Twin Cities gourmet burger eatery to open Med City location near Saint Marys

Jeff Kiger, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read

Jul. 29—A new award-winning Minnesota restaurant brand plans to fire up a new Med City location in 2022 and beef up Rochester's gourmet burger offerings.

Red Cow, Twin Cities eateries known for gourmet burgers, craft beers and cocktails, plan to open a 6,000-square-foot space within the Berkman Apartments at 217 14th Ave. SW, across the street from Mayo Clinic's Saint Marys campus on Second Street.

The hope is to open on the main level of the apartment and hotel complex by February 2022.

ALSO READ: Minnesota's largest credit union to build a Med City branch

The announcement of the project on Thursday morning confirms rumors that have been circulating in Rochester since late 2020.

This will be the first restaurant outside of the Twin Cities area for Red Cow owners Luke Shimp and Tracy Bachu. They launched the Red Cow concept in 2013 and have four locations.

"Our neighbors will have a place to hang out, grab drinks at the bar, and enjoy a delicious meal," stated Shimp in the announcement of Red Cow's Rochester plan. "We hope it becomes the go-to neighborhood spot and convenient for those working in the area to get takeout."

Red Cow has become a hot spot for Minnesotans to enjoy a cocktail or glass of wine with a fancy burger. Minnesota Monthly magazine named Red Cow's burgers as the most innovative in the Twin Cities. The magazine cited the Barcelona Burger topped with piquillo pepper, Manchego cheese, and prosciutto and its Manhattan cocktail-inspired burger featuring bacon confit, Gruyère, and a cherry-red wine reduction on top of a meat patty blend of 21-day-aged ribeye, chuck, short rib and brisket.

The Berkman restaurant will have 130 indoor seats plus seating for 50 on a patio.

This is the first commercial tenant announced for Berkman's 21,000 square-feet of commercial space, which has been empty since the 14-story tower opened in 2020.

This new regional player joins a slew of local beer and brew providers, including The Tap House, Wildwoods, Tap House West End, Hot Chip, Newt's, The Workshop, The Half-Barrel, Fat Willy's and Rooster's.

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