Lucy I've had, but taste is subjective, and I completely understand why it's considered a Minnesota staple. More than anything, I'm glad I finally crossed Matt's off my Minnesota foodie bucket list. As a proud Minnesotan, it's one of those iconic spots that's worth experiencing at least once. read more

Matt's Bar - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

when in Minneapolis you have to try the original July Lucy at Matt's. cool old building, fun atmosphere and great food. read more

Matt's Bar - Menu - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Jucy Lucy, flavor reminds me of White Castle burgers from back in the day. Soo good. Love the sautéed onions and pickles on it. The cheese inside is great. The fries are filler. Nothing special, but I am glad they have fine powdered pepper for them. 100% dive bar. I will go back anytime I am in MN! read more

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Finally got to try the iconic Matt's Bar and my first Juicy Lucy! The burger was absolutely delicious (I got it with grilled onions) - and I appreciated that our waitress told us to take a small bite first, as the cheese was basically molten hot. However, it was a great burger. Between myself and two others, we just shared an order of fries and it was enough - but we do wish they were salted better. We were lucky to get a table right away, but there was quite a line out the door on a Thursday night once we left. We got drinks right away, but the burgers and fries did take quite a bit of time to come out (which for a very limited menu felt odd). Overall, fun environment and good burger! read more

Matt's Bar - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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This place screams hole in the wall but the best kind. This place came highly recommended and was said to have the top Jucy Lucy in the state. Some things I noticed were the lack of waiters and no silverware off the break. Not sure if this is a Minnesota thing or a this place thing but it kind of threw me a bit. The burger itself was absolutely divine and the fries were pretty standard shoestrings that filled the purpose. With that being said the service was still amazing and she made sure we were taken care of. And my hat goes off to the guy cooking hundreds of burgers and screaming out "CLOSE THE DOOR"! If you're in Minneapolis this place is a staple. read more

Matt's Bar - Jucy Lucy French Fries - Full Order - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Matt's Bar is always the best. Yes, you might have to wait outside on a chilly MN day, but it worth the wait. The jucy lucy is the best in town. The beer is cold, the burgers are great, the fries are delicious and the service is great. Every. Single. Time. read more

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The best burger in the world!!! I get the grilled onions in it extra extra. They do not do raw onions here or vegetables lol I always get the double cheese cheeseburger. This place is a cash only place I think. Well, I've only paid cash when I come here for many many years there was a sign cash only. They might take credit cards now MAYBE I'm not sure but if they do they might charge you a kajillion dollars for the fees lol. Just pay in cash. Bring lots of cash cuz you're gonna want to try the double cheeseburger AND the famous Juicy Lucy. I don't ever get the juicy Lucy because it comes out to piping hot and I don't wanna wait 10 minutes to eat my food lol. Their french fries are just like McDonald's french fries but it taste a lot more fresh. It is so good. You're gonna want to get a full basket. There's always a line out the door so you gotta come here real early. read more

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Had to stop in to try the famous juicy Lucy. Stopped in mid afternoon so luckily beat the rush. Not much seating and there is a to go line too. Old school vibe for sure. Sat at the bar and watched the Lucy's being cooked row after row. Nothing beats the smell of burgers and grilled onions. Ordered a pint and waited for the Lucy. When I got it, the bartender said to wait or cut it in half for the cheese to cool down so I did. It was a great experience. Highly recommend coming in to try a Juicy Lucy. Well worth it! read more

Matt's Bar - Bar area - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I finally tried the legendary Juicy Lucy from Matt's Bar and I was not disappointed. What's not to like about molten cheese oozing out of a savory ground beef patty? The inside is small with a cozy, divey feel. They only accept cash but have an ATM on site. We showed up shortly before 6:00 and there was no line but a line out the door quickly formed after 6:00. Definitely will be returning the next time a Juicy Lucy craving hits. read more

Matt's Bar - Juicy Lucy - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

It was tight at lunchtime and they couldn't accommodate us but man were the waitress girls there rude!! I really wanted to bring my out of town guests there but we were not welcomed. :( They could have just politely said they were sorry or could have offered us to split up. I hope they don't think all of Mn is like this - sad !! read more

