Staghead

Probably the best burger I’ve ever had in Red Wing. Also, that pretzle beer on tap is epic great.

Drove an hour for the wings they had at wing and brew fest… no wings on menu. Food was ok, ordered burger was asked how I wanted it cooked said medium, came well done (don’t ask if not going to follow thru.) The bacon, aioli and cheese on burger was great would have been wonderful if cooked to the temp I ordered. May eat here again if in town but would not make special trip again.

Words can’t describe how incredible this place is… Go there and see for yourself! FINALLY! An amazing restaurant in Red Wing!

Fresh food, friendly service & comfy ambien… was hoping to try their polenta but dinner items weren’t available till after 5 p.m. So, i ended up with a soup/​sandwich combo, which was just fine. Interestingly, the spoon i had looked more like a dinner spoon, kind of large for the small cup of soup served with the salad greens & half turkey — i asked for a soup spoon & was a bit embarrassed when the server came back with its «twin» sibling.

I wandered into this place because of the chalkboard sandwich sign outside the business. It had a lot of words on it, but the only words I saw were «cold beer». Yes. Gimme one of those! They have a lot of fancy micro-​brew beers with cutesy names and above average prices. I am not really a serious beer drinker so many of the more detailed descriptions of a beers mossy or hoppy flavor didn’t really help me out much. What was interesting, though, was the opportunity to do a taster of 4 different beers for $ 7, I chose out of the first 5 on the beer menu and it was a great way to introduce me to new beers and experience the opportunity to taste the differences. One I did not like at all, it tasted really sweet like a glass of wine mixed with orange juice. Glad I didn’t just pick that one off the menu and order a full glass of it, because that would have been a waste of a few bucks.
I was only in town briefly and didn’t try anything on their menu but it looked interesting. Staff was friendly, fast and efficient. A good place to spend an hour with a tray of tiny beer mugs test driving flavors.

The hotel receptionist told me this restaurant is the height of Red Wing food. She noted that it had closed down and reopened at least once.
I went with another out-​of-​town coworker for dinner. They started by giving us menus that had things crossed out and written in with a ballpoint pen. Only items with certain handwritten symbols were available.
Walking in, you see the huge taxidermied stag on the wall, and a large bar. When they called it Staghead, they weren’t messing around. The lighting is dim, and candles are on every table.
I tried a beer called «pale oat ale», which was a seasonal offering. It came in a mason jar, very Pinteresty. It was a sweet grain beer, like a wheat. I was disappointed that they didn’t have any Minnesota beers (at least, to the waitress’ knowledge) because I prefer to support local wherever I go.
I ordered the mac n cheese, one of the only vegetarian items on the menu. It was served in a miniature cast iron pan. It was creamy but the spices didn’t really seem to go together. The side of bread was warm and tasted yeasty, which I like.
My coworker got a burger and specifically asked for no lettuce. They didn’t put any on the sandwich, but it was buried under what appeared to be entire bags worth of greens. I don’t know if anyone can eat that much salad.
They definitely give you a large volume of food for the money.
Our waitress was nice, but she worked very slowly. It took over 20 minutes for her to come back to the table for the credit card after she delivered the receipt, and then 10 more minutes to process the card. There were three waiters in the restaurant and only two tables of people… she just kept disappearing. We even tried to wave her down and she just waved back.
Like a lot of places in Red Wing, the food was decent and the people were nice, but the waitstaff works at a much more leisurely pace than you’d find in the city.

