You pull off a quiet highway because your stomach is growling, and the building out front looks like it hasn’t changed in decades. Then the chicken lands on the table, crackling and golden, and suddenly you understand why the parking lot is full.
Minnesota is packed with humble spots like this, where broasted chicken is a point of serious hometown pride. Here are eight places worth the drive, whether you live down the road or across the border.
1. The Brass Rail, Grandy, MN
Since 1969, a modest roadhouse a few minutes north of Cambridge on Highway 65 has been quietly building a broasted chicken legend. The Brass Rail proudly carries the title of Best Broasted Chicken in Minnesota, and one bite explains it.
The skin crackles, the meat stays juicy, and even the breast meat is full of flavor.
Portions here are gigantic, so come hungry. Pair your chicken with the signature coleslaw, a side the kitchen is genuinely proud of, plus fried potatoes or mashed potatoes and gravy.
Cheese curds and waffle fries make fine extras too.
The dining room feels cozy and historic, with a fireplace that turns winter visits into something special. Families are welcome, with a kids’ menu and high chairs ready.
Most meals land between $10 and $20 per person, a real bargain for food this good. Weekends get busy, so a weekday lunch may be the smarter move.
2. The Broaster, Faribault, MN
Name your restaurant after the cooking method and you’d better deliver. The Broaster in Faribault does exactly that, serving fresh, hot chicken with a crisp shell and juicy center that has southern Minnesota families coming back again and again.
Here’s the clever part. A drive-through lets you grab a box on the way to the lake or home from work, yet the homey dining room gives it a sit-down feel when you want to linger.
Burgers, cod, and battered shrimp round out the menu, but chicken is the headliner.
Staff are known for warm, friendly service that makes first-timers feel like regulars. Prices typically fall in the $10 to $20 range, and there’s a kids’ menu for younger eaters.
Plan ahead, though. Doors are closed Sundays and Mondays, and hours wrap up early in the evening, with Friday staying open a little later until 8 PM.
3. The Coop, South St Paul, MN
Walk the Mississippi River trails for an hour, and you’ll have earned a bucket. Luckily, The Coop sits close by in South St. Paul, a long-running neighborhood nook that has been frying up comfort for years.
Chicken here comes by the bucket or in party packs, crispy and flavorful every time. Ask for the creamy, light slaw on the side.
The menu also wanders into pulled pork, ribs, Coney burgers, hot dogs, and mini donuts for a sweet finish.
Everything is counter service, which keeps things quick and prices friendly, usually $10 to $20 a person. A small patio welcomes summer meals, and dogs can join you outside.
One practical tip: there’s no restroom on site, so plan accordingly. Delivery and takeout are both options, making it an easy pick for game nights or family gatherings.
Proof that a Twin Cities suburb can outshine any trendy chicken chain.
4. House Of Coates, Rosemount, MN
Three generations of one family have kept the fryers going at House Of Coates, and that kind of staying power says plenty. Tucked along Clayton Avenue in Rosemount, this laid-back spot feels like a slice of old Minnesota just south of the metro.
Burgers often get the spotlight, with some billed as world-famous. Yet the broasted chicken holds its own, arriving hot and fresh with a satisfying crunch.
Fish fry and fish sandwiches are worth a look, and BBQ ribs show up too. Portions lean generous.
Even on packed nights, the staff tend to keep smiles on and plates moving fast. The atmosphere stays casual and cozy, with outdoor seating when weather cooperates and a kids’ menu for little ones.
Most meals run about $10 to $20 per person. Friday and Saturday evenings draw crowds, so an early dinner may save you a wait.
5. Wing Joint, Blaine, MN
Don’t let the name fool you. Wing Joint in Blaine built its reputation on wings, but regulars know the broasted chicken deserves equal billing.
What sets it apart is the seasoning. Chicken here often gets a dry rub that adds a savory kick without drowning the crunch.
That flavor carries across the menu, from chicken fingers and strips to ribs, burgers, and even catfish. If you can’t decide, order a mix and share with the table.
Expect a no-frills counter-serve setup along University Avenue, with simple seating and a quiet, casual vibe. Nobody comes for fancy decor, and that’s part of the charm.
Meals generally stay between $10 and $20 per person, and there’s a kids’ menu for families. Hours run Tuesday through Sunday, with later evenings on Fridays and Saturdays.
Mondays are closed, so time your north metro craving wisely.
6. Diner’s, Emily, MN
Up north, cabin weekends come with traditions, and in Emily one of them involves a box of chicken. Diner’s, also known as Diners Chicken Shack, sits along Highway 6 in a tiny lake town of fewer than 1,000 people.
Many locals consider its broasted chicken the best around, and it travels well back to the cabin. Mornings bring a different side of the kitchen, with stuffed hash browns, fluffy pancakes, omelets, and strong coffee.
Portions are famously huge, and a local hot sauce adds a nice northwoods kick.
Timing matters here. The doors typically open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM, so this is a breakfast and lunch stop.
The room feels cozy and quiet, the service is friendly, and prices usually land between $10 and $20. Reservations are accepted, which helps when a big cabin crew rolls in.
7. Longtrees, Alexandria, MN
Picture an old-school supper club crossed with a friendly neighborhood hangout, then plant it on Broadway Street in downtown Alexandria. That’s Longtrees, a newer spot with a nostalgic soul.
The menu sticks to timeless Minnesota favorites done right. Broasted chicken anchors the lineup alongside a Friday fish fry and sourdough crust pizzas.
Smoked and rotisserie chicken make appearances too, along with pulled pork mac, deviled eggs, jalapeño poppers, and a brisket burger big enough to split.
Save room for dessert, since cheesecake and flourless chocolate torte often grace the menu. A fireplace warms the dining room on chilly lake-country evenings, and outdoor seating opens up in summer.
Prices run a bit higher, around $20 to $30 per person, but portions and quality justify it. Reservations are accepted, a smart move during busy tourist weekends.
8. Beetle’s Bar And Grill, Rochester, MN
Game day in Rochester just got tastier. Beetle’s Bar And Grill is a big, lively hangout packed with TVs, comfortable seating, and a patio, and somewhere in its large menu hides some seriously good broasted chicken.
Crunchy outside, tender inside, it’s the order that keeps people driving over from across southeastern Minnesota. Chicken tenders and fries are another favorite, while onion rings, a shrimp basket, Fire Pit Burger, and classic hot beef or hot turkey sandwiches add hearty Midwest comfort.
Even on hectic Friday nights, service tends to stay quick and friendly. Families fit right in, with high chairs and a kids’ menu, and live music sometimes adds to the fun.
Most meals cost $10 to $20 per person. Late hours make it a handy stop after a long day, and reservations are accepted for larger groups.
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