After reading about the crash into the building, I looked up this place. I saw the burger special. I decided I would give this place a try. I go in and sit down. It seemed kinda loud at first, but I got used to it quickly. I was not sure if I was noticed as a new customer for a few minutes. But the server/bartender brought an order out to a customer and quickly came to me. Very nice looking, nice smile. I asked about the burger special and was told it is a quarter pounder, couple pickles on the side. Extras are 50 cents each. I ordered my burger plain and a non alcoholic beverage. I also added an order of fries. She put in my order and brought out my beverage. Quick service. I am not sure if this was a busy time, but there were plenty of customers. After about 10 minutes, the cook comes out with a burger in a basket. I asked about the fries and the bartender/server immediately blurted out 'Sorry, forgot to tell him. Do you still want them?' Sure. The cook goes back to cook up my fries. Only about 2 minute wait. I had already dressed up my burger with mustard and sampled it. Decent burger. Nothing special really. But it was very decent considering the $2.00 price tag. You will not find a better burger in this town at this price point. The fries were spot on. Seemed to be fresh cut, skin on fries. Just the right crispiness on the outside and tender on the inside. They have outside seating with about 6 high top tables with umbrella. Perfect day for dining outside. Being my first visit, was not sure how everything worked. I would not expect to be noticed, since it seemed to be 1 cook and 1 bartender being the server also. Maybe next visit. I meant to ask if they get their burgers from across the street at Big Steer Meats but forgot. After I paid my tab(she didn't charge for the fries because of the minor error in forgetting). I went across the street to check out Big Steer. Seemed to be a nice place for quality meats. They have a few combo packs of burgers, steaks, chops and chicken that seemed to be reasonably priced. If I ever get enough room in my freezer, I will have to get one of the smaller packages. My visit here was very worth while. Service was quick, burger cooked as expected and cooked quickly. In other places with the volume of customers here today and 2 people working the bar and cooking, it could easily be a 45 minute wait or more. Kudos to Cherry Pit for doing this right. read more

I like this place. The neighborhood is a little sketchy, but they've done a good job adding parking and lighting. I love the diverse crowd. Very friendly bunch of people, and welcoming to us new-comers, even though it feels very much like a neighborhood gathering. The won-ton tacos were excellent, as were the burgers. Food and drink prices are very reasonable, and service is fast and friendly. Stop in and give them a chance! read more

Food was great, drinks were okay.. don't sell Cognac. Bartender Kimmy needs to treat customers a lil better and take her time.

I came here on a Sunday with my wife and our friend. We sat outside on the patio and waited for a waitress to take our order. And waited. And waited. Eventually we had to go inside to the bar to place our order. Plus side: The booze was cheap. And they had a rather good musical duo playing on the patio. read more

I got a groupon and we decided to check this place out. We usually stay away from the East Side because well, tough guys and drug addicts just aren't our scene. With this being said, we had an amazing Sunday lunch there! The patio was much nicer than we expected it would be. The stuffed mushrooms were fantastic as was my red pepper jelly burger. Our server was perfect and polite and we couldn't have been happier with her! The bathrooms were very clean and newly remodeled. We will definitely be back for lunch there again! read more

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Consistently fantastic food. Great burgers, amazing prices. Best cheese curds- EVER. We are lucky to live less than a few miles from this place yet would happily drive 30+ minutes to enjoy it. read more

I agree with the pleasant surprise! It's a bar and its a little dark on a Saturday afternoon, but dang if it wasn't a happy atmosphere! Our server was amazing and every interaction with the staff was very positive. And then there's the food. Surprisingly some really great buffalo wings; extremely meaty, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and not too spicy. Great cheese curds! They need some better dipping sauces for them, like a sweat and spicy choice. The wonton tacos are super good as well. Surprisingly again, the place was packed at 12:30 and we were the only ones eating. We had a groupon and I'm glad I checked it out. Five stars and I'll be back. read more

I just want to comment on these chicken wings... If that's what we are calling them. In the past, there wings have been delicious. Nice meaty pieces of chicken and when you order 12, you get 12. I went there last night and ordered 12. They got to my table and there was about 22 tiny Micro Machine Wings. I seriously have never seen a wing this small and are they suppose to be processing infant baby birds.? Im not sure what happened so i had to ask the bartender. She claimed that they were sent the wrong wings. As your paying customers, I feel you guys should disclose this to anyone buying your wings so they can make that decision themselves and not be tricked into thinking the wings are the same as the last time they got them. Real recognizes real and them wings aren't it. read more

