Duluth Grill has become a must-do Duluth favorite
When we think of iconic Duluth restaurants, many would agree that Duluth Grill is at or near the top on their list of favorite restaurants.
The restaurant’s eclectic menu offers everything from basic comfort foods - such as burgers and biscuits & gravy - to more contemporary dishes, like Bibimbap and “drunken noodles.” With plenty of tasty vegan and vegetarian options, too, there is truly something for everyone.
Duluth Grill has long been a favorite of locals and tourists alike. After being featured in a 2010 episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” the restaurant became a destination in and of itself.
Please join us for this edition of Eat & Drink Duluth - while Andrea and Mike Busche eat fresh, local, and organic – at Duluth Grill!
The Duluth Grill Patio provides seating, fire pits and a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Photo from Duluth Grill Facebook page
History
Located just off I-35 at 118 S 27th Ave W, the restaurant initially opened as Highway Host in 1971 and was renamed Duluth Grill in 1991. Current owners Tom and Jaima Hanson purchased it in 2001 and re-opened the restaurant as Duluth Grill Embers.
In 2008, the Hansons parted ways with the Embers chain and rebranded the restaurant as Duluth Grill. And they’ve been going gangbusters ever since.
The Hansons’ hard work and dedication have paid off both for the Duluth Grill and the Lincoln Park neighborhood. They’ve since been able to add several other restaurants and establishments, playing a significant role in the transformation of Lincoln Park.
OMC Smokehouse was added to the Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants in 2017, and Corktown Deli & Brews followed in 2018. Later, Jaima Hanson and the couple’s daughter, Valerie, started Minnesconsin Merch during the pandemic. This distinctive brand - which offers clothing, cooks, glassware, art, and more - is now located in a small gift shop adjacent to the Corktown building.
Goat Hill Marketplace, a kitchen store with pantry items and grab-and-go food, was added in 2022. Burger Paradox opened on May 21, 2023. And on the exact same day, Corktown relocated to its new space, at 102 S 27th Ave W – right next door to Duluth Grill.
Hanson is soon adding yet another business to the family, too. He expects his new 8-unit VRBO, located within the Duluth Press Building (at 1915 W Superior Street), to open in January 2024.
Hanson’s family of businesses currently employ about 250 people. They proudly offer a living wage and benefits for their staff members.
Vibe
Duluth Grill offers the welcoming vibe of a cozy neighborhood diner. There are comfy booths, tables, and a full bar/breakfast bar.
The walls are painted a pretty teal color, with pops of red and orange in the flooring and other décor. Tables are well-appointed with a variety of Heartbeat hot sauces. Plenty of busy, smiling servers serve up strong coffee and a variety of dishes that look and smell amazing.
And, the place is HOPPIN.’ Seriously. Is Duluth Grill ever not busy? But I consider this a good thing; a sign that the food is worth waiting for.
And, the people are willing to wait. On the day we visited – late morning on a Saturday – we were #37 in line for a table. To accommodate the long list of patrons waiting for a table, there are plenty of comfy seating arrangements - and several fire pits - outside. You can join the waitlist on their website and spend the time shopping nearby.
Fire pits keep guests warm on a chilly Duluth day. Photo from Duluth Grill Facebook Page.
We got on the list, left to run a few quick errands, then sat outside and enjoyed the fire until our number was called. It took us about 50 minutes to get our table. So, if you’re planning a visit, our best advice is to join the waitlist on their website, and be within their maximum of 5 minutes from when you're notified that you're ready to be seated.
Food
Duluth Grill is open from 8 am – 3 pm, 7 days a week. Breakfast is served all day, and there are plenty of brunch or lunch options.
Breakfast choices include all the classics: Omelets, breakfast skillets, breakfast “sammies,” breakfast burritos, biscuits and gravy, and breakfast plates.
Lunch options include a variety of sandwiches, melts, tacos, and bowls. There are also kids’ options and plenty of delicious desserts.
The vast beverage menu has smoothies, brunch cocktails, bloody Marys, a tea bar, and a coffee bar (featuring locally roasted Alakef espresso).
Duluth Grill prides itself on using fresh, local, and/or organic ingredients whenever possible. They even grow some of their own produce. They also have a well-established reputation for offering plenty of delicious vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free fare.
I chose to order the breakfast melt. From the menu:
Our breakfast sandwich made with organic scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, Jones Farm sausage patties, and house-made maple bacon jam on grilled sourdough. Served with a breakfast side.
