10 Unassuming Restaurants To Add to Your Minnesota Dining Bucket List

We've all been told not to judge a book by its cover, but that's easier said than done. It's hard to resist the pull of bright colors and flashing lights -- especially when trying to decide where we'd like to eat. But sometimes if you look just a little closer, you'll see that a building is more than just an exterior. These 10 Minnesota restaurants prove just that. They're a little plain on the outside, but you'll be singing a different tune after just one bite of food. Here are 10 of the best hole-in-the-wall restaurants in Minnesota to add to your bucket list.

1. Wilbert Cafe - Cotton

If you're driving along U.S. Route 53 between Duluth and Virginia, you could easily miss the Wilbert Cafe in Cotton if you're not paying attention. This country family restaurant looks like a plain roadside diner from the outside (attached to a popular local watering hole), but it's legendary among locals and travelers to and from the Iron Range. Inside, you'll find retro booths, a pair of U-shaped counters, country kitsch on the walls, and the smell of fresh coffee. Order the hot beef sandwich—sliced roast beef, open-faced on bread, piled with mashed potatoes, and smothered in homemade gravy—but save room for dessert. Their homemade pie, like coconut cream and blueberry, is the perfect sweet note to end on. Check the Wilbert Cafe Facebook page for updates on hours and specials.

2. Kaffe Stuga - Harris

Harris is a tiny town, but its most popular restaurant has stood for decades. It's a humble eatery that, frankly, looks more like an old house than a diner, but anyone taking a chance on Kaffe Stuga knows it's worth the stop. The restaurant is known for its hearty beef dinners and warm, homemade pies that give the eatery a bit of a cinnamon-y air, while the wood-paneled walls and friendly staff make you feel at home.

3. Gordy's Hi-Hat - Cloquet

Gordy's Hi-Hat is an unassuming roadside stop that's a mandatory stop when heading north from the Cities on Interstate 35. Their hand-pattied burgers are cooked to order right in front of you, and you can't go wrong with the crispy fried fish basket and a side of hand-battered onion rings. Expect a line out the door on summer Fridays, but the fast service keeps things moving. This family-owned favorite closes during the winter and re-opens each spring, making Gordy's Hi-Hat a seasonal marker for the region: "If Gordy's has opened, it must be spring!"

4. Duluth Grill - Duluth

You might not expect to find farm-to-table dining in a parking lot next to a Motel 6 and a Burger King. While the exterior now features a wooden portico and planter boxes, Duluth Grill still sits right off Interstate 35 in the Lincoln Park neighborhood—and you'd miss out if you drove past. This restaurant serves creative dishes alongside diner favorites in a cozy interior steeped in aromas of coffee and baked goods. Try the brisket hash or a slice of their banana cream pie. While you're in northern Minnesota, you might also want to look for a hidden gem BBQ spot.

5. Triêu Châu - St. Paul

It seems like Triêu Châu, on University Avenue within spitting distance of the state capitol, is almost always busy. People wait in line for this eatery's sublime spring rolls and flavorful pho. The broth is rich and aromatic, topped with fresh herbs that perfume the dining room. Triêu Châu is a no-frills, counter-service spot where the food speaks for itself. Arrive before the lunch rush to nab a table. If you enjoy discovering unique places, you might like this tiny, legendary steakhouse in the south metro.

6. Uncle Franky's - Minneapolis

On a busy afternoon, you could almost miss Uncle Franky's while driving along Broadway Street in Northeast Minneapolis. Be sure to pay close attention next time you're in the area, though, because you'll definitely want to stop. Uncle Franky's serves burgers and sandwiches in a retro, memorabilia-packed room, but as their name implies, the eatery is best known for its hot dogs. Stop in for a Chicago-style dog loaded with neon green relish and sport peppers. The snap of the casing and the soft bun will make it a meal you'll surely remember.

7. Rock Creek Cafe - Pine City

This cafe relocated from its original truck stop location off Interstate 35 to a building a few miles west of the highway. Don't let the simple pole barn exterior fool you—the food is as good as it gets. The chicken dumpling soup comes with sizable dumplings in a hot broth, and you can't go wrong with the haystack breakfast if you arrive early in the morning. Rock Creek Cafe is the kind of small-town hidden restaurant where the coffee is hot and your mug is never empty.

8. On's Kitchen - St. Paul

Located along University Avenue (near its intersection with Snelling), On's Kitchen is easy to miss. Missing it, however, would be a mistake. On's makes some of the tastiest Thai food in the Twin Cities. The dining room is modest and quiet, but the flavors coming from the kitchen are bold. Order the pad see ew or the spicy green curry to understand why the neighborhood keeps coming back for more. On's epitomizes the spirit of hole in the wall restaurants in Minnesota with great meals in a simple setting.

9. El Taco Riendo - Minneapolis

If you like tacos, you won't be put off by this restaurant's basic exterior. The best tacos are almost always found in places exactly like this. El Taco Riendo, which translates to "The Laughing Taco," is a step above your average neighborhood Mexican restaurant. When I visit this counter-service spot, I love being hit with the aromas of grilled meats and fresh tortillas, and I usually order the tender al pastor tacos topped with cilantro and onion. If you're really hungry (or want lunch the next day), order the footlong burrito.

10. Matt's Bar - Minneapolis

This list wouldn't be complete if it didn't include Matt's Bar in South Minneapolis. You wouldn't know it by looking at its plain, windowless dive bar exterior, but Matt's Bar is famous across the country for its Jucy Lucy burgers. One bite into one of these molten cheese-filled burgers will convince you that this dark pub is more than it appears. The grill sits right behind the bar and fills the room with the smell of grilled burgers and sizzling onions.

If you're planning a weekend food adventure or just looking for a new lunch spot, you're sure to find a memorable meal at a reasonable price at any of these gems. They prove that great food doesn't need a flashy storefront to draw a loyal crowd. I hope you get the chance to stop in and try a few of these underrated eateries in Minnesota soon.