I love going to The Cherry Pit. It's nothing like the 90210 version you saw on TV. Super cool staff and mostly regulars who love playing the TouchTunes, I used to live right down the block, but even though I moved 10 miles away I still go there. Great wings, cheap drinks, and the hottest bartender I've ever seen works there. read more

I've been to the cherry pit a handful of times over the years and the drinks/food have always been good, but I was there last night and the "karaoke girls" were not only doing drugs in the bathrooms but extremely rude to me my fiancé and our friends. I know this place is a known drug spot but the fact that the employees partake is just disgusting. I don't know if they hire out for kareoke services or if that's how they have employees there but I have never seen employees more sloppy and rude in my life. flat out rude and obnoxious. I love the patio so I will come during the day when they have better employees . There night employees are completely different from the day you would think you were at a different establishment, it looks like children run the bar at night.So if you plan on getting food or drinks here try going during the day!!! Patio is beautiful in the summer! read more

Every time I order lunch delivered from the Cherry Pit, I say "wow" after the first bite! I've tried several burgers and hot sandwiches. Every single one has been ridiculously DELICIOUS! Their sweet potato fries (my fave), regular fries, and waffles fries are perfect as well. Thank you Cherry Pit. I'll be ordering again! read more

Food toke long time to come out. Food was cold. Kitchen small and dirty. Could see food all over floor and counter. Employees did not wear gloves while making my food. Or even washed their hands. Refused to eat entree. Trash can was touching cutting board. On which the food was made on. Sauce bottles left out. Food left out. Doing dishes in hand sink. Cook was drinking booze on job. I know he was wasted. Watched him down bottle of patron. Very sad little bar. read more

The waffle fries were good, but the chicken tenders were nasty. The breading slides off, The chicken is chewy... I would not recommend anyone wasting money on the chicken. And they don't come to the table to take any food or drink orders. You have to stand at the bar try to squeeze in just to order your food. Terrible. read more

Food is bar food. One really good and attentive server, hopefully you get her, if not be prepared to track your server down. I do enjoy their bar bingo on Saturdays. Get there early, it gets packed! read more

So my wife and I have never eaten at the cherry pit and decided that their menu sounded amazing. Called in for a pick up order and we were immediately told that we would have to prepay with a credit card and told we would have to call back because she was busy. So moral of the story poor customer service and rude staff equals no business from us ever! Very poor for a first time customer to experience. If there was a negative star option this place would get -3. I'm sorry I have to give them a 1. read more

We once ordered the combos from Groupon. It was a take away and imagine our surprise when the onion rings were burnt really. The quantity was huge but it wasn't good. read more

A whole bunch of yuck. Crabby bartenders slinging mass produced beers (don't even ask about the wine list) and a liquor collection that's more focused on serving the Jag bomb or Patron crowd than anything of quality. 99% of the menu is fried, and even the things that aren't fried wind up greasy somehow. I've only visited when the weather warms up, because the patio is OK (traffic from White Bear Ave is not fun tho) and some coworkers love their hh. But anytime I've stepped inside to use the bathroom it's a dark, dank hole with regulars sliding around their barstools. read more

I've lived on the East Side my whole life and have gone to the Cherry Pit since I turned 21. I'm 31. I usually put up with it because my friends want to go there or whatever. But it's rarely my idea. Why? Because the wait staff is terrible. They take forever and act like they don't have any interest in you. And this isn't from going there once - I've been there probably close to 50 times or more. I've never had a good experience with wait staff there. Their booze is cheap and they have happy hour practically all day, but that's probably because nobody would go there otherwise. It's a running joke between me and my friends that you should never order any tap beer at the Pit because it just doesn't taste right. As a person who has been in the bar industry, I know it's because they don't clean their lines. Summit EPA and Blue Moon don't taste like what they are at all. I'm no beer snob but it's pathetic. Also, they have happy hour practically the entire time they're open, but they have no clue what beer is domestic or not, they're clueless. Supposedly domestic taps are $1 double up at happy hour but it only counts the bottom of the barrel domestics, Mich Light and such. Blue Moon, Summit EPA, and the like, which are all domestic, don't count as domestic because the place is either too stupid or too cheap to know. Bottom line, the Cherry Pit is the joke of the East Side to people who live here. "Wanna go to the Cherry Pit? Hahaha..." People only go there for a joke or because they don't know any better. Actual good bars in the area? Obb's (which isn't too far away), Sweeny's, Skinner's, the Glockenspiel. Steer clear from this dump. read more