Duluth Grill Breakfast Sandwich with Red-Flannel Hash. Photo by Mike Busche.
Sides come in all varieties, from sweet to savory. For my side, I chose the red flannel hash:
Roasted sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, onions, and bell peppers, tossed with salt, pepper, and thyme.
This sandwich was huge and very filling. The bread – sourced from Sunrise Bakery in Hibbing, was thick, well-buttered, and grilled. The sausage and eggs were generously portioned, and the melted pepper jack provided a spicy kick. I am a novice regarding savory-type jams, and the maple bacon jam was the perfect, sweet/savory condiment for this sandwich. And the red flannel hash was super soft and flavorful. The veggies were nicely caramelized, providing a delicious flavor profile and unique texture.
Mike chose the Wake’n Bacon Burger. From the menu:
Double-stacked smashed beef patties, American cheese, fried egg, maple bacon jam, brined onions, and Jones Farm Bacon on a grilled biscuit. Served with any one side.
Duluth Grill Wake'n Bacon Burger. Photo by Mike Busche
For his side, Mike chose the seasoned hash browns.
Duluth Grill makes their own biscuits, creating the perfect thick-size, fluffy vehicle for transporting this delicious sandwich to your mouth. The burger patties were large, with well-crisped edges. The egg added plenty of tasty protein. The bacon was thick-sliced and flavorful. The jam (which Mike requested on the side) was a great option for this savory dish. Cheese and brined onions provide a gooey/crispy combo to intrigue your taste buds. This sandwich is the way for the hungry man or woman in your life.
The hash browns were nice and crisp on the outside and warm and tender inside. They were served with ketchup, but the hot sauce (located at every table) would be another great choice.
Beverages
Mike and I decided to split a hot coffee drink – the MPL Oat milk Latte.
From the menu:
Local maple syrup, brown sugar, Alakef espresso, and oat milk. Served iced or hot.
Duluth Grill MPL Oat milk Latte. Photo by Mike Busche.
This was probably the best latte I’ve ever had in my life. The firm, robust Alakef espresso anchored the drink with bold flavor, and a very well-caffeinated kick. It was sweet, with a hint of maple flavor. The texture was incredibly creamy.
After finishing the drink (and then feeling like I could run a marathon), we were glad to have split it between us.
Service
Our server, Katie Dubla, was attentive and polite. She started her career at Duluth Grill five years ago. We also had a pleasant visit from the front-of-house manager, Billy Buehler.
Duluth Grill Server Katie Dubla and Manager Billy Buehler. Photo by Mike Busche.
Dubla said her favorite dish is Duluth Grill’s Bibimbap – a Korean dish featuring pork and beef seasoned with garlic, ginger, and sesame, coconut lime rice, Korean BBQ, marinated kale, pickled chilies, pickled onions, house-made kimchi, wild mushrooms, fresh avocado, organic sunny side up egg and scallions, and topped with soyoli.
She also said that it seems to be one of the restaurant’s most popular items.
Verdict
Duluth Grill’s reputation for excellent food and service is well-deserved. Restaurant leadership puts real effort into its menu offerings, and there is truly something for everyone. As noted, their tagline is “fresh, local, organic,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find here.
So, bring your heartiest appetite – and all your friends – to Duluth Grill, where you’re ensured a uniquely Duluth experience.
Bonus Section: Cookbook
Duluth Grill just released a brand-new cookbook – Brunch at the Duluth Grill – written by Jesse Sawyer, with photos by Rolf Hagberg.
The just-released Brunch at the Duluth Grill cookbook is available at their restaurants or online. Photo by Mike Busche.
Featuring over 150 recipes, this book traces the story of the Duluth Grill through its food and cocktails. It gives voice to the local farmers, craftspeople, and vendors whose labors inspire its menu while honoring the cooks, servers, baristas, and more who make the Grill a beloved Northern Minnesota institution. Like a good brunch, this book is an opportunity to gather, celebrate, and connect. The cookbook is available at all Duluth Grill Family of Restaurants or order the cookbook online.
For a complete menu, join the waitlist or order to-go, please visit duluthgrill.com
About Andrea Busche
Eat &Drink Duluth Editor
Andrea Busche is a Duluth and regional freelance writer credited with over 1,000 bylines in local print and digital publications. Her food column, Local Pairings, was featured in Duluth.com magazine and later published in the Duluth News Tribune from 2016-2018.
