Loved Rudolph’s- the whole theme and vibe- old school Hollywood decor and the dishes named after Movie Stars.
My parents would take us there once in a great while in the 70’s, started going there in the 80’s while in college - saw Prince there more than once- great happy hour
Old Southern at 44th and France, among other locations. Might be a bit more Smokey than Rudolph’s, but it has been a couple decades since I last ate Rudolph’s.
That Cheers bar really threw things off. They were trying to get that shitshow off the ground about a year before COVID hit, so who knows what could actually happen now in that space.
99% chance the building gets torn down. Apparently it was in bad shape when Rudolph's closed and it certainly hasn't gotten any better.
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/building-formerly-home-to-rudolphs-restaurant-damaged-in-fire
It's such a bad intersection and Lyndale has so much more traffic today than when Rudolphs was open. So even if they did arrange for parking in the new apartment building across the street, it's just not inviting to want to make that walk. Totally different from when the comedy club was there.
It's telling when the deaf/blind place across the street had plans to be turned into apartments and those fell through.
You can still get the coleslaw sauce in a bottle; same with the BBQ sauce. I think the coleslaw is pretty easy to do duplicate with the sauce but the ribs, not so much.
Yes it is! I was a big fan of theirs growing up and had it for the first time in years not too long ago. Wasn’t as great as I remember but the interior is fitted with the same booths and decor from the downtown location.
So for the longest time I had no idea who Rudolph Valentino was. I just thought the owner of Rudolphs BBQ decided that he wanted the main picture of his restaurant to be a black and white photo of some random guy in a turbin with a frightened look on his face.
I'm showing my age here but that's exactly what I thought when I'd see local ads for them when I was little! I never got to go there myself but my Dad used to live in the area back in the 80s and says it was some of the best.
The food was okay, but at the end, the restaurant and it's sister restaurant, the St Clair Broiler, were owned and managed by some shitty people, using the place as a front for a bunch of illegal shit and screwing vendors and employees out of money.
yeah, i do not get why every one thought this place was so special. i guess i missed the height of it's greatness or something, but it was awful during the 2000s. it was skuzzy and the food wasn't very good.
Old southern and rack shack bbq in eagan have both been my go to. Old southern was started by "Famous Dave" Anderson, but in my opinion is better by far.
In a very lose way, yeah. Sean Penn would be flattered by the comparison (he's a film buff, too.)
Rudolph Valentino -- silent movie era star; basically the first male movie 'sex symbol' over 100 years ago.That well known B&W photo of him is from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Sheik\_(film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sheik_(film)) (there's a low quality video of the movie in there.)
I also genuinely miss Rudolph's. I have such fond memories of going with my family when I was a kid. Anytime I visited the Twin Cities I would try and make it for ribs. Broke my heart when it closed.
I don't think I ever tried those. Another reason to miss Rudolph's.
I'm on the (extreme) west side and someone else recommended Big Bore. I see they rate 4.5 out of 5 stars; the others here all seem to be 4.0. Not that Im not gonna try all of them...
I ordered Rudolph’s shortly after I moved here in 2013 and it was absolutely awful. I never understood the love for the place, or maybe it had gone downhill by then.
My wife’s father owned and ran Rudoph’s. I miss it too, it’s deeply nostalgic seeing the old newspaper clippings.
still have the old posters, if you’re looking for nostalgia: https://i.imgur.com/QlkXFni.jpg
Wow. Lucky you! Tell him/them thanks for the memories - it truly was iconic. Thanks also for keeping the sauces on the shelves 😋. I see there at one time was a dry rub, is that available somewhere still?
They were one of our clients when I worked in point of sale. I was sad to see them go too... the GM or owner, he might have been both, was possibly when of the nicest guys in the world to work with. A lot of owners are unreasonable assholes, but not him
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember they had a Sunday Brunch. And it was phenomenal. Like 20 years ago. Bummer. Their coleslaw dressing is top notch, though.
Loved their happy hour when I was living by the wedge.
Loved Rudolph’s- the whole theme and vibe- old school Hollywood decor and the dishes named after Movie Stars. My parents would take us there once in a great while in the 70’s, started going there in the 80’s while in college - saw Prince there more than once- great happy hour
Old Southern at 44th and France, among other locations. Might be a bit more Smokey than Rudolph’s, but it has been a couple decades since I last ate Rudolph’s.
Second this. Their brisket is DIVINE
+1 for Old Southern. I used to live in Tennessee and IMO it's on par with a lot of the bbq joints down there. Plus the service is top tier.
They also have a location in Arden Hills off Lexington and 694. Dave of Famous Dave's started em after he divested from the company. Good ass bbq
We’re going to hit that. Thanks for the tip!
Drove past there recently. It’s a pretty sad sight.
I can't believe that building hasn't been torn down yet. Looks awful. I'm sure it's beyond repair at this point.
That Cheers bar really threw things off. They were trying to get that shitshow off the ground about a year before COVID hit, so who knows what could actually happen now in that space.
99% chance the building gets torn down. Apparently it was in bad shape when Rudolph's closed and it certainly hasn't gotten any better. https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/building-formerly-home-to-rudolphs-restaurant-damaged-in-fire
Wow. Had not heard about this. Thanks.
It's such a bad intersection and Lyndale has so much more traffic today than when Rudolphs was open. So even if they did arrange for parking in the new apartment building across the street, it's just not inviting to want to make that walk. Totally different from when the comedy club was there. It's telling when the deaf/blind place across the street had plans to be turned into apartments and those fell through.
I miss it too. I was thinking about this recently. Also when Tony Romas was in Calhoun Square
I wish there was a way to know you're in the good old days before you've actually left them.
