Based on MSPD’s suggestion and review over at chow.com, I knew I had to get over to the House of Coates for some burgers. Knowing that both Kim and Josh are burger fans, I asked if they were up for it and after some answers in the affirmative, we were off. We took CR-46 all the way over to US-52, crossed the highway while watching the rain fall to the north.
We pulled into the nearly full lot and walked into the restaurant. It was quite a bit nicer than I could have envisioned by the outside and my generalizations of any of the businesses in the immediate area. It looked like any bar in Western WI or Northern MN. Definitely, as MSPD said, the quintessential snowmobiler bar.
We sat down at a table in the bar side and were quickly served by a friendly waitress who wasn’t as concerned that the ‘U’ in the “House of Coates” sign on the front of the restaurant was turned backwards as Josh seemed to be. Based on MSPD’s suggestion, Kim ordered their beer battered onion rings and we ordered two Big Canada Jacks and Swanee Burger. The Big Canada Jack sandwich comes with Canadian bacon and pepper jack cheese. The Swanee Burger included bacon, American cheese and the option of bleu cheese dressing but Kim decided against that tonight. Remembering that the waitresses might not give a flying rat’s ass how you want your burger cooked, I asked if they would cook it to order and the waitress said they would. I asked for it medium-rare and just got a quick head nod. Nice.
The burgers are touted as 1/2 pound hand pressed monsters. As we were waiting for our meals to arrive I watched as numerous tables (the restaurant was almost entirely full tonight) received what appeared to be large piles of cooked beef with buns. Right up our alley!
It took a bit for our burgers but the order of onion rings arrived first. Kim is a big rings fan but couldn’t find anything special about these. They were big, obviously homemade and not frozen, and full of grease. While I thought they were fine, Kim remained unimpressed. They had quite a list of appetizers and I was interested in their hot wings but didn’t end up ordering them.
After waiting quite a bit of time our burgers arrived simply enough. They come with nothing except a pickle slice but are absolutely fucking huge. I honestly can’t remember ever having a burger this fucking big. I added some ketchup to mine (they come with no toppings other than what is listed on the menu) but Josh nabbed some mayo on the side. I took some photos and we dug in.
My burger was almost rare. These people know what medium-rare really means. I was really impressed and that’s tough to do when it comes to proper cooking in Minnesota! The burger itself was pretty fucking good but I couldn’t taste the Canadian bacon or the cheese at all. While the meat was fantastic, I just wasn’t impressed with the toppings. Next time I would just order it plain. Kim’s burger was pretty fucking good too. The bacon was big and plentiful and had some great flavor but I couldn’t taste the cheese on that one either. I finished the entire burger (Kim did too but Josh only ate half) but I could have seriously used something else with the burger tonight. Kim suggested that they at least include chips with the burger to give it a bit more. While I am not sure what it needed (lettuce, tomato and onion) I definitely agree with Kim’s assessment.
When it was all said and done, including the two tiny ass tap beers I ordered, our bill came to $30.29 before tip. Not bad for the size of the burgers. I will definitely return some day to try out another burger and possibly the wings. There are plenty of other burger places that I want to try including another Dakota County restaurant (King’s Place in Miesville).
While both MSPD and I have eaten there, I would like to know what anyone else thinks of this place. Comment on!
Address:
House of Coates
16300 Clayton Ave E
Rosemount, MN 55068
Phone:
651-437-2232
Check out all the pictures on Flickr here.
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August 16th, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Isn’t the House of Coates technically in Coates Township? I went there on a whim a couple St Patty’s day ago and was thoroughly impressed.
August 17th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Mapping sites plot it as a Rosemount address. It probably is in Coates though.
August 17th, 2008 at 9:44 am
My husband and I go here on a regular basis. The french fries are really good as well. They come in a huge basket & taste great with the burger. My husband loves their chicken & gets it often. But for me, it is just a great burger place!!
August 18th, 2008 at 11:42 am
I haven’t been to the House of Coates in many years, but I’ve been meaning to get back ever since MN Monthly rated them in the to 18 burgers in MN.
I love King’s in Miesville, some pretty unique burgers on their menu.
August 18th, 2008 at 11:45 am
When I first saw the name and location (Coates) I automatically thought of a certain place on the opposite (west) side of 52 formerly known as Jake’s. DId you happen to see what’s there nowadays or if it’s even still standing?
August 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
sornie, this might answer your questions.
August 18th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
my husband raves about King’s, he works in Hastings and they head there for lunch frequently.
August 18th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Dave, I grabbed that MN Monthly edition excitedly. Then I saw the Jucy Lucy at Matt’s got #1. They lost all respect and credibility with that one.
