Some restaurants are good. Some restaurants are great. And then there’s Lions Tap Family Restaurant in Eden Prairie, Minnesota — the kind of place that has been quietly turning first-timers into lifelong regulars for over six decades.
Simple menu. Fresh beef. Secret seasoning. That’s the whole formula — and somehow, it works like magic every single time. 🍔🔥
How Lions Tap Family Restaurant Won Eden Prairie’s Hearts
The story of Lions Tap doesn’t begin in a gleaming commercial kitchen or with a celebrity chef — it begins with a humble roadside stand, a friendly neighborhood bar, and a woman named Irene Lyons with an electric frying pan. 🍳
It was 1958 when Irene, along with her husband Sears, took over a beloved little local watering hole along the Minnesota River bluffs and introduced a hamburger that would eventually change everything.
By 1977, Bert and Bonnie Notermann took the reins and did something that would cement the restaurant’s legendary status: they brought in their own fresh-ground beef, hand-patted daily, and introduced a closely guarded secret seasoning that has never been replicated since.
The Notermanns renamed the spot Lions Tap, built it around an existing lion logo, and committed fully to quality, speed, and community. 🦁
Over the years, Lions Tap has won virtually every “Best Hamburger in the Twin Cities” award available and was even named one of the top 500 restaurants in the country — remarkable for a spot with a menu that fits on a single page.
The Notermann family has always believed in giving back, too — sponsoring youth athletic teams, adult leagues, and community organizations across the state.
That deep-rooted connection to the community is arguably what separates Lions Tap from every trend-chasing competitor — the locals don’t just love the food, they feel ownership over the place. ❤️
The best burgers in Eden Prairie aren’t hiding — they’re right there off Flying Cloud Drive, where they’ve been for generations, and where they show absolutely no signs of slowing down.
Food Highlights
- California Cheese: Lettuce, tomato, and melted American cheese — the menu’s own cheeky description says “you have the whole food pyramid here, way to go!” 😄
- The California Burger: Fresh lettuce and tomato join the hand-pattied beef on a toasted bun — a simple nod to freshness. 🥬🍅
-
The Hamburger: A plain, hand-pattied quarter-pound beef patty on a toasted bun seasoned with the house secret blend. 🍔
-
The Cheeseburger: Lions Tap’s own #1 best seller — the classic patty topped with quality American cheese, best experienced with a pile of their famous fried onions loaded on top. 🧀
-
Bacon Cheese: Crispy bacon layered over a perfectly seasoned patty with melted cheese — this one is the double-pattied favorite among diners. 🥓🔥
-
Mushroom Swiss: Fresh sautéed mushrooms and real Swiss cheese melt over the house-seasoned patty. 🍄🧀
Atmosphere
Walking into Lions Tap is like walking into a living piece of Minnesota history — a roadside landmark that somehow feels both timeless and completely alive. 🦁
The space is compact and fills up fast, especially around the lunch rush, with a warm, wood-toned interior that splits between the original side with a river view and a larger newer addition that can accommodate bigger crowds — both sides carrying the same relaxed, unpretentious neighborhood energy.
There are no tablecloths, no mood lighting, no background music trying to set a vibe — just the sound of a busy, happy dining room, fast-moving servers, and the sizzle of fresh patties hitting a hot grill.
From suits to overalls, as the Notermanns themselves have always said, every type of person finds a seat here — and that’s exactly what makes Lions Tap not just a restaurant, but a genuine community gathering place. ❤️🍺
Bottom Line
Lions Tap is a true Minnesota institution. With over 60 years of hand-pattied burgers, a fiercely loyal local following, fresh ingredients, a secret seasoning no one has cracked, and a no-fuss family atmosphere — this one is worth the drive from anywhere in the Twin Cities. 🏆🍔
Address:
16180 Flying Cloud Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55347
📞 (952) 934-5299
🕔 Open Mon–Sun: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM