Good Taste

Taste Columnist

Hungry for slide-off-the-bone barbecued ribs? Maybe, a juicy ribeye, grilled to perfection is what you’re craving. How about a cheeseburger? Pizza? Whatever would best salve your hunger, it’s available at the Trailside Lounge and Grill in Meadowlands.

From the outside, Trailside is a modest building with streetside parking, tucked away on Spruce Street in Meadowlands. Unless you live nearby, you might drive by it once or twice before you find it. That is, unless you’ve eaten there. From the moment I walked in, I knew it was a place I’d never miss again. It is a spotless, well-lighted, homey atmosphere that smells like ... good food. That’s it – good food.

Jodi Gaul, owner of the Trailside with husband Mark, greeted me with a welcoming smile and menus, ready for questions. The Gauls opened the Trailside in 2007, after extensive renovations including a modernized kitchen with every tool and machine a chef needs to keep a hungry crowd happy. Son, Owen, keeps the kitchen going – and does it with a smile. After graduating from Floodwood School in 2008, he knew it would be his choice of careers.

“I haven’t done any formal chef training,” Owen stated. “I learned it on the job.”

Owen’s prior experience was at the Rocket, another Meadowlands restaurant. He knew he was hooked, and he was delighted when the Trailside kitchen was finished so he could claim his space. To round out the Gaul family workplace, daughter Jamie works with her mom waiting on tables and tending bar.

Now, let’s talk food. The menu is …

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Taste Columnist

Don’t let the sign fool you, Mark’s Bar IS a great place to eat lunch, dinner or an anytime snack! Locals and travelers alike stop in for tasty meals at this local McGregor landmark.

Who stops at Mark’s Bar and Grill (the name on the menu)? I observed a mix of patrons during lunch on a recent sunny Friday. On my way in for some of their fabulous broasted chicken wings, I met two friends, Karen and Barb from Lake Minnewawa, who were on their way out and shared they had just enjoyed a great lunch after shopping at The Country House. As I entered, the place was buzzing with guests all seeming to be having a good time. After I ordered, I started checking out who was eating here. A professionally dressed young woman was reading a book and munching on the always freshly popped popcorn, waiting for her personal size pizza. Two 30-something couples were sharing pizzas and were debating why it was the best homemade pizza around. (I overheard one of them say it was the thin crust.) As I was munching on my wings and taking notes, a mother with her elementary school-age son were checking out the menu. Several retired couples had stopped in for the Friday special, BBQ ribs.

Mark’s Bar has an eating area off of the bar area with a huge window that lets in lots of natural light. Here, I visited with the extended Bye family, who were just finishing up their lunches. Whenever they travel from their hometown of Crosby to the Duluth area (this time for a wedding), they usually stop at Mark’s Bar. “We’ve been stopping here for years. The food is always good.” Everyone at the table had positive comments and left happy and satisfied.

Why do people of all ages eat here? The answer is simple, good food and a menu that has something for everyone, including a kid’s menu. Manager Shirley Dean shared…

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Taste Columnist

From sometime in early spring until sometime in the fall, Gordy and Marilyn Lundquist get up and go to work in their restaurant every day. With their son, Dan, they operate a seasonal restaurant in Cloquet, Minnesota, with menu items including burgers, fish sandwiches, fries, onion rings, shakes, floats, and good coffee. Sounds pretty run-of-the-mill, doesn’t it? Take a closer look.

Gordy and Marilyn are both in their 80s, and they have been operating Gordy’s Hi-Hat at the same location for 50 years – yes, fifty years. This year, they also celebrated 60 years of marriage. Their son, Dan Lundquist, also works at Gordy’s every day, adding the next generation to the business.

“My dad is still at work every day,” offered Dan. “At 83 … he’s amazing.”

With a menu much like that of many other restaurants in the area, what distinguishes Gordy’s from all the rest?

Every burger is hand-pattied and individually prepared. Every fish sandwich is hand battered. Every onion ring is hand sliced and battered. Every shake is thick enough to stand up to a spoon. The best feature? No one could possibly walk away hungry.

Gordy’s restaurant has been a fixture in Cloquet and a favorite of the locals since 1960. The restaurant seats a good crowd, indoors and out, and accommodates takeaway diners as quickly and efficiently as those who want to get off their feet and rest awhile. The floors still sport the classic black and white checkerboard, and table and chairs are commodious and inviting. Food is ordered and served at the counter in the front, and everyone picks up orders by the number. As soon as a table is vacated, someone whisks out, cleans it up, and within just a few short moments, everything is ready for the next diners.

Most of Cloquet’s youth…

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