Gun Flint Tavern ~ Grand Marais, MN (Sidetrip)

Cuisine: American
Restaurant Features: Bar, Live Music
Location: Grand Marais, MN
Address: 111 Wisconsin Street Grand Marais, MN 55604 (218) 387-1563
Hours: 11a-1p
Links: Gun Flint Tavern Website   Google Map

Atmosphere: The Gun Flint Tavern is in the center of Grand Marais, along the "main drag".  The space inside has a large bar that takes up an entire corner, with the dining area surrounding it in an "L" shape. There are several wooden tables throughout the dining space, with neon signs and a couple of fish aquariums to draw the eye.

Menu: Appetizers include Ahi Tuna Sashimi, Pesto Mussels with Sour Dough Crisps, Bruschetta, Baked Brie en Croute, Wild Mushroom Potstickers, Spicy Dry Rub Wings, Grilled Seasonal Sausage, Hummus Plate, Baked French Onion Crock, Daily Crafted Soup, Vegetarian Chili, Shem's Nachos, Blue Corn Chips and Pico de Gallo.

Salads offered at the Gun Flint Tavern include Mixed Baby Lettuce, Chef, Spring, and Dinner Salad.

Sandwiches at Gun Flint Tavern include choice of blue corn chips with garlic chili sauce or ripple chips.  Choices include The Tavern Burger, Grilled Chicken Breast, Veggie Burger, Grilled Wild Tilapia, Cajun Tuna Steak, Reuben, Cuban, Avocado and Provolone Wrap, Chicken Waldorf Wrap, Gyro, Lemon Chicken Gyro, Veggie Omelet with Herbed Goat Cheese.

Tavern Pizza options are Italian Sausage, Veggie or Cheese.

Entrees include Char Broiled Petite Filet, BBQ Baby Back Ribs, Atlantic Salmon Medallions, Walleye Fillet, Wild Mushroom Ravioli, Butternut Squash Ravioli, Shells and Marinara, Bangers and Mash, Fisherman's Stew, Asian Big Bowl, Chicken Mole, Fajitas, Pork Quesadilla, Stacked Enchilada, Tamales, and Bean Burrito.

Price guide:  Appetizers $8=12   Sandwiches $10-12 Pizza $19-21 Entrees $12=20

What I ordered: I was debating between a burger and my old-reliable, the Reuben but once the server told me that the Reuben was made with real corned beef, the decision was an easy one.  The corned beef was lean and shredded, piled with sauerkraut and thousand island dressing.  It was served on toasted rye bread with melted Swiss cheese.  It was pretty good but messy; I ultimately ended up eating it with silverware.  I liked the blue corn tortillas chips that came with the sandwich, they were crispy and salty and drizzled with a spicy mayo dip.

 

My companion ordered the Cuban Sandwich and it was mouth-watering delicious.  The marinated pork was roasted then pulled; it was moist, tender and full of flavor.  It was served on a toasted ciabatta roll with melted Swiss cheese, smoky chipotle aioli sauce, and dill pickles.  The blend of flavors and textures in this sandwich made it a new favorite.  I was fortunate to try more than a few bites and would have traded in my Reuben for this Cuban any day.

Service: Our server gave us good suggestions about what to order.  The food was served reasonably fast and drinks were refilled as needed
Overall Impression: I am still thinking about the Cuban sandwich that my companion ordered, I might have to drive all the way to Grand Marais again soon just to eat at the Gun Flint Tavern!