website said . “ With assistance from his wife , family and friends , Chris was able to turn that brewing passion into Big Axe Brewing Company in Downtown Nisswa . Chris grew up in Nisswa and went to Nisswa Elementary School across the street and always knew that Nisswa would be the perfect place to open a brewery . Big Axe opened on May 14 , 2015 , as a taproom only . In 2017 Big Axe integrated the kitchen / restaurant .”
Roundhouse Brewery , 23836 Smiley Road in Nisswa , is known for its patio , and also the axethrowing offered in its Wreck Room . Bingo and meat raffles , with proceeds benefiting local charities also are available .
For boaters , Zorbaz pizza offers boat slips for people in search of burgers and pizza . In addition to its Brainerd site , Zorbaz also is in operation in Crosslake and Detroit Lakes .
LITTLE FALLS When you ’ re in Little Falls , Carlie Mertens , Administrative Specialist at the Little Falls Convention and Visitors Bureau , recommends the Starry Eyed Brewing Company , 16757 11th St . NE . “ It is the first and only craft brewery in the Morrison County area serving the widest selection of drinks I have seen with over 40 brewed in-house beers , ciders , and hard seltzers ,” Mertens said . “ They have indoor and outdoor seating , and they now serve pizza . It ’ s family and dog-friendly .”
Another favorite of tourists in Little Falls , according to Mertens , is A . T . The Black & White , 116 1st Street SE . “ This restaurant is owned by two Le Cordon Bleu chefs who met in culinary school and bought the restaurant in 2006 ,” she said . “ They have a wide variety of foods from burgers and salads to chef-inspired dishes and desserts . They were voted Restaurant of the Year in 2016 .”
A . T . The Black & White , Little Falls .
Caffè Strolaga , 500 Broadway E ., is fairly new , Mertens said . “ It is a father-and-son-owned coffee shop that serves coffee , espressos , sandwiches , soups , baked goods , and breakfast . They have lots of gluten-free and vegetarian options .”
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SKOL food truck , Pequot Lakes .
A favorite of Little Falls residents and tourists alike , according to Mertens , is Little Falls Bakery and Deli , 121 Broadway E . “ It used to be Pete and Joy ’ s Bakery which people absolutely loved ,” Mertens said . “ And , although it changed hands , the new owners , Mike and Dawn Lattimer , worked with the original owners , Pete and Joy , and still use the original recipes to this day .”
CROSSLAKE Favorite restaurants in Crosslake include Manhattan Beach Lodge on Big Trout Lake , 39051 County Road 66 , billed as a “ 1920s landmark .” Ox Lake Tavern , 38136 County Highway 66 , is another favorite .
The website story for Moonlite Bay , 37627 County Road 66 , says , “ It was 1933 , Prohibition was over , and it was time to have some fun in Crosslake . Carl Holt built and opened the original dance hall and a few rental cabins known as the Moonlite Bay Resort . Moonlite has seen many changes over the years , and it has all gone up in smoke a couple times , but the spirit of Moonlite Bay never seemed to change . We have always been and continue to be a place for good times and fun by the lake . With 70 boat slips and snowmobile trails coming from four different directions , getting here is never a problem .”
ALEXANDRIA In Alexandria , LeFerme , 613 Broadway St ., is a farm to table restaurant that offers an updated menu and focuses on what is fresh and in season .
According to the website , “ At La Ferme ( French for the farmhouse ) we strive to create a sustainable environment working with and benefiting the community by sourcing our ingredients locally , serving clean from scratch food , and being ever conscious and grateful of our earth . We enjoy creating relationships with our farmers and suppliers from garden planning , requesting new varietals , and tasting the harvest . Our menu is small but ever changing .”
Environmentally conscious diners will appreciate that the restaurant takes waste seriously . All leftover food gets composted , all to-go items are compostable , and they keep a minimalist kitchen , keeping on hand only what they can use and need .
Pike & Pint , 110 30th Ave . W , offers an inviting outdoor patio . “ Pike & Pint Grill was founded in 2015 by restaurant professional Kent Kopp , and his wife Rita ,” the website says . “ Kent started his career at his family ’ s restaurant at the age of 12 , working for 35 years in the industry prior to starting Pike & Pint .
“ His extensive experience in the kitchen helped to craft the Pike & Pint ’ s cutting edge scratch menu and his experience and vision helped shape the dynamic craft beer program and service standards .”
The 22 Northmen Brewing , part of Carlos Creek Winery , 6693 County Road 34 NW , has spacious grounds that invite guests to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine or a beer . An indoor lodge and a pizza restaurant called Stoke also are available .
PEQUOT LAKES Norway Ridge , a supper Club at 34757 County Road 39 , “ was opened for business in May 1948 by Sam and Evelyn Thompson , and Bob and Bes Neuman ,” the website says . “ Many of their original recipes are still used today ; having been passed down from owner to owner .”
Pequot Lakes also is the home of SKOL Food , a food truck owned by husband-and-wife team Amed and Colleen Kanan .
“ SKOL Food was born of a desire to run our own small business , a love of good food , and