Foods for Every Palate Abound in Brainerd Lakes Area
BY SUE WEBBER • CONTRIBUTING WRITER
North minnesota
EATERIES
Up North visits evoke all kinds of tantalizing visions , ranging from water sports to fish dinners , hot dogs , and s ’ mores at the campfire .
Whether you ’ re a tourist or a resident , a new food experience is hard to resist . The Brainerd Lakes area offers a wide variety of choices to delight any palate .
BRAINERD The B * Merri Gastropub in The Woods complex , 19624 County Road 3 , features angus beef steaks that are aged 28 days and charbroiled at 1700 degrees Fahrenheit . According to the restaurant ’ s website , “ the newly-remodeled restaurant , patios , and Gather On 3 Event Center all offer extensive catering , cooking classes , and in-home dinners . Cuisine ranges from housesmoked barbecue to unique salads , fresh rolled sushi , coursed pairings from the self-tap craft beer wall , jet-fresh fish features enhanced with on-site herb gardens , and everything from elevated comfort food to multi-course wine and cocktail dinners .”
It also is the site of the Retro Drive-In Movie Theater . “ This is not like your regular drive-in ; this will be a foodie drive-in ,” the website said . “ Food components will be determined in conjunction with the movie that will be playing . For example , if Kung Fu Panda is playing , Chef Matt and his team would be rolling sushi or cooking hibachi . The food specials for each movie will be available for purchase along with the drive-in ticket .”
Brainerd also is home to Pit Happens , a catering service and food truck that started in 2004 . It was voted # 1 Best Ribs in Brainerd Lakes in 2019 , an award presented by the Brainerd Dispatch .
“ We became very active in the Brainerd Jaycees Streetfest and smoking ribs ,” the website says . “ The smiles on peoples ’ faces and when people would come for seconds was awesome . We went on to compete nationally at other events , winning over 20 awards for ribs , brisket , pork , and chicken .”
“ We are a small business of friends who share the same passion for the old school way of smoking meats , cheeses , seafood , and desserts and incorporating them into new world dishes .”
Big Axe Brewing Company , restaurant pub and taproom , 25435 Main St . in Nisswa , is billed as “ dog-friendly patio and kid-friendly everywhere .”
“ Owner Chris started brewing beer in his garage several years ago and never looked back ,” the
destinationupnorth . com 29