A whole bunch of yuck. The food is like fair food (fine if you want fair food) we got greasy and over cooked stuffed mushrooms with old nasty French onion potato chip dip inside. On the plus side; if you don't want to get a buzz going you won't because the waitress never bothered to come back. read more

The manager was very customer service friendly. I just moved here from out of town. The bartender over charged me while I was there. I close my tab every bar I visit. She kept my debt card and had to go back in the bar to grab it. My gay friends were buying me drinks at the end of the night but when I went in to grab my debit card she overcharged $5. I've been to plenty bars with no issue. The bartender with red hair treated me rudely and unprofessional. Spoke with the manager and explained my concerns. No bartender she rip people off especially when I close my tab and come back in the bar after she didn't give me my debt card. I noticed once I checked in my car so it's no excuse for her professionalism. I will never order from her again nor pay with debt card at this bar!! The only reason I would come back is if the manager is serving me. Not a friendly place for people that are new to Minnesota. read more

This place just feels gross, the bar is pretty average, the food I had was tolerable, but the people and staff made it beyond salvaging. Most of the patrons were clearly regulars who spent enough time in the bar that they felt at home, and dropped any efforts towards public decency years ago. I don't have an issue with regulars, but it becomes a problem when it starts to feel like you're being cased by half the room, call me paranoid but I left after 1 beer and kept my eyes peeled walking to my car. I will say this, friendly people exist, they go out to bars, just not to this one, so I would just skip this place altogether. read more

I decided after living in the area for almost 3 years that i should stop in and check this place out. I went on a Thursday night with a friend of mine. I do have to say that this place has terrible service. We waited almost 30 mins. before being asked if we wanted drinks. Then waited another hour for food. It wasn't busy at all. There were also three bartenders working. I will not be returning anytime soon. read more

I've been coming here for years for their food and I have never had a bad meal, I swear. I've been a regular through all of the different menu changes and I can tell you, it's getting better and better! I am IN LOVE with their sweet potato fries and secret sauce... but I also really enjoy their wings, wonton tacos, tater tots... the list goes on and on! The other night (weekend night) a group of girls and I decided to head there for the evening for the first time. There's a new vibe at the Cherry pit and I'm really liking it! We had a great time. The Dj played quite a bit of throwbacks as well as current songs that the girls and I love to dance to. The crowd was super fun and we will definitely be back for more nights like those and the spectacular menu!! read more

Even though the drinks aren't so "fancy" I always seem to have a good time. A few more beer choices would be nice, but when I feel like drinking high life this is the place for me. Good neighborhood bar. I remember the burgers being pretty good too. read more

Took my wife and 14 year old son this evening, first time there. Maybe it was because it was a beautiful evening, the patio was amazing, the bar tender was fun, the people next to us were friendly, and the burgers were all great but I give this place 5 stars. I am guessing lots of locals at this place and lots of friendly people. read more

Food was good. Above average. Bar tender was self conceded and brag about himself. Calling himself the meat whore and talking to customers rather than serving the bar. Talking about his city boy hunting story which could get someone killed before first light. I grew up hunting so red flag. He spilled a drink on the cook which didn't communicate he was behind him. Beer taps were clean and the beer was tasty. Coming from a undercover bar and food advisor and taster, this place gets 2 stars. I didn't see how clean their kitchen was. They also didn't have table numbers or were organized. They had to rely on the bartenders knowledge. Can work, but seen fail by more. Knowing John Taffer and being in his organization. I can say this bar needs improvements. Seems like they have good clientele from an older crowd playing bingo. read more

The food is very good, way above average for bar food, its the one reason I really go here. They have tons of TVs for the game but the fact is that I wish they had better service. I usually go earlier and latter it's not so bad, just depends but it always feels like they screw up a drink order or my glass is empty and its 20 min of standing at the bar wait for the lady to end her conversation before I get another. It could be an awesome place if they just managed their people better. read more

This place is great, just had lunch with my boss! The service is excellent and the food is amazing, especially the blue cheese and bacon burger!! read more

Definitely the best cheese curds around. And the chicken wonton tacos are seriously delicious! Too good to pass up if you ever go there. read more

When I entered, for a moment, I thought a favorite bar hang out had been taken over by a church because there was music (I later discovered was keroke) and most of the patrons holding hands (apparently praying). As time went on I later discovered the connection, some one who couldn't sing AND WAS DRUNK, was practicing karaoke and everybody was praying that either he would get better or stop. Or, management would turn off his microphone. Anyhow, prayers were answered, he did stop singing so I will give cherry pit a 3 in this review instead of a 1. read more

