The Small-Town Diner Where Locals Catch Up Over Country-Fried Steak And Home-Made Pie

With a population that has more than doubled since 2000, Shakopee, Minnesota is no longer the sleepy, south-of-the-river town it once was. Today, it’s a burgeoning suburb of 45,000, but when Wampach’s Restaurant opened in 1958, it was only about one-tenth of the size it is today. Despite the town’s growth, Wampach’s has managed to maintain its hometown feel, and I still think of it as a small-town Minnesota diner - even if it’s now located in a small city.

Wampach's Restaurant has been a fixture on 1st Avenue in Shakopee since the Eisenhower administration.

When it opened, Shakopee was Scott County's sleepy seat, with a population of fewer 5,000 people.

Now a small suburban city of around 45,000, Shakopee has changed - but Wampach's, for the most part, has not. It's in the same location and looks pretty much just as it did in 1958.

The diner's intimate interior space makes it the perfect place for locals to grab a bite and catch up on the news of the day.

And building community has been at the top of Wampach's menu.

Everything below it scratch-made, comfort food deliciousness.

Wampach's is open daily for breakfast and lunch.

You'll find classics like omelets, benedicts, and pancakes.

Look for the beloved country-fried steak, which you can get as a breakfast specialty or a dinner plate.

Wampach's open for early-evening dinners on weeknights.

The liver and onions, a classic you won't find in too many other places these days, is also a popular dinner option.

Wampach's offers regular specials throughout the week, as well as a rotation of scratch-made desserts.

Whatever you eat, there's always room for pie!

I always have a hard time choosing what to order when I go to Wampach’s - everything I’ve tried is delicious and definitely has that homemade, comfort food feel. For breakfast, I do default to the omelets; you really can’t go wrong there. You’ll just have to take a look at the menu on the Wampach’s Restaurant website, or better yet, pay a visit in person, and decide for yourself. If you don't live in the area, book a room and make a weekend of it - there's a ton to do in the Shakopee area, from one of the world's largest renaissance festivals and Valley Fair to Canterbury Park and Mystic Lake Casino. It's also home to some of the best fall and Halloween events in Minnesota.

Have you visited Wampach’s in Shakopee? Let us know what you thought, and be sure to tell us about any other small-town Minnesota diners that you love.