St Clair Broiler

We have been occasional patrons of the St. Clair Broiler and have always enjoyed the food. The fish fry is good and the burgers better than most. The big draw on our recent visit was for the Rudolph's ribs. I ordered the full slab, thinking I could share them, or just take the leftovers home. I also thought having Rudolphs on this side of the river would be great, save gas, time and still have the best of both worlds. If these ribs were representative of what they're serving at Rudolph's on Franklin, I'm not traveling there again. The ribs were burned. I was told that the 'end piece' is always like that. Well, I think not. They were also prepared and presented without sauce, and if there was a rub of some sort, then they also were served without flavor. They were not meaty and they were served w/sauce on the side. At $19.95, one would expcect better quality. They were exchanged for another order, but these were not much better. I did take them home, but didn't relish them as you would something that met expectations and tasted great. I will not return to the Broiler for ribs. There are too many other places that serve a better tasting product. Very disappointing. Also, the Rudolph's coleslaw was watery and the cabbage was not chopped very well, huge chunks of cabbage interspersed. more

I really wish this place was better. I agree with other reviews that it seemed to lose something after being renovated. The food is pretty standard diner fare. I do think the burgers and malts are above average. Everything else I've had here is solidly so-so. Service is always prompt. My main complaint is that it costs about 50% more than it should for diner food. more

My friends and I stumbled in here at 11am New Years day looking for some recovery food. We were seated promptly and given one of the best waitresses I've ever encountered. (I think her name was Michelle.) The boys went with breakfast fare and proclaimed that the omelets and fresh squeezed OJ were the best they've tasted. My burger, fries, and cherry coke were also quite good. Pros: food, service more

If you've ever been to the Broiler and have fond memories of the dark panellng, giving the place a noir sort of feel, it's gone now, replaced with bright airy colors, which makes the place seem bigger, but also makes it seem a lot like a lot of other restaurants that don't have much character. Cons: food tasted preprocessed; restaurant make-over makes it feel anonymous more

This was my first visit in years, I knew this place as a classic for a burger and a malt. more

My son & I decided to try something a little out of our usual way. When we arrived at 6:00 I was surprised that we didn't have to wait, though by 6:30 the waiting area was packed. I ordered the all you can eat fish and my son had the french toast. Both items arrived within 10-15 minutes, the fish breading was very crispy unlike many restaurants where they don't seem to be able to keep their fryer hot enough and the fish arrives mushy. It was excellent, and when I was done and asked for more it only took a few minutes. My sons french toast was presented in a very attractive manner and my son thought that it was great. Afterwards we ordered a shake, it was good but not very big for the price, the metal shake container was only 1/2 to 2/3 full. Kinda pricey for 4+ dollars. The service was perfect, it couldn't have been better. We'll definitely return soon Pros: food, service were excellent Cons: a little pricey but still well worth it more

The broiler USED TO BE A GREAT SPOT for breakfast. I hate to say it, but it's time to move onto a new place. I have been eating here for years - I loved the place. But over the last several months they have made just enough changes to ruin what was once a gret spot for breakfast. The portions are sinificantly smaller, and the updated plates and menu just feel out of place. I wonder if the new plates were bought to make the portions seem bigger, or if the change in portion sizes was made due to having smaller plates? Either way it's just a shame that they have changed what made the place great. I feel like I lost a best friend. I had been bringing my family here for years - I won't be going back. It's too bad. more

The Broiler used to be a quality place to get some coffee and hang out, smoke cigarettes and talk to the regulars. But things are changing. No more smoking and ownership and management has changed. It's never been about the food, and now the atmosphere has changed. So, really, what's the point? more

How can this place be on this list much less in the top twenty? Every other small Diner in the Twin Cities can outstride their subpar fare in all categories of flavor, service and value. Anyone who thinks this is typical Diner food has been gastronmomically abused - I'm old enough to remember 50's and 60's Diner food. I'll only try the St. Claire Broiler again when I see a sign announcing ""Under New Ownership & Management"". Cons: they give flavor a bad name more

I live in the neighborhood, and was curious to try this place- unfortunately it was a huge disappointment. My food was cold, and did not come as ordered, our waiter essentially disappeared once we placed our order, and the food took entirely too long to come to the table. The restaurant is hideous in decor, and definitely not worth the price or the wait. Cons: service , food, wait more

I go out to eat a lot and let me tell you that for breakfast they have fantastic omelettes!! The chicken tender melt is delicious and the fries are great. The servers are ok, but who cares when you're out for a burger and fries! This place is a college kids best friend on a saturday afternoon! Pros: food, shakes Cons: waitstaff more

The shake I had was not the best around, as I had been told and read. The menu was varied, but the food was nothing special. I had a hamburger and I have had better. The bun was dry. The decor is awful, too relaxed. Pros: History Cons: Nothing special more

It seems almost a crime not to have a burger when you come here -- the few times I've been, that's what my friends and I have ordered. I absolutely love that you can get fried onions with your burger order. Not many places offer that anymore. The place itself is a little chopped up, and you can see where they've expanded over the years, but the service is friendly and the food is tasty -- what more could you ask for in a neighborhood joint? Pros: Burgers, Old-time feel Cons: Parking is tough more

This is a true neighborhood diner with the wait staff to match. The wait staff is one of the best I've experienced. I sat with my newspaper drinking coffee for 1 hour before ordering breakfast and they were very accommodating. The food was your average diner food, but the people made the visit so much enjoyable. I will definitely go back. Pros: service, price, location more

I love the malts at this place, very good! The food is great as well, very big portions. more

The hot turkey sandwich is excellent. And if you get a sandwich or burger, try the potato chips instead of french fries; I don't know if the chips are homemade, but they're thick, crunchy, seasoned, and delicious. I wouldn't call the SCB a ""greasy spoon,"" though, especially not at these prices. more

I feel awful saying this, because it's family owned, but my experiences have been awful. The servers are hard to find, the food has consistently been not only bad, but cold. Our server last time never did bring us our food, I had to go to the counter to retrieve it. I was appalled that a family run business could be so far off, not only on the customer service, but the food wasn't even very good. I was so disappointed and embarrassed for them. more

I can't believe the high marks this place has gotten. Apparently I can't tell you why (my first review was rejected) but suffice it to say, my husband I will never go back to the Broiler. The only reason I'm giving the Broiler a 2 for the food is because the shake I had was good... I'll give them that much credit. more

My wife and I had the chance to try St Clair Broiler for ourselves on recommendation of friends. We were very satisfied, to say the least. Portions are generous, well prepared, and very tasty. On two trips we've eaten there 3 times since late summer; we've a relative nearby and will doubtless be back for more 4 ****'s Pros: Busy, Good food/price, Parking o.k. more

This place specializes in hamburgers, so naturally has great fries. more