Wise Acre Eatery

Small, Select Menu Doesn’t Disappoint
The menu is carefully curated based on what is fresh and available. I dined here recently with family members and we went away full and happy. From the moment you enter you’re senses will be treated to many delectable smells. I had the half chicken which came with fingerling potatoes and garlicky greens. It was very satisfying. Others at the table had the slow cooked beef that was served with potatoes and a variety of root vegetables. For dessert I had the bread pudding which was the highlight of the meal for me. The wine menu was a bit more limited than I thought it should be, but it is a small place. We ended up at the table near the rest rooms and that was a minus, but it was the only available table, so we didn’t have a choice. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

I went in yesterday for their lunch/​brunch dish, the CSA (caway — a medley of veggies of carrots, chard, green beans, onion, parsnip served with creamy herbed scrambled eggs, cottage bacon and aioli with a lemony zip to it. So many levels and layers of taste and texture! It was exquisite. ommunity supported agriculture) Hash. It is easily one of the best breakfast dishes in the city. It starts with ingredients that come from their beyond organic farm 40 miles

I hate to leave a bad review of this place, because on paper it has all of the elements to be absolutely fabulous. Farm to table, creative menu, unique décor, great location. What’s not to love? It turns out, there are a few things not to love.
I’ve been to Wise Acre Eatery twice now. The first time, I went with my Mom. We had heard great things, but left feeling underwhelmed. There wasn’t anything «bad» about our experience per se. We felt the food was average, and the service was less than average. When we left, we both said, «I’m not sure I’d go back.»
That was about a year ago. On Thursday, a friend suggested we have lunch there. I’m not one to let a single bad experience taint my impression of a business. So, I decided to give it another shot.
Again, very underwhelmed. But this time, it was worse.
First of all, it was freezing inside. I was seated at a table that was approximately 6 inches away from a space heater. This made no difference. The cold air coming up from the floor and in from the walls turned my feet to ice. The atmosphere inside might be great, but I couldn’t appreciate it because I was too focused on my chattering teeth.
I ordered a Diet Coke. Please note, they do not serve Diet Coke. I saw someone drinking a bottle of regular Coke. But, I guess Diet Coke isn’t «natural» enough? I don’t know. I drank whatever their substitute diet drink was (stevia sweetened). It was fine.
For food, I ordered the Chili Platter. The description on the menu says: «classic grilled cheese sandwich along side a bowl of meaty chili with habanero sour cream & cheddar.»
Easy, right?
The chili was pretty good. Not very warm. But, flavorful, and the habanero sour cream was great. The grilled cheese on the other hand, was maybe the worst grilled cheese I’ve ever had. The menu does not specify which kind of cheese they use on this sandwich. But, whatever it was, it had zero flavor. It really felt like I was just eating two pieces of bread with some sort of soft substance melted between them. It was $ 14. No thanks.
As mentioned by previous reviewers, after we got our food, the server pretty much disappeared. We waited a long time to get the check, and then awhile longer for her to return with our credit card receipts.
I left thinking to myself, «I should’ve stuck to my guns a year ago when I told myself I probably wasn’t going to come back.» Good luck, Wise Acre. It seems like you’re doing quite well, and I’m really not sure why. Maybe people are willing to make exceptions in quality and service because they like the «idea» of what you’re doing? Hard to say.
But seriously, what was up with that cheese?

A South Minneapolis gem, inside and out. This has to be one of the most enchanting places to dine in the Twin Cities. The thriving greenery, warm hanging lights, dark wood tones and bright lights makes this space comfortable and enjoyable. That’s just the space.
The food is good, consistent, and if you’re paying attention, riddled with little twists that delight your palate. I’ve mainly dined here for brunch (served all day, hallelujah), and keep Wise Acre top of mind for the perfect way to start my day.
My go-​to brunch item is the «If You Must.» Judging by the name, this meal was made for the safe and non-​adventurous dining folks. Hey, sometimes you just want the basic breakfast. Don’t judge me. Regardless, they added flare to normally standard breakfast fare: egg scramble, seasoned breakfast potatoes, thick-​cut bacon, and a hefty slice of toast paired nicely with apple butter. The coffee from Bull Run is delicious, the $ 3.50/cup cost is quite steep I must admit. Down a couple cups to feel better about your investment.
This place is a charmer, and doing something great for farms and the community. And, as mentioned, they serve brunch all days [heart eyes emoji]

