Stop #2 brought us to Casper and Runyon's Nook in Saint Paul. This week I was joined by Jason Rice, Leena Haugland, Alice Snorteland and Eric Prose. The plan was to meet at The Nook at 6pm. Jason and I got there a few minutes early and were able to get our names on the waiting list. The Nook is a small little restaurant on the corner of Randolph and Hamline Ave. When we walked in we were immediately swallowed up by a sea of waiting customers. We were able to slither our way threw and get up to the bar area. Jason and I waited there for a few minutes until the rest of the gang got there. We were able to stand in a narrow path between the tables behind us and the bar in front of us. No matter where we moved we were in the way of a customer, server or bartender. Prose was able to flag down the bartender and get us a round of beers. I got Flat Earth Brewery's Curly Tail Ale which was pretty good. I am excited whoever to go to the brewery in a few weeks and take the tour. I guess they have a tour twice a month at 4pm on Saturdays. I have listed their info below if you want to check them out. After about a 30 minute wait we were seated. The Nook is famous for their Juicy Nookie Burger which is what I decided to go with. They have a few burgers named after local athletes who went pro like Paul Molitor, Matt Birk and Joe Mauer. Joe's is called the Double Play Burger and consists of two hamburgers and one order of fries. The Juicy Nookie cost $7.95 and comes with a side of fries. I first heard of The Nook on Dinners, Drive-ins and Dives which is on of my favorite shows. I had wanted to check the place out ever since I watched the show. The food was delivered to our table pretty quick. Not quite as fast as Lions Tap but probably within 15 minutes. I took my first bite and liquid cheddar cheese poured out of the burger all over the fries beneath. This was one of the most amazing burgers I have ever had. It was perfectly cooked and perfectly juicy. I have a feeling that The Nook is going to be hard to beat but we shall press on. I will definitely be back to retry the Nookie. As for the place its self it is small but has lots of charm. There are photos of famous athletes and celebrities all over the walls that have eaten there. They also have won their fair share of awards and have them posted around the restaurant. Some of which include Best Burgers in Minnesota by Minnesota Monthly, Best Juicy Lucy and Best Burger by Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine and Best Fries by several magazines. The fries were pretty amazing, especially covered in molten cheese sauce that dripped out of the burger. I thought the fries at Lions Tap were a little better but it was very close.
In conclusion The Nook made one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. Its an awesome neighborhood bar and restaurant. I am sure their legend will continue to grow and will only become more busy as time goes by. Luckily the have started up a second location in St. Paul called Shamrocks which has the same menu. The Nook was a little more than Lions Tap price wise but they included fries where the Lions Tap did not. I recommend going in groups of no more than 5 people or the wait could be hours.
Next week we venture to The Blue Door Pub which is just a few miles North of The Nook.
CASPER AND RUNYON'S NOOK
419 HAMLINE AVE S
SAINT PAUL, MN 55116
Phone: 651-698-4347
Email: None Available
Website: http://www.crshamrocks.com/
FLAT EARTH BREWING COMPANY
2035 BENSON AVE
SAINT PAUL, MN 55116
Phone: 651-698-1945
Email: info@flatearthbrewing.com
Website: http://www.flatearthbrewing.com/
Juicy Lucy Rating: 1-5
Atmosphere (4)
Presentation (3)
Bun (4)
Flavor (4)
Juiciness (5)
Cheesiness (5)
Value (4)
Side items (4)
Wait time (4)
Total Score 37 out of a possible 45
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