Matt's Bar

Matt's Bar is the dim, no-frills South Minneapolis dive that claims the original Jucy Lucy — a cheese-stuffed burger served molten since the 1950s. Presidents have eaten here; nothing has changed, which is the point. Caveats: cash only (ATM inside), no fries — it's chips or nothing — and peak times mean a wait.

Key facts

Frequently asked questions

What is a Jucy Lucy?

A burger with molten American cheese sealed inside the patty instead of on top — invented (per Matt's) here in the 1950s when a regular asked for cheese in the middle. Warning is part of the ritual: wait a couple minutes or it will burn your mouth. It will still probably burn your mouth.

How do I get to Matt's Bar?

It's at 35th and Cedar in the Powderhorn area — easiest by car or rideshare (street parking nearby), or a local bus down Cedar Ave. The Blue Line's Lake St/Midtown station is about a mile away if you don't mind the walk.

Matt's Bar or the 5-8 Club — who has the real Jucy Lucy?

The eternal Minneapolis feud: both claim it, spellings differ (Matt's drops the 'i'), and locals pick sides for life. Matt's is the divier, more atmospheric experience; the 5-8 has parking and fries. Do both and vote with your heart.

What are Matt's Bar's hours?

Daily 11 am to 11 pm, with the kitchen taking last orders around 10:15 pm. It's one of the few icons on this list open seven days a week.

Is Matt's Bar cash only?

Yes — no credit or debit cards, though there's an ATM inside. A Jucy Lucy, fries— sorry, chips — and a beer won't run you much, so $25-30 cash per person covers it comfortably.

Is Matt's Bar kid-friendly?

It's a bar, but a burger bar — families come in during the day all the time and nobody blinks. Evenings skew more barroom. Daytime with kids is fine; late night, leave them home.

Does Matt's Bar serve fries?

No — famously. It's chips or nothing alongside your burger, and asking for fries marks you as a first-timer. The menu is deliberately tiny: burgers, a few sandwiches, chips, beer.

How long is the wait at Matt's Bar?

Off-peak (weekday afternoons), you'll often walk right in. Friday and Saturday nights, Vikings gamedays, and summer weekends can mean 30-60 minutes — the room is tiny and they don't take reservations.

Nearby in Ask Minneapolis

• Corcoran Farmers MarketMarket0.04 km · 0 min walk
• Powderhorn ParkPark0.47 km · 6 min walk
• Midtown Global MarketMarket1.46 km · 18 min walk
• American Swedish InstituteMuseum2.23 km · 28 min walk
• Kingfield Farmers MarketMarket2.61 km · 33 min walk