GOOD GRIEF. BEST CHEESEBURGER of my life. I had a friend visiting from NYC and took her to have a Grain Belt and a Juicy Lucy. Friendly service. No liquor but lots of other beverages of choice. This place is a state gem and institutional establishment for anyone who loves a good burger. This place was packed with charm. read more

Matt's Bar - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Got the Juicy Lucy with onions. Awesome burger. It takes about 20 mins but worth it. Super savory. read more

Matt's Bar - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

After hiking at Minnehaha Park, we timed it perfectly to arrive at Matt's when they open and started letting people in. We were some of the first diners. By the time we ordered and looked up, the place was almost full. Waiting for our burgers (took some time since there was only 1 chef), there was a line! We got lucky to be the first batch since it took quite some time for food to come out. We got the jucy Lucy (about $11) and shared half order of fries, which is plenty enough for 2. I also got their hazy IPA. The beer tasted so good with the burger. The burger bun was kinda of dry, and the sides of the meat were dry and burnt. Luckily the cheese oozing out helped with the dryness. I think they also should have added American cheese on the outside of the burger, it would give it that moisture. But once you get to that cheese, it's quite good. Fries were nice and crunchy. Something to try, especially coming from the west coast and this really isn't a thing. CASH only! read more

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The famous juicy lucy! Honest opinion wish it had more taste to it. It tasted very bland, the cheese and the meat. the bun wasn't even warmed up. I was expecting WAYYYY more in taste for the $10 and some change price. I won't be back, I'll try somewhere new for a juicy Lucy next time. The amount of fries is great for $8 and some change. It was disappointing. read more

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Was in town and heard that you have to try a jucy lucy so of course I went to Matt's Bar and picked one up. Due to unforeseen tummy aches I opted to pick up and take back to my hotel in downtown. They had one ready in a few mins and gave me mustard and ketchup on the side. This burger was amazing. It doesn't look like much but even 40+ mins between when it was made to when i ate it I tell ya it was still JUCY. The onions were perfect and I did add the ketchup and mustard as I wasn't sure how the melted cheese would work after waiting to eat it, but idk that the condiments were needed (but i liked it so no regrets). Highly recommend anyone visiting try them. I'd go back and next time will dine in. It is cash only however I did notice they have an atm inside. read more

Matt's Bar - JUCY LUCY - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

I can't believe I've never reviewed Matt's before. We've been going there for decades and it is just superb. A lot of places claim to have invented the Juicy Lucy, but the real point is that Matt's Bar makes the best Juicy Lucy in the world. read more

Matt's Bar - Always crowded, you will have to wait in line. - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Matt's Bar is an absolute classic -- and their Juicy Lucy still is the best burger in my books. The burger is everything it's hyped up to be -- perfectly seared on the outside, molten cheese goodness on the inside, and that simple, no-frills flavor that just hits the spot every single time. The vibe at Matt's is exactly what you'd expect from a Minneapolis legend -- laid-back, local, and full of character. You walk in, grab a seat, great service and instantly feel like part of the tradition. No fancy toppings, no gimmicks -- just a burger done right. Pair it with fries and a cold drink, and you'll understand why this place is a Minnesota institution. Every bite is pure nostalgia and perfection. read more

Matt's Bar - Juicy Lucy # Chef behind the scenes # - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

OMG...it's a good thing I don't live in Minneapolis! I still don't know who did it first, and I don't care...Matt's is THE place for the Juicy Lucy! Be careful enjoying that hot molten cheese too soon otherwise the roof of your mouth might not be very happy. Get a side of fries, perfectly crispy and salty and great company for the juicy lucy. Be prepared for 2 things, to wait to get in...it's worth it! Secondly, they only take cash so make sure you have that green in your wallet. read more

Matt's Bar - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Never tried a Juicy Lucy before but I definitely love burgers and cheese. This place is somewhere nice to try once but I don't know if I am willing to wait again for another two hours to get food. However, I do appreciate the way they make everyone wait in the same line for food regardless if you are dining in or Togo. Or else that dine in line would never move. As a non-local, it was kinda hectic. Having a waitlist or something to help manage the line would be much better. Also it would certainly help with preventing crowds from forming inside the restaurant near the entrance. Those first few tables sorta get watched while eating which is quite awkward depending on who's there. Given the line, I can't see myself coming back. The food and price maybe good but it isn't worth waiting in such a long line. FYI it's also cash only. Sure there is an ATM but I don't know anyone who still carries a physical debit card when traveling domestically. I don't even carry cash. I was lucky someone in my group had cash. So for the combination of both reasons, I probably won't be back. read more

