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8 Most Recommended Restaurants in Walsh County

Whether you are taking out your sweetheart or treating the whole family to dinner, Walsh County has a restaurant that's sure to make the evening special. Walsh County is home to friendly little diners, old-fashioned drive-ins, and fun Tex-Mex cantinas. Check out these eight Walsh county favorites for your next meal.

Beaver's Cafe

Image via Flickr by love.jsc via CC BY 2.0

Beaver's Cafe is a friendly little diner known for its tasty home cooking and incredible service. Breakfast is served every day until 11 a.m. and includes fluffy pancakes, French toast, egg platters, and omelets. Lunch and dinner options include salads, grilled sandwiches, and juicy burgers. The most popular burger at Beaver's Cafe is the Mustang burger, made with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and the house special sauce. Other burgers include Beaver's signature patty melt and the half-pound Working Man's Burger.

Dinner platters are available with shrimp, fried chicken, and chopped beef steak. Every meal includes the salad bar, loaded with fresh meats, veggies, fruits, and desserts. Beaver's lunch and dinner buffets are loaded with comforting homestyle favorites such as gravy, stuffing, chicken, roast turkey, green bean casserole, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes. A kid's menu is available for the little ones. Beaver's Cafe also offers fried chicken meals and buckets, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd. Dessert options include ice cream, cereal treat bars, cookies, and muffins.

You can visit Beaver's Cafe on Harvey Avenue in Minto, North Dakota. Beaver's Cafe is open Monday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beaver's Cafe is also open on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 9:15 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Westside Drive-In

The Westside Drive-In is an iconic restaurant loved by locals and travelers alike. Recently renovated, this old-fashioned drive-in features carhops serving all-American fast food. Westside Drive-In is known for its signature burgers, including the Wagon Master (made from a quarter- or half-pound of beef) and the Spoiler (topped with cheese, onion rings, and barbecue sauce). Other sandwiches include sloppy Joes, foot-long hotdogs, and grilled chicken. Locals also love Westside's fried chicken buckets. The menu includes home-style sides such as macaroni salad, coleslaw, French fries, and breaded cheese curds.

The Westside Drive-In also has a large menu of frozen treats. The hand-made shakes, floats, sundaes, and slushes are the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day.

Visit the Westside Drive-In on West 12th Street in Grafton. The Drive-In is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

The Upper Deck

The Upper Deck is a restaurant tucked in the Alexander House Motel. This friendly bar and grill is the perfect place to meet up with friends or enjoy dinner with the family. The Upper Deck's menu includes burgers, chicken strips, fresh walleye, and patty melts. A fresh salad bar is also available. Dinner options include whiskey-marinated steaks, fresh seafood, chicken, and pork chops. A kids' menu is available for families with little ones. The Upper Deck is on Park Street in Park River. The restaurant is open every day at 5 p.m.

Tom's Lounge

Tom's Lounge is a small-town bar and grill known for its delicious food and winter activities. Tom's menu includes mouth-watering burgers, sandwiches, pizzas, and homemade soups. Visit Tom's Lounge on Friday nights to enjoy their prime rib, steak, and fresh seafood.

Prepare to be impressed with the fast, friendly service and impressive beer selection at Tom's Lounge. Curling enthusiasts can also enjoy one of the many curling competitions held outside of Tom's during the winter months.

Tom's Lounge is on Front Street in Forest River. Tom's is open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. Menu items are available for dine-in and takeout.

Granny's Family Restaurant

Granny's Family Restaurant is a family-style restaurant that serves breakfast all day. Breakfast options include egg platters, omelets, country-fried steak, Belgian waffles, and French toast. Lunch and dinner options include burgers, sandwiches, steaks, seafood, and pasta. 

Locals love Granny's fried chicken. Available in family-size buckets, it is served with house-made sides such as coleslaw and freshly-baked rolls. Granny's also has an impressive menu of pizza options, with everything from breakfast pizzas to the house special that's made with pepperoni, mushroom, green pepper, and onion.

