This Family Restaurant In Minnesota Is Worth A Trip To The Country

Located in an unassuming, low-slung building on a U.S. Hwy. 53 frontage road, the Wilbert Cafe in Cotton, Minnesota, is a must-try family restaurant near in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. It's located near the world-renowned Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota and on the edge of the Iron Range; but it’s kind of out in the country. Therefore, keep your eyes peeled so you don’t miss the turn.

Cotton, Minnesota, is a small community located U.S. Hwy. 53. about halfway between Virginia (Minnesota) and Duluth (or Cloquet, depending on your route).

At the community's only major intersection - U.S. 53 and Arkola Rd. - you’ll find a gas station on one side and the El Toro Lounge/Wilbert Cafe on the other.

One side of the establishment comprises the El Toro Lounge, which is a neighborhood bar and roadhouse. The other side, Wilbert Cafe, is one of the best family restaurants in Minnesota.

Folks in the El Toro Lounge are able to order food from the Wilbert.

The bright and sunny Wilbert Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The Wilbert specializes in comfort food and traditional down-home favorites. You’ll find classics on its menu, like meatloaf, country fried steak, or fried chicken.

The restaurant also serves up a steady stream of specials.

Of course, you can always order a classic, like a good, ol’ fashioned cheeseburger and fries.

Most Fridays, the Wilbert Cafe serves up its weekly fish fry.

And most days, you can get breakfast all day long.

All-day breakfast is cut off in the late afternoon on certain days, though. Check before you go.

No self-respecting family restaurant would let you go without dessert, and Wilbert Cafe is no exception. Whether, it’s a massive cinnamon roll after breakfast…

or a slab of homemade pie any time of day.

If you’re so inclined, you can even order a beer with your burger or a bloody with your breakfast on the cafe side.

If you don’t live in Cotton - and only a lucky few do - you’ll definitely find a trip to the Wilbert Cafe well worth your while. Why not stop at Jay Cooke State Park on your way to or from the restaurant? It’s only about half an hour away. Whether you're heading to Jay Cooke or Sax-Zim Bog, you'll definitely need a tool to help you with navigating the trails and boardwalks up in the Northwoods. Personally, I'm a fan of AllTrails Plus, because it not only offers downloadable maps for printing and offline navigation when cell service is poor, but trail reviews from other users, as well. That way, you'll know what you're getting into when you venture onto an unfamiliar footpath.

Have you had a chance to visit Wilbert Cafe? Are there any other amazing family restaurants out there that we should know about?