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Ordered: Jucy Lucy Burger (~$11) French Fries (~$8) Matt's Lucy Light Pint (~$6) Aya's take: I had a Jucy Lucy Burger once many years ago by chance and haven't had it since because not many places offer it. For those who don't know, the Jucy Lucy is a culinary invention of Matt's Bar and is a hamburger with cheese melted inside the meat patty! This particular Jucy Lucy Burger also came with pickles and grilled onions. The burger itself was good with molten cheese oozing out of it with every bite. Their French Fries were also very addictive and paired well with the burger. I also got a Pint of the Matt's Lucy Light which was light, crisp, and refreshing. The main con is that the line was super long. On top of that, once we were seated inside, it took 45 minutes for us to finally get our orders. All together, it was almost 2 hours. Glad I got to try the OG on my first trip to Minneapolis but don't think I'd wait in that line again. read more

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If you're in Minneapolis then you've gotta go to Matt's and try the Jucy Lucy. It came recommended by a friend who used to live here. While burgers aren't my thing, they certainly are my hubby's favorite. Matt's is a no nonsense place, cash only, no menu modifications, no plates, burgers are cooked as close to no pink as possible, and drinks are served in the can or bottle so dishes aren't required. Prices include tax. We arrived at 10:58am to a line of about 20 in front of us and when the doors opened, we were seated in a booth. We ordered two Jucy Lucy's, a half order of fries, a can of soda and a bottle of root beer. The cheese inside the burger was still piping hot after letting it sit for about 5 minutes. My husband loved the burger and ate half of mine as well. The grilled onions are a nice touch, the burger itself was cooked well, and the cheese was super gooey and salty but I get the appeal. I like that Matt's stays to what it knows and does best. The interior is old but clean, booths are small and cozy, and the servers take care of you and cut to the chase. read more

Matt's Bar - Jucy Lucy - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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An iconic spot. Line is always out the door (even before it opens) so not a quick meal. Jucy Lucy's are legit and the kids got a grilled cheese which was basic but good. Service is friendly and funky and the inside is such a classic burger bar. Glad to have gone! read more

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This place was recommended by a YouTube blogger It was worth it Adventures with the girls Apparently this the home to the juicy Lucy I loved it. Cash only. I ordered also a domestic beer local to MN, Grain Belt read more

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What better place to eat a Jucy Lucy than at the spot that created it? Matt's Bar is not fancy, but it is definitely an experience. There was a long line and the place was crowded. It is small, so tables are hard to come by. You wait until someone leaves and the staff cleans the table. The menu is simple: burgers, grilled cheese, chicken sandwiches, and fries. We ordered Jucy Lucys (of course) and a large fry. Drinks come in cans, the burgers are handed to you in their paper wrappers, and at least the fries arrive in a basket. The Jucy Lucy itself was delicious. Two patties with cheese melted inside, so you have to be careful on the first bite, or the cheese will run out and burn you. That first bite, though, is amazing. The fries were hot and crispy. I would not recommend Matt's for atmosphere since it has dive-bar status, but I give it four stars for the food. read more

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A little confused on why this place is hyped up. It wasn't bad. The server was quick. The bartender flashed a smile. Customers were chill, some were by themselves, some in a group playing cards. But every thing else was sorta meh. It's a dive bar. A little grungy. A little narrow but long. A little bit of throwback with the photos of famous people on the wall. Bathrooms are downstairs. Not great for those with mobility issues. Cash only but there were two ATMs there. We came in around 930pm on a Tuesday night. Was about a quarter of the way filled but they seemed busy. Maybe with online orders? It was dark so couldn't get a vibe of the neighborhood but I wouldn't recommend walking there at night. As soon as we walked in, it ain't smell great. Like something was off but we couldn't quite put a name to it. We ordered a Juicy Lucy each. The menu is either a burger or a chicken burger. Maybe 6-7 items on it. We ordered a full order of fries and that was good for two people. If you're not that hungry or if you're by yourself you can get away with a small. The juicy lucy is not and when you bite into it you'll get burned if you're not careful. I found it to be alright. Nothing terribly special. It tasted like McDonald's fries and a burger from In n Out. By tomorrow I'll forget about this meal. But happy I got to experience it once. read more

