Hello and welcome back to The Fabulous Campbells blog! We are continuing our adventure through the northwest metro’s “Fringe Restaurants.”
After kicking off our Saturday with the classic up north charm of Rockwoods, we took the short drive across the street for lunch. Where to? The legendary destination that literally embraced being in “the middle of nowhere”: Boondox Bar & Grille.
Here’s our breakdown of this fabulous entertainment hub.
Finding Fun in the Otsego “Boondocks”
Boondox Bar + Grille started back in 2011 as a simple bar. Over the years, it has evolved into a massive, multi-faceted destination, famous for having some of the absolute best outdoor sand volleyball courts in the area.
You have to love a name that embraces its location. Back when Boondox first opened its doors, this stretch of Otsego was very much considered “in the boondocks.”
Today, as you walk through the space, you can tell the restaurant has been added on to over the years, as there are some very different vibes. You have a traditional bar and restaurant dining area, complete with all the Minnesota staples: pull tabs, etabs, and a Touch Tunes jukebox.
The Great Outdoors (and Indoors!)
As you move outside, they have a massive patio area to enjoy the warmer months, flanked by those famous sand volleyball courts. They have different leagues running throughout the summer, so if volleyball is your thing, definitely look into joining a league. They also have a separate patio bar—its own little building with some chairs for those who want to avoid the sun but still enjoy the warmer temperatures.
Being a larger place, there is plenty of room for DINKS (Double Income No Kids) and families to get along! There are plenty of games available for the young or young at heart. You can sit back and throw some bags (cornhole) out on the patio; they have bags leagues throughout the year.
If you are visiting in the winter, they feature outdoor curling for some true Minnesota entertainment. And don’t forget your clubs, because they also have a golf simulator you can rent. You can also find several dart boards. We told you this is a large location!
For those of you that have a lot of friends or just like having some elbow room, they have a couple fantastic spaces you can rent for your private events.
The Fabulous Food
We have been to Boondox many times over the years and have never been disappointed by the food. They have a little something for everyone, from great burgers to ciabatta melts.
On this trip, we decided to kick things off with their excellent Texas Rolls appetizer. These are crispy wonton wraps filled with spicy chicken, colby-jack and mozzarella cheeses, corn salsa, and black beans. They serve them on a bed of tortilla strips with both ranchero and spicy avocado dip on the side.
The Brews & The Bumps
As former brewery owners, we have a deep, professional appreciation for their early and continued dedication to craft beer. They have been big supporters of the local scene since before craft beer was “cool,” and their tap lineup always has something interesting from local heavy hitters (like Indeed or Surly, which we often see here).
On this trip, Mike enjoyed a crisp Indeed Pistachio Cream Ale, while Jennifer stuck with her usual order: vodka soda with a lime.
If you are more of a “beer and a bump” kind of person, no fear. As their massive cooler setup shows, they have plenty of American Lagers available and a wide selection of liquors to make your favorite shots.
The Fabulous Verdict
What we truly like about Boondox is that everyone is friendly, and it is a pure “come as you are” kind of place. It is laid-back, fun, and a great spot for eating and drinking.
If you are in the area—whether you are looking for a competitive volleyball match or just a great spot for a Saturday lunch—it is definitely worth checking out.
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