This Minneapolis Burger Joint Proves $10 Can Still Buy Happiness

In an era when a fast-food combo threatens to break a twenty-dollar bill, finding genuine quality for ten bucks feels like discovering buried treasure.

Matt’s Bar has been proving that exceptional meals don’t require premium prices since 1954, one molten cheese-filled burger at a time.

1. Where the Juicy Lucy Was Born (Probably)

Matt’s Bar stakes its claim as the birthplace of Minneapolis’s most famous burger creation: the Juicy Lucy.

This isn’t just cheese placed on top of a patty, it’s cheese stuffed inside the meat, creating a gooey, molten center that requires both patience and napkins. The original version remains on the menu at the same price point that makes wallet-conscious diners weep with gratitude.

2. The $10 Sweet Spot

Geography and ambition often determine how far ten dollars stretches at restaurants. Fancy neighborhoods in expensive cities rarely accommodate budget-conscious appetites, while casual spots in affordable areas can transform a single Hamilton into a feast.

Matt’s Bar operates in that perfect middle ground where quality meets accessibility, serving substantial meals that don’t require checking the bank account first.

3. A Burger Worth Fighting Over

The Juicy Lucy sparked one of Minneapolis’s most delicious rivalries, with Matt’s Bar and 5-8 Club both claiming invention rights.

Regardless of who actually created the cheese-stuffed masterpiece first, Matt’s version delivers exactly what the name promises: a super moist bite where melted cheese erupts with the first squeeze.

For those seeking variations, Blue Door Pub offers a blue cheese-stuffed version that adds pungent funk to the formula, proving the concept has inspired worthy imitators across the Twin Cities.