For once the locals have disappointed me in recommending a place to eat! Every local I spoke to gave me chain restaurants that I can find in pretty much any major city. When I asked a few if they had anything they felt was special to Minneapolis they couldn’t recall anything. I knew this couldn’t be true. Luckily when I was watching the TV one day, I came across host Ali Khan of Cheap Eats who visited a restaurant called Hell’s Kitchen and I knew I had to go!
Even when we arrived at the airport we asked the information desk the best way to get to Hell’s Kitchen and he said he had never heard of it. Not sure why I was slightly surprised considering the recommendations others gave me. We ended up taking the light rail from the airport straight to Downtown Minneapolis. It was about 25 minutes or so to get there and was a very nice ride.
We had to walk a few blocks from the train station. It was pretty cold out and we weren’t exactly prepared. So we power walked hit a detour and went around another block. It took about 5 minutes to walk from the train and then we saw the sign. We quickly walked inside. Hell’s Kitchen is located in the lower level of the building. Rightfully so as it ties in with the cool theme. Before you head down the steps there is a statue that says “The way to Hell is paved with good intentions.”
It was still pretty early when we got there so we were lucky not to need a reservation. We were immediately seated. The staff was very nice and quickly brought us our tea so we could warm up! My friend and I both noticed we needed to charge our phones. Low and behold the table had an outlet for both a plug and USB. To make things even better, free WiFi.
The menu is very informative letting you know what is a Minnesota Icon(MN Icon). I wanted to try some items they are known for so the first thing I ordered was Toasted Sausage Bread, which my friend and I split. You are probably wondering what in the hell, but it was absolutely delicious! It has sausage, toasted walnuts, black currant spices, and black coffee. It is served with a banana peanut butter and two other peanut butters and a jam. We tried every combination we could.
I ordered another MN Icon, Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes. Freshly grated lemon zest, fresh berries, and ricotta cheese. The fact that they were known for this and the picture automatically sold me. It looked delicious and it was! My friend went with the Classic American Breakfast, two organic eggs, toast, hashbrowns, and bacon. She was also given some special hot sauce and ketchup that Hell’s Kitchen makes. She clearly forgot where she was though as she wasn’t expecting it to be as spicy as it was.
The decor was pretty cool and it is pretty light-hearted and family friendly. There were quotes on the walls that went with the theme. There were also different parts of the restaurant so it can hold plenty of people and also has a bar. They serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and even have a happy hour! Even that bathroom is cool with some very interesting photos. (You can see them in the video below.) There was even a little set up with Adirondack chairs, a vulture, and a little trailer!
So if you are ever in Minneapolis, make you way over to Hell’s Kitchen. I promise you won’t be disappointed. The food is really good and very filling! The prices are also reasonable. I know I have to go back and try out their lunch and dinner menus. The dessert menu sounds tempting as well! I wish I had more of the Toasted Sausage Bread.
Have you ever been to Hell’s Kitchen?
60 Comments
Sarah Stierch
Ha! I actually went there for dinner and beers once during a conference. The place was packed and there was a band playing 90s grunge band covers. They had great tater tots. 🙂
Holly Dayz
Oh nice! I would love to try their dinner menu. The breakfast was really good. I will have to check out these tater tots you speak of.
Ayanna
The food looks delicious! Whenever I travel I try to find the small local spots because they always have the best food. If I ever travel to Minneapolis, I’ll definitely have to check Hell’s Kitchen out.
Holly Dayz
It is great, you will enjoy it. Local spots are usually the best.
Vicki Louise
The Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes sound awesome! And the rest of the dishes looked delicious too. I love taking inspiration from the food shows on TV – they find places even the locals don’t know! Places with free wifi are always at the top of my list when traveling so Hell’s Kitchen has my vote!
Holly Dayz
They were absolutely delicious. I left a few bites because I couldn’t finish it all. I was happy to have heard about this place from the show since no one could recommend anything. Yes, the wifi was a great bonus.
titi81
Those Hot Cakes look incredible. I will definitely have to check it out! Thanks for sharing
Holly Dayz
They were really good. A must try!
gobeyondbounds
I wonder how the locals and even the information desk had no details of the restaurant which actually came up on tv shows. Toasted Sausage Bread looks delicious and loaded with health 🙂
Holly Dayz
I wish I could tell you the answer. All I know is I am glad I found it. It was delicious!
Brianna
Hells Kitchenlooks like my kind of breakfast place!
Holly Dayz
It is certainly delicious.
Thuymi @ AdventureFaktory.com
I haven’t eat breakfast yet, you just made me very hungry! Would love to visit Minneapolis eventually as well!
Holly Dayz
It is a really nice city. The food was great.
kemkem
Wow! Those pancakes look awesome. I would have ordered that. I also love the name of the place 🙂
Holly Dayz
They were really good. Funny thing is almost everyone ordered them.
Julie
I’m probably heading to Minneapolis for the first time later this year. I haven’t has as much look with the restaurant recos there either, but I have heard that some big city chefs are starting to head to more mid-size cities like this where they can open places that are more financially viable. Looking forward to it!
Holly Dayz
That is something I could understand. Hopefully you get the chance to check this place out it was really good.
Marteen
It’s sad that locals couldn’t recommend something other than the usual chain restaurants. One of the reasons of travelling is to try out restaurants and cafes that are local, that you wouldn’t be able to visit anywhere else. Do they have vegetarian options?
