Muddy Waters in Minneapolis really does have it all. I went there for the first time this summer to enjoy some tap beer and small plates with a friend. The white bean hummus and french fries were a perfect pair for my Surly Furious on that summery evening. This week when I was researching possible brunch options for a date with two of my law school friends, I came back across the Muddy Waters brunch menu. They offer a handful of breakfast offerings -- from classics to the unexpected -- and another smaller handful of lunch dishes. I quick glance of the menu and I was sold.
Luckily I arrived a bit early and was able to snag a table for my group of three. Muddy Waters was bustling at 11:30 on a Sunday morning, but as I watched the crowds come and go, there always seemed to be people leaving just as another group arrived. I ordered a hot cup of coffee as I waited and then noticed people around me drinking Bloody Marys and beers! Probably best I stuck with my cup of strong coffee, but I appreciate knowing that a boozy brunch is an option for my next visit.
That's when I noticed what I was sitting RIGHT next to -- a case filled with sinful-looking bakery items. I was seriously an arm's length away from these tempting treats. I stared....and stared....and sipped my coffee....and stared....
.....and by the time my friends arrived, I had decided on a brunch appetizer...the cinnamon cardamom donut. This was not your average donut hole. First of all, it was only slightly smaller than the size of my fist. I actually ate it with a knife and fork! But second, the donut itself was light and airy and the sugary coating was made up of larger, crunchy sugar crystals and a dash of cardamom spice. I cleaned my plate of all the sugar that had fallen off the donut...that's how good the combination was (or how decidedly unclassy I can be at restaurants)!
I was tempted by three options on the brunch menu: the malted waffle, the Cuban breakfast, and the biscuits and gravy. It is so rare to see biscuits and gravy on a menu that I can actually eat and it was such a favorite of mine in college. Luckily, Muddy Waters offers sausage gravy OR mushroom gravy on top of the biscuits for any vegetarians. Paired up with eggs over-medium and some crunchy, well-seasoned roasted potatoes and I had a breakfast that was beyond comforting. Plus the mushroom gravy was an absolute delight -- creamy, earthy, and everything you'd expect from a traditional gravy. I only wish I had a teensy bit more on my plate. I so rarely get to enjoy gravy!
Beyond just the food, the atmosphere of Muddy Waters was enjoyable. The service was friendly and personable. The tunes kept me on my toes -- I heard everything from The Beatles to the Batman theme song. And the guests ranged from people perched on window-side seats with their laptops open, to groups of people enjoying Bloody Mary brunches, to a seeming regular customer with a newspaper and giant cream-filled coffee. (What can I say...I'm observant.) Overall, it was a great setting for my brunch with friends. And I was able to try a bite of the nutella & banana waffle -- oh holy wonderful. That's all I'll say.
Restaurant Details
2933 Lyndale Avenue S.
Minneapolis, MN 55405
(612) 872-2232
Regular Hours
Monday-Friday: 7am - 2am
Saturday-Sunday: 8am - 2am; Brunch: 10am - 3pm
Lunch: 11am - 3pm
Happy Hour: 3pm - 5pm
Dinner: 5pm - 11pm
