Just off Interstate 35 in Duluth’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, Duluth Grill has transformed from a standard highway diner into a must-visit breakfast destination featured on national television.
Owners Tom and Jaima Hanson have built something extraordinary since purchasing the restaurant in 2001: a farm-to-table breakfast institution serving made-from-scratch dishes with ingredients grown in their own garden out back.
From legendary banana cream pie to innovative breakfast creations featuring house-made maple bacon jam, every plate reflects their commitment to fresh, local, and organic ingredients.
How Duluth Grill won Duluth’s hearts
When Tom and Jaima Hanson took over in 2001, they reimagined what a family diner could be—sourcing from local farms, growing their own produce, even smoking their own salmon right on site.
The breakthrough came in 2010 when “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” featured the restaurant, catapulting it to destination status. 📺
The massive menu offers something for everyone—twelve different omelets, huge breakfast skillets, gluten-free options, vegetarian and vegan dishes alongside traditional truck stop favorites.
The deceiving exterior—looking like a standard family diner—gives way to an interior buzzing with energy, smiling servers delivering amazing-looking plates, and the aroma of fresh-cooked breakfast filling the air.
The Hansons’ success allowed them to revitalize the Lincoln Park neighborhood, adding OMC Smokehouse, Corktown Deli & Brews, and employing around 250 people with living wages and benefits.
When a restaurant is “absolutely worth the stop and wait times” and people willingly wait 50 minutes for a table on Saturday mornings, you’ve won more than hearts—you’ve created an institution. ❤️
Food Highlights
- Huevos Rancheros Skillet: A customer favorite and must-have featuring hashbrowns, fried tortilla, fresh pico de gallo, grilled corn, black beans, shredded cheese, two organic eggs, sour cream, guacamole, and guajillo pepper sauce.
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Wake’n Bacon Burger: An absolute powerhouse featuring double-stacked smashed beef patties, American cheese, fried egg, house-made maple bacon jam, brined onions, and Jones Farm bacon on a grilled house-made biscuit.
- Bananas Foster French Toast: Decadent and indulgent, this breakfast stunner features brioche bread battered and grilled, topped with caramelized bananas, bourbon maple walnut syrup, whipped mascarpone, and powdered sugar.
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Buttermilk Fried Chicken and Waffles: A Southern-inspired masterpiece with buttermilk fried chicken atop house-made pancakes laced with bacon and corn, all topped with spicy maple bacon coffee syrup, goat cheese, and scallions.
- Breakfast Melt: Generous and filling, this sandwich stacks organic scrambled eggs, pepper jack cheese, Jones Farm sausage patties, and house-made maple bacon jam on thick, well-buttered grilled sourdough bread from Sunrise Bakery in Hibbing.
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The Big Biscuit: An over-the-top creation stacking house-made biscuit with Jones Farm sausage patty, buttermilk fried chicken breast, melted cheddar cheese, all smothered in country sausage gravy. 🥖
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Eggs Benedict: Classic brunch done right with grilled English muffin, two organic eggs, Jones Farm ham, and hollandaise sauce served with a breakfast side.
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Bibimbap: This Korean-inspired dish features pork and beef seasoned with garlic, ginger, and sesame, coconut lime rice, Korean BBQ, marinated kale, pickled chilies, pickled onions, house-made kimchi, wild mushrooms, fresh avocado, organic sunny side up egg, scallions, and soyoli.
Atmosphere
Duluth Grill’s welcoming vibe captures the essence of a cozy neighborhood diner with pretty teal walls, pops of red and orange in the flooring, comfy booths, and a full bar.
The place is absolutely hopping with busy, smiling servers delivering coffee and amazing-looking dishes, while the outdoor area features fire pits and comfortable seating for those on the waitlist.
The garden out back, where they grow their own produce, adds authenticity to the farm-to-table experience.
It’s casual, friendly, and genuinely upbeat—the kind of place where you feel the positive energy from staff and patrons alike. 🔥
Bottom Line
Visit Duluth Grill for made-from-scratch breakfast served all day, featuring ingredients from their own garden, house-made maple bacon jam that elevates every dish it touches, a massive menu with options for every dietary preference, including extensive gluten-free and vegan selections, and a family-owned commitment to fresh, local, organic ingredients.
Featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” for good reason. ⭐
Address:
118 S 27th Ave W, Duluth, MN 55806
📞 (218) 726-1150
🕔 Daily: 8 AM–3 PM (Breakfast served all day)