Holly Dayz
I was surprised. I am glad I found out about it and was able to make my way over. Yes they do.
Nisha
Place and the food looks great! This place is so far removed from my own place . Let’s see…
Holly Dayz
It is really nice and the food was great.
Christina
The food looks delicious and the decor looks funky. And Hell’s Kitchen is a hell of a name! Will definitely check it out next time I’m in town.
Holly Dayz
I think you may like it. I enjoyed it.
CreativeTravelGuide (@CTGTravelGuide)
The food looks tasty! Love finding little local restaurants and it can be so tricky when all the locals recommend big chains! Thanks for sharing!
Holly Dayz
It was really good. Yea I was so surprised when they recommended chains.
adventurecyclist
Looks a great place to grab some breakfast, and the spicier the sauce the better for me! great touch with the recharge sockets as well… I wish more places would have them!
Holly Dayz
Then you would love the hot sauce! I wish more places had them too.
KenyaRae
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day! That food looks gooooood!
Holly Dayz
It was delicious. I love breakfast too.
durhamslovelifetravel
haha, I had to laugh sorry, I am a native Minnesotan and I remember friends telling me to go to Hell’s Kitchen. To be honest I didn’t really like it. However it could have been my choice of food and dinner. I have never tried breakfast there I can’t wait to go back for a visit to do a food tour and talk about the whole in the wall places that have the best food! I myself don’t care for chain restaurants and while Hell’s Kitchen is a nice place for music and a couple of drinks, I think there are some really great places to check out! Fern’s in st. paul has the best breakfast buffet on Sundays 🙂 With Mimosas!
Holly Dayz
Maybe it was your choice of food. We really enjoyed the breakfast. I am sure there are other great places there to check out. Too bad a bunch of local people I asked had no recommendations except chain restaurants.
Tammyonthemove
Oh wow, that ricotta hot cake looks incredible. Id go in there just for that dessert! 😉
Holly Dayz
It was delicious.
Latoya Scott (@lifeandabudget)
The name alone makes it sound like that food is about to be lit. I can only imagine the goodness!
Holly Dayz
It was! I would go back for more.
Brenda, Andrew & B (@DishOurTown)
Hell’s Kitchen is where you’ll find me first when I visit Minneapolis. That lemon ricotta hot cakes looks scrumptious.
Holly Dayz
They were and so many people had ordered them.
foodfashionandflow (@FoodfashinFlow)
Everything looks do delicious. I am getting hungry just looking at these photos
Holly Dayz
It was really good. I couldn’t even finish.
Danika
Great video. I was a bit disappointed that the amusement ride didn’t fly over Louisiana. Lol. That’s where I live. We have a lot of great eats here.
Holly Dayz
Thanks. What would you have wanted the Fly Over America to show of Louisiana? Yes, there is plenty good food there too. I have family from there and used to live there as well.
Michelle Malone
Thanks for the tip. I’ve never been to a city where the locals couldn’t name a local spot to try! Everything looks so yummy, and I love the theme. <3
Holly Dayz
Me either. It was a bit odd lol. The food was great though.
Bon-Bon
waaaah… Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes?!? My family will love this place then:) Thanks for sharing:)
Holly Dayz
Yea! There was so good!
Adeola Naomi
I was reading this with a pancake in my hand so I was able to help the mouth watering a bit.
All the food looks so yummy!’
Holly Dayz
Ha, I wish I had one in my hand.
Ashlee
Everything about this screams awesomeness!!!! Love this, adding it to my bucket list.
Holly Dayz
It was really good. I would like to go back and try some other things as well.
PriVin
Those lemon ricotta hotcakes looks so delish … my mouth is watering, adding to our wishlist
Holly Dayz
I wish I had some right now.
Valerie Robinson
I was just watching this show the other night and telling my husband that I wanted to check out the one in NY. Now I’m all the more eager to try it out! I bet it was awesome!!
Holly Dayz
It is a good show. He finds some cool spots.
staciesayzso
I live here in Mpls and still haven’t been to Hell’s Kitchen because I hate the name lol. That food is giving me second thoughts though.
Holly Dayz
It is a really cool name. Don’t judge it by its name. It is really nice with good food.
Jennifer
The food at Hellz Kitchen looks delicious! I love it when restaurants offer free WiFi because not only can I get things done, but I can also share my experience of the restaurant in the moment. I’m surprised the locals didn’t recommend a local restaurant for you. It’s a good thing you came across the TV commercial!
Holly Dayz
I was surprised too. Yea I am glad I saw the show because the food was delicious. I wish I could have some now.
Jenna Kvidt
That’s so strange that no one gave you good restaurant recommendations. I am super surprised! There are a ton of amazing restaurants that aren’t chains, and we actually have a pretty amazing food scene throughout the metro area. If you ever head back, let me know and I’ll get you a huge list of great spots to check out! Quick suggestion: one of the iconic burgers in the area is a Jucy Lucy, and both Matt’s Bar and Blue Door Pub make great Jucy Lucy’s. Glad you enjoyed Hell’s Kitchen though–I always love the crazy atmosphere in there! 🙂
Holly Dayz
I know I was very surprised. Even when I found out about it I asked people to see what they recommended and they still gave me chain restaurants. I would love to check out some of your recommendations for next time I get there.