Gordy’s Hi-Hat & The Warming House (Cloquet, MN)

Earlier this summer a friend and I took a weekend trip Up-Nort’ to Duluth, MN. On the way we stopped for lunch at Gordy’s Hi-Hat in Cloquet, MN. Oh, my goodness, friends…this place was the coolest!

Gordy’s Hi-Hat was opened in 1960 by Gordy and Marilyn Lundquist and is still independently owned and operated by the Lundquist family today. They’ve been doing things the “old-fashioned” way for 61 years – hand pattied hamburgers, hand-battered Alaskan fish, homemade onion rings, and fresh blended malts.

Not only does Gordy’s Hi-Hat serve delicious diner food, but it definitely has that 1960’s diner feel with the black and white checkered floors, metal diner stools, and red and yellow umbrellas. Gordy’s Hi-Hat was even on the Food Network show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives!

Before I share how amazing the food was at Gordy’s Hi-Hat I first want to give a helpful hint for when you first arrive. We were a bit confused when we got there about what to do first – do we order our food somewhere, or do we find a seat, and someone takes our order? Well, if you park in the back parking lot, walk through the restaurant to the front counter. There you will find the menu behind the counter (there are also paper menus to look over before ordering if you choose) with a friendly staff person waiting to take your order (to the right of the counter). Once you place your order you will move to the side until your number is called, which is given to you when you order. When your number is called you will pick up your food at the counter to the left, and then find seating (or if you have a larger group, feel free to find seating first and then go up to order – this is where the paper menus come in handy). This is just something I wanted to share, and hopefully you will find helpful.

Now onto the best part – the delicious food! For lunch I ordered a bacon deluxe burger with all the fixings (cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, ketchup, and mayo). It was an amazing burger (although a bit messy – haha), and huge – it definitely filled me up! My friend ordered a taco salad served in their homemade tortilla shell bowl, and she said it was incredible. We chose a seat outside under one of the bright red and yellow umbrellas and enjoyed our food while soaking up the sun and having good conversation. Both of us also ordered one of Gordy’s Hi-Hat’s famous hand-crafted shakes! I was super excited to try one of their shakes, because I had heard so much about them. So, I tried a butterscotch shake (how amazing does that sound?!) and my friend tried a banana shake. Oh…my…goodness…sooooo good! It was cool and refreshing on a warm day and tasted just like butterscotch candy! My friend said the banana shake was super yummy too! I encourage you to treat yourself to a shake, and rumor has it that Guy Fieri’s favorite is the blackberry shake!

While enjoying lunch outside, we noticed the line to order grew longer and longer, and soon it was out the door! We had stopped for an early lunch that day, and thankful we did. However, this just proves that people know a good thing when they see it and will happily wait in line for it. It’s that amazing!

Getting ready to go back on the road, but need a little pick-me-up for the rest of your road trip, or do you need some sandwiches or baked goods for the road? May I suggest walking a few steps over to The Warming House. It has a great atmosphere and wonderful beverages and snacks, including coffee, sandwiches, bakery items, and their delicious ice cream. How about the kids, do they need to run off some energy from sitting in the vehicle? Check out the fun playground right out back!

Gordy’s Hi-Hat is a perfect stop on your road trip! And may even take you back in time! Enjoy!