August 18th, 2008 at 4:30 pm
MSPD, I completely agree. I’ve eaten at Matt’s, they have a good burger, but certainly not #1 in all of MN.
August 18th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
Speaking of the very same MM issue, do head out east on 50 from Farmington and keep going ’til you reach the home of the Mudhens. I’ve eaten at both HoC and KP (“37 varieties of burgers”) in the past week and both were fine, nothing transcendental. Also agree re: Matt’s. Personal preference from that list (of the ones I’ve had of course): Lion’s Tap & Bar Lurcat.
P.S. Saw a sign in the window of the shuttered Pannekoeken Huis (Savage)that indicated a new Mexican restaurant is on its way. Don’t know if you’ve seen this or not.
Cheers-
August 18th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Lion’s Tap does absolutely nothing for me. In fact, I would put them in line with McDonalds. Any burger that is not cooked to order is just boring fast food. Unfortunately, nothing about Lion’s Tap is fast.
Steve, thanks for the heads up on the Mexican place going in where Panakoken Huis was. If you happen to notice when it opens (or even the name of it beforehand) please let us know so I can start a post on it.
August 18th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Re: Lions Tap … have to respectfully disagree. Different strokes for different folks I guess although from what I’ve observed it does seem to inspire polarized opinions. Most times that I can recall I do get asked how I want the burger cooked or rather if the default (medium?, medium rare?) is OK. I will have to say that I usually time my visits during periods of the day that I know will be slower so that I get my grub in a few minutes or less.
Hopefully the cuisine at the place in Savage will tend towards Taqueria La Hacienda and not the majority of the other joints south of the river. Not hopeful. I’ll try to keep an eye out.
Cheers-
August 18th, 2008 at 7:43 pm
That looks like a heart attack on a plate.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Just to add my two cents, re: the magazine article. I have to say that Convention Grille is the best burger in the state. I have not tried Kings, although I plan to get over there, but I have had a pretty decent cross section of the other places on the list.
I like Matts, although I dont love it, and dont go there often. I can say the same for Lions Tap and Snuffy’s.
August 19th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
As long as we’re on such a great tangent…the Nookie Supreme at the Nook (and Shamrocks) has long held the title of my favorite burger in Minnesota. Frankly, along with the Corner Bistro in the West Village (NYC), it’s my favorite burger anywhere.
The burgers (and fries) at Good Day Cafe in Golden Valley are the best kept secret in MSP. Worth a drive clear across the city with no hesitation at all.
August 20th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I wonder what style of Mexican restaurant will be going into the former Pannekoeken Huis. I may have to scope it out while shopping at Aldi.
August 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Wow those look wonderful, would be my diet cheat this weekend if it wasn’t for the State Fair.
August 26th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
[...] those of us south of the river. We’ve already been to Bucky’s, Junior’s, and the House of Coates. I have plans to get to some others but for tonight’s adventure I did a quick search and [...]
August 30th, 2008 at 7:27 am
I Love King’s in Miesville and stop any time I head to Welch, especially on those skiing winter weekends. They have so many burger options there it is very hard to figure out what to get. I can’t wait to read your opinion of the food there and see if you agree.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
I have made the drive to Miesville the last two weekends for burgers. I cant get enough of the King Burger. Yummy stuff.
August 30th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I’m planning on going there tomorrow after checking on one of my geocaches in Dakota County’s Miesville Ravine Park that was devastated after a tornado ripped through it. While the location of my cache is probably completely safe, I haven’t been out there since I hid it with Aaron years ago. It’s a gorgeous area and well worth checking out — especially if you’re a geocacher, hiker, or fisherman.
November 17th, 2009 at 8:41 am
We ate at House of Coates for the first time last week. We have driven by it millions of times, and finally made it a point to go there. There were 4 of us – we all had the 1/3 pound chesseburger (no toppings with this one), rather than add the fries for each of us we shared a basket which was plenty. The burgers were cooked medium in my book – pretty pink and cool on the inside, but the rest was so good I got past that. I will make a note to ask them to cook it a little longer next time. The fries were good – seemed to be fresh cut. We also started with the Chicken Drummies – these were fantastic, very juicy and fresh. I can’t wait to go back and try one of the specials – the chicken and ribs both looked and smelled great!
September 6th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
I ate at House of Coates a week ago, and had the broasted chicken and it was really tasty. HOT! and fresh out of the fryer, it was a good deal, salad, side, and 1/4 white or dark chicken for about $8. I’ve had the burgers several times too and have not been disappointed.
WHile I enjoy Matt’s, I have never had a religious experience there, and have a bit of an issue calling them the best burger in Mn. Last few times I was at Lions Tap the burger was EXTREMELY salty, but fairly tasty. I feel Lions Tap is way too expensive for what you get.
I have yet to hit Kings, that is next on the list!