Takeout Tuesday: Loyal Customers Appreciate Nostalgia at 50’s Grill in Brooklyn Center
In the Twin Cities, there’s no shortage of places to buy burgers and fries. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a restaurant that’s quite like the 50’s Grill in Brooklyn Center.
“It reminds me of stories from my father who grew up in the 50s and has a whole nostalgia feel of the malt shop with all their memorabilia in there,” said Jodi Tripp, a customer from Maplewood.
This restaurant is a throwback to a bygone era where each visit is like taking a trip back in time.
“That’s what we want people to do, kind of escape for an hour from the hectic time at work you may have or whatever like that,” said Brian Bolz, the general manager of the 50’s Grill. “Come in and we’ll take care of you.”
The 50’s Grill is known primarily for its burgers, which come on homemade buns.
A 50’s Grill cheeseburger.
But they also specialize in pies and cakes made from scratch, and 28 flavors of old-fashioned malts featuring custom-made vanilla ice cream.
“We not only serve great food, or try to, but our friendliness and caring for all of our guests that come in the door,” Bolz said.
Surviving During COVID-19
The restaurant has endured for nearly 36 years due to its food and customer service. But like nearly every restaurant right now, the 50’s Grill is trying to weather the COVID-19 storm.
“Yeah, we went through a hard time. It was hard to adjust,” Bolz said.
The pandemic has cost the 50’s Grill a few staff members and cut into their bottom line, but they’ve been able to stay afloat thanks to a loyal customer base that has embraced the idea of calling ahead and picking up their orders in the parking lot.
“I’m a big proponent of shopping local, and this family-owned business that’s been here forever, it’s good to support them with what they’re serving,” Tripp said.
Yet curbside pickup is still no replacement for the dine-in experience.
The hope is that the 50’s Grill will be able to get back to full capacity later this year and put the pandemic behind them.
“We have so many regulars and we thank each of those regulars,” Bolz said.
