Granite City Brewery

     If you're looking for a fun place to have a beer and some food, here's your place. Granite City Brewery brews it's signature beers onsite. My favorite is The BroadAx Stout. Jerry likes The Batch or The Two-pull. Seasonal brews are featured throughout the year usually with a party for e-club members. 

This is The Stout

     GC features made-from-scratch menu items such as their Grilled Chicken and Asparagus Linguini as well as burgers, flatbreads, salads and steaks. The chef likes to mix things up from time to time so their menu items can change.

     I mentioned above about being an e-club Member. Besides that you can become a Mug Club member for a small one time fee. This entitles you to get 10% off your food order and to get a big mug of beer for the price of a small beer. You also get points for what you spend. We've been members for some time and enjoy the perks.


     One more thing--they have a really good Sunday Brunch. We always look forward to having one (or more--maybe just another half) of their jumbo cinnamon rolls that are prepared fresh each Sunday, drizzled with homemade Caramel Sauce and served with freshly whipped butter. GC has a build your own waffle station and Rum Chata French Toast to name a few other goodies. It's a good place to watch sports too since there are plenty of tv's in the bar. If you're with your family you might choose to sit in the dining room or on a sunny day on their patio overlooking a fountain.

These are their hours. 
     

• Monday-Thursday
• Open 11 AM – Midnight
• Full Menu until 10 PM
• Appetizers/Pizzas until 11PM
• Drinks until Midnight

• Friday & Saturday
• Open 11 AM -1 AM
• Full Menu until 11 PM
• Appetizers/Pizzas until Midnight
• Drinks until 1 AM

• Sunday
• Open 9 AM – 10 PM
• Brunch 9 AM – 2 PM
• Full Menu 11 AM – 10 PM
• Drinks until 10 PM

      

A Healthy Alternative to Fast Food

   

     An interesting place to eat is a restaurant named Quarks American Bento. It is located downtown St.Cloud on 5th Ave. This is a place to go if you are looking for something light and healthy. The prices are reasonable too.

     Walking into Quarks you will see 6 big circles that help you decide what to order. If you've eaten at a Subway or Chipotle it's kind of the same principal. You choose your bottom and then add your protein, veggies and sauces. 

     

     Everything is fresh--all the veggies are not cooked but raw. At the end you get to add on sauces. The sauces are all very original and somewhat out of the ordinary so you can sample them first. The staff encourage you to add more than one if you want. (They also have traditional soy sauce.)

     This was my meal. I chose a Bowl, Quinoa and lots of veggies. I added Lemongrass/ginger sauce and a little soy sauce. I'm not too adventuress. (Is that a word?) I also did not add a meat or seafood protein. It was all very fresh and delicious! I enjoyed the color and textures.

     There is seating inside and also patio seating outside. Their hours are 10:30 am -8pm. They don't deliver but you can call ahead and they'll have it ready for you.

     Their phone # is 320-774-1289

     Website: QuarksAmericanBento.com

One of Our City's Jewels

     One of our favorite places is right in the heart of the city. Lake George and the park area around it.

     It's a great little lake that offers some fishing...

paddleboat rides in the summer...

a splashpad for the kids...

wildlife viewing...

wide open spaces to toss a football or frisbee...

picnic areas...(and restrooms)

and even a place to work on your tan!

     One of the best things about Lake George is that it hosts free concerts every Wednesday evening in the summer. The music draws huge crowds partly because of the variety offered. (Several bands that play are local favorites.) The audience members also come for the many food vendors that set up along with a few crafters.

     

Lake George is a great place to come with your family or just by yourself to walk or run along the water! Don't miss checking it out!

Welcome to Saint Cloud

     Planning a visit to Saint Cloud and wondering what to do or where to eat? Already live here and wonder what you might be missing? These are our personal favorite places for fun, food, families and photography in our city along the Mississippi River.