Visit Granny's Family Restaurant on West 12th Street in Grafton. Granny's is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Gramma Jo's Kitchen

Visiting Gramma Jo's Kitchen is like sitting down at the family table. Customers rave about Gramma Jo's comforting, home-style food and friendly service. This small diner is known for its tasty burgers and fries. Other menu items include salads, hot beef sandwiches, patty melts, and Philly steak sandwiches. Got a sweet tooth? Check out Gramma Jo's wide variety of pies, muffins, brownies, cookies, and caramel rolls.

Visit Gramma Jo's Kitchen on Park Street in Park River. The Kitchen is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday. Sunday hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Takeout, dine-in, and delivery are available.

La Cantina

Pork Tacos with peppers, lettuce, cilantro and sauce
Image via Flickr by jeffreyw via CC BY 2.0.

La Cantina is the place to go for authentic Tex-Mex dishes. La Cantina's menu includes overstuffed burritos, enchiladas, tacos, and fajitas. Every meal includes homemade Mexican rice, refried beans, chips, and salsa. In addition to Tex-Mex, La Cantina also serves Angus steaks, sandwiches, soups, wings, salads, and chili. La Cantina is also known for having some of the best burgers in Grafton. If you visit La Cantina, check out the lineup of special margaritas in several flavors and made with or without alcohol.

La Cantina is on West Fifth Street in Grafton. Visit La Cantina Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Azteca Mexican Grill

Azteca Mexican Grill is a small, friendly restaurant known for its delicious Mexican food. Menu items include burritos, tacos, nachos, tostadas, and carne asada. Love tacos? Visit Azteca Mexican Grill from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and enjoy $2 tacos during Taco Happy Hour.

Azteca Mexican Grill is on West 8th Street in Grafton. Operating hours are from Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Takeout, dine-in, and delivery are available.

There you have Rydell Auto Group's eight most recommended restaurants in Walsh County. If you have a favorite Walsh County restaurant that we missed, let us know. We will add it to our list!

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ArtWise Holiday Showcase Support local artists in the Grand Forks community by attending the art-wise holiday showcase and seeing their fantastic works of art. The showcase, which runs from November 4th through December 31st at the Columbia Mall, features a variety of pieces from local artists for display and purchasing. You can take in the beautiful art and help support local artists by purchasing your favorite piece. Brantley Gilbert at the Alerus Center Don't let the name fool you, Brantley Gilbert's "The Worst Country Tour of All Time" is coming to Grand Forks, and it promises to be a fantastic time. Gilbert always provides an excellent show for those in attendance. With featuring performances by Hardy and country legends Toby Keith, it's a night that promises to leave any country fan satisfied. The Holiday Show Starring Misti Koop Get into the holiday spirit with the holiday show starring misty cute, running at the Empire Arts Center from November 26th through December 5th. Misti is a veteran of the stage, and she takes guests through her experience performing a holiday show aboard a cruise liner. In addition, she shares her experience of being far from home for the holidays with stories and performances of holiday traditions, along with help from the North Dakota Ballet Company, the University of North Dakota's Low Brass Ensemble, and more. Magical Medora Christmas Don't miss the one-night opportunity to take in the Magical Medora Christmas on December 9th from 7 to 9 pm. The show features five veterans of the Medora's Burning Hill Amphitheatre performing Christmas music that is sure to delight. It's a fun experience for the whole family, with entertainment for all ages. It's no wonder this is one of the most popular touring attractions in North Dakota every year. The Nutcracker Extravaganza There are few holiday shows more universally revered than "The Nutcracker." 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Your child can even use the opportunity to deliver their letter directly to Santa's hand and make sure he gets it and keep that extra special this year! Thompson Square at The Prohibition Room The Prohibition Room is ready to rock with the announcement of a performance by two-time grammy-nominated artist Thompson Square. The duo, who won the Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association's duo artist of the year, is coming to Grand Forks and providing an acoustic show for their fans. The show runs from 7 pm to 10:30 pm on December 2nd, and fans will want to be there for this unique opportunity for an intimate performance by the band. Ugly Christmas Sweater Pub Crawl If you have a favorite ugly Christmas sweater, we have great news for you. But, if you don't, you better get shopping. The ugly Christmas sweater pub crawl allows you and your friends to tour the excellent bars in grand forks while celebrating the fun of wearing gaudy Christmas shirts. 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fresh fish in a basket