This is the third Staghead at this location. The first closed when the chefs started their own place (Norton’s) which for a number of reasons did not survive. The owners of the building looked for «experienced» restaurant professionals. After a few years they found someone who had owned a restaurant in northern Minnesota. I was excited because I had eaten at their previous place and was anxious to talk to them. I found them so unfriendly and the food such a letdown from the first chefs that I gave up after a few visits. Thus with the Staghead again closed for a few years I was cautious about doing a review of the «new» Staghead until I knew for sure that it really was going to be well run and with good food.
On my first visit for dinner we thought the food was spectacular. The setting has remained consistent since the beginning so the issue has never been the ambience. Our second visit we were a little less pleased. They were out of a couple of things we wanted to order and what we did get was disapointing. For example the Deviled Eggs were runny. We assumed it was just an off night while they got things more under control so we tried again.
What a treat! There were four of us and we started with Mussels. They were different from the ones the Greg and Sarah served when they ran the fist Staghead, but every bit as good. A tomato, and I assume a wine sauce, was easily worth sopping up with the bread after the Mussels were quickly devoured. The server recommended the fresh made Guacamole and she was correct – it was wonderful.
I had a Burger. The original Staghead had a NO burger policy and the second incarnation had a so-​so bar food burger. So I was cautious. But this one was great! With a side of small potatoes lightly browned and a decent salad it was a very fine meal. It is the best burger in Red Wing.
Two split a Chicken Pâté and loved it. They each had a salad: a Jasper and Beet. Again both were very pleased. The fourth member of our party had a Rachel and thought it was one of the best he had ever had. I had a Roast Beef sandwich on my first visit and was so impressed that I suggested he look at the sandwiches.
About the only major difference from the original Staghead and number three is the shift from wine to beer. But beyond that, if you liked the original Staghead, it is now time to return. The menu is different, but at least as good. And just maybe even a little bit better!

Utterly amazing food. The chicken confit salad was sublime, even though it was covered in olives (which I loathe). The greens were top notch, the asparagus was perfectly cooked and the chicken was some of the best I’ve tasted.
My girlfriend got a pork sandwich that was beautifully buttery.
Nice atmosphere in a great town.

DO NOT GO HERE! The only reason for the single star was the food was excellent, otherwise if I could give it a 0 star, I would! The food did not compensate for the fact one guest received her meal more than 1 hour after the other guests. Everyone was long done eating before that meal came because the waitress claimed she «forgot to submit it.». Aside from that, service was atrocious. It was not even busy that night we were there! It took more than 1 hour for anyone to get their meal in the first place, after waiting more than 30 minutes to get waited on to begin with. The tray the flights were served on had not been cleaned and it was very difficult to read what kind of beer we were drinking. It was sad. We had been going there for years, but under new ownership will never go back. The food was not worth it!

Excellent service and delicious lunch in Redwing! We we’re very impressed with the vintage interior and the flavorful and homemade dishes.

Everyone at the table enjoyed a selection of sandwiches and salads. Drink selection is good. We enjoyed a number of local tap beers. Service was excellent.

I was lured in by pictures of the signature Stag, Belgian beer and unique food selection. Stagshead delivered on all three. I started my lunch with a Bloody Mary that came with accoutrements such as olives, pickles, prosciutto, nuts and a deviled egg. I was sold at this point. Then it just kept getting better. Lunch consisted of turkey meatballs, beet salad, and black been soup. Everything was unique, well presented and delicious. Once we finished our feast we started on the Belgian beers. I had a Kwak, Maredsous, and Karmeliet. A little excessive for lunch but the proprietor Danielle was such a great host we couldn’t leave. Stop in on your next visit to Red Wing you won’t regret it.

I judge (yes I said judge) an establishment based on service, healthy food options and high end beer selections. Stagshead delivered on all counts. My husband and I were in need of all of the above following a bike ride from Richfield, and were very happy to be served by the lovely proprietress (Danielle). The Paloma for me and a variety of fine Belgian beers for he, along with soup, salad and turkey meatballs made for a great afternoon. Highly recommend.

We spent a weekend in Red Wing at the Pratt Taber Inn and used Staghead as our dining room for lunch and dinner. Danielle and John have created an amazing culinary experience in a gastropub atmosphere. When was the last time you saw brandade on a menu outside of France. It was incredible… as well as everything else we sampled. The beer selection is impressive and the wine list a perfect compliment to the menu. The only disappointment we had was that we couldn’t work our way through the whole menu although we tried!