I’ve been to wise acres three times. The last time was the most memorable and enjoyable. I think that the burger is overrated but I didn’t have that the last time I was here. We had the soup, an amazing meat and cheese starter, the hummus which was out of this world and The bratwurst. The bratwurst was just OK, but still fairly tasty. The service was actually much better than the time before and our waiter was able to answer all of our questions about the different foods. We did a good job deciding how much food to order so that we still had a little bit of leftovers but not a ton extra. We were able to sit outside when it was still nice out and enjoyed being able to relax on the patio. He also each got a glass of wine. My house wine was rather delicious and my partners wine was good too. He got a one from the special list but I don’t remember the name of The list currently. I look forward to returning to Wise acres soon!

This place is legit. We came by for dinner while visiting from CA, I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I have ever had. The farm-​to-​table quality is the real deal. I got the stuffed pork chop, though the menu varies seasonally a bit it appears. Nice beer selection too.
The staff was friendly, helpful, and passionate about the restaurant. The bathroom had a nice ambiance. I would highly recommend visiting this place if you are ever in the Twin Cities.

We’re used to the local farm-​to-​table freshness in our coastal Californian home. That said, it wasn’t the freshness that blew us away here. Wise Acres serves food with an artistry and passion that goes well beyond the farm-​to-​table call of duty. Here are some of the delights:
1. Knowledgeable servers who were passionate about the food and drink. She was genuinely excited to answer our questions and for us to eat.
2. Excellent selection of Midwestern beer. Great prices. (Maybe it’s more a local scene, but I wish there were sampler flights for us tourists.)
3. Homemade ketchup with a seasonal twist (ours was pumpkin). Do not miss.
4. It was the best pork chop my meat-​loving brother has ever eaten, which he mentioned many times as if in disbelief.
5. No snores. Every aspect of the meal and menu was given careful and creative consideration.
6. No same-​olds. There are cooks who make great food and then there are chefs who create great food. She (forgot to ask her name) was a true chef. You could taste her Southern roots!*
7. Small, seasonal menu. I’d sacrifice selection for mastery any day. With F2T, I feel this is a must.
8. Clean, on-​theme bathroom. Sounds silly, but you can tell they care about the details when even the bathroom is nicely done.
*I would highly recommend eating as-​intended, allergies permitting. Chill atmosphere, but it’s definitely more of a chef restaurant.

A fantastic breakfast. Had the special today which was an egg tomato quiche, with green beans and sausage. It was beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious.
The vibe, décor and service are off the charts. I can’t wait t could me back.

Stopped by for lunch today, it was just ok. All the dishes looked good. I got the sausage and it tasted good but 10.00? For just a sausage? I also ordered a side of fries which came out cold. Had I known I was paying 6.00 for fries I would have returned them to the kitchen. The wait staff was not always attentive, we had to ask multiple times for refills of water and coffee. I also joined my group late and was given a menu but I had to go to the front desk to get my order in quickly.

Local goodness, a unique and spot-​on menu, staff that rock, and a perfectionist mixologist. Holy moly I love this place! Wise Acres does a great job of taking simple, locally-​sourced ingredients and showcasing how huge the flavor difference is when you source fresh, local ingredients.
I also love their space — the old converted car garage is awesome in the summer since it opens up to the community while the space is extra cozy in the winter.

This place had been on my radar for AGES and finally I was in the area over lunch time, so I went to check it out. Was able to get seated right away, as I arrived right before the crowd. Small space, small parking lot but charming and cute.
I already knew what I wanted based upon instagram photos, so I ordered the sumemr salad with bacon. It came out pretty quickly and was GORGEOUS. I mean, every color of the rainbow including a pink pickled egg and purple cauliflower. The baocn on top was enormous and very good. I am not a huge bacon junkie but this was legit.
Service was awesome– fast and very nice and friendly without being in your face or too distant. When I left there was a line formed, so definitely get here early. Very healthy and delicious food. The only downside was my salad was $ 17 and contained just a small amount of actual protein, but the ingredients are very fresh and high quality.

