Charlie’s Cafe - Freeport, MN

Forget the Caramel Rolls; get the fantastic Coleslaw . . . 

My first introduction to Cafe Charlie's Charlie's above was on a road trip out to visit the Lady's dad.  She mentioned they sell Caramel rolls that he loved, so we swung in to pick up a little care package.  He was of course eyes-wide pleased.  Turns out Charlie's seems quite famous for them, and fairly ridiculously they actually price them differently up to a dozen.  As if the 14¢ you'd save buying eight at $2.28 each vs seven at $2.42 a roll would make a difference between you buying eight vs seven . . . 

Silliness aside, they've been doing bang up business at lunch each time we've stopped.  At 90 miles from the TC’s, Charlie’s Cafe in Freeport is a convenient stop halfway between family near the Minnesota/Dakotas border

Psst, a heads up for travelers . . . there're more bathrooms downstairs ;) 

Charlies menu hits about all the typical diner buttons, and ups the ante with dishes like Hot Beef Commercial, Roast Beef Plate, Smoked Pork Chops, Country Fried Steak.  On top of that, they have a Saturday German Night that we may just have to find a way to hit it . . . order one of EVERYTHING to share . . . 

So how's their food?  Very solidly recommended

Over the past couple years, since we'd be stopping anyways, we've picked up lunch for the road twice.  The previous lunch is fuzzy, but our late December stop below was a winner all around . . . 

The soup of the day was German.  Yeah, just German said the lady on the phone.  Turned out to be a rich salty broth jam packt with sausage, chicken, sauerkraut, potatoes, celery, and carrots.  It was damn good, but a cup was pushing the limits with the salt and fat.  A bowl would be too much

See the pictures of the burgers?  That's as close as I got to a taste too.  The Lady and the kiddo both inhaled theirs.  INHALED. I didn't so much as a get a single bite of either.  I was driving, and before I could even ask they were gone.  Even the kid who we ordered an adult burger.  Filty animals . . . 

There was also a Creamy Chicken Wild Rice Soup that the Lady raved about, but I never got around to trying it.  My loss apparently  

The Rueben I had was special.  I gotta say.  Nice tender thick cut of corned beef slightly chopped that I have to believe was made in house.  A big upgrade from sliced deli meat.  A heavier hand could have been used on the kraut and dressing, and the bread wasn’t anything special, thin sandwich rye, but had a perfect buttery crisp 

Truly exceptional was their Coleslaw.  Get their coleslaw  

I love a great coleslaw, but sadly, most are meh to bleh.  Usually excessively sweet and gloopy, or too watery, or sad old dead veg.  An afterthought if even a thought at all, scooped out of a Sysco tub.  Some joints put a minimum amount of effort and toss pre-cut Sysco bag veg coleslaw mix with tub coleslaw sauce.  Charlie's coleslaw I’m going to highlight as special.  Fresh chopped veg with a light bright dressing that wasn’t gloopy or overly sweet.  Perfection, really.  I so hope I'm not disappointed the next time we stop in

And there will be a next time.  We've added Charlie's Cafe to the Hit List of places on the Road to Alexandria.  Check'em out on your next roadtrip

Comments, Questions, Two Bit Opinions, and Whatnot are welcome:

tundrabites     @      yahoo.com

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Charlie's Cafe - 115 Main Street East, Freeport, MN 56331

320-836-2105

www.charliescafemn.com