Some dinners are worth a tank of gas, and this one sits on a quiet country road outside Hastings. Locals have driven past it for years before finally pulling in, and many leave planning their next trip back.
The building once worked as a gas station, which is a fun twist for a place that now fuels people with steak. Inside, the old Midwest supper club traditions are still alive, from relish trays to bread baskets that show up almost right away.
The filet mignon has earned a loyal following, and some fans say it can be cut with a butter knife. Prime rib gets plenty of love too, along with chicken and ribs smoked on site.
Keep reading to learn its story, what to order, when to go, and the small menu details that can save you a surprise on the bill.
A Country Road Address Worth Remembering
Out where the farm fields stretch wide, a supper club has been feeding Dakota County for generations. Wiederholt’s Supper Club sits at 14535 240th St E, Hastings, MN 55033, in the southeastern Twin Cities area of Minnesota.
The spot is a restaurant first and a time capsule second. It carries a strong 4.6-star standing from well over a thousand diners, which is a big number for a place tucked away in the countryside.
Hastings itself is a river town, but this supper club lives outside the busy streets. That rural setting is part of the charm, since the trip becomes part of the meal.
Many people say they drove past it countless times before stopping. One couple finally walked in to celebrate a 20th wedding anniversary, and that kind of story pops up again and again.
For food-focused day-trippers in Minnesota, the location works well. It is close enough to the metro for an evening drive, yet far enough away to feel like a real outing.
Free parking is plentiful, which helps when a big family group arrives together. The building is also handicap accessible, a welcome detail for grandparents and anyone using a wheelchair.
So the address is set and the car is parked. Now comes the part that surprises most first-timers: what this building used to be.
From Gas Pumps to Prime Cuts
Long before steaks hit the grill here, cars pulled up for fuel. The building used to be a gas station many years ago, a fact staff members happily share when asked.
On one wall hangs a picture of a couple. They were the original owners, and their photo keeps the founding story front and center.
The husband has since passed on, but the wife, now in her 90s, has been known to stop by on Saturdays. That living link to the past gives the place a family feel that newer restaurants cannot copy.
Plenty of diners grew up eating here. Some return after 20 years away and find the old place still the same, which is high praise in a world that changes fast.
A few things have shifted, of course. Salad dressings used to arrive on a rack brought to the table, and now they are served the usual way, a small change that longtime fans still miss.
Still, the core identity holds firm. The menu, the setup, and the sense of tradition all point back to the supper club era of the Midwest.
History is fun, but hungry readers want to know about the steak. That is coming right up.
The Filet That Earns the Mileage
A butter knife should not be able to handle a steak, yet here it reportedly does. The filet mignon is so tender that diners describe cutting it without a proper steak knife.
One family celebrating Father’s Day had three people order the filet at $34 each. All three were happy, and the person paying was not even allowed to peek at the bill.
Mushrooms can come on top, and one guest topped with them cleaned the plate completely. Steaks in general are often described as cooked just right.
Fans call this their go-to place when they want to impress someone. That says a lot about how much trust people put in the kitchen.
To be fair, not every steak night is flawless. A few diners have found steaks a bit dry, so mentioning your preferred doneness clearly is a smart move.
Tenderloin also appears on the menu paired with lobster, and that combo has landed well too. Surf and turf fans have options beyond the classic filet.
Prices change over time, so the $34 figure is a snapshot rather than a promise. Even so, the filet remains the reason many make the drive, and it is the dish that gives this article its name.
Prime Rib Reigns Over the Menu
Ask around Hastings about this place and prime rib comes up first. It is by far the most talked-about dish on the menu.
Some call it the best prime rib in the area. One guest who tried prime rib at a nearby casino said the supper club version beat it easily.
Portions can be huge. On busy nights, slices have come out large enough to cover the entire dinner plate.
Longtime fans returning after years away say it tastes just as good as they remember. That kind of consistency keeps families coming back across decades.
There is a smart money tip here too. Prime rib on a weekday has run a few dollars cheaper than the weekend rate, so a Tuesday dinner can stretch the budget.
Choose carefully, though. The larger cut may not get that weekday discount, so ask your server before ordering.
Doneness can also drift a little, with medium sometimes arriving closer to medium rare. A quick word with your server helps keep things on target.
Steak lovers now have two headliners to choose from. But the meal starts long before the main plate lands.
Relish Trays and Other Opening Acts
Old-school supper clubs have a ritual, and it begins before anyone orders. Bread, a relish tray, crackers, and salad often arrive almost immediately.
The relish tray is a beloved Midwest tradition. Here it has included celery and carrot sticks plus an olive set in a cup of ice.
The bread basket may hold soft rolls along with sliced toasted rolls and garlic toast. It is a nostalgic start that reminds many people of family dinners from their childhood.
Salads are simple and fresh. Expect a cherry tomato and a cucumber slice rather than a fancy creation.
Some guests wish this opening spread were bigger. A few have found it skimpy, and bread quality has varied from night to night.
For others, it is exactly the point. One guest chose this spot to honor a father who loved Wisconsin supper clubs with relish trays and breadsticks, calling it the closest thing to Wisconsin nearby.
Think of these starters as a warm welcome rather than a full course. The real decisions come next, and the menu offers more variety than many expect.