Dined at Wise Acre Eatery for brunch with my husband and mother in law. Our waiter was very informative and super friendly. He briefed us on what Wise Acre was about and where the food comes from. They don’t have a huge menu but it was decent. I ordered the French Toast, which was average and different to my liking. My hubby and his mom both requested the CSA hash which they thought was delicious. The bacon was fantastic here at Wise Acre — happy pigs means happy food. The service here was VERY slow! A come back spot for me, most unlikely but it was great to try!

Our group loved our dinner at Wise Acre. So cool that it was not just farm to table, but actually OWNED by a farm.
We shared the delicious beet hummus and the daily salad special to start our meal. Then we had the tender chicken and dumplings. Just like Grandma’s if she went to culinary school:)
For dessert we devoured the rhubarb cobbler. On the way out, we snagged some citrus berry scones for the next day. My co-​workers at the trade show were raving about them.
We’ll definitely be back on our next trip to MinneAp!

It’s hard to believe that Wise Acre Eatery has been open for 4 years now! I’ve been a regular diner at this establishment from the beginning and have always been impressed by their cutting edge historical culinary practices (yes, that appears to sound like a conflict).
They are one of the very few restaurants who not only grow most of their produce, but also raise the animals that are part of their old-​classics-​meets-​modern cuisine, and anything else that they do bring in they source locally (like the dairy from Castle Rock Creamery in WI).
There are so many interesting things to look at here! They have their living wall of plants (they’re owned by the Tangletown Gardens across the street), fun wall hangings, and one-​of-​a-​kind table adornments.
My favorite time to dine at Wise Acre is during the warmer months outside on the patio. Even when it gets crisper in the fall, they have their heat lamps running and can get a hot cup of their Evening in Missoula tea (I was first introduced to this TeaSource brand tea at this restaurant and immediately made an emotional bond to it).
The meal that does not disappoint is their Royal Brie & Bacon Burger.
Brie. Bacon. The burger is just an added frill.
I always ask for them cook my burger as rare as legally possible. Much juicier that way, you know.
I’ve often ordered their CSA hashes, but there’s something lacking in the hardiness factor, yet I still seem to order it. And sometimes it just depends on who’s cooking your meal that day. Sometimes the bacon «steak» that comes with the hash is charred. I can guarantee that bacon «steak» does not crisp… ever…much too thick. Visually and texturally, it’s basically a slab of ham. In fact, it would be greatly improved if those «steaks» down into the characteristic thickness of bacon that we’ve all come to know and love.
Another wonderfully unique point to this restaurant is that they render and sell their own pastured lard! Oh how I wish they would fry their fries in it though! While I’m a big proponent for quality animals fats in deep fryers (these kind of fats don’t oxidize and become rancid as quickly as the canola, soybeans, and other «vegetable» oils out there), they have continued to upgrade from once using to currently using Smude’s cold-​pressed sunflower oil (MN-​based company).
The setting can work for kids, but seems more like a place for adults to gather.
This is a place that is always changing and evolving; one of the main reasons I delight in coming back to dine over and over again!

My friend and I came in after hearing of the beer and burger special. We showed up and were shocked to see how small the place was. Our seat was next to a radiator in a corner which wasn’t the most comfortable but we managed. The place is very intimate so be prepared to be involved in your neighbors conversations.
The beer choices were good and the burger was great. The fries were nice as well. I ordered the soft-​serve with bacon brittle and also enjoyed that. Overall the food I ordered was good albeit potentially not worth the prices.

It is with great disappointment that I draft this review. I heard good things about Wise Acre (despite it’s lackluster Unilocal reviews) and finally ate there last night. The one great thing about this restaurant is the building, which exudes urban chic. We were seated outside (per our request), but unfortunately we were seated at the table that is within one foot of the parking lot. Instead of enjoying the interesting and well-​decorated restaurant, our view consisted of a Honda, a Subaru, and a Toyota. We eventually turned our chairs to face the restaurant, and then realized that our view was blocked by a line of potted plants. Inexplicably, the plants were placed between us and the restaurant instead of between us and the parking lot. Hmmm…
Then came our wine. The wine list is interesting and I quite enjoyed the white that I ordered. Unfortunately, the pour was more in the range of a $ 5.50 or $ 6 glass of wine rather than the $ 7.50 pour that I was charged.
Then came the food. While the concept of the restaurant (farm to table, of course) is inspiring, the food was not. I got the black bean burger which lacked flavor and was extremely dry and the fries. The fries were salty and, generally speaking, good. My husband got the Mexican plate, which apparently came with the same dry black bean burger that I choked down, I mean ate.
Overall the food and wine was overpriced. Next time I dine out, it will be where the wine pours are generous and the food is seasoned appropriately.