Washing the fish smell from your car

There are times when a day or weekend spent fishing is just what you need to unwind from a long work week. After you've gained a bountiful catch from your favorite fishing hole and carried it home, you might find that a strong smell clings to your vehicle. Here are some of the simple ways you can eliminate the overpowering fish smell from your car, truck, or SUV. more Preemptive Measures Planning ahead can make the difference between cleaning up a minor stink and having to go over every inch of your cabin and storage area to eliminate the awful fish stench. Make sure you bring a tackle box and cooler that are securely closable. It may be nice in a sentimental way to hang on to old boxes and coolers, but one sharp jolt can tilt them open and cover your cabin or storage area with fish, strong-smelling liquids, and sharp objects. Make sure you have enough towels, newspaper, or similar absorbent material to tackle a large spill. 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You won't always be able to do cleaning work on-site because of the weather and other variables, so go ahead and gather these important items. Include cleaning sprays and solutions appropriate to your vehicle's upholstery and dashboard materials. It may be tempting to buy all-in-one cleaning products, but these chemicals are less effective than the ones made specifically for the type of stain and/or surface you want to deal with. If you have wooden paneling or metal-look accents in your cabin, check your owner's manual for the best products to clean them with. These interior additions tend to react badly to powerful all-purpose chemicals. Include a few quarts of water, vinegar, and a liquid clothing detergent. This mix is excellent for clearing stains and smells from carpet and cloth upholstery. You can work it into the carpet by hand, but a portable carpet cleaner will do the work best. Baking soda is a great scent elimination powder. If you keep an open box or bag in your cooler and in your door cargo pocket, the smell will clear from the air. Ventilation and Proper Packing If you've got a full haul of fish on your hands and you couldn't clean them on-site, keeping your vehicle aired out will do a lot to eliminate long-lasting smells. Keep your windows rolled down and run your air conditioning to maximize airflow. Try to avoid stopping anywhere for too long. The longer your fish stay in your vehicle, the more pungent the smell will be and the harder it could be to remove. If you've got whole fish, make sure they are adequately packed into their coolers before you get rolling. Wrap them in newspaper or butcher's paper to soak up excess fluid and put that in a couple of layers of plastic bag. Lay the fish in layers in a large cooler so that they are as flat as possible and cover each layer with some ice. Avoid overfilling your fish coolers before travel. It is better to throw back a few fish than to have your coolers overflow and tilt onto your floor. Fill the Air with Better Scents There are many ways to improve the smell of your vehicle during transport, while you're cleaning, and after you are done. While a solid air freshener is a common option, vent-set timed-release air freshening units are far more effective. If you prefer a more natural scent, consider compact incense cones. These can be placed in cup holders or dashboard inserts specially made to hold them as they release their aromas. Scented sprays for cloth upholstery or new leather smell sprays for leather upholstery are also available. When you choose the detergent for the kit mentioned above, try to go with a scentless option. The scented versions can leave a powerful detergent smell in your vehicle for quite a while. If All Else Fails, Call in the Cavalry Sometimes, the fish stench won't disappear, no matter what you do. This is often the case in situations that involve large spills from your fishing cooler. When you hit that wall, it is time to head down to Rydell Cars in Grand Forks, North Dakota. There you'll find a crew of professionals ready to clean and detail your vehicle, so it looks new inside and out. They'll use equipment engineered for delicate and deep cleaning work. Contact our service department to schedule your appointment, and we'll get that harsh fish smell out in no time. If the odor is so terrible that it can't be removed, we can replace the tainted upholstery or carpeting. Contact us if you know of any other valuable tips for clearing fish smells out of vehicles. We'll add them to our list so our outdoor-loving patrons can benefit. At Rydell Auto Group, we wish you productive fishing trips, safe smell-free rides home, and many delicious dinners with loved ones and friends. Suppose you need something to drive to your fishing spot in; check out our expansive inventory. 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Fosston Community Library and Arts Center