Smoked Ribs, Chicken Kiev and Friends
Not everyone at the table wants beef, and the kitchen knows it. The menu leans into classic comfort food with plenty of choices.
Ribs are smoked right on site. Chicken and ribs together make a popular combo, and spare ribs have been called a highlight of the meal.
Chicken kiev is another familiar name here. Opinions on it are mixed, so it may suit diners who already love the dish.
Seafood fans can find walleye sandwiches, halibut, shrimp cocktail, and scallops. A land and sea plate covers both cravings at once.
A mini hamburger offers a lighter pick. Burgers come with chips and applesauce, a very Midwest pairing.
Sides include baked potatoes and hash browns. The hash browns earn steady mentions and pair nicely with a pork chop.
Desserts round things out with chocolate options, including chocolate mousse cake that travels well in a to-go box.
Some menu items from years past, like frog legs, are no longer offered. Checking the current menu before going prevents disappointment.
With this much range, the next question is when you can actually eat it all.
Breakfast Hours at a Supper Club
Here is a twist most people never see coming. This supper club opens at 9 am on most days.
Monday through Saturday, hours run from 9 am to 8:30 pm. Sunday starts later, from 11:30 am to 8:30 pm.
Those early hours mean breakfast is part of the deal. Breakfast items can even be ordered alongside dinner entrees.
One table paired hash browns with a pork chop at dinner. The combo worked well, and the pork chop was cooked nicely.
Closing time is earlier than many city restaurants. Plan to arrive well before 8:30 pm so the kitchen has time to serve you properly.
Day-trippers can use these hours to their advantage. A morning drive, a hearty breakfast, and a ride home before dark make for an easy outing.
Evening remains the classic supper club window, though. That is when the dining room fills up and the old traditions feel most alive.
Hours can change, so a quick check of the official website before leaving is wise. Knowing when to go is half the battle, and knowing how busy it gets is the other half.
Low Lights and Plastic Tablecloths
Nostalgia is the house specialty, and the dining room proves it. The space keeps a traditional supper club look with low lighting throughout.
Plastic-covered tablecloths sit on the tables. It is a practical touch that matches the old Midwest style perfectly.
Many guests describe feeling like they stepped back in time. The place has stayed true to itself rather than chasing trends.
Bar seating is available for those who prefer a casual perch. Groups usually settle into the main dining area.
Comfort can vary. On some warm days the room has felt a little muggy, so dressing in light layers is a good idea.
Families with young kids are part of the crowd. Most nights that is fine, though some guests seeking a quiet, elegant evening have found it louder than hoped.
Staff members are often praised as warm and friendly. Servers have been known by name and remembered long after the meal ends.
The vibe is more cozy than fancy. That balance makes it a fit for many occasions, which leads to the question of who loves it most.
Birthdays, Proms and Big Family Tables
Celebrations seem to find their way here naturally. Birthdays, anniversaries, Father’s Day dinners, and even post-prom meals fill the calendar.
Large parties are welcome. One group of 21 gathered for birthdays, and the staff helped trim the menu ahead of time to keep the kitchen running smoothly.
A party of 10 on a Sunday found the setup comfortable for a crowd. Reservations make a big difference for groups like that.
Walk-ins should expect possible waits. On a packed night, one family waited about 45 minutes, and still felt it was worth it.
Service pace can slow when the room is full. Meals and checks have sometimes taken a while, so build in extra time.
On smoother nights, couples have been in and out within an hour. Quick delivery of food is a common compliment.
Regulars sometimes come every single week. That kind of loyalty speaks to how deeply this spot is woven into local life.
Great company deserves a clear budget. Here is what to expect when the bill arrives.
Counting Dollars Before the Drive
Money talk is not glamorous, but it helps. Costs here sit in the mid to upper range for a casual country restaurant.
Some couples have eaten for under $100 total. Others have spent around $180 for a larger order, so choices matter.
Steak prices vary by cut. A filet once ran $34, while a ribeye has hit $45, and some felt that ribeye was on the small side.
Opinions on portions are split. Ribs and prime rib often come in large servings, while scallops and some sides feel smaller for the cost.
Watch for one easy-to-miss detail. A $4 plate charge applies when an entree is split between two people, and it is listed on the last page of the menu.
Weekday prime rib can save a few dollars. Just confirm whether the discount applies to the cut you want.
Many diners still call the overall value fair for the variety and tradition. Knowing these details in advance keeps the evening relaxed.
Budget sorted, there is just one question left. Is the trip truly worth it?
The Verdict at the End of the Road
Every road trip needs a reason, and this one serves it on a plate. The filet mignon and prime rib give food lovers solid cause to point the car toward Hastings.
This is not a trendy spot, and it does not try to be. It is a classic Midwest supper club that still runs on tradition.
Not every night is perfect. Service speed, portion sizes, and noise levels can vary, so a little planning goes a long way.
Book ahead for groups and arrive with time to spare. Ask about doneness, cut sizes, and splitting fees so nothing catches you off guard.
For many diners, the experience delivers exactly what they came for. Some call it a must-visit, and others return after decades to find it unchanged.
Minnesota day-trippers who love comfort food and a sense of history will likely feel right at home. The family photos, the relish trays, and the steaks all tell the same story.
So fill the tank, set the GPS, and save room for dessert. With a tender filet waiting at the end, the miles tend to fly by.
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