This review is for their brunch, although my assumption is dinner is just as good!
First off, the place is super cute and they have outdoor seating which we took advantage of!
The food was delicious and came out really fast! I ordered the French toast. It had granola and raisins in it with a sour cream topping! Yum! My husband had the csa hash which was also equally as delicious. They used local veggies!
For drinks, I didn’t try the coffee, but I had some fresh squeezed orange juice! They also have mimosas and beers, but no liquor so no bloody Mary’s.
The service was great as well, we will be back!

Late Fri dinner for two.
No reservation, no problem. Parking and tables available.
Atmosphere for days.
Little too dark for menu reading. I swear my eyes aren’t that bad.
Friendly, suggestive service.
Couple of beers on tap and what looked like a nice selection of wines.
Drinks & the «pint o curds and sausage» came. Perfect app to get things going.
We had the «Clucking Delicious» (grilled chicken) and «Supper Time» (rhubarb pulled pork). Both great, this should say it all. I take a bite of the pork, my eyes get big and I say «Oh my god.» I quickly get a good bite to share and she says «oh my god. how do they get it to taste like that?» Yeah I don’t know. But holy hell it was good.
We got the blueberry basil custard to wrap things up. It was good but I’d probably go a different direction, it had more ice milk texture than I’d expect for a custard.
By around 10 (closing time), we were the only ones left.
Added bonus. Purchase all kinds of local goodness at the front counter to take home and eat (frozen meats, condiments, milk, etc).

A last hurrah before the blustery winter descends and I resign myself to a life of hibernation.
And what a place this is to stave off the winter doldrums. Enter and you will be transported to a modern whimsical farmstead, replete with green plants growing on the wall by the ceiling. Bask in the open air feel, and rub your fingers on the distinguished wooden tables. A cozy location geared for visits of 2 – 4, it is nonetheless accommodating of larger parties as long as you can tolerate a wait. If you’re more inclined for a quick coffee and pastry, there is a counter area with pictures of farmland on the wall, and delicious pastries laid out in front of you on the counter.
Of course, a restaurant can be as beautiful as it wants, but if it fails to deliver on the food, what is the point?
The brunch menu consists of a well designed paper menu, a picture of which I may have uploaded separately from this review. The daily specials are written on a chalkboard on the wall.
In terms of food choices, they seem like simple brunch items with a light touch of whimzy. I elected for a brie burger. Obviously, anything containing a thick piece of bacon is immediately a contender, but the sublime addition of brie made this burger that much better. The side cobdiment of pumpkin ginger ketchup helped to elevate the pedestrian fries to a whole other level.
There may be haters out there who seek to tear down the efforts of ginger to elevate your palate, and to them I say bah humbug.
Service is friendly and courteous, without feeling snooty or brusque.
I’ve been looking for a reason not to gice this olace 5 stars, and I must say I’ve come up empty.
Side note — Be careful not to let my illustrious review raise your expectations of this place through the roof. Nothing can match raised expectations, with the possible exception of Costco rotisserie chicken.

Stopped here for brunch last weekend and decided I have mixed feelings about this place. On one hand, the décor and general feel is so «pinteresty» you can’t help but be mesmerized the second you walk in. On the other hand, the food took so long to come out I almost forgot where I was and why I was there. I swear I was there for over two hours from when I sat down to when the bill was paid.
The menu had a solid array of dishes ranging from French toast to brioche bun burgers. I was able to try the CSA Hash (lots of grilled veggies, slightly bland eggs, and a big fat slab of delicious bacon), burger (fresh patty, thick bacon, chewy bun), and bomb french fries with the most amazing homemade ketchup.
Our servers were very kind, food was decent, and ambiance was wonderful but I can’t justify a better rating for this place because there is just no excuse for the food come out that slow. Yes, farm to table food is great… but not when it means you have to wait for a chicken to lay an egg for your hash. Jk there wasn’t a chicken there but it felt like I waited an eternity for some grilled veggies and scrambled eggs. It honestly took over two hours.
I will come back… some day… when I have all the time in the world to sit around and chill for an unknown amount of time.