Locals and travelers find respite at Main Street Grill
By Janet Kubat Willette
Date Modified: 01/21/2010 9:14 AM
E-mail article | Print version
Main Street Grill
Address: 127 N. Broadway, Alden, Minn.
Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Known for: Fresh steak, hamburger and walleye.
Local favorite: Pan-fried walleye.
Also popular: Grilled Mahi Mahi.
Most popular takeout item: Sandwiches for farmers working in the field.
Call them at (507)874-2648.
ALDEN, Minn. -- Main Street Grill in Alden strives to offer home-cooked food in a clean atmosphere with a personal touch.
Sue and Colin Minehart opened the Main Street business in Alden in 1995 after outgrowing a restaurant in nearby Manchester, which they had operated since 1989. They had only eight tables in the Manchester restaurant and on Friday and Saturday nights, people would have to wait outside for a table, Sue Minehart said.
"Alden's been a real good fit for us," she said.
They can seat up to 100 in the main room at the Main Street Grill and there's room for 50 in the party room, which is the site of groom's dinners, meetings and other gatherings. They have eight employees.
Main Street Grill has a loyal following of customers from Alden and the surrounding area, but it also attracts customers from nearby Interstate 90.
Minehart said they strive to greet and welcome newcomers. They also want to provide a clean, comfortable place for travelers to rest before heading back on the interstate.
"We pride ourselves on keeping the place clean," she said.
Minehart is in the restaurant every day and her husband is there on Saturdays. His day job takes him across the state of Minnesota to other bars and restaurants.
Main Street Grill has regular breakfast, dinner and supper customers, Minehart said. If some of the regulars don't come, she wonders if they are OK.
Their prime rib dinner the first Friday of every month and their barbecued rib dinner the third Friday of every month. Both are popular. Their fish and shrimp covered in homemade beer batter is another favorite, Minehart said. The pork tenderloin sandwich is another popular menu item. Their meat is purchased from Jordahl Meats of Manchester.
They have three homemade salad dressings, homemade macaroni salad and most of their soups are homemade. Popular soups include cheeseburger chowder, vegetable beef and lasagna.
Minehart posts a student lunch menu near the door for high school students from the nearby Alden-Conger High School. Students have an open lunch and often walk the two blocks to the Main Street Grill to pick up a burger or pizza for lunch.
"Alden has a wonderful school," Minehart said.
She also has a couple of daily lunch specials. She tries to keep one special under $5. On a recent day, the specials were a chicken strip sandwich with fries for $4.95 and a cheeseburger with a cup of chili for $5.75.
The cafe also has a children's menu, featuring hamburgers, corn dogs and chicken strips. A Jell-O fruit cup is an option instead of fries.
Homemade bread pudding with caramel sauce is the featured dessert at the Main Street Grill, Minehart said.
Main Street Grill also has alcohol, but Minehart describes the grill as a restaurant with alcohol available. Most of their drinks are served with meals. They also offer off-sale liquor sales.
The restaurant was remodeled in April 2009 to update its look and make it more comfortable for diners, Minehart said. One wall is decorated with photographs of Twin Cities rock performers taken by their son, Mike. Their daughter, Melissa, worked in the restaurant before she graduated from high school.