My wife and I showed up on a Saturday evening (6pm) with three kids (3, 6, and 10) in tow. We nearly passed, thinking the place wouldn’t be very kid-​friendly, but decided we’d pop in and gauge the atmosphere. We were seated immediately at a comfy table offering plenty of elbow room and a good amount of buffer between us and other diners.
Ordered drinks and bread right away to placate the kids — yummy, chewy/​crusty baguettes were served accompanied with butter + light drizzle of honey, which the kids snarfed right away. Homemade lemonade had the right balance of sweet/​sour. Kids received coloring /​activity books & a box of good crayons. I ordered a beer which came in a solid glass. Our server was attentive and polite.
While there’s no formal children’s menu, we were informed the kitchen would be happy to make whatever we’d like, provided they have the ingredients. The 3 and 6 year old both wanted cheeseburgers. 10 year old opted for adult pasta dinner, my wife ordered a bacon cheeseburger, and I ordered the pot roast «sammie.»
The dining room had a laid-​back, positive vibe. The high ceilings and brick walls more than make up for the narrow width and the tables and booths are laid out in such a way that there’s plenty of space for everyone. The kitchen is in the basement, which helps keep the dining area peaceful and cool.
Food arrived promptly and was excellent! The kids loved their burgers; our oldest cleaned his plate of pasta (fetuccini properly al dente, light cream sauce, herbs, swiss chard). My wife declared her burger the «very best» she’s ever had (high praise from her, she wouldn’t even let me try a bite) and my sandwich was delicious and satisfying — perfect amount of meat, excellent balance of bitter & sweet, saucy with a crusty baguette that held up to the contents. Everything was made with top-​quality, fresh ingredients and well-​seasoned.
My whole family left happy, pleasantly full, and satisfied — there was nothing left to box up, which has never happened for us before.
Staghead knocked it out of the park! We will definitely return whenever we are in Red Wing; I’m looking forward to returning without kids sometime as well so we can take our time, have a few drinks, and share a bunch of smaller plates.

Perfect date night! Creative beer choices. I’d recommend a flight. Hip and charming ambience. Food was delicious but overpriced for portions received. They recommend reservations although plenty of tables were open for a 7pm dinner. Your call. If they don’t have room for you Oliver’s wine bar will be opening just a few doors down shortly.

Really great food and an impressive beer selection all in a warm and cozy space. You can tell Danielle and John really paid a lot of attention to detail. I travel a lot for business and pleasure, and I have admit, this is my new favorite gastropub.

AMAZING food, STELLAR service, FANTASTIC atmosphere. Hands down this is Red Wings best place to eat. You can tell that the food is fresh and not pre-​made/​frozen (unlike several other places in town). They have an excellent choice of beverages and I like the fact that they change their menu items often. The first time we ate at Staghead I ordered the cassoulet. Delicious! Others with me ordered the Cheese Plate, Grass fed steak and the pasta. Not ONE single complaint! We all tried a bite of each other’s food and my only disappointment was that no one else wanted to share more than one bite!
The second time we ate there was this evening, and I had a hard time deciding what to choose. So we all chose something new. I had the Pot Roast Sammy. Everything completely melted in my mouth, it was that good. I also got to sample the cheeseburger (fresh and perfect). My son had the shredded pork sandwich. All the flavors were in perfect harmony. If you want your typical bland, greasy, fried, frozen, fattening, month old bar food, then this is definitely not your place. If I could give more than 5 stars I would.

My first experience here was in a word, bad. Real bad. After writing a review the owner wanted to make right– much respected.
I’m updating my review as I have been a couple more times and had a better experience. They seem to have a few wrinkles ironed out.
Fun atmosphere and crafty food. This is not your normal pub food. Lots of creativity. The carrot soup, both leaf salads and guacamole are awesome. I would not get the mussels or turkey meatballs again.
Pulling for this place to thrive in Red Wing!

They are up and running, nab a reservation now. Good mix of beer, wine and «I want to try it all menu».
Danielle and John are winners in the restaurant biz, best of luck. Please support and recognize their talents!