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Went with a friend from Michigan. This is a dive bar. There's no ice, no booze, cans of soda, service can be kinda rude to be honest. They know they have a million customers so why have good service? That's all the bad. Let's get to the good. The food. The burgers are awesome. Molten cheese with tasty grilled onions. My friend didn't like it as much and described the burger as too wet lol. She did admit she can see why it's so popular though. The waitress today was actually really nice too which was a pleasant surprise. We didn't have to wait but anticipate a wait if you visit. Don't go here often but tastes awesome every time. Consistent. Bring cash lol, their ATM has a wicked fee if memory serves me correct. read more

Matt's Bar - Jucy Lucy with grilled onions - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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It's a big shoe to fill when the expectation set is one of the best burgers in the country. Was it delicious? Yes. Was it the best burger ever... no. The Juicy Lucy was a perfect balance of cheesy sauciness to meat. The meat was tender and juicy. The onions were diced small but wow they are mighty in their flavor. Con, some bites were too salty. The half portion of fries was huge. Classic shoestring cut. Yummy, exactly what you want. The prices, incredible. One lucy, two cheeseburgers, and a half order fries cost around $21. (cash only) Old timey dive inside, but I had take out. There was no line and quick service. read more

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After hearing about Matt's Bar earlier this year, I made my way there on a Sunday afternoon side quest while in Minneapolis. Snagged one of the last seats at the bar to avoid a wait--and I'm so glad I did. I watched patty after patty being made with precision, a well-oiled (literally) operation because they do this all day, every day. The Jucy Lucy? Absolute game-changer. Cheese stuffed inside the patty? Genius. Big props to the local who originated this idea way back when. The meat is fresh, made daily. The vibe is classic--a laid-back neighborhood spot where you feel like a regular even on your first visit. If you're craving more than just a cheeseburger and want a true neighborhood classic, this place is a must. Worth every bite and then some. Watch yourself though--that interior is hot... I'm talking about the burger! read more

Matt's Bar - This is where you're heading y'all. Still under my own power after a Jucy Lucy and French Fries- Half Order. - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

The burger was overcooked and dry. The fry's are great and drinks were good. I visited from out of town looking to try the juicy Lucy and was disappointed in the burger. Service was friendly and attentive to needs. read more

Matt's Bar claim to fame is the Jucy Lucy. They definitely built up it's reputation because they have walls of pictures of celebrities that have stopped by. As expected, it's quite busy at all hours of the day. My friend and I walked in past prime lunch time (2pm-ish) and still... there was a line of people waiting to be seated. They are however very efficient in the way they manage the crowds that we were seated in little time. Of course, we had to order the Jucy Lucy and it's like they already know that people are here for it. So, that was a quick order. They do have a bunch of alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages options. I personally paired my burger with a side of apple cider. My friend and I also decided to share a side order for fries, which was big portioned. The wait for the burger was longer than I would have liked considering I was hungry, but it was worth it. The Jucy Lucy is quite unique if you've never had it before. They fill the inside of the meat with cheese and it quite literally oozes cheesy goodness when you bite into it. It's great! It's worth it trying it at least once while in Minnesota. I think Matt's Bar is a spot you can't go wrong with. But fyi, just bring cash! read more

I had no idea Matt's had a food truck! Ran across it this weekend at the Food Truck Extravaganza and it did not disappoint. The jucy lucy was great and the fries hot and crispy. Service was fast and friendly. The truck looked great, nice branding and everything looked super clean. Everything you get at Matt's Bar is what you get at the food truck!! Loved it! read more

Matt's Bar - Matt's Food Truck - Burgers Near Me - Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Great burger bar atmosphere! We showed up at 10:45 AM and there was already a line of people in front of us for the 11 AM opening. Plenty of seating so we got a booth and enjoyed looking at all the different memorabilia on the walls. Service was very good and kind of reminded me of "what don't ya want" service in the movie "Hell or High Water". There are a few options on the menu, but you definitely want the Juicy Lucy (and the way it comes with pickles and onions) or why are you there? There is ketchup and mustard on the table to add if you want. We both had a Juicy Lucy and shared a basket of french fries. An order of fries is for two people and way more than one person can eat or should eat! They were some of the best fries I have had. Very similar to McDonald's only much better. Our waitress gave us the proper warning on how to eat a Juicy Lucy. Pay attention to your waitress so you don't get first-degree burns on your mouth. The American cheese is cooked inside the burger and when you bite it erupts out of the burger, like a volcano, eruption due to the pressure. So small bites after waiting a few minutes for the burger to cool, is critical to your health and safety! The burger was very good, but quite honestly I can't call it great. I've had other burgers. I felt like are better, but this was certainly unique and delicious. read more