Indoor Fun Around Thief River Falls

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Audiobooks, music CDs, and DVDs featuring movies shows, and documentaries are available. The Arts Center is home to a theater, a musical instruction center, a recording studio, an art gallery, and more. Its theater department is one of the busiest in the region, with features spread throughout the year. If you have a boy or girl in high school who loves stage acting, inquire about the program's single-act student-directed plays. Instrumental and choral recitals, musicals, and other theatrical events take place year-round, so call or check the online schedule for details. The art gallery is a multiuse space that's home to a wide range of rotating exhibits, so you never know what artistic wonders you'll see. Facility rentals are available, so make a reservation if you want to use this creatively engaging space for a special event with your loved ones and friends. Rental areas include a fully loaded kitchenette and a large indoor space ideal for writing groups, book clubs, business meetings, and other important gatherings. Marshall County Historical Society Just half an hour from Thief River Falls, in Warren, you'll find the Marshall County Historical Society (MCHS). Located at 808 E. Johnson Ave., this historical society and museum are packed with unique indoor attractions for the family to explore. Start out in historic Settler's Square, an accurate representation of life in the 1880s. One of the most fascinating exhibits in the square is a photographer's studio, where you can have your picture taken using an antique camera obscura. Get haircuts and shaves at the barbershop, have something made at the local blacksmith's shop, and learn to craft a meal at the Cook School. Other attractions include the Landreville Cabin, a period lawyer's office, a county church, a bank, and a general store. Check out the massive new visitor's center, a 10,000-square-foot building housing an astonishing array of exhibits. Exhibit pieces include an incredible range of war relics, a perfectly maintained Studebaker Wagon, various period farming equipment, and more. One of the more recent MCHS additions to this grand collection is a UFO car. Falls Cinema One of the best ways to relax and enjoy the day with family is to see a feature film or two at a grand theater-like Falls Cinema. The cinema is located at 15469 US-59 right in Thief River Falls. Tickets are very affordable: The adult rate is $9 a ticket, while the rate for kids, seniors, and matinee films is $7.50 a ticket. Falls Cinema showtimes are primarily in the afternoons and evenings, featuring the most popular releases. If you have a large group of friends or coworkers who love going to the movies, consider renting part of the theater for a private showing for $200. For the cheapest available ticket prices, visit during the ticket sale on Tuesdays, when all tickets are $5. If you bring a bucket with you on Wednesdays, you can fill it with a free order of popcorn with any drink purchase. Thursdays are ideal date nights at Falls Cinema, where you and your loved one can get a meal, popcorn, soda, and a ticket for $25 each. You can purchase tickets online at the theater website. The cinema is happy to host birthday parties for $11 a person. The party package includes a kiddie combo meal or a medium soda and an order of popcorn. Norskies Junior Hockey Club Enjoy one of the most beloved pastimes in Minnesota at the Norskies Junior Hockey Club. The Friday and Saturday games are among the most attended events in the area. Coach Elliot Bates brings innovative and entertaining strategies to the ice to get wins for the team. He has coached many teams in the region, including the Granite City Lumberjacks, Yellowstone Quakes, and others. The team and its coordinators are dedicated to enriching and empowering the young people of Thief River Falls. Consider allowing your child to attend tryouts during the selection camp period, which takes place each year. Prospective players must have registered with USA Hockey for the season in which they wish to play. Purchasing season tickets is the most helpful way to support the team. Plus, you avoid having to buy tickets repeatedly for yourself or the hockey lovers among your family and friends. Season ticket holders enjoy special perks such as guaranteed seats at every game, lower per-game prices than nonseason rates, and a 10% discount at the Norskies gear stand. Season pass holders also have no wait at the box office, the first choice of the best seats during playoff games, and first rights for same-seat renewal if you find a favorite spot to watch from. Ten-game flex packs are available for those who want to go to several games but don't want to spring for a season pass. Whether you favor reading and art, a stroll through history, a movie at the theater, or a good time on game night, each of these fantastic locations is ideal for a family outing on your day off. If we missed any fun indoor activities in or around Thief River Falls, Minnesota, please get in touch so we can add them to our list.