$1 Burgers. I am not kidding. This place offers $1 quarter pound, full size burgers in the afternoons, I think from 3-6 pm. Check with them to make sure, my information is not deemed totally reliable, but I think the bartender said they have the $1 burgers every day from 3-6pm. 50 cents per topping or something like that, so anyway my burger with grilled onions and a side of mayo was only $1.50 or something like that. When food is that cheap, I kind of phase out. A big basket of fries was only $4. Was it the best burger in the world? What do you want for $1.50? It was pretty darn good and a full size quarter pound burger. The place has a patio, we had thoroughly decent service from the bartender, and $1 burgers. I'm giving them 5 stars. UPDATE 1/01/2016: Continued 5 stars. Went here on a busy Saturday night for karaoke. Diverse crowd, very diverse song choices, but everyone was pretty supportive of each other. Bouncers, bartenders & the karaoke dj were all very nice! Fun. read more

the burgers were good, but not nearly the half pounds that were ordered. we also didn't get any dipping sauces. the wings on the burgers were tiny and dry. the food was ok but not worth the 60 dollars read more

Hit or miss with the crowd. Can be good old fashioned east side people or sprinkled with thugs. Good prices and specials. Cheese curds and fried pickles are great. Good wonton tacos if you like them. read more

Before purchasing a Groupon coupon to this place, I read the reviews here. That said, I purchased the Groupon coupon and had a great experience. All the staff where nice and friendly, and I even had a chance to talk with the owner. She was very nice also. And the food was what I was expecting. One last thing, this is not a racist bar as some have mentioned, and anyone who says that here has no clue what they are talking about. read more

There are very few bars I would ever really write something nice about (that are in the cities at least) but the cherry pit was a really good time! Good food, good atmosphere (super handsome bouncer) and the drinks were coming at a steady pace, even though they were packed. I would definately go again! read more

I love "The Pit"! There are some older reviews that aren't so great, but they were probably warranted. I have been coming here for a few years now and I've never seen or had a problem. Karaoke is fun, in fact I'll be going this Sunday for my bday. That's just a tiny part of the reason that I love this place. Their food is awesome, for a neighborhood bar. Good $1 burgers, excellent onion rings, wings, and lots of other good bar fare. GREAT bloody marys, most times served with a pickle, olive, celery stick, cheese and a bit of beef stick. Although, last Sunday, I stopped in for a bloody and it came with jalapeño bacon...YUMMM!! Very friendly staff and relaxed atmosphere. I will admit, on a weekend night, it can be a lil crowded...but it's a bar. Shouldn't it be? Also it CAN sometimes be like stepping into a reunion, if you're from the east side, but...I like that. :) read more

I live nearby and go all the time. Cheese curds are the best on the east side, buffalo chicken wrap can't be beat, and their burgers are juicy and delicious. Wings and other apps are also bomb. You can get tots, fresh cut fries or waffle fries with sandwiches and all are good so it's not a gamble, just get what you're in the mood for. Patio is nice, despite a busy corner. Sometimes it gets busy, but that's just a symptom of a great bar. Reason I'll never stop going. One pointer if you go... they don't always have wait staff, so you might need to order with the bartender. read more

If the burgers and sandwiches weren't so good I'd probably drop this down to one star. Have been here dozens of times over the last year and the last three visits are enough to make us want to take it off our list of go-to spots. Service has been painfully slow, usually sitting 5-10 minutes before being greeted. Food has been slower to come out even though they haven't been that busy. On our last visit we sat down on the patio and waited nearly ten minutes to be greeted. My other half told me what she wanted to drink and went in to use the restroom and was greeted with "I'm on my way" when she entered the restaurant. We ordered apps and drinks, and the drinks came quickly. There was quite a wait for the appetizers. Our server was having a cigarette with some patrons when the kitchen staff finally brought our food to the table. This time the nachos were terrible. The chicken was bone dry and the cheese wasn't melted. We ate a bit and was going to have another drink and think about another app but the server never came back. We went to the bar to pay our tab so we could eat somewhere else. Our server had been out front smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. I'll probably continue to order DoorDash from here, but we certainly won't be going back to dine there. read more

Cool bar sometimes...if your going for a big game, there is fun to be had but they filtered all of the type of music I liked and lately whenever I go I seem to catch the 75 and up crowd. Food is good although pricey but what do you expect at a bar? read more

Good times, great people, and awesome drink prices. If you're in town the Cherry Pit is where the fun goes down.