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I was told this place is legendary and I saw first hand that is true. I had the Lucy and it was just as good as I was told. A tip to know is that the fries come in baskets that are more than enough to share among three people. The food is good and the place is packed. I was well worth the trip. read more

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I don't know how I have been able to call myself Minnesotan without having come here! This is truly a real Minnesotan experience! This is a no frills, hole in the wall, kind of joint. My boyfriend and I had to wait about 10 minutes before being seated as it was crazy busy on a Tuesday at 7:30! But that should also tell you it's worth the wait! Parking: is street parking but free Decor: the walls are adorned with awards... SO.MANY.AWARDS!! And for good reason! The service here is fairly quick despite the burgers being made on one tiny grill in the corner! Our waitress was friendly and it is worth noting this place is cash only! The juicy Lucy was simple and delicious! It comes with grilled onions and pickles! Dress it up with ketchup or mustard if you like, but plain was still amazing! The fries basket is big enough to share and again, was simple but done sooooo well!! This is definitely worth the stop! Come and give these guys a try!! read more

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First time at Matt's bar! (Technically came once before but the line outside took so long we left) Service: They have 1 cook, 1 bartender, and 1-2 waitstaff. They have their flow, and everything is fairly quick. Ambiance: Lots of cool decor, fun lighting, leather booths, small bar. I realize that this place is the way it is for a reason (cash only, very small/tight, no plates or ice), it's the ultimate dive bar. Food: The real reason we're here! There's a small, concise menu, with just the basics. However, a small menu usually means good food and this place is no exception. The Juicy Lucy, I think is the best burger I've had in MN. The fries remind me of McDonald's. Honestly 9/10 for the food. I'll be craving this for sure! read more

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Wow! We wanted to try a Jucy Lucy and did we ever get to taste one!! We went early afternoon & had a short wait. It's a cozy bar with great workers! Our Jucy Lucys came hot off the grill with delicious onions on top. We were warned to take small bits & try to wait! I was the last to taste mine & I had to spit out that first delicious hot bite!! And the fries! Wow! We got two full orders for the 4 of us & they were almost gone! The bathrooms in the basement were clean & unique. Street parking was easy at 1:30 pm Oh and the root beer was tasty!! Go there! So yummy!! read more

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This was my first stop in Minneapolis. It was pretty crowded and I had to wait in line for about 20 minutes before a booth was available. The place is pretty small, yet had a ton of charm! I loved it! They go the In N Out route for the most part. They offer a few different versions of hamburgers, fries, drinks and that's about it. Keep it simple. Do one thing well, and you will succeed! I ordered a Jucy Lucy, a bag of local Old Dutch potato chips, and a local Minnesota rootbeer from Iron Horse. Food took about 15 minutes to arrive. How was it? Jucy Lucy- What is a Jucy Lucy? The Matt's Bar version is 2 patties formed around some American cheese in the middle. It comes on a bun with diced onions and pickles. The cheese in the middle of the burger is molten hot. You need to let this burger sit for at least 5 minutes. They warn you about this when they drop it on the table. I bit in after about 5 minutes and should have almost waited another 5! That cheese was still super hot and runny! The burger was incredibly tasty. My favorite part were the super finely chopped onions. Good meat, good bun....a simple and delicious burger. I do wish they put a little more cheese in the middle. Small gripe. Service was friendly and to the point. The whole joint was being run by 3 people. A waitress, a cook, and a behind the bar person. I loved the vibe in there and that they carry local Minnesota products (chips and drink). Would definitely come back! read more

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If your looking up Matt's Bar you already know what your coming for! This is the only Jucy Lucy hands down no one else compares. So if it's your first time, the space is small and it takes time so have some patience or go somewhere else. The burger is small and mighty packed with flavors. The staff is always friendly regardless of how busy it is! This is a must every time we're in town! read more

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