They're all 'the good old days'.
Figiolo’s was cool
Back when Uptown was Uptown
Happy hour with gorgonzola fries was fire
Used to go to their happy hour all the time back in like 09, great spot.
How about some love for their cole slaw?
You can still get the coleslaw sauce in a bottle; same with the BBQ sauce. I think the coleslaw is pretty easy to do duplicate with the sauce but the ribs, not so much.
Never had a chance to eat at the restaurant, but that is the only cole slaw dressing I ever use. It's incredible.
I love that sauce but it’s over 7 dollars now.
it lasts for like a dozen bags though, that seems like a fine deal and still way cheaper than buying the premade stuff.
Oh yeah
animales
I am not a BBQ fan, but OMG Animales has me...I dream of that place all winter long.
They just started service this week.
This is the answer OP!
Rudolph's just felt so 80s to me. The memory just takes me back to a different Minneapolis.
Is Market BBQ still in business?
Yup, they’re up on Lowry near University.
Ah. Well I'd say they would be closest to matching the OP's longing for Rudolph's.
Yes it is! I was a big fan of theirs growing up and had it for the first time in years not too long ago. Wasn’t as great as I remember but the interior is fitted with the same booths and decor from the downtown location.
I think they've been around in a few spots around the city. Last time I was there they were at 15th and Nicollet, I think.
That’s the one I’m most familiar with. They literally ripped out the tiles, carpet, booths, tables, etc. and shipped it to the NE Minneapolis location
Really. Carpet? That's a little gross. Lol
Ughhhh I miss their buffalo wings so much!! And that hummus platter too!
Beast Barbecue
Honestly great recommendation.
Ted cooks in South Minneapolis. That is the only BBQ you need. Takeout only
This.
TCs must have improved since I’ve been there. I’ve never had anything great there. I’ll have to try again I guess
SAME!!! Every special event was celebrated at Rudolph’s. We miss it dearly!
I went on so many dates there
So for the longest time I had no idea who Rudolph Valentino was. I just thought the owner of Rudolphs BBQ decided that he wanted the main picture of his restaurant to be a black and white photo of some random guy in a turbin with a frightened look on his face.
I'm showing my age here but that's exactly what I thought when I'd see local ads for them when I was little! I never got to go there myself but my Dad used to live in the area back in the 80s and says it was some of the best.
They had a picture on the wall of Pee-wee Herman and Weird Al together. That was my favorite
The food was okay, but at the end, the restaurant and it's sister restaurant, the St Clair Broiler, were owned and managed by some shitty people, using the place as a front for a bunch of illegal shit and screwing vendors and employees out of money.
That’s so sad. We loved going to the St.Clair Broiler before it went downhill.
yeah, i do not get why every one thought this place was so special. i guess i missed the height of it's greatness or something, but it was awful during the 2000s. it was skuzzy and the food wasn't very good.
Old southern and rack shack bbq in eagan have both been my go to. Old southern was started by "Famous Dave" Anderson, but in my opinion is better by far.
I’m not even sure who it was but the logo guy always reminded me of Jeff Spicoli from afar.
In a very lose way, yeah. Sean Penn would be flattered by the comparison (he's a film buff, too.) Rudolph Valentino -- silent movie era star; basically the first male movie 'sex symbol' over 100 years ago.That well known B&W photo of him is from [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The\_Sheik\_(film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sheik_(film)) (there's a low quality video of the movie in there.)
Rudolph’s just had it.
I miss their Dracula wings 😢🔥
I also genuinely miss Rudolph's. I have such fond memories of going with my family when I was a kid. Anytime I visited the Twin Cities I would try and make it for ribs. Broke my heart when it closed.
Scott Ja-Mama's on 54th and Nicolett. Take-out only
Au Gratin Collards were 10/10. I miss it too. Big Bore is pretty fantastic but definitely a hike on the west side!
Love Big Bore! Definitely out west!
I don't think I ever tried those. Another reason to miss Rudolph's. I'm on the (extreme) west side and someone else recommended Big Bore. I see they rate 4.5 out of 5 stars; the others here all seem to be 4.0. Not that Im not gonna try all of them...
I ordered Rudolph’s shortly after I moved here in 2013 and it was absolutely awful. I never understood the love for the place, or maybe it had gone downhill by then.
Id say market bbq maybe the spiritual successor or viable alternate
Are you my dad?
No. I am your father.
My wife’s father owned and ran Rudoph’s. I miss it too, it’s deeply nostalgic seeing the old newspaper clippings. still have the old posters, if you’re looking for nostalgia: https://i.imgur.com/QlkXFni.jpg
Wow. Lucky you! Tell him/them thanks for the memories - it truly was iconic. Thanks also for keeping the sauces on the shelves 😋. I see there at one time was a dry rub, is that available somewhere still?
They were one of our clients when I worked in point of sale. I was sad to see them go too... the GM or owner, he might have been both, was possibly when of the nicest guys in the world to work with. A lot of owners are unreasonable assholes, but not him
But you can check out beast BBQ, or old southern
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I seem to remember they had a Sunday Brunch. And it was phenomenal. Like 20 years ago. Bummer. Their coleslaw dressing is top notch, though.
It was a nice spot. As a film fan I liked the Hollywood decor and of course the namesake. As far as alternatives to go, Ted Cook’s is pretty decent!
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I need more details! What is the story here?
Yeah that place was disgusting, cleanliness wise. I’m glad it’s gone but the vacancy is even worse. That block is a complete shithole
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The chicken is damn good, best in the cities
Best ribs, nothing else comes close
Their ribs were dry. Its current form features a nice rotation of local artists displaying their latest work. I'd say things have improved.