- Attraction: The Brass Rail
- Location: 36868 Hwy 65 NE, Grandy, MN 55029
- Industry: Restaurant
- Website: https://brassrailchicken.com/
Sometimes culinary greatness lurks in the most unassuming places, and The Brass Rail proves this theory magnificently.
This beloved hole-in-the-wall restaurant has been drawing crowds from across Minnesota to the tiny town of Grandy since 1969, serving what many consider the state’s finest broasted chicken.
The establishment opened on May 13th, 1969, and continues to serve world-class broasted chicken in a family atmosphere, transforming a building that once housed a trading post, telephone company, and garage into a destination restaurant.
What started as a small-town bar has evolved into a Minnesota institution that serves over 112,000 pieces of chicken weekly. The restaurant received recognition from Broaster Company with their Golden Chicken Award for Operator Excellence in 2017, and has been featured in countless publications as a must-visit Minnesota dining destination.
What Makes The Brass Rail Special
The Famous Broasted Chicken: The chicken is brined overnight, making it juicy, crunchy and delicious. This isn’t your typical fried chicken – broasting uses pressure cooking with oil to create an incredibly crispy exterior while keeping the meat exceptionally tender and moist. The golden-brown coating has a tempura-like quality that sets it apart from ordinary fried chicken.
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Keep Exploring →Signature Coleslaw: Their coleslaw is out of this world, and multiple reviews consistently praise this creamy, diced side dish. The recipe remains a closely guarded secret, but you’ll understand why after your first bite. It’s the perfect cool, creamy complement to the hot, crispy chicken.
The Crispy Fried Green Beans: Customers love the crispy fried green beans, which have become a signature appetizer. These aren’t your grandmother’s green beans – they’re battered and fried to golden perfection, creating a unique appetizer that’s become as famous as the chicken itself.
Hearty Portions: Every meal comes with generous servings that consistently impress visitors. The servings are plentiful, and the chicken dinners include coleslaw, toast, and your choice of sides like broasted potatoes, mashed potatoes with gravy, or waffle fries.
The Butterflied Shrimp: Their shrimp are always done to perfection. The jumbo breaded shrimp offers a delicious alternative for non-chicken eaters, prepared with the same attention to quality that makes their chicken famous.
Cheese Curds and Appetizers: The extensive appetizer menu features Wisconsin-style cheese curds, fried pickle chips, and mini corn dogs. Each item is prepared fresh and served piping hot, making them perfect for sharing or as a hearty start to your meal.
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Discover MoreSmall-Town Charm and Atmosphere
Hole-in-the-Wall Appeal: Brass Rail is a beloved hole-in-the-wall restaurant known for its broasted chicken and casual atmosphere. The unassuming exterior might surprise first-time visitors, but the warm, welcoming interior creates an authentic small-town dining experience.
Historic Building Character: The building’s history adds to its charm – from its days as a trading post in the early 1900s to its current incarnation as a chicken destination. The rustic decor includes vintage signs, local memorabilia, and a cozy bar area that maintains the establishment’s original tavern feel.
Family-Friendly Environment: The restaurant successfully balances its bar heritage with a family-friendly atmosphere. The restaurant is nicely decorated and always clean, with ample seating including a recent expansion that added a large dining room and outdoor deck.
Busy But Efficient: No matter how busy they are, they serve food as fast as it comes off the grill or out of the broaster. Even during peak times, the kitchen maintains impressive efficiency, though the broasting process means you’ll wait about 30 minutes for fresh chicken – and it’s absolutely worth it.
Practical Considerations
Pricing and Value: The pricing sits in the mid-range category, with half-chicken dinners around $18-20. While some mention recent price increases, most agree the generous portions and quality justify the cost. It is a great value for every menu item, especially considering the large servings and fresh preparation.
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Keep Exploring →Location and Parking: Located directly on Highway 65 about 50 miles north of Minneapolis, The Brass Rail offers convenient access for travelers heading to Minnesota’s lake country. There is plenty of room to park in the back, solving any concerns about finding parking in this small town.
Call-Ahead Ordering: Smart diners call ahead to place their orders, which can save 30 minutes of waiting time. The broasting process requires patience, but the restaurant accommodates takeout orders efficiently for those wanting to enjoy their meal elsewhere.
Operating Hours: Open daily from 11 AM to 9 PM Monday through Thursday and Sunday, with extended hours until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Tuesday is listed as closed on some sources, so calling ahead is recommended.
Perfect Road Trip Stop: The Brass Rail has become legendary among Minnesotans traveling to and from cabin country. Its location makes it an ideal stopping point for both directions, and many families have made it a tradition to stop here during their northern Minnesota adventures.
The Brass Rail
📍 36868 Hwy 65 NE, Grandy, MN 55029
