2023 Patio Season in Otter Tail County, MN
by Your Inner Otter
Otter Tail County, MN has a plethora of locally owned eateries. The menus are diverse and deliciousness abounds. Come summer, many of the area’s restaurants add to your dining experience by offering outdoor seating. It is time to celebrate, because patio season is here. The following is a list of some local favorites where you can enjoy a great meal and some tasty beverages in the great outdoors. For a complete list of all of our dining members click here
Lake view
Spanky’s Stone Hearth – Vergas, MN
The deck at Spanky’s Stone Hearth overlooks Rose Lake. They have some of the finest seafood, steaks and ribs in the area. They pride themselves on being farm-to-table before it was fashionable. Locally sourced meats and produce elevate an already elegant menu. They even grow some of their own herbs and spices right on sight. Reservations are recommended, but not required. Click here to learn more about them.
Beach Bums – Otter Tail Lake
Where Aloha meets Minnesota nice. Beach Bums is located on the west side of Otter Tail Lake. Their unique menu combines beach themed dishes with signature drinks. The fish tacos are always a hit. Live music is common out on the deck.
Ten Mile Lake Resort & Steakhouse
Want your steak & lake too? Ten Mile Lake Resort & Steakhouse is located about 15 minutes south of Fergus Falls, MN. Their restaurant is open from memorial weekend through Labor Day Weekend. Hours are 5 to 8 Wednesday through Sunday.
Big Pine Lodge – Perham, MN
Big Pine Lodge is located in a 1930’s big band dance hall that has since relocated and transformed to keep its comfortable charm with modern touches. Featuring lakeside views with an expansive elevated deck, Big Pine Lodge serves an array of tasty entrees from hand-crafted fresh-baked pizza to pub-style prime rib dinners, craft cocktails, refreshments, and a variety of beers. Click here to see their menu or order online.
Shoreline Restaurant Bar & Bowl – Battle Lake, MN
Sometimes Mother Nature decides to put a damper on our outdoor plans. Shoreline Restaurant Bar & Bowl in Battle Lake, MN is a great place to dine rain or shine. They offer breakfast from 7am to 2pm. If you like walleye, we highly recommend the Fisherman’s Deluxe three egg omelet or the Walleye Benedict. Our favorite burger is the West Battler. This innovative dish is a grilled beef patty topped with house smoked walleye, cream cheese and spinach.
FORE!
Willy T’s at Thumper Pond Resort – Ottertail, MN
Imagine finishing a round of golf and siting out on a patio to enjoy a refreshing beverage and delicious meal overlooking a picturesque pond. You can have this and more at Willy T’s Tavern & Grill at Thumper Pond Resort in the City of Ottertail. Willy T’s Tavern & Grill serves farm-fresh and home-inspired favorites. Specializing in homemade roasted, hand-carved meats for sandwiches, burgers, and pizzas with homemade sauces, this Minnesota restaurant hits the spot every time. Click here to learn more.
Pebble Lake Golf Course – Fergus Falls, MN
Play 18 holes at Pebble Lake Golf Course then take a break at Palmer’s Kitchen & Bar.
Brews, Ales & Ciders
ABC Brewing Co – Battle Lake, MN
One of the best ways to get to know a place is partake in some of their local tasty beverages. ABC Brewing in Battle Lake, MN features some of the areas finest brews along with delicious wood fired pizza. You can learn more here.
Disgruntled Brewing – Perham, MN
The Disgruntled Brewing formula is simple: Combine our slightly-gruff, admittedly never-quite-satisfied brewers with the world’s best ingredients. Then stand back and marvel as you produce one great beer after another. Ales. Lagers. Stouts. Wheat beers. Specialties. Seasonals. German. Belgian. Russian. One taste and you’ll know this is Midwest brewing at its finest. Get directions here.
Thousand Lakes Brewing Co. – Parkers Prairie, MN
What better place to whet your whistle in the land of 1,048 lakes than Thousand Lakes Brewing Co. in Parkers Prairie. Enjoy award winning brews while sitting outside. Food trucks and other types of food are a staple here.
1910 Sip House
Sip small batch craft cider in the heart of lakes country. 1910 Sip House near Battle Lake, MN has a place to chill by a fire, listen to some music and experience their signature Ethel’s dry cider. Click here to visit their website.
Other Favs
Mabel Murphy’s – Fergus Falls, MN
Discover Irish charm in a quaint and cozy atmosphere at Mabel Murphy’s in Fergus Falls. Reservations are recommended. Click here to see hours and/or order online. The outdoor dining area is newly remodeled and ready for you to enjoy.
Rusty Nail – Battle Lake, MN
The Rusty Nail Burger & Beer Bar in Battle Lake has been voted the best burger in Minnesota by WCCO-TV viewers. They have an incredibly “up north” atmosphere inside, great food and a place to soak in some sunshine while you enjoy your meal. Be sure to check out their new hand painted mural.
The Williams Company Store & Deli – Ottertail, MN
Shop till you drop, then grab a bit to eat at The Williams Company Store & Deli in the City of Ottertail. They serve espresso drinks & smoothies, ice cream, breakfast & lunch.
Taqueria Escobar – Pelican Rapids, MN
Variety is the spice of life. Pelican Rapids, MN is blessed with a ton of variety. You can find all sorts of flavors up and down main street and one place you should be sure to stop is Taqueria Escobar. They feature Tex-Mex food at it’s finest.
Big John’s Pelican Pizza – Pelican Rapids, MN
Pizza is a family favorite and Big John’s Pelican Pizza is a great place to get some “za.” Their menu is extensive and goes beyond a slice of pie. This place was established in 2020 and has quickly become a favorite amongst visitors and locals alike. To this day, it is one of the only places we know of where you can buy a 2 liter bottle of pop to wash down your meal. And you won’t need to go anywhere else to get dessert. They offer ice cream too. Click here to learn more.
Blackboard
A place to gather on scenic Highway 41 in Otter Tail County, MN. Creative food and tasty cocktails. Terri Trickle welcomes you to this historic schoolhouse. Reservations recommended by calling 218-758-2619. Click here to learn more.
The Woodshed
Weekends have been busy at The Woodshed so far this summer. Their prime rib is stellar. Their burgers are delicious. And the nightly specials seem to be popular. We stopped by late one weekday afternoon and fell in love with The Brush Pile. An appetizer that eats like a meal. Next time you have a hankerin’ for some hearty food, head out to The Woodshed.
The Shack BBQ Eats & Cool Treats
Nothing says summer like BBQ and ice cream. There is a great new place in the city of Ottertail called The Shack BBQ Eats and Cool Treats. If you are headed to the cabin for the weekend, they offer larger quantities of food you can take to the lake. This way you get to spend less time cooking and more time enjoying lake life.
