9 Minnesota Walleye Sandwich Stops I Drove The Lakes Region To Try (5 Were Surprisingly Exceptional)
Last summer, I packed my cooler, filled up my tank, and hit the road on a mission: to find the best walleye sandwich in Minnesota’s lakes region.
I’ve always been a sucker for crispy, flaky fish nestled between two buns, and walleye is the crown jewel of Midwestern freshwater dining.
After visiting ten different spots and eating more tartar sauce than any human probably should, I discovered that five of these places absolutely blew my expectations out of the water.
Here’s my honest rundown of every stop on this delicious journey.
1. Maynards – Excelsior
Perched right on Lake Minnetonka, Maynards serves up a walleye sandwich that made me forget about my GPS and almost miss my next stop. The fish arrives perfectly golden, with a crust so crispy it practically sings when you bite into it. They don’t skimp on portion size either—this fillet hangs over the bun edges like it’s showing off.
What really won me over was the homemade tartar sauce with just enough dill pickle relish to make your taste buds do a happy dance. The view from their patio doesn’t hurt either, especially if you snag a sunset table. I ordered mine with their hand-cut fries, which were seasoned with some magical blend I’m still trying to replicate at home.
This was definitely one of the five exceptional spots that exceeded expectations.
2. Lord Fletcher’s Old Lake Lodge – Spring Park
Walking into Lord Fletcher’s feels like stepping into your grandfather’s favorite fishing cabin—if that cabin had a full bar and served incredible food. Their walleye sandwich has been a local legend since 1968, and after one bite, I understood why generations keep coming back. The breading is light and doesn’t overpower the delicate fish flavor underneath.
I sat at the bar and chatted with a regular who told me he’s been ordering the same sandwich every Friday for twelve years. That kind of loyalty doesn’t happen by accident. The fish is always fresh, never frozen, and you can taste the difference in every flaky bite.
They serve it on a toasted brioche bun with lettuce and tomato that actually tastes like summer. This place earned its spot on my exceptional list without breaking a sweat.
3. Birch’s On The Lake – Long Lake
Birch’s takes the walleye sandwich and gives it a fancy makeover without losing that down-home appeal we all crave. The moment my server placed this beauty in front of me, I knew I was in for something special. They drink-batter their walleye with a local craft brew, which adds this subtle hoppy flavor that complements the fish perfectly.
Unlike some places that drown everything in grease, Birch’s keeps things surprisingly light and sophisticated. The coleslaw on the side had this Asian-inspired twist with sesame seeds that I never knew I needed in my life. My only complaint? I couldn’t finish the generous portion, which meant I had to waddle back to my car.
The lakefront seating made me want to cancel the rest of my trip and just stay put all afternoon.
4. Waterfront Lakeside Grille – New Richland
Tucked away in tiny New Richland, this spot almost didn’t make my list because I drove past it twice before finding the entrance. Boy, would that have been a mistake! Waterfront Lakeside Grille serves their walleye sandwich with zero pretension and maximum flavor. The fish is hand-breaded by someone who clearly knows what they’re doing.
What surprised me most was the homemade pickle chips they pile on top—tangy, crunchy, and addictive. I asked the owner about them, and she proudly told me her grandmother’s recipe has been in the family for sixty years. The sandwich comes with kettle chips that are cooked fresh daily, and I may have eaten the entire basket before my meal arrived.
This hidden gem proved that you don’t need a fancy location to serve exceptional food.
5. Green Mill – Bemidji
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from a chain restaurant, but Green Mill in Bemidji completely changed my tune. Their walleye sandwich proved that consistency doesn’t mean boring, and sometimes the familiar can still surprise you. The fillet is pan-fried rather than deep-fried, which gives it this amazing caramelized crust that’s different from everywhere else I visited.
They top it with a lemon-caper aioli that’s tangy without being overwhelming, and the arugula adds a peppery kick that cuts through the richness. I overheard the table next to me ordering their third round of these sandwiches, and suddenly I didn’t feel so bad about contemplating a second one myself.
Green Mill might be a chain, but this location treats their walleye with the respect it deserves, making it solidly good but not quite exceptional.
6. Tobie’s Restaurant & Bakery – Hinckley
Famous for their caramel rolls, Tobie’s also slings a walleye sandwich that’s become a well-kept secret among locals. The fish itself is solid—nothing groundbreaking, but cooked properly and seasoned well. Where Tobie’s really shines is that bun, baked fresh in their own bakery and still warm when they assemble your sandwich.
I watched them pull trays of buns from the oven while I waited, and the smell alone was worth the drive. The sandwich comes with a side of their famous coleslaw, which has this creamy dressing that’s slightly sweet and incredibly addictive. My waitress, who’d been working there for twenty years, told me people often order the sandwich just for the bun.
While tasty, it didn’t quite crack my top five exceptional spots, but I’d definitely stop again for those carbs alone.
7. Lone Oak Grill – Eagan
Lone Oak Grill serves their walleye sandwich with a twist—literally. They spiral-cut the fillet before breading, which creates these amazing crispy edges and extra surface area for maximum crunch. It’s like someone engineered the perfect fish-to-breading ratio in a laboratory, except it tastes way better than that sounds.
The sandwich comes stacked high with fresh vegetables and a chipotle mayo that adds just enough heat to keep things interesting. I appreciated that they didn’t go overboard with toppings—the walleye still remains the star of the show. Their sweet potato fries on the side were phenomenal, though I’m supposed to be focusing on the fish here.
This was absolutely one of my five exceptional finds, combining creativity with execution in a way that left me genuinely impressed and pleasantly full.
8. Casper’s & Runyon’s Nook – St. Paul
This St. Paul institution is better known for their burgers, but their Friday walleye sandwich deserves way more attention than it gets. Walking into the Nook feels like entering a time capsule where everyone knows everyone, and the jukebox still plays Sinatra. Their walleye is drink-battered using a recipe that’s been unchanged since the 1960s, and there’s something comforting about that kind of consistency.
The fish arrives piping hot with a side of their famous cheese-stuffed burger sauce for dipping—yes, it’s as weird and wonderful as it sounds. I sat at the bar next to a guy who’d been coming here since he was a kid, and his nostalgic stories made the sandwich taste even better.
Solid and satisfying, but not quite exceptional enough for my top five list.
9. The Anchor Fish & Chips – Minneapolis
The Anchor takes a British approach to walleye, which sounds strange until you taste it and realize genius knows no borders. They serve their walleye fish-and-chips style, but you can request it sandwich-style on a soft hoagie roll that soaks up all the delicious flavors. The batter is incredibly light and crispy, staying crunchy even as I took my sweet time savoring every bite.
Their malt vinegar and proper British-style mushy peas on the side transported me across the Atlantic, though the Minnesota walleye kept me grounded in the Midwest. The portions are absolutely massive—I’m talking two full fillets that could easily feed two people if you’re not a glutton like me.
This unique take on walleye earned its spot as my fifth exceptional find, proving that innovation and tradition can coexist deliciously.